Class 9 – Prophet Musa A.S. (Contd)

Class 9

Prophet Musa A.S. (contd)

Musa and Harun (PBUT) Talk to the Pharaoh

Musa (pbuh) and Harun (pbuh) went together to Pharaoh and delivered their message.

Pharaoh listened to Musa’ speech with disdain. He thought that Musa was crazy because he dared to question his supreme position. Then he raised his hand and asked: “What do you want?” Musa answered: “I want you to send the children of Israel with us.” Pharaoh asked: “Why should I send them, as they are my slaves?” Musa replied: “They are the slaves of Allah, Lord of the Worlds.” Pharaoh then inquired sarcastically if his name was Musa. Musa said “Yes.” “Are you not the Musa whom we picked up from the Nile as a helpless baby? Are you not the Musa whom we reared in this palace, who ate and drank from our provisions and whom our wealth showered with charity? Are you not the Musa who is a fugitive, the killer of an Egyptian man, if my memory does not betray me? It is said that killing is an act of disbelief. Therefore, you were a disbeliever when you killed. You are a fugitive from justice and you come to speak to me! What were you talking about Musa, I forgot?”

Musa knew that Pharaoh’s mentioning his past, his upbringing, and his receiving Pharaoh’s charity was Pharaoh’s way of threatening him. Musa ignored his sarcasm and explained that he was not a disbeliever when he killed the Egyptian, he only went astray and Allah the Almighty had not yet given him the revelation at that time. He made Pharaoh understand that he fled from Egypt because he was afraid of their revenge upon him, even though the killing was an accident. He informed him that Allah had granted him forgiveness and made him one of the messengers.

He asked Musa how he dared to worship Allah! Did he not know that Pharaoh was a god?

After declaring his divinity, Pharaoh asked Musa how he dared to worship another god. The punishment for this crime was imprisonment.

Musa said: “Even if I bring you something manifest and convincing.” Pharaoh said; “Bring it forth, then, if you are of the truthful!” So Musa threw his stick, and behold, it was a serpent, manifest. And he drew out his hand, and behold, it was white to all beholders! (26:30-33)

Musa Defeats the Magicians

Fearing that his rule was in danger, he summoned the cleverest magicians in the country. He offered each successful magician a big reward, including appointment as a royal Courtier. Pharaoh arranged for a public contest between Musa and the magicians. The people came in droves as near before when they heard of the greatest contest ever.

Musa asked the magicians to perform first. They threw their magical objects down on the ground. Their staffs and ropes took the forms of wriggling serpents while the crowd watched in amazement. Then Musa threw his staff. It began to wriggle and became an enormous serpent. One by one, Musa’s huge serpent swallowed all the snakes. Musa bent to pick it up, and it became a staff in his hand.

On witnessing the power of Musa, the magicians prostrated themselves to Allah, declaring: “We believe in the Lord of Musa and Harun.” Pharaoh was angry and began plotting his next move. He charged that the demonstration had been arranged secretly between Musa and the magicians. He demanded that the magicians confess to their scheme, threatening them with death. They refused to denounce Allah and stuck to their sincerity of their belief. No longer hiding his cruel nature, Pharaoh threatened to cut off their hands and feet and to crucify them on the trunks of palm trees as an example to his subjects.

Qaroun (Korah) – His Actions and Destruction

Musa began to face a difficult situation. He had to confront Pharaoh’s anger and his plots, while at the same time he had to deal with the mutiny of his people. In the midst of all this, Korah (Qaroun) moved. Korah was one of Musa’s people. He was very rich and lived in a magnificent mansion. He wore only the most expensive clothes. Numerous slaves waited on him and he indulged in every known luxury. His enormous wealth made him arrogant. Korah treated the poor with contempt and told them that their poverty was due to their lack of intelligence. He believed that what he owned was due to his own cleverness and business ability.

Musa reminded Korah to pay alms (zakat) on his wealth, a portion of which was rightfully due to the poor. Alms are compulsory upon all the believers. Korah was annoyed by this advice and told Musa that his being wealthy was proof that he was favored by Allah, Who approved of his life-style and increased his wealth daily. Musa argued with him and warned him of the result of his wicked thoughts.

