Pharaoh and the majority of the people of Egypt refused to believe the signs.  Repeatedly God sent his punishments and the people appealed to Moses, promising to worship God alone and free the Children of Israel but time and time again, they broke their promises.  Finally, God withdrew His mercy and gave the order for Moses to lead his people out of Egypt.

But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term, which they had to reach, behold!  They broke their word!  So We took retribution from them. We drowned them in the sea, because they belied Our signs, and were heedless about them. (Quran 7: 130-136)

Pharaoh’s spies knew immediately that something momentous was happening and Pharaoh called a meeting of his most trusted advisors. They decided to gather the entire armed forces to pursue the fleeing slaves. Gathering the army took all night and Pharaoh’s army did not leave confines of the city until dawn.

Pharaoh’s army marched into the desert. It was not long before the children of Israel could look back into the distance and see the dust raised by the approaching army. It was also not long before those in the front ranks of the children of Israel had reached the edge of the Red Sea.

The Children of Israel were trapped. In front of them was the Red Sea; to their back was the avenging army. Fear and panic began to spread through their ranks. They appealed to Moses. Moses had been walking at the back of his fleeing people; he could see the army getting closer and closer. He made his way through the ranks to the edge of the sea. He walked amongst his people allaying their fears and reminding them to keep the faith to continue trusting that God would not let them down.

Moses stood at the edge of the Red Sea and looked out toward the horizon. Ibn Kathir narrates that Joshua turned to Moses and said, "In front of us is this impassable barrier, the sea, and behind us the enemy; surely death cannot be avoided!" Moses did not panic; he stood silently and waited for God to keep His promise, to free the children of Israel.

At that moment, as panic swept over the children of Israel, God inspired Moses to strike the sea with his stick. He did as he was commanded. A fierce wind began to blow, the sea began to swirl and spin, and suddenly it parted to reveal a pathway; the bottom of the sea became dry enough for the people to walk across it.

Moses began to direct the people across the dry corridor in the middle of the sea. He waited until the last person had commenced walking across the sea before he turned back to look at the approaching army and then followed his people across the seabed. As they reached the other side, the panic and fear began to overwhelm the children of Israel. They once again began to beg and plead for Moses to close the corridor.  Moses refused, God’s plan was already in motion, and he was confidant that the Children of Israel would be safe even though Pharaoh’s army had followed them into the dry seabed corridor.

And We took the children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh with his hosts followed them in oppression and enmity, till when drowning overtook him, he said,  "None has the right to be worshipped but He, in whom the children of Israel believe, and I am one of the Muslims (those who submit to God’s Will)."

Now you believe while you refused to believe before and you were one of the evildoers! So this day We shall deliver your dead body out from the sea that you maybe a sign to those who come after you! And verily, many among humankind are heedless of our Signs. (Quran10:90-92)

Ibn Kathir describes the death of Pharaoh, "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." When Pharaoh had power, wealth, good health and strength he refused to acknowledge God but when he saw death approaching he cried out to God with fear and horror. If humankind remembers God in times of ease, God will remember the even the lowliest of human beings in times of distress.

Generations of oppression had left an indelible mark on the Children of Israel. Years of humiliation and constant fear had left them ignorant and obstinate.  Most of them had been deprived of comforts and luxuries for all of their lives. They longed for anything that was a sign of wealth or materialism.  The children of Israel believed in God, they had just witnessed the most amazing miracles and signs of God’s power but still they coveted an idol they saw on their journey out of Egypt.

And We brought the Children of Israel (with safety) across the sea, and they came upon a people devoted to some of their idols (in worship). They said, "Moses! Make for us a god as they have gods." He said, "Verily, you are a people who know not the Majesty and Greatness of God and what is obligatory upon you." Moses added, "Verily, these people will be destroyed for that which they are engaged in (idols-worship). And all that they are doing is in vain."

He said, "Shall I seek for you a god other than God, while He has given you superiority over the mankind and jinn of your time."

And (remember) when We rescued you from Pharaoh’s people, who were afflicting you with the worst torment, killing your sons and letting your women live. And in that was a great trial from your Lord." (Quran 7: 138-141)

God had favoured the Children of Israel. They were led safely out of Egypt and they had witnessed the drowning of their cruel ruler Pharaoh. When they needed water

God commanded Moses to strike a rock, which sent forth twelve springs of water for the twelve different tribes so that there was no dispute. God also sent clouds to protect them from the scorching sun and to relieve their hunger He sent a special delicious food called manna, and quail. Sadly, in spite of God’s generosity many of the children of Israel complained and wanted the food they were used to eating in Egypt, onions, garlic, beans and lentils.

