CHAPTER FIVE-AFTER CROSSING THE RED SEA

 

The Bani Israeel’s First Request

After safely crossing the Red Sea, Hazrat Moosa and the Bani Israeel travelled through the wilderness to Mount Sinai. On their way they passed a temple where in idol-worshippers were busy in their idolatrous practices. Upon seeing this the Bani Israeel said to Hazrat Moosa:

“Oh Moosa! Make a deity for us, so that we may also have an idol to worship.”

 

Upon hearing this verbal request of idolatry, Hazrat Moosa became very angry. He reprimanded the people severely:

“Oh you wretched people! Are you forsaking the worship of one Allaah Ta’ala and turning to idolatry. Have you forgotten all these great bounties of Allaah Ta’ala which you have seen with your eyes.”

 

The Blessings and the Clear Signs of Allaah Ta’ala

The Flowing of Rivers

The Bani Israeel reached the Sinai Valley which was extremely hot. For a long distance they had not seen any water, or vegetation. The Bani Israeel begged Hazrat Moosa to do something. Finally Hazrat Moosa turned to the Divine Court. Through divine revelation, he was commanded to strike his staff on the ground. Hazrat Moosa executed the command. Immediately twelve streams rushed forth, and each of the twelve tribes of the Bani Israeel had a stream of their own.

 

Mun and Salwa

Once the water had been attended to the Bani Israeel complained of hunger. Once again Hazrat Moosa supplicated the Divine Sustainer. His prayer was accepted. It happened such that night fell, the next morning the Bani Israeel saw white dew-like drops falling from the sky. When they tasted it, it was very sweet, like a sort of sweet-meat. This was “Mun”. During the day a fierce wind blew, and flights’ of quails descended on to the ground and spread out near them. The Bani Israeel used to roast these quails and eat them. This was “Salwa”.

 

The Shade of the Clouds 

Thereafter the Bani Israeel complained of the severity of the heat, and the lack of shady trees. Once again Hazrat Moosa supplicated Allaah Ta’ala. This prayer was also accepted. Clouds descended from the heavens and shaded the Bani Israeel. Where they went they were shaded by the clouds.

 

 

The Ingratitude of the Bani Israeel.

It is amazing how the Bani Israeel expressed their appreciation for these favours of Allaah Ta’ala! One day they gathered and told Hazrat Moosa:

 

“Oh Moosa! We are tired of eating the same thing everyday. We don’t need this “Mun” and “Salwa”. Pray to your Allaah to cause things like peas, cucumbers, maize, grain, garlic and onions to grow from the ground, so we may really eat well.”

 

Hazrat Moosa replied:

“Are you asking to change that which is better for that which is inferior. Go down to the city. Indeed therein is what you ask.” (Baqaraah-61)

 

Seclusion at Mount Toor.

Allaah Ta’ala had promised Hazrat Moosa that once the Bani Israeel are freed from slavery, then they will be given a “Shariah” (a code of laws). Through divine instruction Hazrat Moosa went to Mount Toor. There he secluded himself in the worship of the Divine Master.

“And we promised Moosa thirty nights, and we completed it with ten. So he completed the appointed period of his Lord as forty nights.” (A’araaf-142)

 

Before setting of for his appointed period, he spoke to his brother Hazrat Haroon :

“Be my deputy among my people, rectify them and do not follow the corrupt ones.” (A’araaf-142) 

 

The Divine Illumination.

When Hazrat Moosa completed his forty days, Allaah Ta’ala honoured him with the blessing of Divine conversation. He called out:

“Oh my Allaah! Show Thyself to me so that I may look at Thee! “

 

Allaah Ta’ala replied:

“You cannot look at me. But look at the mountain. If it (the mountain) remains in its place then you may look at me.”

 

When his Sustainer unveiled his glory unto the mountain, it caused it (the mountain) to crumble to dust, and Moosa fell down unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he (Moosa) said:

“Glory be to Thee! I turn to Thee repentant, and I am the first of the believers.” (A’araaf-143)

 

Revelation of the Tauraat. 

After this sacred conversation, Hazrat Moosa was given the Tauraat.      