When Korah did calculate the alms due on his wealth, he was shocked at the large amount he had to part with. He not only refused to give alms, but spread a rumor that Musa had invented the law of zakat for his own gain. He even bribed the people to oppose Musa and to spread wicked rumors about him. Allah warned Musa of Korah’s plot. Musa appealed to Allah to punish him for his stinginess and for defying His laws. Allah’s anger fell on Korah. The earth opened up and swallowed him, his mansion and all his wealth, as if he had never existed.

The Plagues of Egypt

Musa repeated his demand that Pharaoh release the children of Israel from slavery. In response, Pharaoh called his subjects, including the children of Israel, to a huge gathering where he reminded them that he was their lord and provided all their needs. Musa, he said, had no gold amulets nor angels following him; he was just a poor man.

Being a people who had been oppressed for a very long time, they lacked vision. Their judgment were limited to what they could see in the material world. They regarded their ruler to be wealthy and able to provide all their worldly needs. In ignorance, they obeyed Pharaoh and ignored Musa’s call.

Egypt Suffers a Drought and a Flood

Allah commanded Musa to warn Pharaoh of a punishment in this world for his faithlessness and his persecution of the children of Israel. As a portent of the punishment which Allah would meet out, the Nile did not flood its banks to soak the dry land as it normally did. As a result, crops failed, leading to famine. However Pharaoh remained arrogant, so Allah caused a huge flood, which devastated the land.

Egypt’s Crops are Destroyed by Locusts

As often as they were troubled grievously, they appealed to Musa thus: O Musa! Invoke your Lord for us because of His Promise to you. IF you will remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the children of Israel go with you.” (7:134)

Musa prayed to his Lord and He relived the suffering caused by the flood. The surging water ceased and withdrew from the land, and it became cultivatable. But when Musa bade them to fulfill their promise to release the children of Israel, they did not respond.

Then Allah sent swarms of locusts which ate whatever corps they had grown. The people hurried to Musa, asking him to invoke Allah to remove this affliction and promising they would send the children of Israel with him this time. The locusts departed, but they did not fulfill their promise.

Egypt Becomes Infested with Lice

Then another sign came, the sign of lice, which spread amongst the Egyptians, carrying diseases. Their refuge to Musa and their promise to him was repeated. His prayer to Allah was repeated and so, too, their breach of promise, as usual.

Egypt Becomes Infested with Frogs

A sign of frogs was revealed. The land suddenly filled with frogs. They jumped on the food of the Egyptians, shared their houses, and distressed them greatly. The Egyptians went to Musa again, promising him to release the children of Israel. He prayed to his Lord, and Allah relieved them of the problem of the frogs, but they again broke their promise.

Nile’s water was changed to Blood

Then the last sign was revealed, the sign of blood. The Nile water was changed into blood. When Musa and his people drank the water, it was, for them, ordinary water. However, if any Egyptian filled his cup with the water, he discovered his cup full of blood. They hurried to Musa as usual, but as soon as everything returned to normal, they turned their backs on Allah.

Pharaoh and his Amry Perish – Musa Allowed to Leave Egypt

It appeared that Pharaoh would never believe in Musa’ s message, nor would he stop the torture of the children of Israel. Therefore, Musa prayed to his Lord thus: Our Lord! You have indeed bestowed on Pharaoh and his chiefs splendor and wealth in the life of this world, our Lord! That they may lead men astray from Your Path. Our Lord! Destroy their wealth, and harden their hearts, so that they will not believe until they see the painful torment.” Allah said: “Verily, the invocation of you both is accepted. So you both keep to the Straight Way (keep on doing good deeds, and preaching Allah’s Message with patience), and follow not the path of those who know not (the truth, to believe in the Oneness of Allah, and also to believe in the Reward of Allah: Paradise etc.).” (10:88-89)

Allah inspired Musa to conduct his people of Egypt, but only a few of his people believed in his message. Allah revealed: But none believed in Musa except the offspring of his people, because of the fear of Pharaoh and his chiefs lest they should persecute them; and verily, Pharaoh was an arrogant tyrant on the earth, he was indeed one of the Musrifeen (polytheists, sinners, and transgressors, those who give up the truth and follow the evil, and commit all kinds of great sins). And Musa said: “O my people! If you have believed in Allah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims (those who submit to Allah’s Will).”

