Ashura
and the doom of a Pharaoh
Even if oppressed subjects are
non-Muslims, we hate and condemn oppression and rejoice to see its end.
Indisputably, oppression is by no means acceptable. In this regard, Allah said
in a Qudsi (sacred) Hadith reported by Muslim on the authority of Abu Dharr who
reported Allah's Messenger to have reported that Allah says, "O My
servants, I have made oppression unlawful for Me and unlawful for you, so do
not commit oppression against one another." [Reported by Muslim]
«يا عبادي! إني حرمت الظلم
على نفسي وجعلته بينكم محرما»
رواه مسلم
After the Hijrah (emigration to
Madinah), Ibn 'Abbas reported, as related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, that the
Prophet (peace be upon him) found the Jews fasting on the tenth of Muharram.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) inquired of them, "What is the
significance of this day on which you fast?" They replied, "This is a
good day, the day on which Allah rescued the children of Israel from their
enemy. So, Musa (Moses) fasted this day." The Prophet (peace be upon him)
said, "We have more claim over Musa than you." And the Prophet (peace
be upon him) fasted on that day and ordered Muslims to fast on that day.
قدم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم المدينة، فرأى اليهود تصوم يوم
عاشوراء، فقال: «ما هذا» . قالوا: هذا يوم صالح، هذا يوم نجى الله بني إسرائيل من
عدوهم، فصامه موسى. قال: «فأنا أحق بموسى منكم». فصامه وأمر بصيامه متفق عليه
Fasting on the Day of 'Ashura' was
prescribed before the fast of Ramadan. When the latter was prescribed, the
Prophet (peace be upon him) made fasting on the Day of 'Ashura' supererogatory.
However, aiming at giving Muslims stronger motivation to fast on that day, the
Prophet (peace be upon him) said, as related by Muslim on the authority of Abu
Qatadah, "Fasting on the Day of 'Ashura' will blot out all the sins of the
preceding year."
«وصيام يوم عاشوراء، أحتسب
على الله أن يكفر السنة التي قبله» رواه مسلم
A question has to arise here; why
this day is so significantly celebrated? In fact, the reason is clear as the
Prophet (peace be upon him) obviously did not want such a memory to pass
without enough contemplation and reflection. He perhaps wanted us to carefully
examine this greatly inspirable event even once a year.
Actually, the Children of Israel
lived for so long feeling that victory is very far-reached and that there is
hardly any hope for a change. They further felt that Pharaoh's tyranny will
continue forever and that their persecutors will remain to enjoy their
authorities regardless of whatever efforts exerted be the persecuted children
of Israel.
So what happened?
Actually, we know in detail what
happened but we just forget!
We came to know that Pharaoh, who
led his army trying to break into the sea after eye-witnessing the miracle of
dividing the sea waters, was drowned along with his soldiers and retinue at a
moment. No doubt, we know about this event indicating that Allah is Omnipotent
and of infinite power and that tyrants have to come to an end no matter how
long they continued in power and tyranny. In this regard, it is very
interesting to read the Prophet's words, as related by Al-Bukhari on the
authority of Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him), "‘Indeed
Allah prolongs the life of an oppressor so that when he is taken, nothing can
release him.’ He then recited: ‘Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes
the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is
painful, and severe.’ [Hud 10:102]"
«إن الله ليملي للظالم، حتى
إذا أخذه لم يفلته. قال: ثم قرأ: {وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَا أَخَذَ
الْقُرَىٰ وَهِيَ ظَالِمَةٌ}»
رواه البخاري
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