the words “Has the story reached you?” is directed either to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or to anyone who can properly be addressed. According to the first interpretation, it means, “Has it reached you, O Muhammad?” According to the second, it means, “Has it reached you, O human being?” “The story of Moses”—the son of Imran (peace be upon him), the foremost of the prophets of the Children of Israel and one of the five messengers of firm resolve: Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Noah (peace and blessings be upon them).

These five are mentioned together in two places in the Quran. The first is in Sūrat al-Ahzāb, where Allah Most High says: “And remember when We took a covenant from the prophets, as well as from you, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus son of Mary.” [al-Ahzāb: 7] The second is where Allah Most High says: “He has ordained for you the religion which He enjoined upon Noah, and which We have revealed to you, and which We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.” [al-Shūrā: 13]

The story of Moses (peace be upon him) is mentioned in the Quran more often than that of any other prophet. This is because Moses was the prophet of the Jews, who were numerous in Medina and its surroundings during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Thus, of all the accounts of the prophets related to us, the stories of Moses are the most frequent, comprehensive, and extensive. The words, “Has the story of Moses reached you?” arouse the listener’s interest so that he will listen to what occurred in this account.

“When his Lord called him in the sacred valley of Tuwā”—Allah, Glorious and Exalted, called him with a call that he heard in the voice of Allah, Glorious and Exalted. Allah Most High says: “We called him from the right side of the Mount and drew him near, speaking to him privately.” [Maryam: 52] And His words: