TODAY, THE DAY of Ashura marks a monumental moment in human history — the day Allah granted victory to Musa (as) over Pharaoh, putting an end to one of the greatest tyrants the world has ever known.
But what made Musa (as) worthy of that victory? What traits did he possess that we can learn from and that made him stand before a tyrant, lead a people out of slavery, and witness divine miracles?
1. Taking Responsibility and Having a “Can Do” Attitude
Musa (as) had been living in Midyan for ten years — settled, secure, and blessed with a family. The traumatic incident in Egypt, where he accidentally killed a man, felt like a distant past. He had fled in fear, leaving everything behind. Yet, by Allah’s grace, he found refuge, peace, and stability.
Despite this, an inner restlessness stirred within him. Something pulled him back toward Egypt. Was it concern for his family? His mother, sister, and brother? Or perhaps for Asiyah, the woman who had raised him and protected him under Pharaoh’s roof?
His wife cautioned him, warning of the dangers ahead. After all, he was still a wanted man, and Pharaoh was not known for mercy. But Musa (as) was resolute. He left with his family, not knowing what awaited him, only that he had to go.
As they travelled through the desert, lost and cold, Musa (as) saw a distant fire — a flicker of hope. Approaching it, he heard a voice: “O Musa, I am your Lord.”
He was stunned. Then came a command: “Throw down your staff.”
It transformed into a writhing snake, and Musa (as) recoiled in fear. But Allah reassured him: “Do not be afraid. Take it. We will return it to its original form.”
This was a moment of divine appointment. Allah gave him two signs: the staff and the radiant hand. Then came the mission: “Go to Pharaoh and his chiefs. They have transgressed all bounds.”
It seemed impossible. Musa (as) feared Pharaoh’s wrath, remembered his past error, and worried about his speech impediment. But instead of making excuses, Musa (AS) turned to Allah with the most sincere and beautiful du’a: “O my Lord, expand for me my chest, ease my task, remove the knot from my tongue, and appoint for me a helper from my family — Harun, my brother…” (Taha, 25–35)
He didn’t say, “I can’t.” He didn’t run from responsibility. He acknowledged his limitations but sought Allah’s help.
This is the legacy of Musa (as): taking responsibility, not making excuses, and moving forward with full trust in Allah.
2. Not Letting Fear Paralyse You
Fear is a recurring theme in Musa’s story, but so is Allah’s reassurance.
- His mother feared for his life when she released him into the Nile.
- He feared for his life after accidentally killing a man.
- He felt fear when lost in the desert, when first encountering His Lord, and when his staff turned into a snake.
- He feared when confronting Pharaoh, and again when witnessing the magicians’ illusions.
- He feared when ordered to flee Egypt with his people in the dead of night.
But every time, Allah said: “Do not be afraid.”
And finally, at the Red Sea, with Pharaoh’s army behind and the sea in front, when Bani Israel panicked and lost hope, Musa (as) said: “No! My Lord is with me, and He will guide me.” (ash-Shu’ara, 62)
Fear is natural. What matters is not being ruled by it. Musa (as) teaches us to reconcile our fear and still obey Allah — to do what’s right, no matter how terrifying, trusting that Allah will open a way.
3. Doing Your Part — No Matter How Small
When trapped between the sea and Pharaoh’s army, it looked like the end. Yet Allah instructed: “Strike the sea with your staff.” (ash-Shu’ara, 63)
The act of striking the sea with a stick would accomplish nothing by human logic, but Musa (as) obeyed. And Allah parted the sea.
This is a divine principle: you do your part, and Allah will do His.
Just as Maryam (as) was told to shake the date palm during labour, and Ibrahim (as) was told to call people to Hajj in a barren desert after rebuilding the Ka’ba.
These actions were symbolic, not because they caused the result, but because obedience is what unlocks divine help.
You may think your effort is small or insignificant — but that’s not the point. Allah doesn’t ask you to move mountains. He asks you to obey Him and act sincerely. He brings the victory.
Have We Adopted the Traits of Musa — Or the Traits of Bani Israel?
Musa (as) embodied responsibility, courage, and trust in Allah. But his people — despite witnessing miracles — fell short.
When Allah commanded them to enter the Holy Land, they feared the powerful inhabitants. Despite having just crossed the miraculously parted sea, they said: “O Musa, we will never enter it while they are there. So go, you and your Lord, and fight. We are sitting here.” (al Ma’idah, 24)
And so, Allah decreed that they wander the desert for 40 years until a new generation arose — one ready for divine support.
Today’s Genocide: A Mirror for Our Ummah
We are witnessing one of the greatest tyrannies of our time — a genocide broadcast live. Children, women, and men are bombed, starved, and murdered by those who claim enlightened values — and the world watches.
And we wonder: Where is Allah’s help?
But the question we must ask is: Have we made ourselves worthy of His help?
If you saw a Muslim being beaten on the street, would you step in? If you couldn’t, would you call for help? Or would you walk away, whispering, “I’ll make du’a for you at home” or “I’ll set up a charity fundraising account for you and your family”?
The solution to a brutal military occupation is liberation by a military force. That is what Allah commands: “And what is it with you? You do not fight in the cause of Allah and for oppressed men, women, and children who cry out, “Our Lord! Deliver us from this land of oppressors! Appoint for us a saviour; appoint for us a helper—all by Your grace.” (an-Nisa 75)
We seek change, but many in our community choose comfort and wait for the Mahdi instead of taking action like Umar ibn Al-Khattab (ra) or Salahuddin to free Palestine.
Our ulema and influencers remain silent from fear of being cancelled, losing followers, or travel bans that stop their Hajj and Umrah and income flows.
Our intellectuals who apply themselves to find solutions to complex problems are completely out of ideas when it comes to the ummah’s problems. For them, Islam is outdated, and they cannot see how it can solve real-world problems.
Our rulers and armies claim we are too weak to act. Yet act boldly with diplomatic, economic and military actions when their national pride is at stake and spend trillions propping up the oppressors..
Colonialism has done to our mindset what slavery did to Bani Israel: it made us believe we are powerless.
A Final Reflection
If we truly want Allah’s help, we must take on the traits of Musa (as):
- Take responsibility for the Ummah’s condition.
- Let go of excuses and fears that hold us back.
- Do our part, even if it seems small, because Allah brings the result.
Victory does not come from numbers, wealth, or technology. It comes through obedience to Allah.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ
“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.” (ar-Ra’d 11)
May we rise to that challenge.
Living For Islam 