Moses 6

(26-15) (7-104-105) (20-49-55)

     Moses said, “An Egyptian man was killed in a quarrel; it was an accident but they blame me for this.  I fear they will press the charge of murder against me and kill me.”

     “No, this will not happen.  I am with you.  Present your demands softly and gently in front of the pharaoh, so he may decide rightly.” 

     Moses’ brother joined him to assist him in his mission, and they reached the court of the pharaoh.

     “Who has sent you to me, and what are your demands?” asked the pharaoh.

     “I am a messenger from Rabbil-al-ameen.”  Rab has created all things in the universe and directed them to follow a pattern; He has provided an amazing system of nourishment for all living beings, so that they can actualize their potentialities.  “Since I am a messenger from God, I will tell you nothing but the truth.  My demand is that you will not subjugate or victimize the Israelites, and you will allow them to leave Egypt with me.  This is the message from Allah.  If you accept it, peace will prevail in the country; otherwise great destruction is going to follow.”

    The Egyptians did not believe in one God.  They had many gods and goddesses to perform various functions, for example, the rain god, the sun god, the fertility god, etc. The pharaoh wanted to be sure about the power and domain of the God who had sent Moses and his brother. 

     The pharaoh was quite disappointed with the answer.  He had presented himself to his people as a benefactor who gave them the means of living.  However, his domain was limited, extending over Egypt only; beyond it he had no control.  It was not in his interest to let Moses dwell on the powers of Allah, who was much more powerful than him.  Allah has created the universe; the planet Earth is like a cradle, and human beings can easily travel on it by forming paths.  He brings the clouds and pours the rain on the earth; with the help of the water, several kinds of vegetation grow from the earth, which is food for animals and humans.  Under the earth humans go after death; from there they will be resurrected to a new life.

     The pharaoh turned towards his courtiers and said, “Are you carefully listening to what this man is saying?  According to him, our powerful kings of Egypt were dependent on his Allah for their power and might.”

     Moses did not pay any heed to his remark, and continued his description. He said, “Certainly, God has created the east, the west, and your ancestors who were dependent on Him for their growth.”

     The pharaoh looked at his courtiers and said, “Look, Rab has sent a mad man to deliver his message.”  Turning toward Moses, he declared, “If you will accept anyone else as your Rab, I am going to send you to prison.”  After that he   wanted to take shelter in a ruse, so he said, “What do you think is happening to our forefathers?”

     Moses replied, “The knowledge about their condition is with God.  He never forgets or misses anything.  I am here only to discuss the departure of the Israelites.”

     The pharaoh wanted to drag Moses into the quagmire of endless questions and answers.  If Moses had said something against the ancestors, he could have excited the courtiers by saying that this man had no respect for their forefathers, and created a bad impression of him.  Unsuccessful and annoyed, he turned towards his chief priest and said, “Haman, will you bake a lot of bricks and build a palace with them, so that I can climb up, and have a peep into the heavens to see Moses’ God.  Otherwise, I think he is a liar.” Instead of taking Moses seriously, the pharaoh and his courtiers made fun of his message.  The pharaoh proclaimed that he was the Rab of his people.  Moses told him that he should retract his false claim and accept Allah as the sovereign authority.  It was the most difficult task for him. In other words, he had to give up his false claims, honor, wealth, and luxurious lifestyle; so he declined.

     The pharaoh said “If you are truthful and have brought a verdict from Allah, show it to us.”  Moses explained to them the ruinous consequences of disregarding Allah’s laws, and the blessings which accrue to those who adhere to these laws.  The literal meaning of these verses is that Moses laid his staff down, and it changed into a snake.  He put his hand into his armpit and it came out shining.  After viewing all this, the pharaoh dismissed his court and went into the palace to discuss the matter with his trusted courtiers.