Moses admonished his people and reminded them that they had just left a life of degradation and humiliation. He asked why they whined for the worst bounties when God was providing them with the best. Moses said, "Would you exchange that which is better for that which is lower? Go you down to any town and you shall find what you want!" (Quran2: 61). God was providing bounties and making life easy for the children of Israel while they made their way to the Promised land, but they were a broken people, unable to stay away from sin and corruption.

 

They left under the cover of darkness, carrying their meagre possessions headed across the desert towards the Red Sea.  When they reached the sea, the Pharaoh’s army was pursuing them closely, the people of Moses could see the dust stirred up by the approaching army.  They looked at the sea in front of them and felt trapped.  By the will and permission of God, Moses struck the sea with his staff and the sea parted revealing a pathway.  The Children of Israel walked across the seabed.  When the last person had safely crossed, the sea fell back into place and drowned the army of Egypt including the tyrannical Pharaoh.

The Children of Israel were a people oppressed and humiliated over a long period.  Several generations had lived under the yoke of the Pharaoh.  They had become a belligerent people.  Always expecting the worst.  Always longing for a slice of the good things of this world.  There sense of honour and self-confidence had been eroded.  During their journey out of Egypt to the Promised Land, there was ample opportunity for their character flaws to become obvious.  The Children of Israel were ungrateful to God, despite His care and attention to them.  They were incapable of behaving submissively and accepting the will of God.

When the Children of Israel came across a people worshipping idols, their eagerness to be like those people they perceived to be happy became manifest and they asked Moses to let them have an idol, completely forgetting the miracles of God they had just witnessed.  When God provided them with delicious food which was till then unknown to them, they complained, wanting the inferior food they were used to.  When Moses directed them to march into a town and overthrow the Canaanites they refused, mostly out of fear and thus disobeyed the command of God.  Ibn Kathir narrates that Moses was able to find only two men willing to fight.

“He (Moses) said, “O my Lord!  I have power only over myself and my brother, so separate us from the people who are rebellious and disobedient to God!”  God said, “Therefore it (this holy land) is forbidden to them for forty years; in distraction they will wander through the land.  So be not sorrowful over the people who are rebellious and disobedient to God.”  (Quran 5:20-26)

The ‘days of wandering’ began.  Each day was like the one before it.  The people travelled with no destination in mind.  Eventually they entered the Sinai; Moses recognised it as the place where he had spoken to God before his great journey into Egypt had begun. God ordered Moses to fast, as purification, for thirty days, and then added ten more days.  After the fast was completed, Moses was ready to once again communicate with God.

“And We appointed for Moses thirty nights and added to the period ten more, and he completed the term, appointed by his Lord, of forty nights.  And Moses said to his brother Aaron, “Take my place among my people, act in the Right Way (by ordering the people to obey God and to worship Him Alone) and follow not the way of the mischief makers.”  And when Moses came at the time and place appointed by Us, and his Lord spoke to him, he said, “O my Lord!  Show me (yourself) that I may look upon You.”  God said, “You cannot see Me, but look upon the mountain, if it stands still in its place then you shall see Me.”  So when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He made it collapse into dust, and Moses fell down unconscious.  Then when he recovered his senses he said, “Far removed are you from every imperfection, I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of the believers.”  God said, “O Moses, I have chosen you above men by My Messages, and by My speaking to you.  So hold that which I have given you and be among the grateful.” (Quran 7:142-144)

God gave Moses two stone tablets, written upon them were the Ten Commandments.  These commandments form the basis of the Jewish law, the Torah, and they are standards of morality still set by the Christian churches.  Ibn Kathir and the early scholars of Islam state that the Ten commandments are reiterated in two verses from the Quran.

“Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from, Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty- We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to shameful sins whether committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom God has forbidden, except for a just cause.  This He has commanded you that you may understand.  And come not near to the orphan’s property, except to improve it, until he or she attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice.  We burden not any person but that which he can bear.  And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give evidences) say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfil the Covenant of God.  This He commands you, that you may remember.” (Quran 6:151-152)

Moses had been absent for forty days.  His people had become restless, they were like children, complaining and acting impulsively.  Ibn Kathir describes their descent into the unforgiveable sin of idolatry.  “As-Samiri, a man who was inclined towards evil, suggested that they find themselves another guide, as Moses 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 jewellery, and melted it down.  During the casting, he threw in a handful of dust, acting like a magician to impress the ignorant.  From the molten metal, he fashioned a golden calf.  It was hollow, and when wind passed through it, it produced a sound.”

It was as if they had succeeded in making themselves a living God.  Moses’ brother Aaron had been afraid to stand up to the people but when he saw the idol and realised what a grave sin was being committed he spoke up.  He reminded the people to worship God Alone and he warned them of dire consequences for their actions both from Moses on his return and from God Himself.  Those who remained true to their belief in One God separated themselves from the idol worshippers.  When Moses returned to his people he saw them singing and dancing around the golden calf.  He was furious.

