49- AND AS WE DELIVERED YOU FROM PHARAOH’S PEOPLE, WHO MADE YOU SUFFER DREADFUL TORTURE, SLAYING YOUR SONS WHILE SPARING YOUR DAUGHTERS.  THAT WAS A TREMEDOUS TRIAL FROM YOUR LORD.

 

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:

 

-         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)

 

-         When Moses, peace be upon him, lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt, they were chases 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 then 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 his 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  

47- O CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, REMEMBER THE BOUNTIES I BESTOWED UPON YOU AND THAT I FAVOURED YOU OVER ALL OTHERS.

 

48- AND GUARD YOURSELVES FROM A DAY WHEN NO SOUL SHALL AVAIL ANOTHER, NEITHER WILL INTERCESSION BE ACCEPTED FROM THEM, NOR SHALL RANSOM BE TAKEN FROM THEM, NOR WILL THEY BE HELPED.

 

Allah the Highest, bestowed many bounties, very special ones, upon the Children of Israel, and they are reminded of them.  In fact, these bounties are mentioned in the next Ayahs and throughout the Quran.  Moses, peace be upon him, reminded them too, saying “AS HE APPOINTED RPOPHETS FROM AMONGST YOU, MADE YOU KINGS, AND GAVE YOU WHAT HE DID NOT GIVE OTHERS”.  (S: 5 A: 20)

 

Allah the Highest, saved the Children of Israel from Pharaoh, split the Red Sea for them to cross then drowned Pharaoh’s army.  Allah the Highest provided them food and water in Sinai, shaded them with clouds, supported them against their enemies, forgave them when they worshiped the Golden Calf, and doing many others things, and the list is endless.  Most important bounty was that they were preferred and favored by Allah the Highest.

 

Yet theses great bounties were not met with thanks or gratitude, but on the contrary were met with ungratefulness and disobedience.  The prophets and messengers came from the Children of Israel, except Mohamed, Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, who was a descendant of Ishmael. 

 

They were the best nation until replaced by others, the Muslims, the nation of Mohamed, prayer and peace upon him.  Allah the Highest said: “YOU ARE THE BEST NATION WHICH WAS RAISED FOR MANKING, ENJOINING RIGHTEOUSNESS, FORBID THE FORBIDDEN AND BELIEVE IN ALLAH.  IF THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK BELIEVE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER FOR THEM, SOME OF THEM ARE BELIEVERS, BUT MOST ARE EVIL-DOER”.  (S: 3 A: 110)

 

Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: “We shall be the last of seventy nations on the Day of Resurrection.  We are their last and best”.  (Ma: Zohd; 34)

 

Our status as the best nation is conditioned by three conditions:

 

1-    Enjoining righteousness i.e. tell each other and others to do what is righteous.

2-    Forbid the forbidden i.e. do not allow what Allah the Highest has forbidden.

3-    Belief in Allah.

 

Allah the Highest, addresses the Children of Israel, reminds and warns them of the Hell-Fire.  And reminds them that in the Hell-Fire:

 

1-    “NO SOUL SHALL AVAIL ANOTHER”.  

 

Every one will be responsible for him/herself, and can not speak for any one else.  “FEAR A DAY WHEN NO FATHER SHALL AVAIL HIS SON AND NO SON SHALL AVAIL HIS FATHER, CONCERNING ANY THING”.  (S: 31 A: 33)

 

2-     “NOR WILL INTERCESSION BE ACCEPTED FROM THEM”. 

 

Intercession is a privilege Allah the Highest bestows on some prophets and righteous believers like Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him and the martyrs.  However, only those Allah the Highest allows to intercede will be able to intercede for those Allah allows them to intercede for.

“WHO IS HE WHO SHALL INTERCEDE IN HIS PRESENCE WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION” (S: 2 A: 255)

“THEY INTERCEDE ONLY FOR THOSE WHOM ALLAH ACCEPTS”. (S: 21 A: 28)

 

3-    “NOR SHALL RANDOM BE TAKEN FROM THEM”.

 

No one can possibly ransom themselves from Allah the Highest, for Allah the Highest, does not need anything. Also as everything belongs to Him, with what would a ransom by made-up of?

