Prophet Musa and Fir’awn

Prophet Musa and his brother Harun had been called upon by Allah to
deliver a message to the leader of the Egyptians, Fir'awn (Pharaoh),
who considered himself a god and insisted that his subjects worship
him.
Prophet Musa told Fir'awn that he, Musa, was a messenger of the Lord
of the Worlds and that he had clear proof of it. Therefore, Fir'awn
should let the people of Israel go with him. Prophet Musa showed
Fir'awn the staff that turned into a serpent and the hand which turned
shining white when placed under his arm. Fir'awn consulted with all
his chiefs and theydecided that perhaps Musawas just a very good
magician. They called together all their best magicians to compete
with Prophet Musa. The magicians were promised a reward if they won.
The magicians went first inthe contest and they were good, really
good. They made their ropes and sticks appear to run in front of their
audience. Prophet Musa was afraid that he couldn't surpass their
skills, but Allah told him not to be afraid. WhenProphet Musa threw
downhis staff, it ate up all that the magicians had made. When the
magicians saw this, they bowed down and proclaimed their beliefin the
Lord of Prophet Musa and Harun.
Fir'awn was not very happy about this turn of events. He threatened to
cut off the hands and feet of the magicians and to crucify them. But
the magicians would not change their opinion. Theywere convinced by
the clear proofs which ProphetMusa had shown to them and they told
Fir'awn that he could only end for them their life in this world. For
those who believe there would be another life after death , ingardens
beneath which rivers flow.
Following this there begananother period of persecution against the
followers of Allah. Fir'awn had all of their sons killed. Prophet Musa
had to encourage the children of Israel to continue strong intheir
belief in Allah and to pray to Allah faithfully.
Whenever good fortune befell the Egyptians, they took credit for it.
When misfortune came, they blamed Prophet Musa and his people. They
failed to see that everything, both good and bad, comes fromAllah.
Allah sent all kinds of hardships against the Egyptians- famine, loss
of fruits, floods, locusts, pests,frogs, and blood- as signs to them.
They would promise to free the peopleof Israel if Musa would pray to
his God for deliverance from the pestilence. But as soon as the
hardship had been removed, they would go back on their promise.
Finally Prophet Musa was instructed by Allah to lead the followers of
Allah away by night. When they came to the sea, the waters parted so
that theycould pass to the other side without getting wet. However,
when Fir'awn and his armies pursued them, the waters of the sea closed
in on them and they were all drowned. In this way did Allah punish
Fir'awn for leading his people away from Allah.
Insha Allah in the next issue we shall relate the conclusion of the
story of Musa , when we tell what befell the children of Israelafter
they left Egypt. You can read about Musa and Fir'awn in al-Quran
7:103-137; 20:49-79; 26:16-67; and 43:46-56.