Allah, the Exalted, continues to mention some of the favors He granted the people of the book, specifically, favors He granted their ancestors. But even though these favors were granted to their ancestors the positive effect of them trickled down to the people of the book living in Medina and the future generations of the children of Israel. If Allah, the Exalted, had not saved them from Pharaoh, the future generations would probably still be subjugated to the Egyptian empire. Allah, the Exalted, mentioned these favors in order to encourage them to accept the truthfulness of Islam, which they clearly recognized, out of gratitude to Allah, the Exalted. If they demonstrated gratitude to Allah, the Exalted, they would have used the blessings they had been granted in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted, such as the divine scriptures they were granted, and as a result they would have certainly accepted Islam. Chapter 6 Al An’am, verse 20:
“Those to whom We have given the Scripture recognize it[the Holy Quran] as they recognize their [own] sons…”
And chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 146:
“Those to whom We gave the Scripture know him [Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him] as they know their own sons…”
Muslims must avoid following the footsteps of the people of the book by failing to show gratitude to Allah, the Exalted. They must ensure they fulfill the different levels of gratitude. The first is to ensure they only act to please Allah, the Exalted. The one who acts to please people will be told to gain their reward from them on Judgement Day, which will not be possible. This has been warned in a Hadith found in Jami At Tirmidhi, number 3154. A clear sign of one’s sincerity to Allah, the Exalted, is that they do not expect nor hope for gratitude or payback from people. Next, they must show gratitude through their speech, by speaking good or remaining silent. Finally, they must use all the blessings they have been granted in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted, as outlined in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. This leads to further blessings in both worlds. Chapter 14 Ibrahim, verse 7:
“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]…”
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 49:
“And [recall] when We saved you [your forefathers] from the people of Pharaoh, who afflicted you with the worst torment, slaughtering your [newborn] sons and keeping your females alive…”
To ensure no one challenged his authority and his lifestyle, which was nothing more than fulfilling all his desires, Pharaoh subjugated the children of Israel and forced them into a life of slavery. To prevent their strength from growing, he would regularly kill the new born boys and allow the women to live in order to serve the Egyptians. Allah, the Exalted, points out a typical attitude of tyrants who fear losing their power. They will resort to harming innocent people, such as children, in order to scare people thereby preventing them from challenging their authority and their evil way. One only needs to turn the pages of history and observe how tyrants behaved in this manner and never adhered to the proper etiquettes of behaviour, even during times of war. Generally speaking, muslims must avoid behaving in this manner in respect to their families whereby they attempt to obtain and hold onto total control over their families through fear. Respect and fear are two very different things. It is important for a muslim to behave in a manner to ensure the people around them, such as their children, respect them but they should not behave in a manner which instills nothing but fear in others. In addition, a person should always avoid wronging others for the sake of worldly gain, such as wealth or authority, as this leads to destruction in both worlds. Even if it appears that a tyrant escaped punishment in this world, justice will be established on Judgement Day, where they will be forced to hand over their good deeds to their victims and if necessary, take the sins of their victims until justice is established. This may well cause them to be hurled into Hell. This has been warned in a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 6579. One must avoid the desire for authority and pursuing it as it leads to many sins, such as oppressing others in order to obtain and hold onto it. In fact, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, warned that the extreme craving for wealth and authority is more destructive to a muslim’s faith than the destruction caused by two hungry wolves let loose on a herd of sheep. This has been warned in a Hadith found in Jami At Tirmidhi, number 2376. One must strive to avoid the excess love for wealth and authority and strive for them according to their necessities and responsibilities. If they are tested with a position of authority or wealth, they must use them in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted.
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 49:
“And [recall] when We saved you [your forefathers] from the people of Pharaoh, who afflicted you with the worst torment, slaughtering your [newborn] sons and keeping your females alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord.”
As this world is a place of test and trials, one must not be shocked when they encounter times of difficulties. They must understand and accept that Allah, the Exalted, chooses what is best for people, even if the wisdoms behind His choices are not obvious. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 216:
“…But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.”
A person cannot escape the decrees of Allah, the Exalted, so they must not miss out on the reward of facing them with patience. Patience involves avoiding complaining through one’s actions or speech and remaining sincerely obedient to Allah, the Exalted. In addition, muslims must remember the people who have faced greater tests and trials than them as this will diminish the negative effects of the difficulties they face during their lives.
