Parables of the Qur’an II

Episode 24

The Death of Harun

In the name of Allah[1], The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful.  All prayers and peace of Allah (SWT) be upon our master, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)[2]

The moral of the today’s story revolves around maintaining the ties of kinship. Many of us think that kinship solely pertains to uncles and aunts and, more than often, we tend to forget to maintain good relations with our own siblings. The prophet (SAWS) said that Allah’s mercy does not fall on the person who cuts his kinship ties with any of his family members. This matter is a serious issue and must not be taken lightly. To the people who have cut their kinship ties for years, it is time for you pick up the phone and say you are sorry even if you didn’t do anything wrong, before it is too late.

The best example of kinship ties in the Qur’an is the amazing brotherhood between Musa (AS[3]), and Harun “Aaron” (AS). Today’s episode is about the death of Harun (AS). Together they spent their lives fulfilling the same message, and just as they were together in this world they will also be together in the next -- with Musa (AS) being in the sixth heaven, and Harun (AS) in the fifth. Remember that Musa (AS) gave his brother the best gift any brother could have ever given a brother, which is asking Allah (SWT[4]) to appoint him as a prophet to accompany him in his arduous task. Harun (AS) stood by his brother against Firaawn (Pharaoh) setting an example of kinship for humanity. The best thing in this world is to take as well as give back and that is exactly how these two brothers dealt with each other.

Today, we will go to the place of Harun (AS) death in Petra, Jordan. The location of Petra reminds us of tafakkur (pondering upon the creation of Allah) due to its beautiful mountains and scenery. Therefore, we have chosen it as the second moral of today’s story. Tafakkur is one of the greatest forms of worship.

Remember that the Qur’an illustrates for us two extremes of brotherly relations--the worst being that between Habil and Qabeel, and the best being that between Musa and Harun (AS).

Allah (SWT) describes to us this amazing brotherly relationship in the Qur’an, “And indeed We were already bounteous to M‍ûsa (Moses) and Harû‍n. (Aron). And We safely delivered them both and their people from the tremendous agony. And We granted them victory, so that they were the ones (who were) overcomers; and We brought them both the Evidential Book; And We guided them both in the straight Path; and We have left for them both among the later (generations), “Peace be upon Mûsa and Harû‍n.” Surely thus We recompense the fair-doers. Surely they are both of Our believing bondsmen. (TMQ[5], 37:114-122)

The role of the mother was crucial to help this amazing love between the brothers grow. This relationship was not instantaneous, but developed gradually over five stages:

1.      First, when Harun (AS) saw his mother breastfeed Musa (AS) he simply considered him his foster brother.

2.      Later on, Harun (AS) found out the truth about his real blood relationship with Musa (AS).

3.      The brothers who became best friends shared everything with each other

4.      The brothers who loved each other for Allah’s (SWT) sake, which is a higher level of brotherhood, worshipped Allah (SWT) together.

5.      They became partners sharing the same goal and message in life

Which stage are you in with your brother or sister? It is about time that you work on gradually improving your kinship ties and relationships with your brothers and sisters.

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Said He, ’We will soon uphold your arm (Literally: your upper arm; i.e., strengthen you) by (means) of your brother.’” (TMQ, 28:35)

Harun’s (AS) role was to support Musa (AS) in his mission and he agreed to take on that role. Many of us don’t like to be the second man in line, but Harun (AS) accepted that responsibility with no hard feelings or jealousy. Instead he was fully committed to the valuable message they both shared, and that is why he gained the status of being in the fifth heaven next to his brother Musa (AS) who is in the sixth. Bani Israel tried on several occasions to create tensions between Musa (AS) and Harun (AS), but they never succeeded because none harbored negative feelings towards the other, and each knew the weight his responsibility.

You should recall the great memories you share with your brothers and sisters--Musa (AS) and Harun (AS) shared very special memories and it strengthened their tie. They stood against Firaawn together, gained victory and celebrated their successes. They cried and worshiped Allah (SWT) together. They even called people to worship Allah (SWT) together. They both complemented each other perfectly to serve their mission without being greedy and looking for worldly personal gains. They are so unlike the brothers of today who have so many egotistical and egocentric issues between them.

Let us cover the last scene between them, “O my people, enter the Holy Land (Literally: the hallowed land) which Allah has prescribed for you and do not turn back in your traces, (Literally: on your hind parts) (and) so you turn over as losers… They said, ‘O M‍ûsa (Moses), surely we will never enter it at all so long as they are in it. So go forth, you and your Lord, and then you (two) fight (them). Surely we will be sitting here now!’ He said, ‘Lord! Surely I possess (no authority) on anyone except myself and my brother. So distinguish between us (Literally: part between us and “between”) and the immoral people.’” (TMQ, 5:21-25)

When Harun (AS) died Musa (AS) buried him with the full knowledge that the time of his death was also coming soon, simply because they both had the same mission and it was coming to an end. Harun (AS) was buried in a very unique place surrounded by five big mountains symbolic of his great personality and that of his best companion in life—his brother Musa (AS) -- and their close relationship with each other.

Translated by: The English Convoy – Dar al-Tarjama

AmrKhaled.net © جميع حقوق النشر محفوظة
This Article may be published and duplicated freely for private purposes, as long as the original source is mentioned. For all other purposes you need to obtain the prior written approval of the website administration.  For info: management@daraltarjama.com