 

“And we wrote everything in the slates for him. (Moosa was commanded): (So hold fast onto it, and command your people to choose the best therein.“ (A’araaf-145)

 

Along with the Tauraat, (in the form of slates), Hazrat Moosa was also informed that:

(Our Law is that any nation who had been granted the means of guidance, and had been shown the clear signs and proofs of truth, still persisted on the evil customs and erroneous beliefs of their ancestors, then they were allowed to be deviated. They did not share our message of truth. Because of their vice, they were deprived of the ability to accept the truth.)

 

The Worship of the Calf.

During this interim a strange incident occurred. A person called “Saamiry”, who outwardly professed to be a Muslim, took advantage of Hazrat Moosa’s lengthened absence. He told the Bani Israeel :

“That jewellery which you borrowed from the Egyptians can not be returned. Instead bring it to me and I will make it beneficial to you.”

 

The Bani Israeel handed over all the jewellery to Saamiry. He gathered it all and formed the body of a calf. Then he took a handful of sand which he had kept with him and threw in to the body of the calf. Through this scheme he created some semblance of life. The mooing sound of a calf began to emit from it. Then Saamiry said to the Bani Israeel :

“Moosa made a mistake. This is your deity.”

 

In this manner Saamiry led the Bani Israeel to idolatry. When Hazrat Haroon beheld this he tried to dissuade the Bani Israeel from this idolatry. He tried to make them understand that this was the path to deviation. But they refused to obey him.

They said :

“Until Moosa returns we will not abstain from this.”

 

Until it reached such a stage that Allaah Ta’ala deemed it necessary to inform Hazrat Moosa . Allaah Ta’ala addressed him saying:

“Oh Moosa ! Why did you leave your people and come in such haste?”

 

Hazrat Moosa replied:

“Oh Allaah! I hastened to your presence in order to receive guidance for the people.”

 

At that moment Allaah Ta’ala informed him:

“Those same people for whose guidance you are so anxious are involved in idolatry.”

 

When Hazrat Moosa heard this he was terribly grieved. Angry and disheartened, he returned to his people. He addressed his people saying:

“What have you done! For how long have I delayed that you have become involved in this calamity.”

 

He was trembling with such fury that slates of the Tauraat fell from his hands.

 

The Bani Israeel replied:

“It is not our fault. Saamiry took the Egyptians’ gold from us and created this farce. He incited us to this idolatry.”

 

Polytheism is something that the honour of a prophet can not bear. This together with his fiery temper caused him to seize his brother, Hazrat Haroon, by the neck, and as his hands advanced to Hazrat Haroon’s beard, Hazrat Haroon said :

 “Oh my brother! It was not my fault. In every possible way I tried to make to them listen! But they refused saying that : “Until Moosa comes we will not listen to  you.” In fact, finding they were intending to kill me. When I realised the extent it had reached I thought that if a war broke out between them and the true Muslims, I must not be accused of causing a rift among the people. Therefore I silently awaited your arrival. My dear brother don’t pull my hair and please let go of my beard! Do not give the others an opportunity to laugh at us.”

 

Upon hearing this, the anger that was directed at Hazrat Haroon subsided. Then he turned to Saamiry saying:

“Saamiry! What farce did you conjure?”

 

Saamiry replied: 

“I saw such a thing which they (the Bani Israeel) did not see. When Firown was drowning, Hazrat Jibraeel was mounted on a horse, thus forming a barrier between the Bani Israeel and the Egyptians. I saw signs of life being left on the sand which bore the hoof prints of Hazrat Jibraeel’s horse. Vegetation sprouted on the dry ground touched by the hooves of the horse. I took a handful of that soil and threw into the calf, which created some form of life, and it began to emit a ‘mooing sound’.“

 

Hazrat Moosa said:

“Very well, in this world you will be punished in this manner that you will wander about like a mad-man. When anybody comes near you, you will run away screaming: “Don’t touch me!” On the Day of Judgement you will find the Divine punishment that has been decreed for such disobedient ones.    Oh Saamiry! Listen to this as well. That calf which you have made into a deity will be cast into the fire and be reduced to ash. That ashes will then cast into ocean so that you and your foolish followers may realise that the might and power of your deity is such that let alone assisting others it can not even save itself from destruction.”

