CHAPTER SEVEN  –  CERTAIN INCIDENTS PERTAINING TO THE ERA OF HAZRAT MOOSA

 

Firown in the Light of Recent Investigations.

According to the research of the famous scholar and photographer of Egyptian Artefacts; Ahmed Yusuf Afrizy, that when Hazrat Yusuf arrived in Egypt, it was the reign of the 16th generation of the Pharaohs. The Pharaoh of that time was “Ababeel – The First”.  That Pharaoh that ill-treated Hazrat Moosa was most probably Ramses – 2nd. This was the 29th generation of the Pharaohs. It was during his reign that Hazrat Moosa was born, and it was in his custody that Hazrat Moosa grew up. Due to this fear (of his kingdom being usurped), Ramses – 2nd deemed it necessary to enslave and ill-treat the Bani Israeel.

 

During his old age, Ramses – 2nd included his son Merneftah in his sovereignty. Therefore it is also possible that Merneftah was the pharaoh who was drowned. This opinion is also supported by the fact that Merneftah did not have his own burial vault, but was buried in the vault of the Pharaoh of the 18th generation. In the Egyptian Museum there is a corpse which is preserved. According to Mohammed Ahmed Adwey’s book “Dawat-ul-Rusul illalllah” the front portion of the nose of the corpse is damaged It seems as though it had been bitten by a fish, then according to the command of Allaah Ta’ala it was thrown out of the ocean. 

“So that you may be a sign to those to come.” (Yunus – 32) 

 

Till today Firown’s corpse seems to be saying:

“Look at me, Oh you who possess insight.”

 

The Decisive Statement of Maurice Bucaille.

 The incident of “the drowning of Firown” has always been and still is a topic of research for the ancient as well as the recent historians. Many books have been compiled and many more are being written. These writings place much emphasis on the historical and geographical aspects. The renowned French author; Maurice Bucaille in his book; “Bible, Qur’aan and Science” discusses this in detail. Only a few points will be mentioned.

 

1. Hazrat Moosa was born during the Era of Ramses – 2nd, and was brought up in his custody.

2. While Hazrat Moosa was in Madyan Ramses – 2nd passed away.

3. After the death of Ramses – 2nd his son Merneftah was enthroned. He (Merneftah) was that Pharaoh who had been drowned in the Red Sea. The exact point where they crossed the Red sea is not clearly known.

4. The corpses of both Ramses – 2nd and Merneftah are preserved in the Egyptian Museum.

5. The splitting of the Ocean occurred in approximately 1200 BC.

 

Opinions regarding the Splitting of the Red Sea.

Some people wish to produce an earthly solution to everything, even to such an extent that they refute the Mu’jizah (Miracles) of the Allaah Ta’ala, which were sent as a proof of the prophethood of the Ambiyaa. Therefore many theories have surfaced regarding the splitting of the ocean. The most common theory is that it was simply the rise and fall of the tide. But this is not possible as the Tauraat mentions that approximately 600 000 people together with their animals and goods safely crossed the Red Sea. Thereafter Firown’s massive army was drowned. 

“Then it (the ocean) separated, each part was like a mighty cliff.” (Shu’araah-63)

 

It is evident the above-mentioned situation remained such until the Bani Israeel crossed from one shore of the Red Sea to the opposite side. Thereafter Firown and his entire army were drowned.

“And We saved Moosa and those who were with him, altogether. Thereafter, We drowned the others.” (Shu’araah- 65,66 )

 

Thereafter Allaah Ta’ala has stated:

“Verily therein (in this incident) is a sign (miracle).” (Shu’araah – 67)

 

After the Qur’aan has mentioned this clearly, it is nothing except foolishness and stupidity to attribute the splitting of the ocean to the rise and fall of the tide. Regarding this the author has prepared the following map, which has been updated. (Map – Pg 67)

 

Magic and Religion.

