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In the Quran, one of the most recounted stories
is the story of the bondage of the Children of Israel and
their deliverance
from Egypt's Pharaoh.
Many Jews may be surprised to learn that Islam as preached by Muhammad SAW was the same religion preached
by Abraham AS , as well as of all other
prophets mentioned in the Torah and the Bible. Muslims honor all the
prophets of the Jews - Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David and Solomon
(peace be upon them all) among others - as their own prophets.
Here is how Allah SWT ordered Muhammad SAW to follow the religion of the
Patriarch Abraham AS.
"So We have taught thee the inspired (Message), "Follow the ways
of Abraham the True in Faith, and he joined not gods with God.""
(Surah Al Nahl 16:123)
In fact, the most important belief that unites Muslims and Jews is the
faith in the One God as the Creator, Sustainer and Law-Giver of the
universe. Both religions teach the need for establishing the Law of God on
earth, so that there will be peace and harmony flourishing everywhere.
As Muslims have a Shari'ah (Law) to live by, the Jews have their Halakha (a
compendium of laws, based on the Torah).
It is particularly noteworthy that in the Quran, there is no story that is
recounted as many times and with as much emphasis, as the story of the
bondage of the Children of Israel and their subsequent deliverance from
Egypt's Pharaoh. The Quran quotes Moses as saying to his people:
"Remember Moses AS said to his people: "O my
people! Call in remembrance the favor of God unto you, when He produced
prophets among you, made you kings, and gave you what He had not given to
any other among the peoples." (Surah Al Ma'idah 5:20)
It was Moses AS , with the help and guidance
of God Almighty, who led them out of Egypt towards a land of promise. Allah SWT in the Quran says what means:
"Children of Israel! call to mind the (special) favour which I
bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all other (for My Message).
Then guard yourselves against a day when one soul shall not avail another
nor shall intercession be accepted for her, nor shall compensation be taken
from her, nor shall anyone be helped (from outside). And remember, We
delivered you from the people of Pharaoh: they set you hard tasks and
punishments, slaughtered your sons and let your women-folk live; therein
was a tremendous trial from your Lord. And remember We divided the sea for
you and saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people within your very
sight." (Surah Al Baqarah 2:47-50)
The story is narrated elsewhere in the Quran, where we may read these
verses:
"We took the Children of Israel across the sea: Pharaoh and his hosts
followed them in insolence and spite. At length, when overwhelmed with the
flood, he said: "I believe that there is no god except Him Whom the
Children of Israel believe in: I am of those who submit (to God in
Islam)."
(It was said to him): "Ah now!- But a little while before, wast thou
in rebellion!- and thou didst mischief (and violence)! "This day shall
We save thee in the body, that thou mayest be a sign to those who come
after thee! but verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Signs!"
We settled the Children of Israel in a beautiful dwelling-place, and
provided for them sustenance of the best: it was after knowledge had been
granted to them, that they fell into schisms. Verily God will judge between
them as to the schisms amongst them, on the Day of Judgment." (Surah
Yunus 10:90-93)
The torments inflicted on the Children of Israel by the Pharaoh were
continuous and harsh; and so God sent His prophets Moses and Aaron (peace
be upon them) to warn the tyrant that he should stop the oppression of the
Children of Israel and free them.
But he was arrogant and refused to free the Jewish slaves, until the last
of the plagues God sent as punishment. The first-born of both man and beast
were destined to fall down dead on that fateful night. Pesach, or Passover,
means protection in Hebrew, and the name refers to this last of the plagues
sent by God to the Egyptians. While the Egyptians suffered this plague, the
angel of death passed over the houses of the Israelites. To protect
themselves, the Israelites had marked their homes with lamb's blood so that
the angel of death could easily "pass over" their homes.
Under guidance from God, the Israelites fled Egypt; while the Pharaoh and
his men pursued them. It seemed like their journey would end at the Red Sea
which prevented their escape.
But a miracle happened when Moses struck the water with his staff: The
waves of the Red Sea parted and the Israelites hurried along the passage
between the parted waves. Pharaoh and his soldiers followed; but by the
time the Israelites reached the other shore, the sea closed in engulfing
their pursuers. Thus the Israelites were delivered from bondage, and the
Pharaoh and his people perished.
Muslims are in sympathy with the Jewish celebration of the Pesach, as the
fast on `Ashura' amply demonstrates. When the Prophet Muhammad came to
Madinah on the tenth of the lunar month of Muharram, he found that the Jews
there were fasting.
The Prophet asked them why they were fasting on this day, and they
explained that it was the day that God saved the Children of Israel from
the Pharaoh, and that Moses AS fasted in thanks on this day.
Narrated by Ibn 'Abbas: "The Prophet came to Madinah and saw the Jews
fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about that. They replied,
"This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israel from
their enemy. So, Moses fasted this day." The Prophet said, "We
have more claim over Moses than you." So, the Prophet fasted on that
day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast (on that day)." (Sahih Bukhari,
Book #31, Hadith #222)
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