Prophet Musa and Fir’awn

Prophet Musaand his brother Harun had been called upon by Allahto
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 messengerof the Lord of
the Worlds and that he had clear proof ofit. Therefore, Fir'awn should
let the people of Israel go with him. Prophet Musa showed Fir'awn the
staff that turned into a serpent andthe hand which turned shining
white when placed under his arm. Fir'awn consulted with allhis chiefs
and they decided that perhaps Musa was 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 in the 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. When Prophet Musa threw
down his staff, it ate up all that the magicians had made. When the
magicians saw this, they bowed down and proclaimed their belief inthe
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 andto crucify them. But
the magicians would not change their opinion. They were convinced by
the clear proofs which Prophet Musa had shownto 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, in gardens
beneath which rivers flow.
Following this there began another 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 in their
belief in Allah and to prayto 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 from Allah.
Allah sent all kinds of hardships against the Egyptians- famine, loss
offruits, floods, locusts, pests, frogs, and blood- as signs to them.
They would promise to free the people of 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 they could pass to the other side without getting wet. However,
when Fir'awn and his armies pursued them, thewaters 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 ofMusa , when we tell whatbefell the children of Israel after
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.