Prophet Moses (AS) - Part 2

THE CONSULTATIVE MEETING

    So, Pharaoh summoned a few of his intimates - including Haman, the minister, and Hezghil, the treasurer - and held a consultative meeting to decide about Moses (AS).

    Hezghil was one of Pharaoh's relatives and was a learned and truthful man whom Pharaoh respected and consulted on important affairs. He believed in Moses' prophethood - and was later called "The believer of the family of Pharaoh" - but he hid his belief in order to be able to make Pharaoh accept his sensible ideas.

    At the consultative meeting, Haman said, "In my opinion, Moses must be destroyed as soon as possible; because, in this way, with each passing day, the people's belief in idols and in Pharaoh weakens; in the future, the followers of Moses will be dangerous for us.''

    Hezghil said, "In my opinion, harming loses is a difficult task; if Moses is truthful in is claim and has a connection with the God of the heavens like Noah and other prophets, when it is not possible to oppose him."

    The consultative meeting did not result in my conclusion, but Haman formed a grudge against Hezghil. He instigated some people to take accusations against Hezghil in front of Pharaoh, saying, "Hezghil encourages people to oppose you and to cooperate with your enemies.

    Pharaoh summoned a group of prominent men of his land, and dragged Hezghil to trial. He said, "I have heard that you believe in the God of Moses and have denied my divinity." Hezghil replied, "Have you ever heard me say?" Pharaoh said, "No, I haven't." Hezghil said, "Do you believe that whatever I say is the truth?" Pharaoh said, "Yes, I do." Hezghil said, "Now ask those present who their Lord is."

    They replied, "Pharaoh is our Lord, and it is he who keeps evil away from us." Hezghil said, "O Pharaoh, you and all those present be witness that their Lord is my Lord, and their Provider is my Provider. I don't have any lord, provider and creator besides theirs; and I hate all lords, providers and creators besides theirs.''

    By way of this discretion, Hezghil did not lie and was safe from the evil of Pharaoh. Pharaoh ordered that all the accusers of Hezghil be severely punished. However, Hezghil's wife and Pharaoh's wife were later harshly punished and martyred when their secret of worshipping God was discovered and they didn't abandon their faith.


HARSHNESS INCREASED

    Apart from Pharaohs relatives and intimates who had believed in Moses, a large group of the Israelites, especially their youth, believed in Moses, and thereby added to Pharaoh's worry and annoyance. Pharaoh was continuously consulting with his intimates and advisors about Moses. Sometimes they would incite him, saying, "You have allowed Moses and his followers to do corruption in the land." Thus they would obtain permission to kill the Israelite men, and they would do so. But since these massacres were unable to prevent the progress of Moses (AS)and the religion of God, they would again complain to Pharaoh, provoking him to kill Moses (AS).

    Meanwhile, the Israelites, wearied from the intensity of the pressure of persecution complained to Moses (AS), saying, "Before you came, we were tormented and tortured, and now that you came, we are still ensnared. So, when will the promise of our release be fulfilled?"

    Moses (AS), according to the Divine order, told them, "Pray to God for help, and wait in patience and constancy. It may be hoped that your Lord will destroy your enemies and replace them with you."

    Day by day, Pharaoh's worry severely increased; so, he increased his tyranny and oppression. Pharaoh's people, following the example of their tyrant ruler, did not neglect to inflict any kind of torture and torment on the Israelites, cornering them from all directions.

    God inflicted Pharaoh's nation with years of drought and shortages in food. But, they would always ascribe their well - being to themselves and their misfortunes to Moses (AS). They said, "Whatever signs you bring to bewitch us with, we shall never believe in you!"

    So, God sent plagues on them: widespread death, locusts, lice, frogs, and blood.' When the torment would strike them, they would say, "Pray for us to your Lord through your covenant with Him. If He removes the torment from us, we shall certainly believe in you and permit the Israelites to leave."

    However, whenever the torment was removed from them, they would again break their promise. And thus it continued until the day arrived that Israelites be saved.


LEAVING EGYPT

    Moses (AS) was commissioned by God to take the Israelites out of Egypt and go toward Palestine. Moses (AS) gave glad tidings to the Israelites, saying, "The day of rescue has arrived; no longer are you the slaves of Pharaoh's people or the Coptics. Everybody be ready to leave Egypt on an appointed day; whoever is with us will be saved, and whoever helps Pharaoh's people will be annihilated." So, the Israelites became prepared and, at the order of Moses (AS), left Egypt on a dark night, setting out for the Holy Land.

    News reached Pharaoh that the Israelites had emigrated from Egypt, taking whatever they could with themselves. Therefore, Pharaoh ordered that the army be mobilised: he gathered his forces and followers, and began pursuing Moses (AS) and the Israelites. Pharaoh's army was several times larger than the number of the Israelites.

    The path that Moses' followers took, led to the sea. They were aware of Pharaoh's power and the great size of his army, and knew that they did not have the power to face them; so, terrified, they went to Moses (AS) and said, "We will soon be attacked by Pharaoh's army, and we will all be killed by them."

