Moses 11

(40:26-45)

Although Pharaoh had started a movement of propaganda against Moses, he was not satisfied with the outcome.  The common men in Egypt were grateful for the help Moses had rendered to them in removing the plagues from the land.  It was Moses, not Pharaoh, who helped them in the time of scourge.  Pharaoh wanted to paint Moses as an enemy of Egyptian culture and civilization, a liar who wanted to occupy their land.  The image that had emerged was quite contrary to his desires: a compassionate reformer, a helper in time of distress, and a friend of common folks.

This situation infuriated Pharaoh; he conducted a full court, and collected all his courtiers and advisers to seek a remedy. He said, “We have been too lenient in tackling Moses’ problem, which is getting out of control.  This is the result of our leniency.  The only remedy that comes to my mind is to kill him and get rid of his nonsense forever. Let him call his Allah to save him— if he can; otherwise, he will bring radical changes in our governing system, and cause fasad disorder in Egypt.

The full court was silent like a picture.  The silence was so deep that the voice of a leaf’s falling from a tree could be heard. Most of the Egyptian people believed in Moses, but they never wanted to declare it openly.  The arrogant, headstrong dictator was making a decision, and nobody could dare to oppose him.

Suddenly, someone stirred among the audience.  A man who belonged to the royal family of Pharaoh stood up, looked at Pharaoh, and an unexpected voice broke the silence.  He said, “Do you want to kill a man because he has been saying Allah is the sustainer (Rub) of the universe?  He has shown illuminating signs of his prophethood, and clear reasons for his demands.  If he is a liar, then his lie is upon him; God never shows the right path to a transgressing liar.  If he is truthful, then the punishment with which he is threatening you will definitely strike.   Who is going to save us at that time?  No doubt, you are the number one power in the world, but this wouldn’t save you from the dire consequences of your denial of truth.”

Pharaoh was unable to bear the outburst of reality, so he said, “I am only telling you what I foresee. In my opinion, the killing of Moses is the only solution to this problem.  I always ask you to follow the wise policy.”

The speaker ignored the interruption, and carried on with his speech.  He said, “My people, I don’t want a doom like that of Noah, Aad, or Thamud--and many nations after them—to seize you.  All these mighty nations destroyed themselves by wrong doings; God is never unjust with human beings.  It would be a doom when you are going to call each other for help, but no one will stop to hear your cries. On the contrary, everyone will turn his back toward the holler because everyone is going to be preoccupied with his own misery. That day the realization of the truth would be useless for you, so change your behavior while there is time.  Before Moses, Joseph came to you with laws of God; but you were doubtful about his message until he died.  Your reaction was that the death of Joseph was the end of the story, God is not going to send a new messenger, and there will be no one to admonish you.  People with such mentality are always struggling to circumvent and defeat the laws of God; the result is going to be utter ruin and destruction.”

Pharaoh again tried to interrupt him.  He said to his chief priest, “O, Haman, build for me a tower that I can reach the roads of the heavens, and see Moses’ God because I think he is a liar.” Pharaoh was so corrupted by his wrong thinking that every subversive trick delighted him.  The speaker was not perturbed by his comment; he continued his speech.  “According to the law of Allah, every human being, man or woman, is repaid according to his or her deeds, so be careful about what you decide.  I have done my duty by explaining the coming disaster to you; I am leaving my affairs in the hands of a unique sovereign—Allah—to decide whatever He likes for me because He is the best decider.”