Muslims' Recognition of Prophet Moses and Just Claims to Palestine
25-8-2002 | IslamWeb
Question:
Oddly enough, I recently noticed a scripture verse from the Qur'an displayed at the end of the movie, The Prince of Egypt:" And call to mind, through this divine writ, Moses, Behold he was a chosen one, and was an apostle [of God], a prophet." (Surah 19:51)If the Qur'an recognizes Moses as a divine prophet of the same God Allah, and Muslims know Moses led his people to the land promised them by God, why then would Islamic factions now seek to claim the same region and drive the Jews from it? It must be assumed that a divine prophet would hardly err on such a covenant or geographical location. Also, do Muslims recognize the 10 Commandments as given to Moses, or are there other accounts of his "ministry" that are disregarded?
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
Muslims believe in all the Prophets, of Allah, may Allaah exalt their mention. Moosa (Moses) 
is one of them. He is even one of the five strong-willed Prophets named by Allah. Muslims believe that Moosa ordered his people to enter Baitul-Muqdis (The Holy land) but they said; as Allah Says on their tongue (what means): {They said, “O Moses, indeed within it is a people of tyrannical strength, and indeed, we will never enter it until they leave it; but if they leave it, then we will enter.”} [Quran 5:22]
Then they said to Moosa (what means): {They said, "O Moses, indeed we will not enter it, ever, as long as they are within it; so go, you and your Lord, and fight.} [Quran 5:22]
Therefore, Allah forbade this land to them for forty years and made them wander through the land during that period. After this wandering period, the Jews entered this Holy Land with Yusha'a Ibn Noon . But they entered it in a humiliating manner instead of entering it prostrating to Allah as they were ordered initially.
On the other hand, the holy land and all of Palestine, Jordan and areas surrounding it belong to the Arabs and have belonged to them before the coming of the children of Israel. The Canaanites built cities and established a known civilization. The land was named after them. It was called “The Land of Canaan” or the land of Yabbouss who are from Canaan. The Canaan are Arab tribes who lived originally in the Arabic Peninsula. But they immigrated to the Mediterranean coast during the first half of the year 3000 before Christ. The children of Israel fought those Arab tribes and were able to reach the Holy land and establish their country there. Then, Palestine was occupied by the Babylonians, then by the Persians, then by the Jew Kabi, and then by the Romans. Al-Quds (Jerusalem) was destroyed in 70 AC. When the Roman Empire became Christian in 324 AC, Palestine was ruled by the Christians until 638 when the Muslims conquered it.
It remained under Muslim rule during all these centuries except the two periods when the crusaders occupied it, that is from 1099 to 1182, and from 1229 to 1239 AC.
But we Muslims do not maintain our right in the Holy land based on the existence of Arabs in that land but on the ruling of Allah who Says: {Indeed, the earth belongs to Allah. He causes to inherit it whom He wills of His servants. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous."} [Quran 7: 128]
The Muslims' conquest of Jerusalem was salvation for the Christians from the persecution and oppression they suffered under Roman rule. The just and equitable treatment by Muslims to Christians and their principled rulership influenced most of the Christians to become Muslims and those who preferred to remain Christians were able to do so with tranquility and peace as Muslims never tried to force anyone embrace Islam.
But when Muslims abandoned their religion, Christians and Jews did their utmost to falsity the truth and they brought into Palestine groups of castaway Jews from all over the world. These groups worked to force Muslims to leave their land and properties and the Jews took it all. They inflicted on Muslims all kinds of oppression and aggression that is unacceptable by any legislation, sense of humanity, law or principle. But when Muslims return to practicing Islam and use all means available, the land of Palestine and many more lands will return to them, as Allah Says (what means) {Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that - then those are the defiantly disobedient.} [Quran 24: 55]
As for the Ten Commandments you mentioned that were given to Moses, may Allah exalt his mention, we cannot give an answer about them as we do not know them. However, we know for a fact, that the Jews and Christians falsified and corrupted the Torah and the Injeel of Prophet Jesus . Anyway, we have in the Quran the Commandments of Allah Who Says (what means): {Say, “Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them. And do not approach immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason.” And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best until he reaches maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not charge any soul except [with that within] its capacity. And when you testify, be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative. And the covenant of Allah fulfill. This has He instructed you that you may remember. And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way. This has He instructed you that you may become righteous.} [Quran 6: 151-153]
Allah knows best.