    Moses (AS), with a calm heart and a strong morale, told them, "Never will this occur. My Lord is with me and will guide me." Those of little faith gathered around Moses (AS) and repeated reproachingly, "O Moses, what has happened to the promise of victory that you gave us? The sea is before us, and the enemy behind. If we remain here, we will be slain by Pharaoh's army.''

    Moses (AS) replied, "Whatever I do is by the command of God, and God is the Most Able. We will now pass through the sea and none of us will be drowned."


MOSES' FOLLOWERS SAVED

    At this time, by the command of God, Moses (AS) struck his miraculous rod to the sea. Suddenly, the sea split, and the waters piled up like walls on two sides, forming a passage of dry ground. Moses' companions happily passed through the sea and stepped out onto the opposite shore. When they looked back, they saw that Pharaoh and his army were preparing to pass through the sea; this caused them concern again and they raised their hands in supplication toward the Divine court to seek the help of God.

    When Pharaoh reached the edge of the sea and saw that the sea had split and a passage was open in front of him, on his horse, he entered the passage through the sea; his army followed him, pouring into the passage. Suddenly, the piled up waters poured onto them, and soon Pharaoh and his people had plunged to the bottom of the sea and were drowned. A short while later, the water threw Pharaoh's lifeless body onto the shore.

    With this occurrence, all who helped Pharaoh were destroyed; those who were less guilty, remained in Egypt and understood that Pharaoh's claim was false. Since they were relieved of the oppression of Pharaoh and those around him, they began a new life under the guidance of Hezghil.

    After the drowning of Pharaoh and his people, Moses (AS), by the command of God, took the Israelites and, continuing on the journey to Palestine, entered the Sinai Desert.


THE DISOBEDIENCE OF THE ISRAELITES

    Since God had sent them a prophet and had rescued them from the oppression of Pharaoh, it would be expected that the Israelites, in appreciation for these blessings, would not neglect -even for a moment- to worship and serve God until the end of their lives, and to obey Moses' commands on all occasions. However, they soon forgot their miserable past and began to be ungrateful. Since true faith had not found the way into the hearts of some of them and as a result of long association with the idol -worshipping people of Egypt, the same attitude of worldliness and pleasure- seeking had become firmly rooted in them, soon after crossing the sea, the Israelites came upon a people who worshipped idols. They said, "O Moses, make a god for us like the gods they have.''

    Moses replied, "You are an ignorant people. What these people worship is doomed to perish, and their deeds are based on falsehood." He asked, "Shall I seek for you a god other than the true God, while it is God Who has favoured you above all nations? And remember that God rescued you from Pharaoh's people, who afflicted you with the worst torments, killing your sons and keeping your women alive. There was a great trial from your Lord in it."

    "We admit that what you say is true," they replied. "But", they further complained, "at that time, we were under the yoke of Pharaoh's oppression and now we are no better off because we must work in the hot, dry desert, ploughing the soil. And besides, the book that was supposed to be revealed by God, still hasn't been revealed, so that we may know our status and duty." Moses (AS) replied, "God's promise is true; He will reveal the book which he has promised."


MOSES AT MOUNT TUR

    Moses (AS) petitioned God to fulfil His promise and grant him a book. God, the High, ordered Moses (AS) to purify his body and clothes, and fast for thirty days on Mount Tur in order to receive the revelation.

    Moses (AS) appointed Aaron as his deputy in his absence. He told Aaron, "Act for me amongst my people. Do right and do not follow the way of those who do mischief."

    When Moses was at the appointed place on Mount Tur, he said, "O my Lord! Show Yourself to me so that I may see you."

    God answered, "By no means can you see Me. But look at the mount; if it remains firm, then you shall see Me."

    When God manifested His Glory on the mount, it became dust, and Moses (AS) fell down in a faint . When Moses (AS) regained his senses, he said, "Glory be to You! I turn to You in repentance, and I am the first to believe."

    God said, "O Moses, I have chosen you above other men by the mission I have given you and by speaking to you. So, take the revelation which I give you, and be one of the thankful ."

    So, God ordained laws for the Israelites and inscribed them in stone tablets: laws in all matters, commanding and explaining all things. And God said, "Follow these laws and command your people to follow the good advice therein.''


THE GOLDEN CALF

    Moses (AS) was supposed to stay at Mount Tur for thirty days, but he was ordered to stay ten more days. While he was away, a deceitful and ambitious man called Samari gathered the people's golden ornaments, melted them, and formed a golden statue of a calf which emitted a sound like the lowing of a cow.

    Samari brought the calf before the people and said, "Moses did not keep his promise; he will not return again. Our misfortune is that they took our gods away from us, and now we have no god to worship for ourselves. So, now I have made, of pure gold, a deity in the form of a calf. O people, now worship this god."

    The ignorant people were deceived by his words. They began worshipping the idol, and thus, were reverted to idolatry. Aaron tried to prevent the people from this great sin. He told them, "O my people! You are being tested by this. Your Lord is Most Gracious, so follow me and obey me."

