The Flute of David
The Prophet is reported to have passed by Abu Musa while he was reciting the Quran and stood listening for a long time. The next day he said: “I passed by you last night and I saw that you were given a flute from the flutes of the Prophet of David.”
Abu Musa replied: “If I had known you were there, I would have made it more beautiful for you.”
The Quran describes David as having been given the ability to make the mountains and birds join in glorifying Allah through his mazamir (psalms/music). The Prophet’s comparison of Abu Musa’s voice to the flutes of David placed him among the most honored voices in Islamic tradition.
Governor: Yemen and Basra
The Prophet sent Abu Musa with Mu’adh ibn Jabal to Yemen as governors and teachers — two of the most capable men of the early community, sent together to administer the newly Muslim region. Under Umar’s caliphate, he governed Basra and continued in significant administrative roles.
Siffin: The Arbitration That Divided
At the Battle of Siffin (657 CE), Ali ibn Abi Talib’s army and Muawiya’s army agreed to arbitration — Abu Musa for Ali, Amr ibn al-As for Muawiya. In the famous exchange, Abu Musa agreed to depose both candidates and start fresh, announcing Ali’s removal first. Amr ibn al-As then announced that he removed Ali as Abu Musa had agreed — but retained Muawiya. The outcome devastated Ali’s position and became one of the defining moments of the early Shia-Sunni division.
See also: Seerah Ali, Seerah Umar Ibn Khattab, Seerah Muadh Ibn Jabal, Seerah Ammar Ibn Yasir, Karbala, Ilm Al Hadith