Juz 9: Al-Aʿrāf 88 to Al-Anfāl 40
Section 6 of 16 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
The Israelites' Deliverance from Pharaoh
After numerous divine signs and plagues failed to change Pharaoh's heart, Allah delivered the Children of Israel from their long-standing oppression. This monumental event represents one of history's greatest examples of divine intervention against tyranny and injustice.
Allah says in the Qur'an:
وَأَوْرَثْنَا الْقَوْمَ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يُسْتَضْعَفُونَ مَشَارِقَ الْأَرْضِ وَمَغَارِبَهَا الَّتِي بَارَكْنَا فِيهَا
“And We made those people who were deemed to be weak, the inheritors of the East and the West of the land that We blessed." (7:137)”
The divine inheritance given to the Israelites who had been oppressed by Pharaoh and his people came as a result of their patience and perseverance during years of suffering. Allah explicitly mentions that their inheritance of the blessed lands came "because they observed patience" (بِمَا صَبَرُوا). This teaches believers that patience during trials eventually leads to divine reward and victory. Suffering is never permanent for those who place their trust in Allah.
After crossing the sea miraculously while Pharaoh and his armies drowned, the Israelites' journey toward the Promised Land began. However, this newfound freedom immediately revealed the deep spiritual damage that years of subjugation had inflicted on them. Despite witnessing extraordinary miracles, many among them still carried the psychological and spiritual scars of their time in Egypt.
This became evident when they came upon a people who were worshipping idols. Instead of recognizing the futility of idol worship, especially after experiencing Allah's direct intervention in their lives, they made a shocking request to Prophet Musa:
وَجَاوَزْنَا بِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ الْبَحْرَ فَأَتَوْا عَلَى قَوْمٍ يَعْكُفُونَ عَلَى أَصْنَامٍ لَهُمْ قَالُوا يَا مُوسَى اجْعَل لَنَا إِلَهًا كَمَا لَهُمْ آلِهَةٌ
“And We made the Children of Isrā'īl cross the sea, then they came across a people sitting in devotion before their idols. They said, "O Mūsā, make for us a god like they have gods." (7:138)”
This incident reveals how deeply Egyptian polytheistic practices had influenced the Israelites, despite their witnessing numerous signs of Allah's power. Prophet Musa's response was one of profound dismay at their ignorance:
قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ قَوْمٌ تَجْهَلُونَ
“He said, "You are really an ignorant people." (7:139)”
Musa reminded them that what those people were engaged in was destined for destruction, and that their practices were utterly false. He emphasized the great blessing Allah had bestowed upon them by choosing them above all other nations of their time:
قَالَ أَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ أَبْغِيكُمْ إِلَهًا وَهُوَ فَضَّلَكُمْ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ
“He said, "Should I seek any god for you other than Allah, while He has given you excellence over the (people of all the) worlds?" (7:140)”
Musa then reminded them of their deliverance from Pharaoh as the greatest evidence of Allah's power and favor upon them:
وَإِذْ أَنْجَيْنَاكُم مِّنْ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَسُومُونَكُمْ سُوءَ الْعَذَابِ يُقَتِّلُونَ أَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيُونَ نِسَاءَكُمْ وَفِي ذَلِكُم بَلَاءٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ عَظِيمٌ
“And (remember) when We delivered you from the people of Pharaoh who inflicted grievous torment upon you, slaughtered your sons and left your women alive. In that was a great trial from your Lord." (7:141)”
This verse reminds them of the severe suffering they had endured under Pharaoh, who killed their male children while sparing females, a form of genocide aimed at eliminating their strength and numbers. This deliverance was described as "a great trial" (بَلَاءٌ عَظِيمٌ), highlighting that even divine rescue involves tests of faith and gratitude.
The Israelites' quick return to polytheistic tendencies despite witnessing Allah's direct intervention serves as a profound warning to all believers about maintaining steadfastness even after experiencing divine favors. It illustrates how deeply ingrained cultural and spiritual habits can be, requiring constant vigilance to maintain pure monotheism.