The Baby That Got Away

This is a true story inspired by real events found in the noble Quran and Sunnah. Anything in the story other than the references recorded below, is a mere elaboration without any historical records or reports. The elaborated part of the story must not be interpreted as adding anything to the original source. It is merely an attempt to give the reader an opportunity to better understand the context of the events, whilst remaining within the spirit of the original source. The actual story is recorded in the following verses of the noble Quran at Surah Al Qasas (28), Verse 4:

إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعًا يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَآئِفَةً مِّنْهُمْ يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ وَيَسْتَحْىِۦ نِسَآءَهُمْ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ

4. Indeed, Pharaoh had become (an authoritarian and ruthless) dictator on the Earth; and had ordered (the division of) his people into sects; oppressing one of the groups amongst them (i.e. the Children of Israeel), slaughtering their sons, and allowing their women to live; indeed, he was (ranked) amongst the (worst) immoral anarchists.

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Qasas (28), Verses 7-9:

وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَرْضِعِيهِ فَإِذَا خِفْتِ عَلَيْهِ فَأَلْقِيهِ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ وَلَا تَخَافِى وَلَا تَحْزَنِىٓ إِنَّا رَآدُّوهُ إِلَيْكِ وَجَاعِلُوهُ مِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

7. And We (Allah Almighty) thus inspired the mother of (Prophet) Musa (AS) that she should: “Breastfeed him, and when she has (reason to) fear for his life, then cast him into the river (in a basket); and then do not fear (for his safety), and do not grieve (for his loss); indeed, We (Allah Almighty) shall return him back to you, and shall appoint him as one of the Messengers.”

فَٱلْتَقَطَهُۥٓ ءَالُ فِرْعَوْنَ لِيَكُونَ لَهُمْ عَدُوًّا وَحَزَنًا إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَٰمَٰنَ وَجُنُودَهُمَا كَانُوا۟ خَٰطِـِٔينَ

8. So he (the baby) was picked up (from the river) by the family of Pharaoh; so that (as We Allah Almighty had desired) he becomes (a source of) opposition and instability (for them); indeed, Pharaoh and Haamaan, and their soldiers were (ranked amongst those deemed to be extremely) erroneous.

وَقَالَتِ ٱمْرَأَتُ فِرْعَوْنَ قُرَّتُ عَيْنٍ لِّى وَلَكَ لَا تَقْتُلُوهُ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَنفَعَنَآ أَوْ نَتَّخِذَهُۥ وَلَدًا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

9. And the wife of Pharaoh said (to her husband): “(This child shall become) A comfort for my eyes and for you as well, so do not slaughter him; perhaps he may be a source of benefit for us (all), or, we can adopt him as a son.” And they had no perception (of what was to befall them).

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Qasas (28), Verses 11-14:

وَقَالَتْ لِأُخْتِهِۦ قُصِّيهِ فَبَصُرَتْ بِهِۦ عَن جُنُبٍ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

11. And she (the mother of Prophet Musa (AS)) told his sister to: “Follow the baby,” so, she kept watch of the baby from a distance, and no one was aware (of her following the baby).

وَحَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِ ٱلْمَرَاضِعَ مِن قَبْلُ فَقَالَتْ هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ يَكْفُلُونَهُۥ لَكُمْ وَهُمْ لَهُۥ نَٰصِحُونَ

12. And We (Allah Almighty) had intrinsically caused the baby to refuse the breastfeeding (of any foster mother) prior to this point; so she (the sister of Prophet Musa (AS)) said (to the wife of Pharaoh): “Shall I direct you to a household that can foster him for you, and they shall (look after him) with good intentions?”

فَرَدَدْنَٰهُ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّهِۦ كَىْ تَقَرَّ عَيْنُهَا وَلَا تَحْزَنَ وَلِتَعْلَمَ أَنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

13. So thus We (Allah Almighty) returned him (Prophet Musa (AS)) to his mother, so that he will be (a source of) contentment for her eyes, and so that she will grieve no more; and so that she would know that the promises of Allah (Almighty) are (fulfilled as) a matter of fact; even though the majority (of people) do not know (and remain in doubt).

وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ وَٱسْتَوَىٰٓ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

14. And when he (Prophet Musa (AS)) attained his (prime physical) strength, and (deep intellectual) surety, We (Allah Almighty) bestowed upon him the wisdom and knowledge (to understand righteousness); and this is how We (Allah Almighty) reward the benevolent people.