 

The Forgiveness of the Bani Israeel.

When Hazrat Moosa  anger abated, he picked up the slates of the Tauraat and turned to Allaah Ta’ala. He enquired as to what form of punishment should be meted out to the sinners. The reply received was that those people who had resorted to idolatry had to give up their lives. It is mentioned in a tradition of Nasai Shareef that Hazrat Moosa told the Bani Israeel:

“Your repentance (Towbah) is only possible in this way that; the sinners should end their lives in this manner that, that relative who is the most beloved should kill him with his own hands.”

 

Meaning that the father should kill the son; the son, the father; and the brother had to kill his brother. The Bani Israeel did not have any alternative but to surrender to this command. In this manner, many of the Bani Israeel were killed. When the situation came to this extreme Hazrat Moosa prostrated himself to Allaah Ta’ala, and begged the Divine Master:

“Oh Allaah! Now have mercy on them and forgive them.”

 

This prayer of Hazrat Moosa was accepted and Allaah Ta’ala said:

“We have forgiven both the killer and the one who has been killed. We have also forgiven those sinners who are still alive. But let be known that in future they should not even go near idolatry.”

 

The Appointment of the Seventy Chieftains.

Once the sin of Bani Israeel had been forgiven, Hazrat Moosa addressed them:

“The ‘Slates’ which I have consists of the Book which has been revealed for your guidance and the success of your worldly and religious life. This is the ‘Tauraat’. It is compulsory for you to believe in it, and carry out its’ commands.”

 

But after all the Bani Israeel were the Bani Israeel.

They said :

“Oh Moosa! How do we know for sure that it is the Book of Allaah Ta’ala ?”

“We cannot believe just because you say so. If we are to believe in it then we must see Allaah Ta’ala with our eyes, without a veil in between, and He (Allaah Ta’ala) must tell us that: “This Tauraat is my book. You must believe in it!”

 

Hazrat Moosa tried to make them understand that this was a stupid, silly request. It is not possible to see Allaah Ta’ala with human eyes. As usual the Bani Israeel stubbornly persisted. Hazrat Moosa realised it was useless to argue with them. Thoughtfully he said:

“It is not possible for all hundreds and thousands of you to accompany me to Mount Toor. It will be better if a few of your chosen leaders accompany me. If on their return, they verify my claim, then you also have to agree. Since you have just committed the sin of worshipping the calf, it would also be an opportunity for you to express your regret, and promise Allaah Ta’ala to do good deeds in the future.”

 

The people happily agreed. Altogether, Hazrat Moosa selected 70 leaders from the various tribes and took them with him. When they reached Mount Toor, a white cloud of Divine light (Noor) enveloped Hazrat Moosa, and he began to converse with the Divine Master. Hazrat Moosa presented his request the Divine Court:

“Oh Allaah! Thou are aware of the disposition of the Bani Israeel. Through their persistence I chose 70 people. Is it possible for them to also enter into this curtain of Noor (celestial light), and listen to our conversation. Then they will be able to return to their people and verify me.”

 

Allaah Ta’ala accepted the prayer of Hazrat Moosa, and included the chieftains in the “Curtain of Noor”. They were able to listen to the conversation between Allaah Ta’ala and Hazrat Moosa.

The Obstinacy of the Chieftains

When the “Curtain of Noor” was removed, and Hazrat Moosa turned to the chieftains, they resumed their former persistence that they did not see Allaah Ta’ala without a curtain. Therefore they refused to believe. The Divine anger meted out such a punishment to this foolish persistence, that a single terrifying bolt of lightening struck and simultaneously an earthquake seized them, and threw them to the ground.

 

Upon seeing them in this helpless condition, humiliated, Hazrat Moosa supplicated the Divine Master:

“Oh Allaah! If these foolish ones persist in their foolishness, will Thou destroy all of us? Oh Allaah through your mercy forgive us!”

 

Upon hearing this desperate prayer of Hazrat Moosa, Allaah Ta’ala revived them. When they were granted life afresh, they looked at one another in wonder.

