Musa (Moses)
موسى
The most mentioned prophet in the Quran - yet Islam fundamentally changes his message and mission.
Moses: Most Mentioned Yet Misunderstood
Moses (Musa) is mentioned 136 times in the Quran - more than any other prophet, including Muhammad. He is honored as the prophet who spoke directly with Allah and received the Torah.
However, Islam claims the Torah has been corrupted and that Moses was actually teaching Islam, not Judaism. This creates fundamental contradictions with the biblical account.
Key Differences Between Islamic and Biblical Moses
The Name of God
Moses knew God as Allah
God revealed His personal name as YHWH (I AM WHO I AM) - Exodus 3:14-15
The Issue: The personal covenant name YHWH, used over 6,800 times in the Old Testament and central to Jewish faith, never appears in Islam. This name emphasizes God's personal relationship with His people.
The Passover Lamb
Not emphasized in Islamic accounts
The lamb's blood on doorposts saved Israel from death (Exodus 12). A clear type of Christ
The Issue: Islam removes the central sacrificial symbolism. The Passover pointed to Jesus, 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world' (John 1:29). Without this, Moses' message loses its prophetic meaning.
Purpose of the Law
Moses brought a version of Islam with Islamic-style laws
The Law was given to reveal sin and our need for a Savior (Romans 7:7, Galatians 3:24)
The Issue: Islam claims Moses' message but denies its purpose. The Law wasn't salvation—it showed why we need salvation. Paul writes the Law was 'our guardian until Christ came.'
The Prophet Like Moses
Deuteronomy 18:18 refers to Muhammad
This refers to Jesus, who like Moses was a mediator, lawgiver, deliverer, and performed miracles
The Issue: Muhammad came from Ishmael (Arabs), not 'from among their fellow Israelites' (Deut 18:18). Jesus was Jewish, performed miracles like Moses, mediated a new covenant, and delivered people from sin.
Covenant Focus
Emphasis on following Islamic-style laws and rituals
Emphasis on God's faithfulness, His personal relationship with Israel, and foreshadowing redemption
The Issue: Moses' story is about God's grace—He delivered Israel before giving the Law. Islam reverses this: works before grace. Moses received the covenant of law; Jesus fulfilled it with the covenant of grace.