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 49:
“And [recall] when We saved you [your forefathers] from the people of Pharaoh, who afflicted you with the worst torment, slaughtering your [newborn] sons and keeping your females alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord.”
The great trial could also be referring to the fact that Allah, the Exalted, saved them from the clutches of Pharoah. Meaning, the great trial in this case would be whether they would show gratitude to Allah, the Exalted, or not. This involves using the blessings they have been granted, such as their freedom, in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted. One must remember that times of ease are often a greater test and trial than times of difficulties. This is because a person facing difficulties is often restricted in their options and has no choice but to wait for relief. Whereas, times of ease means one has many possible options they can pursue which leads to the disobedience of Allah, the Exalted. This is the reason why the wealthy often disobey Allah, the Exalted, more, as they have greater access to things which displease Him, such as drugs and alcohol. Therefore, a muslim must act on the Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 7500, which advises that a believer will obtain blessings and success in both times of ease and difficulties, as they will respond correctly to each situation. In times of ease they will show gratitude to Allah, the Exalted, by using the blessing they have been granted in ways pleasing to Him. In times of difficulties, they will remain patient, by avoiding complaining verbally or physically and instead maintain their sincere obedience to Allah, the Exalted, knowing He only chooses what is best for people, even if the wisdoms behind His decrees are not obvious to them.
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 50:
“And [recall] when We parted the sea for you…”
This was one of the many miraculous signs granted to the Holy Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, which the people of Israel were shown. They were shown it in order to strengthen their belief in Allah, the Exalted. The sea was parted for them so that they could safely escape Pharoah and his army. Even though the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was granted many such miracles, such as the splitting of the Moon, which has been discussed in a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 7078, none the less, all these miracles were bound by time and only those present could witness them. The greatest miracle granted to the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was the Holy Quran. Therefore, one must study and act on the Holy Quran so that they can appreciate the countless miracles it possesses, such as the ability to turn abstract things into practical concepts which can be acted upon by any person during any time and place. The more one does this, the stronger their faith will become. The stronger one’s faith, the easier it will become for them to sincerely obey Allah, the Exalted, which involves using the blessings they have been granted in ways pleasing to Him, as outlined in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. This will lead to peace of mind and success in both worlds. Chapter 16 An Nahl, verse 97:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 50:
“And [recall] when We parted the sea for you and saved you and drowned the people of Pharaoh while you were looking on.”
This event was both a lesson and a warning for the children of Israel and for those who came after them. It clearly indicates that those who remain steadfast on the sincere obedience of Allah, the Exalted, through times of ease, by showing gratitude to Allah, the Exalted, by using the blessings one has been granted in ways pleasing to Him, and through times of difficulties, by adopting patience, which involves avoiding complaining through one’s words and actions and maintaining obedience to Allah, the Exalted, will be granted a way out of all difficulties, even if this seems impossible at the time. Chapter 65 At Talaq, verse 2:
“…And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out.”
Whereas, the one who persists on the disobedience of Allah, the Exalted, like Pharaoh and his army did, will face punishment in both worlds, even if the punishment in this world is not apparent to them or seems highly unlikely. Despite his power and influence, nothing could save him from the punishment of Allah, the Exalted. Therefore, one must never be fooled by apparent circumstances and instead firmly believe in the tradition of Allah, the Exalted, which involves saving those who obey Him and punishing those who disobey Him. The people of the book failed to remember this lesson and as a result many of them rejected Islam at the time of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, despite being convinced of its truthfulness. The people of the book failed to understand that despite the power and influence of Pharaoh, he was destroyed when he challenged the Holy Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, and if they follow in his footsteps by challenging the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, they too would be punished. A muslim must avoid adopting this attitude of opposing Islam even if they verbally claim to believe in it. This can occur when one fails to learn and act on Islamic knowledge which will cause them to misrepresent Islam to others and as a result many people may be put off from accepting and acting on Islam because of them.
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 50:
“And [recall] when We parted the sea for you and saved you and drowned the people of Pharaoh while you were looking on.”
Generally speaking, one must learn to become observant. They must observe the behaviour of others and the consequences of their behaviour in order to strengthen their resolve to sincerely obey Allah, the Exalted, knowing that peace of mind and success lies only in this. One must avoid adopting a self-centered and self-absorbed attitude whereby they fail to observe others and learn lessons from their conduct. Observing others will also encourage one to adopt patience and gratitude when they observe others facing harsher difficulties than them.
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