How Do We Understand the Stories of the Prophets in the Quran from an Educational Perspective?
Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa
Question
How can we understand the stories of the prophets in the Quran from an educational perspective?
Answer
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.
The stories of the prophets in the Quran offer profound educational and behavioral lessons, focusing on moral objectives and values. Here are some ways these stories contribute to personal and ethical development:
Instilling Values and Morals
Quranic stories teach individuals virtues, principles, and ethics. For example, the story of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) emphasizes patience and resilience in the face of temptation, fostering chastity and self-discipline. He chose imprisonment over compromising his moral integrity, showing that one’s heart and soul can remain untainted despite difficult circumstances.
The story of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) with Sayyiduna Khidr highlights the importance of humility in seeking knowledge and the need for gradual learning and patience along the journey of acquiring wisdom.
Strengthening Faith and Trust in Allah
The stories in the Quran reinforce faith in Allah, encouraging trust, positive expectations, and true reliance upon Him. These narratives illustrate the prophets’ challenges and the divine support they received. For instance, in the story of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his wife Hajar, when he left her and their infant son, Isma‘il, in the desert, her response upon learning it was Allah’s command was, “Then He will not abandon us.” [‘Abd al-Razzaq, Musannaf]
Allah (Most High) recounts this trust in the Quran, saying:
“Our Lord! I have settled some of my offspring in a barren valley, near Your Sacred House, our Lord, so that they may establish prayer.” [Quran, 14:37]
Similarly, in the story of Musa and the Children of Israel at the Red Sea, when they were pursued by Pharaoh and his army, Allah describes Musa’s steadfast trust:
“When the two groups came face to face, the companions of Musa cried out, ‘We are overtaken for sure.’ Musa reassured (them), ‘Absolutely not! My Lord is certainly with me—He will guide me.’” [Quran, 26:61-62]
The Prophet Muhammad’s (Allah bless him and give him peace) migration story also highlights unwavering trust in Allah. When Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) expressed fear that their enemies might find them in the cave, the Prophet replied,
“What do you think of two, when Allah is their third?”
Allah immortalized this event in the Quran:
“(It does not matter) if you (believers) do not support him, for Allah did in fact support him when the disbelievers drove him out (of Mecca), and he was only one of two. While they both were in the cave, he reassured his companion, ‘Do not worry; Allah is certainly with us.’” [Quran, 9:40]
A Comprehensive Educational Framework
The stories in the Quran provide a holistic, well-coordinated method of nurturing individuals according to Quranic principles. The Quran uses its narratives to address all forms of moral, social, and spiritual development, cultivating a well-rounded ethical and educational upbringing.
Summary
Quranic stories are a powerful means of teaching through examples that help shape moral, social, and aesthetic values, fully integrated with the Quran’s educational framework.
May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.
[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa
Shaykh Anas al-Musa, born in Hama, Syria, in 1974, is an erudite scholar of notable repute. He graduated from the Engineering Institute in Damascus, where he specialized in General Construction, and Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Usul al-Din, where he specialized in Hadith.
He studied under prominent scholars in Damascus, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri and Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, among others. Shaykh Anas has memorized the Quran and is proficient in the ten Mutawatir recitations, having studied under Shaykh Bakri al-Tarabishi and Shaykh Mowfaq ‘Ayun. He also graduated from the Iraqi Hadith School.
He has taught numerous Islamic subjects at Shari‘a institutes in Syria and Turkey. Shaykh Anas has served as an Imam and preacher for over 15 years and is a teacher of the Quran in its various readings and narrations.
Currently, he works as a teacher at SeekersGuidance and is responsible for academic guidance there. He has completed his Master’s degree in Hadith and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in the same field. Shaykh Anas al-Musa is married and resides in Istanbul.
