Musa was born when Pharaoh was killing the newborn sons of the Children of Israel. Allah inspired his mother to place him in a chest on the river; it carried him to Pharaoh's own palace, where Pharaoh's wife adopted him, and Allah returned him to his mother to nurse (28:7–13).
As a young man he accidentally killed an Egyptian while defending an Israelite and fled to Madyan. There he helped two women water their flock, married one of them, and worked for their father for years (28:22–28).
On the way back, at Mount Tur, Allah spoke to him and made him a messenger, giving him signs — his staff became a serpent and his hand shone white. He asked Allah to open his chest, ease his task and make his brother Harun his helper (20:25–32).
Musa and Harun called Pharaoh to free the Children of Israel and to believe. Pharaoh gathered his magicians; when Musa's staff swallowed what they had crafted, the magicians fell in prostration and believed, preferring the Hereafter over Pharaoh's threats (20:70–73).
Allah commanded Musa to leave by night. Pharaoh pursued them to the sea; Musa struck it with his staff and it parted. The Children of Israel crossed, and Pharaoh and his army were drowned (26:63–66). Later Musa received the Tawrah, and while he was away his people worshipped a golden calf. He also travelled to meet al-Khidr, learning that Allah's wisdom lies behind events we do not understand (18:60–82).