 

“THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE AND DIE DISBELIEVERS, NOT EVEN AS MUCH AS THE EARTH FULL OF GOLD WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM THEM FOR RANSOM”. (S: 5 A: 36)

 

4-    “NOR WILL THEY BE HELPED”

 

No one will be able to help anyone else on the Day of Judgment.  Every one will be concerned with himself on that day.  All will be hoping for the Mercy and Compassion of Allah the Highest on that day when all mankind and all things will have to surrender to Him.

 

Such will be the situation of Mankind of the Day of Resurrection.  This is the day we should all prepare ourselves for, and guard ourselves from.  To Achieve Allah’s Pleasure, and to be protected from the Hell-Fire is the real success. 

 

 

 

 

B: Bukhari   M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi

45- AND SEEK HELP IN PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE AND SALAH.  TRULY IT IS TOO MUCH EXCEPT FOR THOSE WHO HUMBLE THEMSELVES.

 

46- THOSE THAT ARE CERTAIN THAT THEY WILL MEET THEIR LORD AND THAT THEY SHALL BE RETURNING TO HIM.

 

These Ayahs are for the Jews and for us as well.  Allah the Highest is telling us how to gain help and support.  

From whom?

From Allah the Highest. 

 

Calling for help and support comes through; patience, perseverance and Salah.  Let us try to expand a little more on this:

 

1-    PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE:

 

The meaning of patience and perseverance include:

 

-         Patience and perseverance when there are difficulties and hardships.

-         Patience when people hurt you, to continue doing what is right.

-         Patience and perseverance in abstaining from wrong, when this can be difficult.

-         Patience and perseverance in not answering the call of evil, from inside us and from Satan.

Therefore, they, patience and perseverance, are essential for the life of the Muslim, for them, to be able to continue to live as they should in this life.

 

Indeed, patience and perseverance are great bounties from Allah the Highest to His righteous slaves.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him said: “He who desires patience and perseverance, Allah will grant him Patience and perseverance.  No one is granted a bounty better and more embracing than patience and perseverance”.  (B:Zakah;50 & M:Zakah;125 & D:Zakah;28 & T:Ber;77 & Da:Zakah;18 & Mal:Sadaqah;7 & A:3;12)

 

To be patient and to persevere, puts one on the right path to Allah the highest and guides one on this path.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him said: “Patience and Perseverance are lights”.  (M: Taharah; 1 & T: Dawaat; 85 & N: Zakah; 1 & A: 5; 342)

Allah the Highest rewards the Muslim who is patient and perseverant when afflicted, thus turning his suffering into an everlasting joy in Paradise.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him said: “Allah the Exalted in Power said: ‘O son of Adam, if you are patient and perseverant and ask for my reward only at the time of the first shock, I shall not accept a reward for you except the Paradise”.  (Ma: Ganaez; 55)

 

Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him also said: “Any Muslim who is afflicted by an affliction, then does what Allah commanded him of saying: we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.  I seek the reward for my affliction from you, reward and compensate me for it’, Allah will certainly reward and compensate him”.  (Ma: Ganaez; 55)

 

We see that for a believer, every thing coming to him from Allah the Highest will be good for him.  This is because of patience and perseverance.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him said: “Astonishing is what happens to a believer, for every thing that happens to a believer is good.  When good things come to him and he thanks Allah, it will be good for him, and when affliction befalls him and he is patient and perseverant, it is good for him”.  (M: Zohd; 64 & D: Reqaq; 61 & A: 5; 24)

 

2-    SALAH:

 

The Salah is a time when the Muslim talks directly to Allah the Highest and the only, and is away from all other worldly concerns. 

 

Indeed, Salah is a protection for the Muslim, for it forbids him from doing wrong.  When this is repeated 5 times daily with sincerity, the reminder is continuous.  Allah the Highest said: “THE SALAH FORBIDS YOU FROM DOING WHAT IS SHAMEFUL, FORBIDEN AND WICKED”.  (S: 29 A: 45)

 

The Salah helps the believer to tolerate all the difficulties and hardships of life. It was reported that whenever Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, was worried or disturbed by something, he would perform Salah. 

He would also tell his Moazen, Belal: “Comfort us by it (Salah) Belal”.