“And recall when you (Oh Bani Israeel!) said: ”Oh Moosa! We will not believe in you until we see Allaah Ta’ala openly! Then a thunder bolt seized you while you looked on.” (Baqaarah-55)

“Then we revived you after your death, so may express your appreciation.” (Baqaarah-56)

 

The Denial of the Bani Israeel

When the seventy chieftains returned to their people, they narrated the entire incident. They all agreed that what ever Hazrat Moosa had told them was the truth, and he is undoubtedly the messenger of Allaah Ta’ala.

 

Common sense would demand that they should express their gratitude, and surrender themselves to Allaah Ta’ala with humility and obedience. Instead they persisted in their deviation. In spite of their delegation verifying Hazrat Moosa, they still hesitated in accepting the Tauraat. They did not heed Hazrat Moosa’s advice. When Hazrat Moosa saw their ungrateful behaviour, he complained in the Divine court. Allaah Ta’ala said:

“I will bestow upon you a miracle for these disobedient ones. I will command the mountain upon which you conversed with me when these ungrateful ones witnessed the truth, to move from its place and spread itself above the Bani Israeel like a giant shade. At that moment it will be given a tongue, and it will proclaim:

 

“Moosa is the true prophet of Allaah Ta’ala, and the Tauraat is the true Book of Allaah Ta’ala. If they are not proofs of the truth, then you would not be seeing this great phenomenon, whose manifestation would not have been possible without the Divine Power.”  

 

Immediately Mount Toor rose and appeared like a giant shade overhead, and it began to speak:

“Oh Bani Israeel! If you possess common sense, and the ability to differentiate between right and wrong, then listen attentively to this bit of truth! As a sign of Allaah Ta’ala, I am assuring you, and I bear witness that Moosa has many-a-time had the honour of conversing with Almighty Allaah on my back. He was also given the laws of your guidance (Tauraat). Oh you rebellious and ignorant ones! This very appearance of mine, which may amaze you, is evidence that when the human heart hardens, then it becomes harder than stone.Then it cannot absorb any sort of guidance. Look! Although I (the mountain) am made up of stone, yet I also         surrender to the commands of Allaah Ta’ala, and worship Allaah Ta’ala. But you in your arrogance are not prepared to change your ‘Ano’ to ‘Ayes’.

“Then your hearts hardened. Thus they are like stones or even harder!” (Baqaarah-74)

 

When the Bani Israeel beheld this great sign, terrified they finally believed. They accepted the Tauraat and admitted that they would execute its’ commands. Then Allaah Ta’ala said:

“Oh Bani Israeel! Hold firmly onto that which we have given you, and practice what is recorded in the Tauraat so you may become pious and god-fearing.”

 

But as usual, the Bani Israeel fell back onto their old habits. The Qur’aan has mentioned these very briefly yet very clearly.

“And recall! (Oh Bani Israeel) When we took from you the pledge, and we raised above you Mount Toor? Hold fast onto that that which we have bestowed upon you, and what there is therein so that you may adopt piety.” (Baqaarah-63) 

“Then you turned away. Had the grace and mercy of Allaah Ta’ala not been upon you, you would have been of the losers.”             (Baqaarah-74)

“And recall! When we raised the mountain above them like a canopy, and they thought it was going to fall on them, (and we said):

“Hold firmly onto that which we haven given you, perchance so may adopt piety.” (A’araaf-170)                    

 

The Promise of the Sacred Land

That valley in which the Bani Israeel were, was near Palestine. Allaah Ta’ala had promised their forefathers; Hazrat Ebrahim, Hazrat Ishaaq and Hazrat Yaqoob that:

“We will make your progeny rulers over this land.”

 

Hazrat Moosa received the command of Allaah Ta’ala:

“Tell your people to enter the sacred land. They must expel the tyrant rulers, and preside over land with justice and equality. We promise you victory over your enemies.”

 

Before preparing the Bani Israeel to enter the sacred land, Hazrat Moosa sent 12 people to investigate the conditions. They entered the nearest Palestinian city; Ariha (Jericho), and carefully observed all the conditions. When they returned they informed Hazrat Moosa that those people were gigantic, with huge powerful bodies. Hazrat Moosa commanded them not to reveal to the people what they had told him.

