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Parables of the Qur’an – Part II
Episode 10
In the name of Allah, The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful. All prayers and peace of Allah be upon our master, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).
The Qur'an was what did justice to Musa (AS) (Moses) against the claims that he does not, historically, exist. Some scientists, including Freud, went saying that he is no more than a myth, for not a single trace of him could be found on the paintings on the walls of the Phararonic temples. Moreover, there are not any evidences to prove the existance of Pharaoh’s huge army. I am just narrating what some scientists had said. These are not my words. What is your role, as a muslim, towards such claims? This is not something to make any of you happy just because Musa (AS) is Israelites’ prophet, for the Qur’an did justice to him. Furthermore, a quarter or even one third of the Quran is devoted to the biography of Musa (AS). Allah even says what can be translated as, “We make no distinction between any of His Messengers.”(TMQ, 2:285). Moreover, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) says, “We (the Muslims) are closer to Musa than them,” for he knew, beforehand, about such claims.
Thus, you should all love Musa (AS) just as we love Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), for each of them contributed in founding the Islam. Each of them did that by laying a brick in the great structure of Islam. Musa’s (AS) brick was “peoples' freedom”. He called for it before anybody else in Europe or America. It cannot be denied that the most famous story on rejecting injustice is that of Musa’s (AS).
Having tackled both stages of Musa’s (AS) preparation to carry the message, we reach the middle of the story. He is now a sent prophet, known as “the addressor of Allah”. It is time for him now to go back to Egypt and accomplish the most difficult mission, i.e. confronting Pharaoh. As he enters Egypt, he goes, first, to see his mother. She had to be alive so as to see Allah’s promise to her fulfilled, for Allah told her, and which can be translated as: “will make him one of the Emissaries.”(TMQ, 28:7). We should learn from this that Allah always carries out his promises sooner or later. After that, Musa (AS), courageously, along with his brother Harun (AS) (Aaron) went to Pharaoh. On their way there, Allah said to Musa (AS) what can be translated as: “Go, (both of you), to Pharaoh surely he has tyrannized. So speak (you both) leniently (Literally: say a lenient) to him, that possibly he would remind himself or would be apprehensive.” (TMQ, 20:43, 44). Can you see the contrast between Pharaoh’s tyranny, as mentioned in the first ayah, and the mercy of Allah in the second one? Moreover, this ayah shows how polite we should treat everyone, including our most bitter enemies. It makes me sad that some people may use swear words to get their rights, as a result of their over-enthusiasm. Once Haroun ar-Rashid –the Muslim Caliph- said to a man, who came to preach to him using harsh words, "O you man, why you are using such harsh words? You are not better than Musa, neither I am worse than Pharaoh!"
Why did Allah send Musa to Pharaoh in particular and not to the commom people like the case of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)? The commons at the time either the Egyptians or the Israelites were insignificant, while the people of Makkah were free people. Second, Musa's message was to let the Israelites get rid of their sumissivness to Pharoah. Thus, you parents should never beat your children or disgrace them or they will grow up to be disgraceful. Also, teachers should not beat or make fun of their students in front of their class mates. Instead, you should make men out of them. Third, Allah could have distroyed Pharaoh to put an end to his tyranny. However, the aim of the confrontation was to highlight the difference between the courageous and the cowards so that the people would learn from this.
After three whole years since leaving Egypt, Musa (AS) stands face to face with Pharaoh. What happens in this confrontation is recorded in Surat ash-Shu'ara and Surat Ta-Ha for two reasons: for you to love, as well as look up to Musa (AS) for his courage and greatness; and to teach you that conversation, as opposed to violence, is the best way to solve problems. Both Musa (AS) and Pharaoh have precise agendas. As for Musa (AS), he has come for two reasons: to, publicly, declare his demands, namely to ask Pharaoh to pronounce the shahadah, and to ask him to give Israelites the freedom to accompany him outside Egypt; and to vanguish any feelings of terror towards Pharaoh. Pharaoh, on the other hand, was determined to destroy Musa (AS), psychologically. In order to win things to his side in this conversation, Musa (AS) needed to be both wise and smart, as well as be, psychologically, strong. Although Pharaoh must have tried to scare him, Musa (AS) was not, in the least affected.