 

Salah requires patience and perseverance to continue and be regular in performing it 5 times daily.  We might feel that life engagements and fast rhythm are obstacles in our way to keep Salah regularly and on time.  However, the Salah gets us nearer to Allah the Highest and through this; it lifts our spirits and eases our burdens.  When we humble ourselves to our Lord and Creator, this reminds us that we have a Guardian who will guide and protect us.  Reminds us that we are not alone and not without support and an Ally.  Reminds us that Allah the Highest always sees and never forgets us.

 

Finding excuses for not praying, is doing away with our best support and best comfort.  Knowing this will always make the Muslim eager to perform his/her Salah, in good times and at times of difficulties.

 

 

B: Bukhari M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   a: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi  

45- AND SEEK HELP IN PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE AND SALAH.  TRULY IT IS TOO MUCH EXCEPT FOR THOSE WHO HUMBLE THEMSELVES.

 

46- THOSE THAT ARE CERTAIN THAT THEY WILL MEET THEIR LORD AND THAT THEY SHALL BE RETURNING TO HIM.

 

These Ayahs are for the Jews and for us as well.  Allah the Highest is telling us how to gain help and support.  

From whom?

From Allah the Highest. 

 

Calling for help and support comes through; patience, perseverance and Salah.  Let us try to expand a little more on this:

 

1-    PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE:

 

The meaning of patience and perseverance include:

 

-         Patience and perseverance when there are difficulties and hardships.

-         Patience when people hurt you, to continue doing what is right.

-         Patience and perseverance in abstaining from wrong, when this can be difficult.

-         Patience and perseverance in not answering the call of evil, from inside us and from Satan.

Therefore, they, patience and perseverance, are essential for the life of the Muslim, for them, to be able to continue to live as they should in this life.

 

Indeed, patience and perseverance are great bounties from Allah the Highest to His righteous slaves.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him said: “He who desires patience and perseverance, Allah will grant him Patience and perseverance.  No one is granted a bounty better and more embracing than patience and perseverance”.  (B:Zakah;50 & M:Zakah;125 & D:Zakah;28 & T:Ber;77 & Da:Zakah;18 & Mal:Sadaqah;7 & A:3;12)

 

To be patient and to persevere, puts one on the right path to Allah the highest and guides one on this path.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him said: “Patience and Perseverance are lights”.  (M: Taharah; 1 & T: Dawaat; 85 & N: Zakah; 1 & A: 5; 342)

Allah the Highest rewards the Muslim who is patient and perseverant when afflicted, thus turning his suffering into an everlasting joy in Paradise.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him said: “Allah the Exalted in Power said: ‘O son of Adam, if you are patient and perseverant and ask for my reward only at the time of the first shock, I shall not accept a reward for you except the Paradise”.  (Ma: Ganaez; 55)

 

Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him also said: “Any Muslim who is afflicted by an affliction, then does what Allah commanded him of saying: we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.  I seek the reward for my affliction from you, reward and compensate me for it’, Allah will certainly reward and compensate him”.  (Ma: Ganaez; 55)

 

We see that for a believer, every thing coming to him from Allah the Highest will be good for him.  This is because of patience and perseverance.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him said: “Astonishing is what happens to a believer, for every thing that happens to a believer is good.  When good things come to him and he thanks Allah, it will be good for him, and when affliction befalls him and he is patient and perseverant, it is good for him”.  (M: Zohd; 64 & D: Reqaq; 61 & A: 5; 24)

 

2-    SALAH:

 

The Salah is a time when the Muslim talks directly to Allah the Highest and the only, and is away from all other worldly concerns. 

 

Indeed, Salah is a protection for the Muslim, for it forbids him from doing wrong.  When this is repeated 5 times daily with sincerity, the reminder is continuous.  Allah the Highest said: “THE SALAH FORBIDS YOU FROM DOING WHAT IS SHAMEFUL, FORBIDEN AND WICKED”.  (S: 29 A: 45)

 

The Salah helps the believer to tolerate all the difficulties and hardships of life. It was reported that whenever Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, was worried or disturbed by something, he would perform Salah. 

He would also tell his Moazen, Belal: “Comfort us by it (Salah) Belal”.

