Parables of the Qur’an – Part II

Episode 14

 In the name of Allah[1], The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful.  All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon our master, the most noble Prophet, Muhammad (SAWS)[2].

Today's episode is a conclusive one.  In today's episode, Musa (AS)[3] (Moses) and the people of Israel will move from Egypt, the sea will be split for them and the Pharaoh will be drowned.  Today's episode represents a great moral, “Feel the Sovereignty and Greatness of Allah if you are oppressed and fear Him if you are an oppressor.”  I invite all of you to review this story while contemplating the Name of Allah “The Ever-Magnificent”.  Fill your hearts with the essence of this name every time you bow in your prayers saying, “Glory be to Allah, The Ever-Magnificent”.  Throughout this episode, every oppressed and weak person must feel and realize the power of Allah to support him, while every oppressor must realize the power of Allah over him.  It is to show how Allah, the Ever-Magnificent and The Almighty, avenges the oppressors.

Let me remind you that the slogan of this program this year is "to live by the Qur'an". That's why I want everyone to realize that the Ever-Glorious Qur'an is not just words to be recited without feeling its meanings.  We have to feel the power and might of Allah through Qur'an.  Let us begin today's story by explaining how Musa and the people of Israel left Egypt.

Allah commanded Musa (AS) to leave Egypt and to take the people of Israel. Allah says what can be translated as, “And We revealed to Mû‍sa, (saying), “Set forth with My bondmen by night. Surely you will be closely followed” (TMQ[4]: 26-52).

The map illustrating the route that Musa and the people of Israel took is available on www.amrkhaled.net.  You can see it to know that Musa and his people left Egypt secretly at night where they first stopped in Sinai then went up to enter the holy land of Palestine.  However, they did not enter it and it was destined for the ummah (Muslim nation) of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) to be the ones to enter Palestine.  They continued their trip towards Jordon where they were lost and went astray.

I want you to notice how much effort Musa (AS) exerted in the cause of Allah (SWT)[5] and how he offered his entire life in suffering.  This brings to my mind the example of the two great scholars, al-Imam al-Shafi' and Imam Ahmed ibn-Hanbal.  The lives of these scholars are representations of the life of Prophet Musa (AS).  They spent their life in continuous travel.

Now, I want you to imagine the scene of the people of Israel and Musa (AS) while they were hastening to leave Egypt at night in compliance with the command of Allah.  Musa (AS), Harun (AS) (Aaron), their mother and sister, Maryam all were leaving together at night.  Harun was knocking on the doors of the houses of the people of Israel to hurry them up.  Musa (AS) was aware that the Pharaoh will follow them with his soldiers. The Pharaoh, immediately, started to gather his soldiers and forces, the Qur'an says what can be translated as, “Then Firaawn sent among the cities musterers” (TMQ: 26-53).  This act took him a while.  In the meantime, Musa (AS) and the people of Israel were approaching the sea.

Here, it is worthy to mention that everyone reaps the fruits of his deeds.  That is why Allah (SWT) decreed for the Pharaoh who tortured the people of Israel by killing them and their children and throwing them in the Nile to be drowned in the sea.  Here, let me ask a question, “Did all the people of Israel leave with Musa (AS)?”  Yes, all of them went out with Musa (AS) at night.  However, most of them left because they had no other choice, while others were true believers and were persistent in defending truth and defending themselves against the Pharaoh's oppression and torture.  Here we can draw a picture comparing the case of the companions of the Prophet (SAWS) and the people of Israel.  The former emigrated to Madinah with their own free will for the sake of the message, while the latter left Egypt to avoid the oppression and torture of the Pharaoh.

Let me ask you a question, “If you were among the people of Israel, which group would you follow?  Those who had faith and trust in Allah or those who were negative, oppressed and wanted to escape torture?”

Now, we are back to the final scene in the life of the Pharaoh and his soldiers. He used provocative words to gather and urge his armies on.  The Qur'an says what can be translated as, “Then Firaawn sent among the cities musterers. Surely these are indeed a gang of a few (persons), And surely they are indeed enraging us, And surely we are indeed all wary” (TMQ: 26-53-56).

The Pharaoh, his soldiers, forces, arms approached while Musa (AS) and the people of Israel were near the sea.  Allah disposes everything and chooses.  This is the way Allah punishes the oppressors, it is illustrated in the Qur'an in what can be translated as, “and if you had made a mutual appointment, you would indeed have differed about the promised appointment, but that Allah might decree a Command that was to be performed, that whoever perished might perish by a supreme evidence, and whoever lived might live by a supreme evidence; and surely Allah is indeed Ever-Hearing, Ever-Knowing” (TMQ: 8-42).