 

The long-standing slavery had made the Bani Israeel very feeble-minded. Instead of bravery and courage, they were filled with weakness and cowardice. These 12 people were after all of the same nation. Instead of remaining silent, they told the people in great detail how powerful the enemy were. However two people; Yusha bin Noon, and Kaalib bin Yafna obeyed Hazrat Moosa’s command. They did not give any one any such spirit-shattering information.

 

Hazrat Moosa addressed  the Bani Israeel:

“Now enter the city of Jericho, and combat the enemy. Allaah Ta’ala has promised you victory.”

“And recall when Moosa said to his people:

“Oh my people! Remember the favours of Allaah Ta’ala upon you; he raised among your people prophets, and made you rulers and He (Allaah Ta’ala) bestowed upon you that which He did not grant to anyone in the world.” (Maaidah-20)

“Oh my people enter the sacred land which Allaah Ta’ala has ordained for you, and do not turn away, lest you may be of the losers.” (Maaidah-21)

 

The Disobedience of the Bani Israeel

When the heard this, they said:

“Oh Moosa! Terrifying people live there. We will not enter this city until those people leave.”

 

Yet these wretched people did not realise that until they did not courageously defeat and exile the tyrants, they will not leave the town. Yusha and Kaalib, who realised this tried to encourage the people saying:

“It is not difficult to merely cross the boundary of the city. Come lets go and fight! You will definitely be successful.”

Two men who feared Allaah Ta’ala spoke:

“Enter the door (of the city) against them. When you go in you will be victorious. Place your trust in Allaah Ta’ala if you are men of faith.” (Maaidah-23)

 

But the Bani Israeel were not in the least bit affected by this speech. As usual they obstinately refused. The more Hazrat Moosa tried to encourage them, them more stubbornly they refused.

They said:

“Oh Moosa! As long as they are in there we shall not enter it (the city). You and your Allaah go and fight! We shall sit here and wait.” (Maaidah-24)

 

Upon receiving this foolish and humiliating reply, Hazrat Moosa felt very grieved. Dispirited he supplicated the divine court:

“Oh my Allaah! Besides Haroon and myself, I do not have hope in anyone else. The two of us are at your service. Oh Allaah separate us from this disobedient nation. They are wretchedly unworthy.”

 

Allaah Ta’ala revealed to Hazrat Moosa:

“Oh Moosa do not be so grieved. Their disobedience should not be a burden to you. We will punish them in such a manner that for forty years they will roam about in this valley confused. They will not be granted the honour of entering the sacred land. The promised land will be forbidden to them.”

 

The Sinai valley is known as the “Valley of Tee”. As the Qur’aan says:

“Yateehoona fil Ardh” (They wandered about confused in the land)

 

Hazrat Moosa and Hazrat Haroon had to remain in this valley with the Bani Israeel for the next forty years. They could not enter the sacred land either as it was necessary for the prophet to remain among his people and guide them on to the straight path

 

The Demise of Hazrat Haroon

While the Bani Israeel were wandering around in the Valley of Tee, they came to a mountain peak; “Hoor”. Through divine command the two prophets were instructed to ascend the mountain. The two ascended the mountain and remained there for a few days engaged in the worship of Allaah Ta’ala. There Hazrat Haroon passed away. After enshrouding and burying the body, Hazrat Moosa descended from the mountain and informed the Bani Israeel of Hazrat Haroon’s death.

 

The Demise of Hazrat Moosa

 

According to a hadith narrated on the authority of Hazrat Abu Huraira t:

 “When time of Hazrat Moosa ’s death drew near, the Angel of death came to  him. After conversing with him the Angel of death, Hazrat Moosa said to Allaah Ta’ala:

“Even the one with the longest life will have to die, so why shouldn’t it come today.”

 

Then he supplicated the Divine Master to take him in these final moments to the Sacred Land. As he had requested, Hazrat Moosa is buried in the village of Ariha1, on the “Katheeb-e-Ahmar (the red sand dunes)”.

 

It is apparent that the area of the Sacred land closest to the Valley of Tee was Ariha. Allaah Ta’ala fulfilled this final wish of Hazrat Moosa. 

Translation Edited by :

Mufti Afzal Hoosen Elias

Courtesy: www.everymuslim.co.za                                                                  ?