1. Is magic a reality or is it a mere illusion?

The Ulama of the Ahle Sunnah opine that magic is a reality and has harmful effects. Allaah Ta’ala in his infinite wisdom has kept such harmful effects in magic, which may be as harmful as poison. But magic is not an independent power which is beyond the control of Allaah Ta’ala. To believe in this total Kufr (disbelief).

 

2. The Jurists have clearly stated that; that magic which involves the assistance of the Shayateen (the devils), the evil spirits, and the atheistic influences, and is worked through incantations and spells is regarded as polytheism (Shirk). The person who practices this type of magic is a Kaafir (disbeliever). The person who employs any such methods to practice magic, thus causing harm to others has become involved in a haraam (unlawful) deed and a grievous sin (Ghuna-e-Kabeera).

 

The Difference between Magic (Sihr) and Miracle (Mu’jizah).  

The Mu’jizah (miracle) of a Nabi or Rasool is actually that teaching of the prophet which is used to guide the deviated people on to the straight path. Often human nature desires some supernatural feat to prove the authenticity of the prophet. Therefore it has been the sunnah (procedure) of Almighty Allaah, that together with the message and teachings of the Truth, Allaah Ta’ala endows the prophet with one or many miracles. The prophet together with his message demonstrates this miracles with out any mortal aid, or worldly means, and cannot be combated by any material means, this is called Mu’jizah (miracle).

 

It is also the sunnah of Allaah Ta’ala that the miracle which is given to the prophet is of that type which the prophet has informed the people about. The prophet is well aware of all its intricacies so that he may be able to convey to the people that this is actually something which is beyond their power and understanding. If pride and prejudice did not prevent them they would have plainly confessed:

 

In this manner the proof of Allaah Ta’ala is completed. Thus a mu’jizah is in fact indirectly the           

work of Allaah Ta’ala which is manifested to verify the prophet. It is not based on any law or principle that it may be taught like a science, nor does the prophet have the power to demonstrate it all the time, so that the necessity of performing it in front of the opposition in the way of challenge does not arise. When that appropriate moment arises, the prophet is endowed with that power. On the contrary magic is skill which if the magician is well -practised in his craft, he is able to perform that magic at all times, even though its means are unknown to the common people. But those skilled in this science will be aware of it. Therefore magic (witchcraft) is a compiled science which Egyptians, Chinese and Hindus have mastered.

 

Academically speaking magic (Sihr) and miracle (mu’jizah) is totally different. On the practical level the difference is that the magician (witch doctor) spends his life in disgrace, fear and evil deeds. The people fear him because of his evil, or appear to be awe-struck. On the contrary the Nabi or Rasool spends his life in truthfulness, sincerity, sympathy and piety. His dealings are flawless, pure and divinely guided. He does not make the exhibition of miracles his trade, but only demonstrates it at the important moment, in order to protect the truth. The miracle is manifested that time when the enemy are fully aware of his innocence. But they request the miracle due to their doubts regarding his message. Therefore if magic and mu’jizah are compared, then mu’jizah is undoubtedly stronger. Even the most powerful magic cannot overcome a miracle. History bears testimony to the contests between the magicians and the prophets. In short Hazrat Moosa (A.S) was endowed with the miraculous staff (Asaa) and the shining white hand in that era when Egypt was renowned for its mastery in magic.

 

Life After Death

The Qur’aan has laid down the law that after life in this world one will be resurrected in the Hereafter. But sometimes due to certain reasons or requirements, Allaah Ta’ala even revives the dead in this world. The Qur’aan even bears testimony that such events have occurred during lives of the prophets. During the era of Hazrat Moosa (A.S), the 70 chieftains were resurrected. Due to their obstinacy and rudeness they were seized by lightning, causing them to taste death. Thereafter through the humble supplication of Hazrat Moosa (A.S), Allaah Ta’ala bestowed his mercy on them and revived them. Likewise in the incident of the slaughtering of the cow, the murdered person was revived. Allaah Ta’ala alone knows the wisdom and reason in these incidents. We as humans may understand that the object could be that those who were resurrected had a chance to express to express their gratitude that they had been given a second chance. 

 

The Abundance of Miracles 

The miracles during the life of Hazrat Moosa may be divided into two groups. 

1. Before the crossing of the Red Sea.

2. After the crossing of the Red Sea.

 

Those Miracles Which Occurred Prior to the Crossing

1. The Staff

2. The White Hand

3. Drought

4. Damage to the crops

5. Floods

6. Locusts

7. Lice

8. Frogs

9. Blood

10. Splitting of the ocean

 

Those Miracles Which Occurred After the Crossing.

 

1. Mann and Salwa

2. The shade of the clouds

3. The flowing of streams from stones

4. The raising of Mt. Toor

5. The revelation of the Tauraat.

 

Due to the centuries of slavery and occupation in lowly services, the good qualities of the Bani Israeel had been destroyed. Whilst living among the Egyptians, the idolatry and worship of the phenomena had clouded their intelligence to such an extent, that in each step in monotheism they waited for some miracle. Their hearts had become so weak that without these constant miracles the faith could not take root. Therefore only two methods remained for their guidance. One was to appeal to their sense of understanding in the manner of the previous Ambiyaa, and on the appropriate occasion present a miracle (mu’jizah). 

 

The second method was that in order to rebuild their destroyed morale, they required many spiritual expositions. Along with the teachings of the truth, these constant miracles helped to strengthen their faith. Therefore considering the deteriorated condition of the Bani Israeel Allaah Ta’ala adopted the second procedure.

 

The Abundance of Miracles.

The manner in which the Qur’aan describes the favours showered upon the Bani Israeel causes one to wonder that why did Allaah Ta’ala choose such an ungrateful and rebellious nation to bestow his bounties upon. The answer is most probably that during that age, compared to the Kufr, Shirk (polytheism), sin and evil prevalent in the world, the Bani Israeel were not really that bad. History also bears evidence that in spite of the general disobedience of the people, there was a group among the Bani Israeel who upheld and conveyed the message of the Truth to the people for many generations.

 

The Status of Hazrat Moosa  

Through the Holy Qur’aan, the Ahaadith of RasulAllaah(pbuh), and the narratives of the Bani Israeel, the many illustrious qualities, virtues, and the eminence of Hazrat Moosa becomes evident. Hazrat Moosa endured many difficulties at the hands of Firown and his people, and the Bani Israeel, the like of which [with the exception of RasulAllaah(pbuh) Hazrat Ibrahim], are not heard of in the biographies of the other Ambiyaa. Among the Ambiyaa, Hazrat Moosa is one of the high-ranking prophets. After the seal of the prophets; Hazrat Mohammed(pbuh), and the Saint and patriarch of the prophets; Hazrat Ibrahim, Hazrat Moosa is the most resolute of the Ambiyaa.

 

The Following Hadith has been extracted from Bukhaary and Muslim Sharief :    

RasulAllaah(pbuh) has said :

“Do not elevate me above Moosa. On the Day of Reckoning, when all the people will faint   due to the great terror of the day, I will be the first person to regain consciousness. I will see Moosa standing and holding onto the supports of the Arsh of Allaah Ta’ala. I can not say whether he will regain consciousness first, or because he had fallen unconscious at Mt. Toor, Allaah Ta’ala will save him from swooning on the Day of Qiyaamat.”

 

Ibne Katheer(R.A) states that this speech of RasulAllaah(pbuh) was due to humility. In another Hadith RasulAllaah(pbuh) is reported to have said:

“Without pride or boasting, I am the leader of the Children of Adam! “

 

The Hadith regarding Qiyaamat was merely to emphasise the eminence and greatness of Hazrat Moosa. But this one quality does not grant him precedence over Hazrat Muhammad(pbuh) .

 

Translation Edited by :

Mufti Afzal Hoosen Elias

Courtesy: www.everymuslim.co.za                                                                  ?