    The Israelites, however, refused to listen. They said, "We will not abandon this; we will continue worshipping it until the return of Moses."


MOSES' RETURN

    While Moses (AS) was still at Mount Tur, God told him that he had tested the people in Moses' absence, and that Samari had led them astray. Moses (AS) returned to his people, angered and grieved by their disobedience. He told them, "You have done evil in my absence. Didn't your Lord make a good promise to you? Did the promise seem late in coming? Or did you desire that the Wrath of the Lord should descend on you?"

    Moses (AS) put down the tablets, turned furiously to his brother, Aaron, and said, "O Aaron, what prevented you from following my order when you saw them going astray? Did you disobey my order?"

    Aaron answered, ‘The people ignored my words and they almost intended to kill me. Do not humiliate me or count me among the deviated ones." So, Moses (AS) forgave Aaron, and prayed, "O my Lord, forgive me and my brother."

    Moses (AS) banished Samari and warned him of his punishment in this life and in the next. Thereafter, he burned the calf in a blazing fire and scattered its ash in the sea.

    When his anger calmed, Moses (AS) took up the tablets and presented them to the people. He built a strong room and put the tablets therein.

    Then, with the guidance of the Book of God, Moses (AS) showed the Israelites the path of righteousness. He said, "O my people! You have wronged yourselves by your worship of the calf; so turn to your Creator in repentance. And don't slay each other by yourselves; that will be better for you in front of your Creator. He will forgive you."


ISRAELITES DEMAND TO SEE GOD

    The Israelites understood that they had wronged themselves and committed a great sin by worshipping the calf. For this reason, Moses (AS) chose seventy of them and took them to Mount Tur to repent.

    At Mount Tur, Moses (AS) talked with God, but some of them didn't believe and said, "We shall never believe in you until we see God manifestly." Suddenly, a lightening struck, and they fell to the ground, dead. Moses (AS) prayed for their forgiveness; God forgave them and returned them to life.


THE COVENANT OF THE ISRAELITES

    God, the High, made a covenant with the Israelites that they not worship any but God, and treat parents, kindred, orphans, and the needy with kindness; speak well to people, establish prayer and practice regular charity.

    The Israelites, however, were a rebellious people, and they soon began to be disobedient. Moses (AS) was commissioned to take the Israelites to the "promised land", Palestine. On the way, the Israelites came across cities and towns. The rulers of these cities had strong armies, and the Israelites would have to fight against these rulers if they wanted to free the way to Palestine.

    Moses (AS) told them, "O my people! Enter the holy land which God has assigned to you, and do not turn away disgraced, for you will be overthrown."

    The Israelites, however, were afraid to fight, and refused to obey the command of Moses and their Lord to enter the land. They complained of the strength of the armies and said , ‘‘We shall not enter this land until they leave it." Thus, they disputed with Moses (AS) and persisted in their disobedience and rebellion.

    Moses (AS), angry about the Israelites' rebellion, prayed, "O my Lord! I have control only over myself and my brother, so separate us from this rebellious people."

    As a punishment for their rebellion, God left them to wander in the wilderness for forty years. Since that generation had grown accustomed to baseness and contemptibleness, they did not deserve independence and dignity. Therefore, God, the High, willed that this despised generation perish within the forty years of wandering, and that a new generation - which has the spirit of freedom and freedom seeking - be able to obtain independence and greatness through perseverance and persistence.


THE COW OF THE ISRAELITES

    Moses (AS) told the Israelites, "God has ordered that you sacrifice a cow for the expiation of your sins, and give the meat to the poor." They said, "Do you want to make fools of us?" Moses (AS) replied, "God save me from being one of the ignorant." When the Israelites felt sure that Moses (AS) was serious about this request, they said, "Ask your Lord to describe the cow for us."

    Moses (AS) said, "He says that it should neither be too old nor too young." And in order that they not drag out the matter more than this and make pretexts to delay carrying out the order of God, he added, "Now do what you are commanded."

    But they didn't leave off their stubbornness, and said, "Ask your Lord to describe its colour to us."

    Moses replied, "He says that the cow must be yellow." Again, they weren't satisfied with this much seeking of pretexts. And each time, by making excuses, they made the job of finding such a cow more difficult for themselves. They said, "Ask your Lord to describe the cow to us -for all cows are alike to us - so that, God willing, we would be guided."

    Moses (AS) said, "He says that it must not have tilled the soil or watered the fields. It must be sound and without blemish." Finally, the Israelites accepted and said, "Now you have brought the truth." Then, with much difficulty - for only one such cow was to be found in all the cities - they bought the cow and killed it in sacrifice; however, they did so without good will.


THE UNGRATEFUL NATION

    The Israelites continuously found fault with Moses (AS); each day they made excuses and wanted things which were never reasonable. Moses (AS) suffered much from his people and continuously had problems with them. Since the Israelites were ungrateful for God's blessings and no advice had effect on them, Moses (AS) cursed them. For this reason, the Israelites suffered long in hardship and wretchedness; they wandered homeless and had little happiness.