Prophet Musa: Lessons in Growth Mindset and Seeking Help
Musa (may peace be upon him) is mentioned more than any other Prophet in the Quran. His life provides numerous lessons, especially from a psychological perspective. This article explores two key themes:
- The growth mindset and
- The importance of seeking help.
A. Growth Mindset: Insights from Psychology and the Story of Musa
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck’s research reveals that individuals’ beliefs about their intelligence significantly impact their motivation, effort, and approach to challenges. Those who believe their abilities can be developed (growth mindset) are more likely to embrace challenges and persist despite failures. This model illustrates how cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects are connected to one’s beliefs about the flexibility of their intelligence.
Relating Growth Mindset to the Life of Musa (may peace be upon him)
The story of Prophet Musa (may peace be upon him) is a powerful example of the growth mindset. When Musa (may peace be upon him) learned about Khidr (may peace be upon him), a servant of Allah ﷻ with greater knowledge, he demonstrated a strong desire to learn and grow. Here are the key aspects of the growth mindset as illustrated in his story:
- Embracing Challenges: Musa (may peace be upon him) traveled extensively to find Khidr (may peace be upon him), showing his willingness to go to great lengths to gain knowledge and understanding.
- Persistence in the Face of Setbacks: When Musa (may peace be upon him) and his companion, Yusha bin Nun, lost their fish—a sign of where to find Khidr (may peace be upon him)—they did not give up. They retraced their steps, showing persistence and determination in their quest.
- Effort as the Path to Mastery: Musa’s (may peace be upon him) journey and his interactions with Khidr (may peace be upon him) demonstrate the efforts he was willing to put into mastering new knowledge, despite the challenges and corrections he received along the way.
- Learning: During his time with Khidr (may peace be upon him), Musa (may peace be upon him) was informed about the intentions behind his every action. He accepted this guidance and learned from it, which is a hallmark of the growth mindset.
- Finding Lessons and Inspiration in the Success of Others: Musa (may peace be upon him) searched for Khidr (may peace be upon him), because he recognized and valued the wisdom and knowledge Khidr (may peace be upon him) possessed. This shows his ability to find inspiration in the success and capabilities of others, driving his own growth and learning.
By examining the life of Prophet Musa (may peace be upon him) through the lens of the growth mindset, we see a model of continuous learning, resilience, and the pursuit of knowledge. These qualities not only shaped his prophetic mission, but also provided valuable lessons for us to implement in our personal and professional lives. Embracing a growth mindset, as demonstrated by Musa (may peace be upon him), can help us overcome obstacles, persist in the face of difficulties, and continuously strive for self-improvement.
In our society, many people have fixed mindsets in the name of Islam, such as focusing solely on religious knowledge and neglecting secular education or discouraging young girls from pursuing careers. Within Islamic boundaries, it is beneficial to gain both religious and academic knowledge. We need a stronger and more developed ummah, especially during the end times.
B. Importance of Seeking Help: Insights from Islam, Psychology, and the Story of Musa
In the story of Musa (may peace be upon him), we find a profound lesson on the importance of seeking help. When Musa (may peace be upon him) was given the immense responsibility of prophethood, he prayed to Allah ﷻ for assistance, specifically asking for his brother Haroon (may peace be upon him) to be his helper.
He said, “And my brother Harun — he is more eloquent in speech than me: so, send him with me as a helper…” [Qur’an 28:34]
This request was granted, demonstrating the importance of support and collaboration.
Balancing Reliance on Allah ﷻ and Availing Human Help
Some people believe that by means of seeking help from Allah ﷻ, negates availing help from others. While it is true that our ultimate reliance should be on Allah ﷻ, taking help from others does not negate our trust in Him. In fact, it is a practical manifestation of our prayers. Just as Musa (may peace be upon him) prayed to Allah ﷻ for ease and then asked for his brother Haroon (may peace be upon him) to assist him, we too should pray for Allah’s ﷻ guidance and avail help from others, as Allah also provides his aid through those around us
The Misconception About Seeking Help
In many societies, Ego and pride promote the belief that seeking help from others is a sign of weakness and undermines their strength and pride. However, the story of Musa (may peace be upon him) clearly illustrates that seeking help is an act of wisdom and strength. It is a recognition of one’s limitations and an understanding that collaboration can lead to greater success. This realization helps one undermine one’s ego, as Allah abhors the boastful ones.
In terms of seeking help, one must understand the difference between begging for help and availing help. Begging for help is where someone without making his own efforts goes around knocking on others doors, while availing help is where someone along with his own efforts, works with others to attain his goal. This can be evident from the seerah, where Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) took suggestions and help from his companions in certain situations such as the battles.
Social Support in Times of Difficulty
Social support is crucial, especially during challenging times. Musa’s (may peace be upon him) request for his brother’s help shows that even prophets recognized the need for companionship and support. Modern psychology affirms that having a strong support system can significantly alleviate stress and improve coping mechanisms. Emotional support, like that provided by Haroon (may peace be upon him) when the Bani Israel started worshipping the idol, is invaluable. Haroon (may peace be upon him) helped Musa (may peace be upon them) manage his anger and provided a calming influence, showing how crucial emotional support is during times of distress.
Conclusion
The story of Musa (may peace be upon him), supported by insights from psychology, underscores two key themes: the growth mindset and the importance of seeking help. His life exemplifies how embracing challenges and persistence can lead to continuous learning and growth. Additionally, seeking help, recognizing our limitations, and valuing the support of others reflect wisdom and humility. By integrating these lessons into our lives, we can foster personal growth and build stronger, more resilient communities. May Allah ﷻ guide us in our journey to learn, grow, and support one another. Ameen.
Written by: Atufa Hamid
Edited by: The Editorial Team
© The Islamic Reflections Blog
References
- Dweck, C. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House.
- Science Impact. (n.d.). The Impact of Mindset. Retrieved from Mindset Works
- The Miraculous Quran. (n.d.). How Musa asked for the Support of His Brother and was granted that by Allah. Retrieved from mquran.org