Moses could not believe his eyes, even though God had just warned him that a severe punishment was about to befall his people for worshipping the golden calf.  Moses heart was filled with shame and anger.  His own people had witnessed the power and majesty of God yet they acted belligerently and without fear of God’s punishment.

“God said, “Verily!  We have tried your people in your absence, and As-Samiri has led them astray.”  Then Moses returned to his people in a state of anger and sorrow.  He said, “O my people!  Did not your Lord promise you a fair promise?  Did then the promise seem to you long in coming?  Or did you desire the Wrath should descend from your Lord on you, so you broke your promise to me (disbelieving in God and worshipping the calf)?” (Quran 20:83-86)

Moses turned to his brother Aaron; he was angry and grabbed him by the beard, at the same time he pulled Aaron towards him by the head.  He bellowed at his brother demanding that Aaron explain why he disobeyed the instructions he had given him, and why he allowed As Samiri to beguile the Children of Israel.  Aaron explained that the people did not listen to him, and were about to kill him. He appealed to Moses not to let the idolaters separate them.  Aaron was not as strong and as forceful as his brother and he feared that he would not be able to control the Children of Israel so he waited for his brother Moses to return.

God’s promise is true and His punishment was swift.  Moses confronted As Samiri and sent him into exile.

“Moses said, go away!  And verily, your punishment in this life will be that you will say, ‘Touch me not’ (you will live alone exiled away from humankind); and verily (for a future torment), you have a promise that will not fail.  And look at your god, to which you have been devoted.  We will certainly burn it, and scatter its particles in the sea.” (Quran 20:83-98)

The punishment imposed upon the idol worshippers was severe.

“Remember when Moses said to his people: “O my people!  Verily, you have wronged yourselves by worshipping the calf.  So turn in repentance to your Creator and kill yourselves (the innocent kill the wrong doers among you), that will be better for you in the Sight of your Creator.”  Then He accepted your repentance.  Truly, He is the One who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.” (Quran 2:54)

God is the Most Merciful and is forgiving.  After the Children of Israel had purged themselves and killed the idol worshippers among them, God accepted their repentance.  Even after their continuous belligerence and stubbornness, the Children of Israel once again felt God’s favor upon them.

Moses then chose 70 men from amongst the most pious elders of the Children of Israel.  He returned with them to Mount Tur.  They were a delegation intending to apologise to God for their behaviour.  They stood back while Moses moved into a low-lying cloud to speak with God while the elders waited.  When he came back to them, instead of feeling repentant and apologising the elders informed Moses that they would not truly follow him until they had seen God with their own eyes.

“O Moses!  We shall never believe in you till we see God plainly.” (Quran 2:35)

The ground shook and the seventy men were struck by a lightening bolt.  They fell to the ground dead.  Moses was astounded.  He immediately wondered what he would say to the Children of Israel.  These seventy men were the best of people; Moses felt that now the Children of Israel had no hope.  He turned to God.

“O my Lord, if it had been Your Will, You could have destroyed them and me before; would You destroy us for the deeds of the foolish ones among us?  It is only Your trial by which You lead astray whom You will, and keep guided whom You will.  You are our Protector, so forgive us and have Mercy on us, for You are the best of those who forgive.  And ordain for us good in this world, and in the Hereafter.  Certainly we have turned unto You.”  He said (as to) My Punishment I afflict therewith whom I will and My Mercy embraces all things.  That (Mercy) I shall ordain for those who are the pious and give alms; and those who believe in our signs.” (Quran 7:155-157)

God is indeed the Most Merciful and His mercy embraces all things.  When Moses beseeched God He raised up the seventy dead elders.  For many years the Children of Israel wandered about in the desert and wastelands.  Prophet Moses suffered greatly at their hands.  He endured mutiny, belligerence, ignorance, and idolatry, they even inflicted personal harm upon him.  He suffered purely for the sake of pleasing God.  After many years Prophet Aaron died, so Moses was finally without his greatest supporter.  Still he remained steadfast; still he remained in the wilderness never quite reaching the Promised land.  Moses died, still surrounded by the belligerent Children of Israel.  Still surrounded by people who refused to see the miracles before their eyes, yet God in His Mercy continued to give them chance after chance.

From the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, comes the account of Prophet Moses’ death.  “The Angel of Death was sent to Moses.  When he arrived Moses punched him in the eye.  The Angel returned to his Lord and said, ‘You have sent me to a slave who does not want to die.’  God 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.’  Moses said, ‘O Lord!  What will happen after that?’  God replied, ‘then death.’  Moses said, ‘Let it come now!’  Moses then requested God to let him die close to the Holy Land so that he would be at a distance of a stone’s throw from it.

