I am a big fan of Nouman Ali Khan (NAK). I often watch his video in youtube. One time, he will give lecture in Stockholm. Without doubt, I bought the ticket. The lecture was 3 hours and it went so fast. His lecture was interesting and overwhelming as usual. It made me love Al-Quran more and more. Here is the summary of NAK lecture. This time, he told us a story of Musa AS mainly taken from surah Al-Qasas.
Before we talk about Musa AS, let’s talk first about Yusuf AS who lived long before in Egypt as NAK will relate both stories later.
Long time ago, in time of Yusuf AS, Egypt was consist of 14 small kingdoms that were dependent on each other. And Egypt had difficult weather which made all the kingdoms had a business centered near the river.
Yusuf AS was a minister at that time. He had a dream that Egypt was going to have difficult economy (7 years good followed by 7 years bad). So, it was recommended to built canal to store the water. Only 1 kingdom did that. So, when 7 years bad happened, other kingdoms approach this kingdom for water. In the end, other kingdoms went bankrupt while that one kingdom went rich.
Yusuf once said, “I come to Egypt to save Egypt (by being a prophet, a minister and tell people about his dream) but if you don’t change, Allah SWT will sent another prophet to destroy Egypt”
Back to Musa…
Musa AS is the prophet most often discussed in Alquran.
Musa AS has most similarity with Muhammad SAW. Both had to face people (for example Quraisy with strong lineage in case of Muhammad SAW) who intimidated other weak people (slave in case of Muhammad SAW). Both also had to face hypocrite (for example Jewish people in case of Muhammad SAW).
So, Allah SWT often refers to Musa’s legacy to guide Muhammad SAW.
We can read story of Musa in surah Al-Qasas.
In short, Musa AS had remarkable conversation with Allah SWT. And Allah SWT asked Musa AS to go to Firaun and his people.
But, musa AS had a fear, “I worry they will call me a liar. When they do, my tongue is twisted. can Harun go along with me?”
We know that Firaun is a great political speaker and master of manipulation.
Allah SWT answered “It’s nothing. Not at all. Go and We will also be listening along with you”
Allah SWT also gave Musa AS a hand that can shine and stuff that can change into a snake as well as let Harun AS came along with him.
Lesson learned here: although we have doubt to our self, Allah SWT has never doubt us.
Then, we had immediate transition in surah Al-Qasas: from conversation between Musa AS and Allah SWT immediately to conversation between Musa AS and Firaun.
“Didn’t we raise you as a new born?”
“You know the thing you did?”
“Didn’t you live many years here?”
Were what Firaun said to Musa AS to silence him. This is the three main points that Firaun thought were the main weakness of Musa.
Instead Musa answered
“I did it back then. That’s why I ran from all of you when I used to be afraid of you.”
“Now, I am a messenger of Allah SWT the Master of all of you from the east to the west”
Musa AS was not budging at all with Firaun’s offense, instead he focused on his mission as messenger: to tell people the true Master is Allah SWT.
Then, in this battle of influence, Musa AS had said all the words to be said. And people started to believe Musa AS more.
Firaun felt the crisis. He asked the best magicians of the country to have a battle with Musa.
When the magician threw their stuff that turned to snake. But, in split second, Musa threw his stuff turned to snake too. But, the snake was very large like pyton that can swallow human. It also very fast and scary looking. The snake beat other snakes. Then, the magicians’ knees felt to floor. They said “We believe in the Master of Musa and Harun”
So, in the biggest stage Firaun set by himself, when all of his people watch this battle, he lost his influence!
Now, let’s relate this particular event with Yusuf AS story.
Yusuf once said, “I come to Egypt to save Egypt but if you don’t change, Allah SWT will sent another prophet to destroy Egypt”
This is truly happened. Allah SWT sent Musa AS and destroy Egypt in a sense of making Firaun lost his influence.
Back to Musa’s story, after that particular event, Egypt was captured by difficult years: crops died, many frogs died that contaminated water so that the water couldn’t be drinked. Then, they went to Musa for help. musa prayed for them. Then, the difficult years happened again as they started mistreated Musa again. This happened many times.
Until the moment of Firaun people said “We hold them hostage for many years. Now we will let you go”
So, Musa and his people went to other area. At the same time, Firaun gathered all soldiers to destroy Musa once for all.
When they chase Musa and his people, Musa prayed:
“You gave them a lot of wealth but they were misguided. Allah, destroy their wealth and make their heart hard”
It’s totally unusual for a prophet to pray like that. Usually prophet will pray to make heart of people not hard.
But, these people are special case as they had done a lot of bad things for example how they killed newborn babies
“Your pray has answered” said Allah SWT.
Then, Firaun and his people were drowned. Firaund was the last person to be drowned. In his last moment, he still didn’t want to believe in Allah SWT, he said “I believe in whatever the Israel believe.
Then, after Musa and his people survived, Musa said to his people “Maybe Allah will rescue you and put you in charge (just like how Allah put Firaun and his people in charge) and we will see how you will behave (will you behave in good way or you will be just like another Firaun).
What Musa said is a great reflection for us. Let’s ask ourself. Do we behave well to people? Do we truly pray to Allah? Or we unconsciously become another Firaun in our circle?
The Thousand Pieces of Me 