 

Salah requires patience and perseverance to continue and be regular in performing it 5 times daily.  We might feel that life engagements and fast rhythm are obstacles in our way to keep Salah regularly and on time.  However, the Salah gets us nearer to Allah the Highest and through this; it lifts our spirits and eases our burdens.  When we humble ourselves to our Lord and Creator, this reminds us that we have a Guardian who will guide and protect us.  Reminds us that we are not alone and not without support and an Ally.  Reminds us that Allah the Highest always sees and never forgets us.

 

Finding excuses for not praying, is doing away with our best support and best comfort.  Knowing this will always make the Muslim eager to perform his/her Salah, in good times and at times of difficulties.

 

 

B: Bukhari M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   a: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi  

42- DO NOT COMPOUND TRUTH WITH FALSEHOOD AND KNOWINGLY CONCEAL THE TRUTH.

 

This is a severe warning, not just for the Jews, but to all, including the Muslims.  This warning is particularly for the scholars and the preachers for the following reasons:

 

1-    Allah the Highest tells us that they know, but they conceal the truth.  They must be those who know.

2-    They have the responsibility for teaching those who do not know.

3-    As they are Scholars, they have people’s trust in their knowledge.  They assume that they are telling them the truth.  Therefore, their responsibility is greater, and consequently their reward or sin is greater too.

 

This is the responsibility of knowledge.  Besides knowledge, there are those who have the persuasive ability, the ability to convey information with authority.  If they convey falsehood, they cause more harm and their sin is very great indeed.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him said: “Allah forgives the ignorant what he does not forgive the knowledgeable”. (Ahmed)

 

He, prayer and peace upon him also said: “The most I fear for my nation is every well spoken hypocrite”.  (A: 1; 22, 44)

 

43- AND STEADFAST IN SALAH, GIVE ZAKAH AND BOW DOWN WITH THOSE WHO BOW DOWN.

 

This is a clear command to the Jews, to Jews and also to the Muslims. 

 

For the Jews to embrace Islam, worship with the Muslims and give Zakah of their money like the Muslims do they had to give up their arrogance and denial of the prophecy of Mohamed, prayer and peace upon him. 

 

It is not an excuse that they follow Moses, peace upon him, for once the messenger or the time, of the last prophet and messenger arrives, they have to follow and obey.  Allah the Highest said: “WHOEVER SEEKS A RELIGION OTHER THAN ISLAM, IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FROM HIM, AND IN THE HEREAFTER, HE WILL BE OF THE LOSERS”. (S: 3 A: 85)

44- HOW WOULD YOU COMMAND OTHERS TO BE RIGHTEOUS WHILE FORGET YOURSELVES WHILE YOU READ THE BOOK? HAVE YOU NO UNDERSTANDING?

 

This is hypocrisy.

 

Allah the Highest is warning us all about hypocrisy.  The Jews are a good example of hypocrisy, but the warning is for us.  It is a great hypocrisy to tell every one to be righteous, while not being righteous yourself.  This is the worst kind of hypocrisy.  Not only to pretend to be good and do otherwise, but also to preach righteousness, but to do otherwise. 

 

The responsibility of the preachers is greater than that of the ordinary person, and their sin is much worse.  Why?

The preacher is looked upon as an example, not just in what they say, but also and more important, in what they do.  The scholars are of a higher status before Allah the Highest, than others, as is said in the Quran: “ARE THEY EQUAL (MEANING THEY ARE NOT) THOSE WHO KNOW AND THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW, BUT ONLY THOSE OF SOUND MINDS WILL TAKE HEED”.  (S: 39 A: 9)

 

It is therefore also that their sin is greater.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “On the night I was taken for Israa, I passed by people whose lips were clipped with clippers of fire.  I said (to Gabriel peace upon him): Who are they?  He said: They are the preachers of your nation who command people to be righteous while forgetting themselves while they read the book, have they no understanding?” (A: 3; 120)

 

Not doing what one preaches conveys to people a bad message; that it is alright to say something and do something else.  That it is OK to speak well and do evil.  For this to be done by people, who are looked up to and listened to, is particularly bad, for it will mislead many.

 

This is really the worst kind of hypocrisy.

 

 

B: Bukhari  M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi