Arrogance and Tyranny will not Remain Unpunished


The Quran is a book of guidance. It is a road map to success and eternal


happiness, a gift from the Creator to the creation. It is a book full of signs; God


calls them evidences, proofs and lessons. They prove the existence of God and


warn humankind of a Day of Judgement, when each one of us will stand before


God weighed down, or held high, by our deeds.


One of the most manifest signs is the story of Moses[1]. It is a story that


holds many lessons for humankind. One part of the story in particular has


intrigued people for centuries – the parting of the Red Sea and the drowning of


the Egyptians. All three major monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity


and Islam tell relatively the same Moses story, however Quran is able to fill in


details and correct misinterpretations. While all versions include the parting of


the Red Sea and the drowning of Pharaoh, Quran tells us that Pharaoh’s body


will be preserved for all time, as a sign.


“So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from


the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after


you! And verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our


signs.” (Quran 10:92)


When Pharaoh had power, wealth, good health and strength he refused to


acknowledge God. He denied the signs and condemned himself. At the last


minute, as the waves crashed over him and his heart constricted in fear,


Pharaoh acknowledged God. Pharaoh’s arrogance fell away, but alas it was too


late, he saw death approaching and cried out to God with fear and horror.


Renowned Islamic scholar Ibn Kathir describes Pharaoh’s death.


“The curtain fell on Pharaoh’s tyranny, and the waves threw his corpse up to


the western seashore. The Egyptians saw him and knew that the god whom


they worshipped and obeyed was a mere man who could not keep death away


from his own neck.”


God calls it a sign for those “who come after”


Many of the Pharaoh’s of Egypt behaved as if they were gods. If a Pharaoh


reigned for thirty years there was a ceremony called a Sed festival where the


king was officially turned into a god. Many Pharaoh’s especially those who


reigned during what is known as the Second Kingdom built numerous


monuments and statues to themselves. Some, particularly Amenhotep III and


Ramses II wanted to leave a mark, a reminder of their great strength, wealth


and divinity.


(God said to Moses), “Go to Pharaoh; verily he has


transgressed all bounds (he is arrogant and too proud and


has refused to believe in God). And say to him: “Would


you purify yourself (from the sin of disbelief by becoming a


believer)?” (Quran 79: 17 & 18)


Then he (Pharaoh) gathered his people and cried aloud, “I


am your lord, most high. “So God seized him with


punishment for his last and first transgression. Verily, in


this is an instructive admonition for whosoever fears Allah.


(Quran 79: 24 & 25)


Pharaoh said: “O chiefs! I know not that you have a god


other than me. So kindle for me (a fire), O Haman, to bake


(bricks out of) clay, and set up for me a lofty tower in order


that I may look at (or look for) the God of Moses...”


(Quran 28:38)


The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt were known for their excesses, their beliefs


in multiple gods and at times their cruelty and oppression of slaves, and


ordinary citizens. When a human being believes himself to be a god, he is


arrogant and tyrannical, yet as in this case of the Pharaoh of Moses (whoever


he may, or may not have been) who was at the height of his arrogance, God


was still willing to forgive him. He sent sign after sign and proof after proof of


His existence, but Pharaoh chose to live as if there was no tomorrow. Pharaoh


chose to reject the offer of forgiveness and for him and those like him, there is


always a tomorrow and inevitably a judgement.


Go you and your brother with My signs and do not, you


both, slacken and become weak in My Remembrance. Go,


both of you, to Pharaoh, verily he has transgressed (all


bounds in disbelief and disobedience and behaved as an


arrogant and as a tyrant). And speak to him mildly,


perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (God). (Quran


20: 43&44)


The signs sent by God to Pharaoh were meant to be a reminder, but he


rejected those signs out of his arrogance and became one of the losers.


We are able to look at the preserved body of a Pharaoh, any pharaoh, and


be reminded of God’s words. We can also look at the behaviour of people


today, who behave as if they were 21st century pharaohs and remember how


God punished the pharaohs of the past. The end result of Pharaoh is a reminder


for all of humankind.


It reminds us that those who knowingly choose not to worship God in the


manner He rightly deserves, risk never being guided to the right path. How


many signs will God send? One, one million? Is it worth giving up eternal


bliss for moments of happiness based on arrogance and ego? In the Hall of


Mummies, in the Cairo Museum lie a group of men and women who just may


have discovered the answer.


Footnotes:


[1] (http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/3366/)