The Lower for the Better

Mūsā told his people: a-tastabdilūna alladhī huwa adnā bi-alladhī huwa khayr — do you exchange that which is better for that which is lower? How can you replace al-mann and al-salwā with garlic, onions and lentils? Allah is providing you with the best, and you are asking for the lowest?

Ihbiṭū Miṣran fa-inna lakum mā saʾaltum. The mufassirūn say this could mean one of two things. Ihbiṭū Miṣran: Miṣr means Egypt, but it can also mean a land. So it would mean: go to Egypt, and you will find what you want. Go back to Egypt: you will find the garlic, lentils, onions and herbs you are looking for, and you will also find the oppression, the servitude and the slavery that you deserve to live under. Or the other meaning would be: go to any country or land, and you are going to find this. Al-mann and al-salwā are the special thing; but this garlic and onion and lentil, you will find anywhere.

Allah (swt) says: wa ḍuribat ʿalayhimu al-dhillatu wa al-maskanah — and they were covered with humiliation and misery because of this. They refused. They refused to sacrifice for Allah (swt). So Allah (swt) put humiliation and misery upon them.