Those who believed in Musa (upon whom be peace)

Question: Who exactly believed in Musa? Was it just some of the Children of Israel, or did others believe in him too?

Answer:

Bismillahi al Rahmani al Rahim.

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

Sura Yunus tells us that ‘no one believed/followed Musa, except some youths/offspring among his people.’ (10: 83)

The most obvious understanding of this is that only some youths of the Children of Israel believed in him and not the old generation. And this is one acceptance and the position deemed sounder by Ibn Jarir al Tabari. (Tafsir al Tabari)

Ibn Kathir, by contrast, found that far-fetched because we know that all of the Children of Israel believed in him and that he had been prophesied. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir) Accordingly,  the offspring ‘his people’ means Pharaoh’s people.

Ibn Abbas is narrated to have said, ‘The ‘offspring’ that accepted Musa (amanat li Musa) was from the people of Pharaoh. Of them were his wife, the “believer of the people of Pharaoh,” the keeper of his treasures/wares (khazinuh), and his wife.’ (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

So here are two possible positions.

As stated by the questioner, we also know that some of the people of Pharaoh, such as the magicians believed in him, and some of his own people, didn’t believe in him, such as Qarun (Korah) and the Saimiri. (Qur’an, 28: 76; 20: 80-97)

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years, he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language.