50- AND WE PARTED THE SEA FOR YOU, SAVING YOU WHILE DROWNING PHARAOH’S PEOPLE, WHILE YOU LOOK.

This is a reminder to the Children of Israel of one of Allah’s great bounties upon them and one of his great miracles, performed for them.

A pharaoh of Ancient Egypt saw a vision, interpreted that a Jewish boy was to be born who would bring about his destruction.  That pharaoh ordered the slaying of all the newly born Jewish boys but he spared the girls.  This was a severe trial in many ways; including:

- Going through this ordeal of seeing their children being slain.

- Their response when, Allah the Highest, delivered them from this ordeal, whether they will be grateful or not.

What happened afterwards was miraculous in two ways:

1-    Allah the Highest saved Moses, peace be upon him from Pharaoh, had him brought up by Pharaoh in Pharaoh’s Palace.  Moses eventually, leads to the demise of Pharaoh as prophesied in Pharaoh’s vision. 

It is clear that Allah the Highest, will fulfill His Will regardless of our deeds.  Indeed, when Moses mother feared for his life, Allah the Highest inspired her to thrown him in the river, promising to save him, returning her baby to her, and making him a messenger.  Throw her baby in the river, when she fears for him, just leaving him to Allah the Highest to look after him.  Allah the Highest said: “AND WE INSPIRED MOSES MOTHER TO BREAST FEED HIM, BUT IF YOU FEAR FOR HIM, THROW HIM IN THE WATER, AND DO NOT FEAR AND DO NOT BE SADDENED, FOR WE WILL RETURN HIM TO YOU AND MAKE HIM OF THE MESSENGERS”.  (S: 28 A: 7)

2-    When Moses, peace be upon him, lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt, they were chased by Pharaoh’s army.  They were about to be caught-up with as they reached the Red Sea.  Then, Allah the Highest commanded Moses to strike the water with his stick, the sea parted and they crossed, walking on the sea bed to safety.  When Pharaoh and his army tried to cross after them, the sea came back together and they were all drowned. 

This should have been a sufficient reason for them to have firm faith and to be always grateful, but this was not the case.

When Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, migrated to Medinah, he found the Jews of Medinah fasting this day, in memory of their escape from Egypt, it was the 10^th of Moharam.  He fasted that day and commanded the Muslims to fast it.  This was the first Fard Fast; it was before fasting in Ramadan became Fard (Obligatory).  It is the Day we call Ashoura.

Ibn Abas, reported: “When Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him migrated to Medinah, he found that the Jews used to fast the Day of Ashoura.  They were asked about it, and they said: It is the day Allah gave Moses and the Children of Israel victory over Pharaoh.  We fast to honor it.  The prophet prayer and peace upon him said: “We are closer than them to Moses”.  He commanded that it should be fasted.  (B: Anbia: 24 & M: Syam; 127 & D: Soum; 63 & Da: Soum; 46 & A: 1:291)

This event has been narrated in the Quran, to show the Muslim that there is   nothing which can possibly interfere with, or prevent the fulfillment of Allah’s Will.  Pharaoh’s killing of the newly born boys of the Children of Israel, did not prevent, the boy meant to bring about the demise of Pharaoh, being saved and brought up in Pharaohs house by him and his wife.

Also, whenever one obeys Allah and does his/her best, regardless of how desperate the situation, Allah the Highest never runs out of the means of help.  In fact, Allah the Highest does not need the means, for He makes the means. 

B: Bukhari        M: Muslim        Mal: Malek        A: Ahmed        D: Abu Dawood       Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah                            N: Nesae          T: Termezi