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 The
Quran is a book of guidance. It is a road map to success and eternal happiness,
a gift from the Creator to the creation. It is a book full of signs; God calls
them evidences, proofs and lessons. They prove the existence of God and warn
humankind of a Day of Judgement, when each one of us will stand before God
weighed down, or held high, by our deeds.
One of the most manifest signs is the
story of Moses.
It is a story that holds many lessons for humankind. One part of the story in
particular has intrigued people for centuries – the parting of the Red Sea and
the drowning of the Egyptians. All three major monotheistic religions,
Judaism, Christianity and Islam tell relatively the same Moses story, however
Quran is able to fill in details and correct misinterpretations. While all
versions include the parting of the Red Sea and the drowning of Pharaoh, Quran
tells us that Pharaoh’s body will be preserved for all time, as a sign.
“So this day We shall deliver your (dead)
body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you! And
verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our signs.” (Quran 10:92)
When Pharaoh had power, wealth, good
health and strength he refused to acknowledge God. He denied the signs and
condemned himself. At the last minute, as the waves crashed over him and his
heart constricted in fear, Pharaoh acknowledged God. Pharaoh’s arrogance fell
away, but alas it was too late, he saw death approaching and cried out to God
with fear and horror. Renowned Islamic scholar Ibn Kathir describes
Pharaoh’s death.
“The curtain
fell on Pharaoh’s tyranny, and the waves threw his corpse up to the western
seashore. The Egyptians saw him and knew that the god whom they worshipped and
obeyed was a mere man who could not keep death away from his own neck.”
God calls it a sign for those “who come
after”
Many of the Pharaoh’s of Egypt behaved
as if they were gods. If a Pharaoh reigned for thirty years there was a
ceremony called a Sed festival where the king was officially turned into a god.
Many Pharaoh’s especially those who reigned during what is known as the Second
Kingdom built numerous monuments and statues to themselves. Some, particularly
Amenhotep III and Ramses II wanted to leave a mark, a reminder of their great
strength, wealth and divinity.
(God said to Moses), “Go to Pharaoh; verily
he has transgressed all bounds (he is arrogant and too proud and has refused to
believe in God). And say to him: “Would you purify yourself (from the sin of
disbelief by becoming a believer)?” (Quran 79: 17 & 18)
Then he (Pharaoh) gathered his people and
cried aloud, “I am your lord, most high. “So God seized him with punishment
for his last and first transgression. Verily, in this is an instructive
admonition for whosoever fears Allah. (Quran 79: 24 & 25)
Pharaoh said: “O chiefs! I know not that you
have a god other than me. So kindle for me (a fire), O Haman, to bake (bricks
out of) clay, and set up for me a lofty tower in order that I may look at (or
look for) the God of Moses...” (Quran 28:38)
The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt were
known for their excesses, their beliefs in multiple gods and at times their
cruelty and oppression of slaves, and ordinary citizens. When a human being
believes himself to be a god, he is arrogant and tyrannical, yet as in this
case of the Pharaoh of Moses (whoever he may, or may not have been) who was at
the height of his arrogance, God was still willing to forgive him. He sent
sign after sign and proof after proof of His existence, but Pharaoh chose to
live as if there was no tomorrow. Pharaoh chose to reject the offer of
forgiveness and for him and those like him, there is always a tomorrow and
inevitably a judgement.
Go you and your brother with My signs and do
not, you both, slacken and become weak in My Remembrance. Go, both of you, to
Pharaoh, verily he has transgressed (all bounds in disbelief and disobedience
and behaved as an arrogant and as a tyrant). And speak to him mildly, perhaps
he may accept admonition or fear (God). (Quran 20: 43&44)
The signs sent by God to Pharaoh were meant
to be a reminder, but he rejected those signs out of his arrogance and became
one of the losers.
We are able to look at the preserved
body of a Pharaoh, any pharaoh, and be reminded of God’s words. We can also
look at the behaviour of people today, who behave as if they were 21st
century pharaohs and remember how God punished the pharaohs of the past. The end
result of Pharaoh is a reminder for all of humankind.
It reminds us that those who knowingly
choose not to worship God in the manner He rightly deserves, risk never being
guided to the right path. How many signs will God send? One, one million? Is
it worth giving up eternal bliss for moments of happiness based on arrogance
and ego? In the Hall of Mummies, in the Cairo Museum lie a group of men and
women who just may have discovered the answer.
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