Muslims must fear Allah and take lessons from what Allah has told
us in the Noble Qur’an regarding the Prophets and Messengers of Allah and the
previous nations.
Allah said (which means): “Indeed in
their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur’an) is
not a forged statement, but a confirmation of Allah’s existing books (the
Torah, the Gospel, and other Scriptures of Allah), a detailed explanation of
everything, and a guide and a mercy for the people who believe.” (Yusuf 12:111)
And among the stories that Allah has narrated to us in His Book is
what happened in Allah’s month, the sacred month of Muharram, and that is the
story of Prophet Moosa (Moses) and Pharaoh, the tyrant of Egypt. In the Qur’an,
Allah tells us this story which means: “We recite to
you some of the news of Moosa and Pharaoh in truth, for a people who believe
(i.e. those who believe in this Qur’an and in the Oneness of Allah). Verily,
Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening
(oppressing) a group (Children of Israel) among them, killing their sons and
letting their females live. Verily, he was of those who work corruption. And We
wished to do a favour for those who were weak (and oppressed) in the land, and
to make them rulers and to make them the inheritors, and to establish them in
the land, and We let Pharaoh and Haamaan (a minister of Pharaoh) and their
hosts receive from them that which they feared.” (Al-Qasas
28:3-6)
Pharaoh dominated the nation of Israel and enslaved them, killing
their newborn sons but letting their females live. The reason he committed this
criminal act was the fear of the truth coming out from one of those newborn
males. The nation of Israel used to know, according to what came to them from
Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham), that someone from his lineage would destroy the
king of Egypt. These glad tidings were famous among them; and the news of it
was made known to Pharaoh. Pharaoh ordered his soldiers to kill all newborn
boys of the nation of Israel; in order to secure himself from destruction.
However, all of the precautions that he made were not enough to
protect him from what Allah wanted, which was for this newborn boy to be raised
in the house of Pharaoh. The will of Allah cannot be stopped by any precautions
and His ability conquers anything. So Allah chose for the Prophet Moosa to be
born safely, to be saved from being killed, and also to be raised in Pharaoh’s
own home under the protection of Allah until he was an adult.
Later, Moosa accidentally killed a person from Pharaoh’s people by
mistake. Moosa was afraid that he would be captured and be killed for this, so
he fled to the land of Madyan and abided there for some time. He married there
and then returned to Egypt. On the way back, Allah talked to him (by
revelation) and told him he was a Prophet and the Messenger to Pharaoh. Allah
told him many signs by which he will be known as the prophet of Allah and they
would show that he was a true prophet.
Moosa went to Pharaoh and showed him the signs of Allah but
Pharaoh was arrogant and stubborn. Allah says (which means):
“Has there come to you the story of Moosa? When his Lord called
him in the Valley of Tuwaa. ‘Go to Pharaoh, verily he has transgressed all
bounds (in crimes, sins, polytheism and disbelief). And say to him, ‘Would you
purify yourself (from the sin of disbelief and by becoming a believer)? And
that I guide you to your Lord, so you should fear Him?’ Then (Moosa) showed him
the great signs (miracles). But (Pharaoh) belied and disobeyed; then he turned
his back, striving hard against (Allah). Then he gathered his people and cried
aloud, saying, ‘I am your lord, most high.’” (An-Naazi’aat
79:15-24)
Pharaoh claimed that the signs Moosa brought were only magic and
that he had magic that would overtake the magic of Moosa. So Pharaoh gathered
magicians from his kingdom and they presented their magic, and Moosa presented
what he had from the signs, which Allah had given him.
Allah said (which means):“Thus truth was
confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect. So they were defeated
there and then, and were returned disgraced. And the sorcerers fell down
prostrate. They said, ‘We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, the Lord of Moosa
and Haaroon (Aaron).’” (Al-A’araf 7:118-122)
At that time Pharaoh decided to try a different plan - fear, force
and retaliation. Allah told Moosa to get every believer out of Egypt and direct
them to where Allah would tell him. Pharaoh gathered his army and forces, which
were around one million soldiers, according to some references, and he chased
Moosa and his people, hoping to destroy them completely. Moosa ended up at the
sea with Pharaoh and his army behind him. The believers were afraid because the
sea was in front of them and the enemy was behind them.
Allah says (which means): “And when the
two hosts saw each other, the people of Moosa, said, ‘We are sure to be
overtaken. (Moosa) said, ‘Nay, verily! With me is my Lord and He will guide
me!’” (Ash-Shu’araa 26:61-62)
Whoever is close to Allah, Allah will never let him down or leave
him on his own. Allah ordered Moosa to strike the sea with his staff. Moosa did
so and the sea opened up for them to cross. Allah says (which means): “And indeed We inspired Moosa (saying): ‘Travel by night with My
slaves and strike a dry path for them in the sea, fearing neither to be
overtaken (by Pharaoh) nor being afraid (of drowning).” (Taa-Haa 20:77)
Moosa walked across the path that opened in the sea and the last
of his people left the sea and every soldier of Pharaoh’s army was inside the
path. At this time Allah ordered the sea to collapse upon them, drowning
Pharaoh and his army.
That was the victory of the truth over falsehood. The promise of
Allah was true – He made the people of Moosa victorious over Pharaoh and his
army. From this story we see how the truth is victorious, regardless of the
size or seeming power of falsehood. Falsehood has its own limited time, but the
truth is always victorious.
This story should enrich the hearts of the believers and make them
steadfast in the face of their enemies, regardless of size or seeming power of
their enemies. The believer should also benefit from this story by
understanding that the people of falsehood claim that they are on the right
path and are calling people to the truth. In fact, the opposite is true - they
rely on lies and deception.
This great event – the victory Allah gave Moosa and the believers
over Pharaoh and his army - occurred on the 10th of the sacred month of
Muharram and the day is called Yaumul 'Ashurah' (the day of 'Ashurah'). It is a
day that has a great merit. Prophet Moosa fasted on that day, and ordered the
people to fast that day.
Ibn ‘Abbass reported that when the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu
‘alaihi wa sallam) arrived in Madinah, he found the Jews fasting on the day of
Ashura. The Messenger of Allah asked them, “What is the
significance of this day that you fast on?” They said: “It is the day of great
significance when Allah delivered Moosa and his people and drowned Pharaoh and
his people. Moosa observed fast out of gratitude, and we also observe it.” Upon
this, the Messenger of Allah said, “We have more right and we have a closer
connection to Moosa than you have.”
So Allah’s Messenger fasted (on the day of Ashura) and gave orders
that it should be observed.
We also benefit from the story of Moosa by learning that the
Sunnah of the Prophets is to thank and praise Allah in times of peace and when
they gain victory over their enemies. Moosa fasted on the 10th, the day on
which Allah made his followers victorious over Pharaoh; and this is another
sign that the truth will always defeat falsehood.
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