Quran informs us that prophet Moses was given nine miracles to support him to face Pharaoh and his elders. But there has been dispute among Islamic scholars as to which of the many unusual events narrated in the Quran in connection with Moses are to be considered to be the nine miracles. However, if we can clearly understand the purpose of the miracles, that may help us to derive these nine miracles from the Quran. It has been explained in the following verses of the Quran that the miracles given to Moses were specifically addressed to Pharaoh and his people as well as to support him to free the children of Israel:
[7:103] Then after them, we sent Moses with our signs to Pharaoh and his leaders. But they did wrong to them, so see how is the end of the corrupters.
[7:104] Moses said, “O Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds.
[7:105] It is not proper for me to say about God except the truth. I have come to you with a proof from your Lord, so let the Children of Israel go with me.
[7:106] He (Pharaoh) said, “If you have come with a sign, then bring it, if you are the truthful.”
[7:107] So, he threw down his staff, then it momentarily turned into a serpent.
[7:108] And he drew out his hand, then it was white to the beholders.
[7:109] The leaders from among the people of Pharaoh said: “This is an expert magician!”
Nine miracles given to Moses
The nine miracles given to Moses to address Pharaoh and his people as well as to free the children of Israel are confirmed from the following verses of the Quran:
[17:101] And We had given Moses nine clear signs. So ask the Children of Israel, when he came to them, then Pharaoh said to him: “I think that you Moses are bewitched!”
[27:9] “O Moses, I am God, the Almighty, Most Wise,
[27:10] throw down your staff”. When he saw it moving like a demon, he turned around and fled. “O Moses, do not be afraid. My messengers shall not fear,
[27:11] except those who commit a transgression, even then substitute righteousness after sinning; I am Forgiving, Most Merciful,
[27:12] put your hand in your pocket; it will come out white, without a blemish”. These are among nine miracles to Pharaoh and his people, for they are wicked people.
Here is the list of nine miracles given to Moses, and each of them has specifically been confirmed with their narration supported by the relevant verses of the Quran:
1. Turning of Moses’ staff into a serpent.
2. Coming out white by putting his hand into his pocket (shining hand when it was drawn out of the armpit).
[20:19] He said, “Throw it down, O’ Moses.”
[20:20] He threw it down, whereupon it turned into a moving serpent.
[20:21] He said, “Pick it up; do not be afraid. We will return it to its original state.
[20:22] And place your hand under your arm; it will come out white without a blemish; another proof.
[20:23] We thus show you some of our great signs.”
[27:9] “O Moses, I am God, the Almighty, Most Wise,
[27:10] throw down your staff”. When he saw it moving like a demon, he turned around and fled. “O Moses, do not be afraid. My messengers shall not fear,
[27:11] except those who commit a transgression, even then substitute righteousness after sinning; I am Forgiving, Most Merciful,
[27:12] put your hand in your pocket; it will come out white, without a blemish”. These are among nine miracles to Pharaoh and his people, for they are wicked people.
[28:31] “Throw down your staff.” When he saw it moving like a demon, he turned around and fled. “O Moses, come back; do not be afraid. You are perfectly safe.
[28:32] “Put your hand into your pocket; it will come out white without a blemish. Fold your wings and settle down from your fear. These are two proofs from your Lord, to be shown to Pharaoh and his elders; they have been wicked people.”
3. Swallowing of what magicians made with their ropes and staffs (public triumph over the magicians).
[7:115] They said, “O Moses, either you throw, or we will be throwing.”
[7:116] He said, “You throw.” When they threw, they bewitched the eyes of people and terrified them, and came up with a great magic.
[7:117] And then we inspired Moses: “Throw down your staff,” and it swallowed whatever they fabricated.
[7:118] Thus, the truth was established, and what they made had no effect.
[20:65] They said, “O Moses, either you throw, or we will be the first to throw.”
[20:66] He said, “No, you throw.” Then their ropes and staffs seemed to him by their magic that they were moving.
[20:67] Moses harbored some fear in him.
[20:68] We said, “Do not fear. You will be the winner.
[20:69] Throw what is in your right hand, and it will swallow what they made. What they made is a trick of a magician and the magician will not succeed whatever he does.”
[20:70] The magicians fell prostrate and said, “We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.”
[26:43] Moses said to them “Throw what you are going to throw.”
[26:44] So they threw their ropes and staffs, and said, “By the might of Pharaoh, we will be the victors.”
[26:45] Then Moses threw his staff, and it swallowed what they fabricated.
[26:46] Then the magicians fell prostrate.
[26:47] They said, “We believe in the Lord of the universe.
[26:48] The Lord of Moses and Aaron.”
4. Pharaoh and his people were afflicted with years of drought and shortage of crops (occurrence of a widespread famine in the land).
[7:130] And we afflicted the people of Pharaoh with years of drought, and shortage of crops, so that they may take heed.
[7:131] But when any good came to them, they said: “This is for us,” and when any bad afflicted them, they ascribed it to Moses and those with him. Surely, their evil fortune was with God, but most of them did not know.
[7:132] And they said, “Whatever sign you may bring to us to bewitch us with it, we will never be the believers in you.”
5. Flood,
6. Locust,
7. Lice,
8. Frogs and
9. Blood
[7:133] So, we sent upon them the flood, the locust, the lice, the frogs, and the blood – clear signs. But they continued their arrogance and they were a criminal people.
[7:134] And when the plague fell upon them, they said: O Moses, pray for us to your Lord as He has promised with you, if you remove the plague from us, we will certainly believe in you and we will certainly send the children of Israel with you.
[7:135] But when we removed the plague from them until a future time, they broke their pledge.
[43:48] And we did not show them a sign but it was greater than its like, and we seized them with the punishment so that they may return.
