Baby Musa (AS) and the River

This true story from the Quran is about a baby, a river and a mother who trusted Allah.

Long ago, there was a proud and cruel king called Pharaoh. He was very unkind to the Children of Israel, and he gave a terrible order against their baby boys.

At that time, a mother from the Children of Israel had a baby boy. His name was Musa (AS). Allah put a message in her heart: “Feed your baby. And when you fear for him, put him in the river. Do not be afraid, and do not be sad. We will bring him back to you, and We will make him one of the messengers.”

So she placed baby Musa in a little chest, like a box or a basket, and put it into the river. Allah had said that the river would carry the chest to the bank, and so it did. The mother said to the baby’s sister: “Follow him.” So his sister watched from far away, and nobody knew who she was.

The family of Pharaoh picked the chest up out of the river. Pharaoh’s wife looked at the baby and said: “He will be a joy for me and for you. Do not kill him. Maybe he will help us, or we could take him as our son.” Allah tells us that He gave baby Musa love from Him, and that He was taking care of him.

Back at home, Musa’s mother was very worried. Her heart felt empty. But Allah made her heart strong, so that she would keep trusting Him.

In the palace, baby Musa would not feed from any of the nurses they brought. Then his sister came and said: “Shall I show you a family who will look after him well?”

And so, baby Musa was brought back to his own mother! She could hold him again, so she was happy and not sad any more. And she knew that Allah’s promise is true.

When baby Musa grew up, Allah chose him to be a prophet and a messenger, just as Allah had promised. Allah always keeps His promises.