 

The human condition is filled with trials, tribulations, and tremendous learning curves.  Life is full of surprises.  However remembering God and striving to please Him is humankind’s lifeline.  The Quran contains inspirational stories of prophets, and righteous men and women.  The life of Moses is discussed frequently and his story teaches us that God is merciful, trustworthy, and caring. Allah, the Most Forgiving, has not left us alone; He has provided us with His guidance and light.

“Indeed, in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding.  It (the Quran) is not a forged statement but a confirmation of God’s existing Books (the Torah, the Gospel and other Scriptures of God) and a detailed explanation of everything, a guide, and a Mercy for the people who believe.”  (Quran 12: 111)

Throughout this series of articles, we have learned about Moses’ tremendous strength of character, and his ability to persevere even in dire circumstances.  Moses followed God’s commandments with valor and determination, and beyond this all, he possessed a character of great importance, the character of sincerity.  Moses was sincere in all his efforts.  No matter what he did, he acted with the express purpose of pleasing God.  When determination is coupled with sincerity a person’s character can become extraordinary.

During the years that the Children of Israel wandered the desert unable to enter the Promised Land, Moses met and spent time with Khidr. A man whom the majority of scholars believe to have been a prophet.

Ibn Kathir narrates that one day Moses was asked by someone, “O Messenger of God, is there another man on earth more learned than you?”  Moses replied, “No!” believing that since God had allowed him to perform miracles and had given him the Torah, he must surely be the most learned man alive.  This however was not the case.  Moses’ encounter with Khidr teaches humankind that no one person can hold all the information available and that even though we may think we are wise and knowledgeable, the need to seek knowledge never ceases.  When Moses learned of Khidr’s existence, he asked to meet him.

God instructed Moses to take a live fish in a container.  When the fish disappeared, he would find the man he sought.  Moses set out on his journey, accompanied by a young man who carried the container with the fish.  They reached a place where two rivers met and decided to rest there.  Instantly, Moses fell asleep.  While he was asleep, his companion saw the fish wriggle out of the vessel into the river and swim away.  However, he forgot to inform Moses.

When Moses awoke, they continued their journey until they were exhausted and hungry.  Moses asked for a meal.  Only then did his companion recall that the fish had gotten away.  Hearing this, Moses cried, “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.

When Moses realised that they had taken the wrong direction, he immediately turned back.  He did not push forward hoping that he could save face, or time, he acknowledged that his path was incorrect and he changed his way.  In this life, so many of us choose the wrong path but are afraid or too embarrassed to turn and face in a different direction.  There are great lessons to be taken from the actions of Prophet Moses. Once a person realizes he is heading in the wrong direction in life he must immediately turn around and get back onto the Straight Path. One should not consider this a defeat; rather, it is a victory.

When Moses returned to the correct path, he met Khidr. It was a meeting designed to bring forth knowledge.  This momentous story of the meeting of Moses and Khidr is narrated in Quran in Chapter 18, The Cave.

“Moses said to him, "May I follow you on [the condition] that you teach me from what you have been taught of sound judgment?" He said, "Indeed, with me you will never be able to have patience. And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?" Moses said, "You will find me, if Allah wills, patient, and I will not disobey you in any order." He said, "Then if you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I mention it to you." So they set out, until when they had embarked on the ship, al-Khidhr damaged it. Moses said, "Have you damaged it to drown its people? You have certainly done a grave thing." Al-Khidhr said, "Did I not say that with me you would never be able to have patience?" Moses said, "Do not blame me for what I forgot and do not cover me in my matter with difficulty." So they set out, until when they met a boy, al-Khidhr killed him. Moses said, "Have you killed a pure soul for other than having killed a soul? You have certainly done a deplorable thing." Al-Khidhr said, "Did I not tell you that with me you would never be able to have patience?" Moses said, "If I should ask you about anything after this, then do not keep me as a companion. You have obtained from me an excuse." So they set out, until when they came to the people of a town, they asked its people for food, but they refused to offer them hospitality. And they found therein a wall about to collapse, so al-Khidhr restored it. Moses said, "If you wished, you could have taken for it a payment." Al-Khidhr said, "This is parting between me and you. I will inform you of the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience.  As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working at sea. So I intended to defect it as there was after them a king who seized every [good] ship by force. As for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared that he would overburden them by transgression and disbelief. So we intended that their Lord should substitute for them one better than him in purity and nearer to mercy. And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure for them, and their father had been righteous. So your Lord intended that they reach maturity and extract their treasure, as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience." (Quran 18:66-82)

The story of Moses and Khidr reminds us that God is the Most Wise.  For the frail human being life can hold great joy and laughter but sometimes we are beset by trials, tragedies, and calamities that seemingly make no sense.  As believers we should believe  that whatever God’s decree is it stems from His Supreme and Absolute Wisdom.