[43:49] And they said, “O you magician, pray for us to your Lord according to the promise He has made with you, we will be the guided.”
[43:50] But when we removed the punishment from them, then they broke their pledge.
God’s favors upon Moses
Moses was not only given nine miracles to support him but he had also been shown favors in several occasions. He had been saved from Pharaoh and returned to his mother. He had also been saved from the grievous consequences when he killed a person. God appointed his brother, Aaron to be his assistant and strengthened him to win over the magicians:
[20:29] And appoint an assistant for me from my family.
[20:30] Aaron, my brother.
[20:31] Strengthen me with him.
[20:32] Let him be my partner in this task.
[20:36] He said, “Your request is granted, O Moses.
[20:39] That `Put him into the box, then throw him into the river. The river will throw him onto the shore, to be picked up by an enemy of Mine and an enemy of his.’ I showered you with love from Me, and that you shall be raised under My eye.
[20:40] Your sister walked to them and said, `I can tell you about a nursing mother who can take good care of him.’ We thus returned you to your mother, that she may be happy and stop worrying. And when you killed a person, we saved you from the grievous consequences; indeed we tested you thoroughly. You stayed years with the people of Midyan, and now you have come back in accordance with a precise plan, O Moses.
[20:41] I have chosen you for Myself.”
[20:43] “Go, both of you to Pharaoh, indeed, he has transgressed.
[20:45] They said, “Our Lord, we fear lest he may attack us, or transgress.”
[20:46] He (God) said, “Do not be afraid, for I will be with you, listening and watching.
[28:35] He (God) said, “We will strengthen you with your brother, and we will provide you both with manifest authority. Thus, they will not be able to touch either one of you. With our miracles, the two of you, together with those who follow you, will be the victors.”
God’s favors upon the Children of Israel
God bestowed many favors upon the Children of Israel as well. He made for them a dry path through the sea to deliver them from their enemy. He sent them Manna and Quails when they were hungry and caused to gush out 12 springs when they were thirsty. They were also shaded when they were suffering from the heat of sun.
[2:122] O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you over all other people.
[20:77] We inspired Moses: “Travel by night with My servants, and make for them a dry path through the sea without fearing from being overtaken, nor being afraid (of drowning).”
[20:80] O Children of Israel, we delivered you from your enemy, we addressed you on the right side of the Mount, and we sent down to you manna and quails.
[7:160] We divided them into twelve tribal communities, and we inspired Moses when his people asked him for water: “Strike the rock with your staff,” thus, twelve springs gushed out therefrom. Thus, each tribe knew its water. And we shaded them with clouds, and sent down to them manna and quails: “Eat from the good things we provided for you.” It is not us that they wronged; it is they who wronged their own souls.
Consequence of Pharaoh and his people
Pharaoh was a great tyrant on earth. He declared to kill the sons of those who believed with him but spare their women and also cut off the hands and feet of the magicians who believed in God. The red sea spilt and the sea covered Pharaoh and his people. Thus, a miserable consequence happened to them. But Pharaoh believed and submitted to God at the last minute that did not for work for him while his body is preserved to set up a lesson for the people of the future generations.
[7:127] And the leaders from among the people of Pharaoh said: “Will you let Moses and his people corrupt the land, and abandon you and your gods?” He said: “We will kill their sons and spare their women; we will be supreme over them.”
[40:25] Then, when the truth came to them from us, they said: “Kill the sons of those who believed with him, and spare their women.” But the scheming of the disbelievers is always in error.
[20:71] He said, “Have you believed to him without taking my permission? He is surely your chief who taught you magic. So, I will cut off your hands and feet from alternate sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of the palm trees, and you will come to know which of us is greater in retribution and more lasting!”
[7:136] We thus took vengeance upon them by drowning them in the sea, because of their denial of our signs, and they were heedless to them.
[10:90] And we helped the Children of Israel cross the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers followed them out of disobedience and animosity. But when he was certain to drown, he said: “I believe that there is no god except the One in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am a submitter.”
[10:91] Now you say this? But before, you disobeyed and were a corrupter!
[10:92] So today, we will preserve your body, so that you become a sign for those after you. But most of mankind are heedless to our signs!
[20:78] Then Pharaoh pursued them with his troops, but the sea covered them, that was a miserable covering for them.
[20:79] Thus, Pharaoh led his people astray instead, to guide them.
Conclusion
God directly spoke to Moses and showed him many favors. He was also given nine miracles to address Pharaoh and his people. There is dispute among Islamic scholars as to which of the many unusual events narrated in the Quran in connection with Moses are to be considered to be the nine miracles. The review indicates that the nine miracles are to be: (1) turning of Moses’ staff into a serpent, (2) coming out white by putting his hand into his pocket, (3) swallowing of what magicians made with their ropes and staffs, (4) years of drought and shortage of crops, (5) flood, (6) locust, (7) lice, (8) frogs and (9) blood rain.
However, an effort has been made to determine which signs are among the nine miracles and which are not, by separating out the mercies of God upon Moses as well as the Children of Israel. Hence, the miracles given to Moses were in connection with dealing of Pharaoh and his leaders, occurrence of a widespread famine and plagues in the land. Thus, the events like gushing out of 12 springs or parting of the sea or sending down of Manna and Quails or preserving the body of Pharaoh should not be confused with the nine miracles even being a miraculous in nature. In fact, each of the nine miracles specifically addressed Pharaoh and his people to support Moses to lead him to free the Children of Israel that finally took place when they left Egypt, and Pharaoh and his troops were drowned in the red sea. However, Pharaoh, a great tyrant believed and submitted to God at the last minute that did not work for him but his body has been preserved for the people of the subsequent generation as a sign to serve as a lesson for many of us.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (9/2/2016)