I would like you to imagine the feelings of the people of Israel when they saw the soldiers of the Pharaoh approaching the sea.  They said what can be translated as, “Then, as soon as the two gatherings sighted each other, the companions of M‍ûsa (Moses) said, ‘Surely we are indeed overtaken!’” (TMQ: 26-61).

They seemed to implicitly reproach him for bringing them to this situation before the Pharaoh.  They thought that they would be overtaken by the soldiers of the Pharaoh.  However, Musa (AS) was firm and had trust and belief in the power of Allah, The Almighty.  He said what can be translated as, “He said, ‘Not at all. Surely my Lord is with me; He will soon guide me’” (TMQ: 26-62).  He was sure that Allah will never let him down.  Allah, at once, revealed the matter to him.  He gave him a command that can be translated as, “Then We revealed to Mû‍sa, (saying), ‘Strike with your staff the sea.’ So it split, and each (separate) part was as a tremendous towering mountain” (TMQ: 26-63).  This represents a new miracle by which Allah supported his prophet.  This is Allah when He wants something, He just says to it "be" and it is.  All this was done by the power and will of Allah, The Almighty.  We must put our trust in Allah and never fear anything or anyone as long as we believe in Him.

The Pharaoh, who used to accuse Musa of sorcery, hesitated whether or not to cross the sea in order to catch Musa (AS).  The reason for his drowning in the sea was because he was too embarrassed in front of his soldiers not to cross the sea to catch Musa.  Allah ordered the sea to drown him and all his soldiers who took part in oppressing and torturing innocent people.  So, beware of helping or supporting the oppressors or you will be among them.  Allah says what can be translated as, “And leave the sea becalmed; (Or: furrowed) surely they are a drowned host”   (TMQ: 44-24).

At this moment, the Pharaoh realized that he will meet his end by drowning in the sea.  He said what can be translated as, “then Firaawn and his hosts followed them up inequitably and aggressively till, when the drowning overtook him, he said, ‘I believe that there is no god except He in Whom the Seeds of believe, and I am one of the Muslims.’ Do you (believe) now? And before (that) you readily disobeyed, and you were (one) of the corruptors. So today We will (safely) deliver you with your body that you may be a sign to the ones succeeding you; and surely many among mankind are indeed heedless of Our signs” (TMQ: 10:90-92).

This is the end that Allah decreed for those who wrong others unjustly.  Here, the third stage of Musa's life comes to an end.  He is now 55 years old and he achieved the first goal and mission for which Allah has chosen him.  It can be translated as, “send (forth) with us the Seeds (Or: sons) of Israel)” (TMQ: 20:47).  This was the first stage which was to get the people of Israel out of Egypt.  The second stage was to settle down and establish the ummah.

Another point that I need to highlight in this regard is why the Prophet (SAWS) recommended that we fast on the day of ‘ashura’.  This is because it is the day on which Allah saved Musa and the people of Israel.  So, the Prophet wanted Muslims to observe this day in order to love Musa. We also have to reflect on the difference that occurred in the figure of the Pharaoh who was transformed from a tyrant into a dead body and that even he could not push death away.  Imagine his situation on the Day of Judgment upon hearing the verses of Qur'an revealed on him.  This can be represented in the verses of the chapter of “Ghafer” which can be translated as, “and an odious torment redounded on the house of Firaawn: (Pharaoh). The Fire. They will be set before it in the early morning and at nightfall, and on the Day when the Hour (comes) up, ‘Make the house of Firaawn (Pharaoh) to enter into the strictest torment.’ And as they argue among themselves in the Fire, so the weak will say to the ones who waxed proud, ‘Surely we were a following to you; will you then avail us against any assignment of the Fire?’ The ones who waxed proud will say, ‘Surely every one of us is in it; surely Allah has already judged among (His) bondmen.’ And the ones who are in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, ‘Invoke your Lord to lighten for us one day of the torment!’ They will say, ‘And did your Messengers not come up to you with the supreme evidence (s)?’ They will say, ‘Yes indeed.’ They will say, ‘Then do you invoke!’ And in no way is the invocation of the disbelievers in anything except in error. Surely We indeed vindicate Our Messengers and the ones who have believed in the present life (Literally: lowly life, i.e., the life of this world) and upon the Day when the (noble) Witnesses rise up, The Day when their ready excuse (s) will not profit the unjust, and theirs will be the curse, and theirs the odious Residence. And indeed We already brought M‍ûsa (Moses) the guidance, and We caused the Seeds (Or: sons of Israel) to inherit the Book, A guide and a Reminding for the ones endowed with intellects. So (endure) patiently; (This is addressed to the Prophet) surely the promise of Allah is true. And ask forgiveness for your guilty (deed), and extol with the praise of your Lord at nightfall and before the rising of the sun” (TMQ: 40:45-55).

To conclude, feel the Might and Greatness of Allah and ask His forgiveness.

peace and Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you.   

Translated by: The English Convoy – Dar al-Tarjama

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