Thus, Musa (AS) starts the first round as he was the one who came by himself. If you were him, how would you start? Actually, Musa (AS) is going to, clearly, list his aims and demands just as Allah (SWT) did with him. Similarly, you should all have precise aims for life or your life will be meaningless. Allah tells us what Musa (AS) said to Pharaoh that can be translated as: “We (both) are the Messenger of The Lord of the worlds. (Saying) Send forth with us the Seeds (Or: sons) of Israel)” (TMQ, 26: 16, 17). He also says what is narrated in Surat Ta-Ha: “we have already come to you with a sign from your Lord” (TMQ, 20:47). Musa was both clever and polite to say, “your Lord” to Pharaoh. He did not attack him, neither told him that he is not a god as he assumes. Similarly, we should always choose the language which we use.
Pharaoh ignored Musa's words. Then Allah narrates his reply to Musa (AS) through what can be translated as, “Said he, “Did we not rear you among us as a newborn, and did you not linger among us years of your age? And you performed the performance you performed and you were one of the disbelievers.” (TMQ, 28: 18, 19). In a very clear and simple way, Musa (AS) replies, “lo, I performed it and I was of the erring. So I fled from you as soon as I feared you.” (TMQ, 28: 20, 21). Musa (AS) admitted that he has made a mistake, yet he balanced things by saying, “Then my Lord bestowed upon me judgment and He made me one of the Emissaries.” (TMQ, 28:21). As for Pharaoh raising him in his house, Musa (AS) replied, "And is that a favor you oblige me with, that you have taken the Seeds (Or: sons) of Israel) as slaves." (TMQ 26:22). It is true that he raised Musa, but he also enslaved the Israelites. He honored one man and enslaved a whole nation.
Having been defeated by Musa (AS), Pharaoh decided to turn to round two. Allah (SWT) says, what can be translated as, “Who then is the Lord of both of you, O Musa?” (TMQ, 20:49). By choosing the words “the Lord of both of you”, Pharaoh is hinting at the issue of gods’ multiplicity. Musa (AS), on the other hand, understands the hidden meaning behind his words. Thus, he answers him in what can be translated as, “The Lord of the east and the west and whatever is between them (both), in case you (can) consider.” (TMQ, 26:28). Pharaoh, in return, started to make fun of Musa (AS) in front of the attendees. However, he realized that they became, strongly, affected by the courage of Musa (AS). Being cornered, Pharaoh resorts to violence. He says to Musa, “Indeed in case you take to yourself a god other than me, indeed I will definitely make you one of the imprisoned.” (TMQ, 29:26). Here, we learn that we should never end our arguments with our children with a serious punishment, or they will, unconsciously, learn to use violence as a solution.
Then, starts round three, which depends on action rather than words. Musa (AS) decided that it was the perfect time to give Pharaoh evidences to prove what he said. Thus, he threw his stick to the floor of Pharaoh’s palace, making it turn into a gigantic snake, and draws his hand which has turned white although his skin is dark. The two miracles created a kind of balance for the effect of the former is astonishing and scary, while that of the latter is tender. Imagine how terrified Pharaoh was. Consequently, he said what can be translated as, “Surely this is indeed a knowledgeable sorcerer. Who would like to drive you out of your land by his sorcery; so what do you command?” (TMQ, 26:34, 35). Having realized that this is not sorcery, the attendees, being now on Musa’s (AS) side, suggest organizing a debate with him and the sorcerers. At the end, it has been decided that this debate will take place on an Egyptian feast day, where thousands of people will witness.
Having a precise message and being on the right path, Musa (AS) won the debate, for he declared his demands, as he wished, and gained a tremendous psychological power. Moreover, the people of Israel understood that it was not enough for Musa (AS) and Harun (AS) to work on their (the Egyptians) freedom on their own. Instead, they have to ask for their rights by themselves. Furthermore, all the attendees, including Asya and Pharaoh’s cousin, start to believe in what Musa (AS) had told them. Thus, Musa (AS) won without Pharaoh realizing that. You, too, have to be always on the right path. Allah tells us these stories through the Qur'an to learn from them. This is the aim of the campaign “We will live by the Qur’an”.
Until we meet again.
Translated by: The English Convoy – Dar al-Tarjama
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