They said: “In Allah we put our trust. Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the folk who are zalimeen (polytheists, and wrong-doing) (do not make them overpower us). And save us by Your Mercy from the disbelieving folk.” (Ch 10:83-86 Quran).

Almighty Allah decided to put an end to Pharaoh’s crimes after He had given him several chances. Allah commanded Musa to depart, and the children of Israel received reluctant permission from the Pharaoh to go out of the city for the feast.

The Parting of the Red Sea

In the darkness of night, Musa led his people towards the Red Sea, and in the morning they reached the beach. By then Pharaoh was aware of their departure, so he mobilized a huge army to pursue them. The impatient children of Israel soon became agitated and Joshua (Yusha), Ibn Nun, exclaimed: “In front of us is this impassable barrier, the sea, and behind us the enemy; surely death cannot be avoided!”

Musa replied that he would wait for further guidance from Allah. At that moment Allah revealed to Musa: “Smite the sea with your staff!” Musa did as he was commanded. A fierce wind blew, the sun shone brightly, and in a flash the sea parted, the crests of the waves standing like mountains on each side.

Musa led his people across. This miracle proved Musa’s oft-repeated claim. “Verily! My Lord is with me!” As they looked back, they saw Pharaoh & his army approaching, about to take the very path which had been opened for them. In great fear & panic, they pleaded with Musa to ask Allah to close the sea. However, Allah commanded Musa not to smite the sea with his staff again, for Allah’s decree was already in action.

The Death of the Pharaoh

Pharaoh and his army had seen the miracle, how the sea had parted, but being the pretender that he was, Pharaoh turned to his men and proclaimed: “Look! The sea has opened at my command so that I may follow those rebels and arrest them!” They rushed across the parted waters, and when they were midway, Allah commanded the sea to return to its former state.

Terror-stricken Pharaoh, realizing his end had come, declared out of fear: “I believe that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah in Whom the children of Israel believe, and I am of those who surrender to Him.” But Allah did not accept this declaration from the tyrant, and the waters closed over him, drowning him and his entire army.

The Favours of Allah on Musa’ People

The children of Israel were favoured with Allah’s grace and bounty. They were saved from oppression and had witnessed the drowning of their cruel ruler Pharaoh. When they needed water in the dry land, Allah commanded Musa to strike a rock, which parted and sent forth twelve springs of water for the twelve different tribes so that they need not dispute over a shortage of water. Allah also kept the skies cloudy to protect them from the scorching sun. To relieve their hunger, manna (the dried exudate of certain plants) and quail were provided for them. In spite of Allah’s generousity, the mean spirited ones began to stir Musa’ people to object that they were disgusted with this food; they desires onions, garlic, beans, and lentils, which were traditional Egyptian foods. That is why the children of Israel asked Prophet Musa to pray to Allah to make the earth produce these foods. Musa again admonished them for oppressing themselves and for their desire to return to a life of humiliation in Egypt. He also pointed out that they were ungrateful for the bet & most abundant food. They wanted the worst instead of the best.

The Cowardice of Musa’ People

Allah had also directed Musa to lead them to the Promised Land (Palestine) which had been promised to Abraham as a land in which the pious and Allah-fearing of his offspring would live and uphold Allah’s law. The children of Israel were an ungrateful people. In spite of all of Allah’s favors, they could not stay away from evil and continued to reject Allah’s Laws. When Musa ordered them to conquer the town of the Canaanites the Hittites (their enemies who had hounded them), the children of Israel were cowardly and made excuses: “O Musa, a great people dwell therein, We will not go in unless they leave.” Ancient books tell that they were six hundred thousand men. Musa did not find among them but two men who were ready to fight. These two said to the people: “Once we enter through the door, Allah will make us victorious.” However, all the children of Israel were an incarnation of cowardice and quivered from within.

