Page 70 - World Religions I - Islam

o Moses (Musa)
 Moses is one of the more significant prophets listed in the Qur'an, which claims that he was specially
chosen.53 Aaron (known as Harun, the brother of Moses) is listed alongside Moses as a prophet in Surah
19.
 Out of all the accounts of the prophets in the Qur'an, the story of Moses is one of the most well
documented.
o The Qur'an mentions Moses being rescued from the Nile in a basket by Pharaoh's wife, who adopts
him. 54 The Biblical account has Moses being adopted by Pharaoh's daughter (Genesis 2:5-10).
o The Qur'an doesn't mention the Plagues of Egypt in detail, listing only five by name and attributing
one of them as a flood.55
o Moses asked to view God during their meeting on the mountain. God did not allow it, instead
manifesting His glory to a mountain , causing it to crumble. After fainting, Moses recovered and
repented of his desire to see God.56
o The Qur'an records that the Israelites-led by a man named Samiri- revolted against Aaron, the brother
of Moses, and started worshiping the golden calf.57 58 The Biblical account has Aaron constructing
the golden calf for the people (Genesis 32:1-5, 21-24).
 The Qur'an credits Moses as the recipient of the Tawrat (Torah), which is considered a significant Islamic
holy book that contains teaching to the Israelites/Jews.
 According to Islamic tradition, Moses was one of several prophets Muhammad met during the Mi'raj
(ascent into heaven) journey.
o After Muhammad received instructions for the daily 50 prayers for faithful Muslims, Moses
convinced him to return to God fives times and negotiate the amount until it was finally settled at 5
times per day.59
 Moses is mentioned in the Qur'an by name 136 times, more than any other individual.
o David (Dawud)
 David is identified in the Qur'an as an appointed prophet, messenger, lawgiver, and king.
 He is most famous in Islam for defeating the Philistine giant Goliath while serving as a soldier in King
Saul's army.60 The Biblical account doesn't list David as a member of Saul's army at the time he killed
Goliath, but instead a young man with no battle experience (1 Samuel 17).
o Much of the story of David and Goliath can only be found in the Hadith.
 The biblical story of David's adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah the Hittite are absent in
the Qur'anic narrative. Muslims deny that David - as a prophet of God -ever committed such sins.
 Aside from kingship and prophethood, the Qur'an lists several additional blessing bestowed upon
David by Allah.
o He became a master armorer who discovered chain mail, as Allah made "iron pliable for
him."61
o He is made Allah's "vice regent on earth".62
o The birds were obedient to him, and united with David in uttering praise to God.63 64
 A Qur'anic account refers to a test of David by two angels who come to him disguised as men in
order to settle a dispute.65
o David confronted the problem after only hearing one side of the story, which God
considered unwise.
o Eventually David realized the testing is from God and sought repentance from his "lapse" in
judgement. Muslim scholars are quick to note that David's unjust ruling and "lapse" in
judgement are only minor errors on his part, rather than sin.
 David was given an inspired holy book of instruction by God, known as the Zabur (Psalms). The
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Zabur, like other past Islamic scriptures, is believed to have been corrupted over time.
 David is mentioned in the Qur'an by name 16 times.

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