Musa Fasts for Forty Days

They entered Sinai. Musa came to the same place where he had spoke to Allah for the first time. He appealed to Allah for guidance in judging over his people. Allah instructed him to purify himself by fasting for thirty days, after which he was to go to Mount Sinai, where he would be given the law by which he would govern his people.

The Story of Golden Calf – Musa’ People Turn to Idolatry

Musa (pbuh) had been gone for forty days and his people were becoming restless, for they did not know that Allah had extended his time by a further ten days. Samiri, a man who was inclined towards evil, suggested that they find themselves another guide, as Musa had broken his promise. He said to them: “In order to find true guidance, you need a god, and I shall provide one for you.”

So he collected all their gold jewelry, dug a hole in which he placed the lot, and lit a huge fire to melt it down. During the casting, he threw a handful of dust, making actions like a magician’s to impress the ignorant. From the molten metal he fashioned a golden calf. It was hollow, and the wind passing through it produced a sound. Since superstition was imbedded in their past, they quickly linked the strange sound to something supernatural, as if it were a living god. Some of them accept the golden calf as their god.

Musa’s brother Harun (pbuh), who acted as their leader in Musa’ s absence, was grieved and spoke up: “O my people! You have been deceived. Your Lord is the Most Beneficent. Follow and obey me.” They replied: “We shall stop worshipping this god only if Musa returns.”

Those who had remained steadfast in belief separated themselves from the pagans.

Musa Sees the Idolaters

On his return Musa saw his people singing and dancing around the calf statue. Furious at their paganistic ritual, he flung down the Tablet of the Law he was carrying for them. He tugged Harun’s beard and his hair, crying: “What held you back when you saw them going astray? Why did you not fight this corruption?”

Harun replied: “O son of my mother, let go of my beard! The fold considered me weak and were about to kill me. So make not the enemies rejoice over me, nor put me among the people who are wrong-doers.” Musa’s anger began to subside when he understood Harun’s helplessness, and he began to handle the situation calmly and wisely.

Musa commanded the elite of the children of Israel to pray to Allah for forgiveness and demonstrate their repentance.

The Story of Musa and Al-Khidr – Musa Informed of a Wise Man

One day Musa delivered such an impressive sermon that all who heard it was deeply moved. Someone in there asked: “O Messenger of Allah, is there another man on earth more learned than you?” Musa replied: “No!” believing so, as Allah had given him the power of miracles and honored him with the Torah.

However, Allah revealed to Musa that no man could know all there is to know, nor would one messenger alone be the custodian of all knowledge. There would always be another who knew what others did not. Musa asked Allah: “O Allah, where is this man? I would like to meet him and learn from him.” He also asked for a sign to this person’s identity.

Allah instructed him to take a live fish in a water filled vessel. When the fish disappeared, he would find the man he sought. Musa set out on his journey, accompanied by a young man who carried the vessel with the fish. They reached a place where two rivers met and decided to rest there. Instantly, Musa fell asleep.

Musa Finds Al-Khidr

While he was asleep, his companion saw the fish wriggle out of the vessel into the river and swim away. However, he forgot to relate the incident to Musa. When he awoke, they continued their journey until they were exhausted and hungry. Musa asked for his morning meal. Only then did his companion recall that the fish they had brought with them had gotten away. Hearing this, Musa exclaimed: “This is exactly what we are seeking!”

They hurriedly retraced their steps to the place where the rivers met and where the fish had jumped out. There they found a man, his face partly covered with a hood. His bearing showed he was a saintly man. He was Al-Khidr, the guide.

Musa Speaks to Al-Khidr

Musa said to him (Khidr) “May I follow you so that you teach me something of that knowledge (guidance, and true path) which you have been taught by Allah?”

He (Khidr) said: “Verily! You will not be able to have patience with me! And how can you have patience about a thing which you know not?”

Musa said; “If Allah will, you will find me patience, and I will not disobey you in aught.”

He (Khidr) said: “Then, if you follow me, ask me not about anything till I myself mention it to you.”

So they both proceeded, till, when they were in the ship, he (Khidr) scuttled it. Musa said: “Have you scuttled it in order to drown its people? Verily, you have done Imra- a Munkar (evil, bad, dreadful) thing.”

He (Khidr) said: “Did I not tell you, that you would not be able to have patience with me?”

Musa said: “Cal me not to account for what I forgot, and be not hard upon me for my affair with you.”

Then they both proceeded, till they met a boy, he (Khidr) killed him. Musa said: “Have you killed an innocent person who had killed none? Verily, you have done Nukra a great Munkar (prohibited, evil dreadful) thing!”

Khidr said: “Did I not tell you that you can have no patience with me?”

Musa said: “If I ask you anything after this, keep me not in your company, you have received an excuse from me.”

Then they both proceeded, till, when they came to the people of a town, they asked them for food, but they refused to entertain them. Then they found therein a wall about to collapse and he (Khidr) set it up straight. Musa said: “If you had wished, surely you could have taken wages for it!”

Khidr said: “This is the parting between me and you, I will tell you the interpretation of those things over which you were unable to hold patience.

“As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working in the sea. So I wished to make a defective damage in it, as there was a king after them, who seized every ship by force.

“And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief. So we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one better in righteousness and near to mercy.

“And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the town; and there was under it a treasure belonging to them; and their father was a righteous man, and your Lord intended that they should attain their age of full strength and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of those (things) over which could not hold patience. (18:66-82)

The Death of Musa – Musa’s Suffering

Musa (pbuh) suffered terribly from his people and endured much for the sake of Allah. Abdullah Ibn Umar narrated: “Once the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) distributed something (among his companions). A man said: “This distribution has not been done (with justice) seeking Allah’s Countenance.’ I went to the Prophet (pbuh) and told him of that. He became so angry that I saw the signs of anger on his face. Then he said: ‘May Allah bestow His Mercy on Musa, for he was harmed more (in a worse manner) than this; yet he endured patiently.‘” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

The children of Israel mistreated Musa (pbuh) a lot. His agony was not limited to mutiny, stupidity, chattering, ignorance, and idolatry; it exceeded this and went as far as inflicting personal harm on him.

Almighty Allah commanded: O you who believe! Be not like those who annoyed Musa, but Allah cleared him of that which they alleged, and he was honorable in Allah’s sight! (33:69).

The Death of Musa

Abu Hurairah narrated: “The Angel of Death was sent to Musa (pbuh). When he came to Musa, Musa slapped him on the eye. The Angel returned to his Lord and said: ‘You have sent me to a slave who does not want to die.’ Allah said: ‘Return to him and tell him to put his hand on the back of an ox and for every hair that will come under it, he will be granted one year of life.’ Musa said: ‘O Lord! What will happen after that?’ Allah replied: ‘then death.’ Musa said: ‘Let it come now!’ Musa then requested Allah to let him die close to the Holy Land so that he would be at a distance of a stone’s throw from it.” Abu Hurairah added: “Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: ‘If I were there, I would show you his grave below the red sandhill on the side of the road.'” (Sahih Al Bukhari)

LESSONS

  • All the forces in the world cannot harm us if Allah has intended to protect us.
  • Inspite of being very tired and hungry, Musa offered help to the sisters and Allah rewarded him with a family and a decent earning.
  • The example of pharaoh is the biggest lesson in how Allah perishes those who are arrogant and deny the word of Allah Inspite of all the miracles Musa displayed, many of the followers of the tyrant pharaoh did not accept the word of Allah showing that Allah grants Hidaya to only those who ask for it.
  • Our Prophet has forbidden us from asking many unnecessary questions regarding our deen like the people of Musa did. They not only teased him by asking unnecessary questions but also by inflicting harm on him. May Allah protect us from it and not make us among those who harm our deen in any way.

Lectures: