The lessons of the children of Israel

The lessons of the children of Israel and the emergence of the Imam of the Age [Imām Mahdī] (mgehr)

Introduction

The Prophet (PBUH)’s name is mentioned in Qur’an five times; once the name Aḥmad and four other times the name Muḥammad. Prophet Moses [pbuh]’s name has occurred 136 times in Qur’an. More than 900 verses of Qur’an are about the children of Israel without which, the subject of Imām Mahdī (mgehr)’s emergence cannot be initiated. The noble prophet [of Islam] (pbuh) stated, “No lizard goes to a hole in the children of Israel, unless it will happen to my nation as well.” (Muntakhab al-’Athar, p. 98)

One must know the nation of Israel, in order to learn Enemyology[1], because God has stated, “Surely You will find the most hostile of all people towards the faithful to be the Jews and the polytheists.” (Al-Mā’idah 5:82)

Moses [prophet Mūsā (pbuh)]: Banū Israel’s and Jew’s prophet

Jews were the first and the most intelligent nation who found out they need a Mahdavī government!

The gap between His Excellency Yūsuf [Josef (pbuh)] and His Excellency Mūsā (pbuh) was 400 years. The Pharaohs after His Excellency Yūsuf (pbuh), didn’t like Banū Israel, so they didn’t hire them in the government and forced them to work. They kept the men alive as many as they needed, but they killed others.  Also they raped their women.

Anyway, Banu Israel got distressed; cried and lamented. Therefore, the Faqīhs among them suggested that, if they turn to religion and plead to God, God will consider a savior for them. However, they managed to do this through crying, so they hastened it for more than 100 years. Yes, His Excellency Mūsā (pbuh) became their prophet.

“The first government of the innocent Walī [ religious Guardian], was formed by His Excellency Mūsā (pbuh.”

The story of the people of Moses (pbuh)

• Saving from the Pharaohs [phraoh like people]
• The divine attention
• Appreciate the favor [of God]
• The economic experiment, and the beginning of the disobedience
• well-being seeking experiment
• Disobedience to the infallible [prophet Moses (pbuh)]
• The divine anger, and loss of the infallible guardian [prophet Moses (pbuh)]
• The divine traditions

Saving from the Pharaohs

His Majesty Moses (pbuh) transmitted more than 600,000 people through the Nile. He struck his staff to the sea, and made twelve paths to cross the twelve tribes of Israelites. The pursuing Pharaoh, who had reached the Nile, was drowned there; once the Israelites passed the Nile and the paths were closed.

Question: Why the Israelites did not go back to Egypt after the destruction of Pharaoh, who had persecuted them?

Answer: Because the Israelites had made a promise, for the universal government of Mahdavī, in the promised land Palestine.

Israelites wanted to reach the Promised Land,

And we are supposed to reach the Promised Time.

God has stated in “Surah Yunus”, ‘We passed the children of Israel through the sea, and Pharaoh and his legions pursued them arrogantly and frantically. But as he (Pharaoh) was drowning he cried out: “[Now], I believe that there is no God, except He, in whom the Children of Israel believe. I am of those that submit [to God] (Muslims)”. (God replied): “Now you declare belief in Me! but before this, you were a disobedient rebel. We will save your body on this day so that you may become evidence (of Our existence) for the coming generations; many people are unaware of such evidence”. (Holy Qurʾān, Surah Yunus, verses 90-92)

The divine attention

“We divided them into twelve tribes, each a nation. And when his people demanded drink, We revealed to Moses: ‘Strike the rock with your staff. ‘ Thereupon twelve springs gushed from the rock and each tribe knew its drinking place. We caused the clouds to cast their shadow over them, and sent down for them manna and quails, saying: ‘Eat of the good things We have provided for you. ‘ Indeed, they did Us no wrong, but they wronged themselves.”

Banū Israel decided to arrive in Promised Land but, we are going to live in The Promised Era

In Surah Yūnus, God stated:

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 Allah 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!” (Surah Yūnus, Verses 90- 92)

Divine Providence

We divided them into twelve tribes or nations. We directed Moses by inspiration, when his (thirsty) people asked him for water: “Strike the rock with thy staff”: out of it there gushed forth twelve springs: Each group knew its own place for water. We gave them the shade of clouds, and sent down to them manna and quails, (saying): “Eat of the good things We have provided for you”: (but they rebelled); to Us they did no harm, but they harmed their own souls. (Surah Aˈrfa, Verse 160)

Thanks for blessings

Remember Moses said to his people: “O my people! Call in remembrance the favor of Allah 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 Ma’idah, Verse 20)

To The Almighty God, the greatest blessing is to choose your destiny. The first blessing which is given by God to the people who seek Mahdavī government, is independence.

The economical test [by God] and the beginning of disobedience.   [Pay attention to what Surah Baqarah, Verse 60 mentions in this regard]:

And remember Moses prayed for water for his people; We said: “Strike the rock with thy staff.” Then gushed forth therefrom twelve springs. Each group knew its own place for water. So eat and drink of the sustenance provided by Allah, and do no evil nor mischief on the (face of the) earth.

Prophet Mūsā (pbuh) stated:

The things you are demanding, have been available for you in Egypt! Why do you like to exchange something good with bad?! When we reach the destination, there will be much better things, prepared for you.

[ Surah Ma’idah, Verse 21, refers to this issue:]

“O my people! Enter the holy land which Allah hath assigned unto you, and turn not back ignominiously, for then will ye be overthrown, to your own ruin.”

The second [divine] test they took, was the test of Jihad; the Jihad to get the Holy Land. However, [in Surah Ma’idah, Verses 22& 23]

They said: “O Moses! In this land are a people of exceeding strength: Never shall we enter it until they leave it: if (once) they leave, then shall we enter.

(But) among (their) Allah-fearing men were two on whom Allah had bestowed His grace: They said: “Assault them at the (proper) Gate: when once ye are in, victory will be yours; But on Allah put your trust if ye have faith.”

The people of Israel did not want to be hard on themselves, and because of their indolence and selfishness [they cared a lot to themselves] , they failed the test of jihad.

Disobedience from what the infallible Imāms (pbu th) stated

[Surah Ma’idah, Verse 24, refers to this issue:]

They said: “O Moses! while they remain there, never shall we be able to enter, to the end of time. Go thou, and thy Lord, and fight ye two, while we sit here (and watch).”

Banu Ismā’īl failed the test of Jihad [the divine fight]; they were to enter the Holy Land! And we are to get to the Holy Time. When Ayatollah Khomeini ((mgbhs) who was not infallible) ordered to free Khorramshahr, we were given the test of Jihad [too]. Yes, the Ayatollah spoke about the religion [Islam] and emphasized that we would get the Holy Time; therefore, we obeyed what he ordered us.

The Divine wrath and losing the infallible Walī [an Imām (pbuh) is the guardian for us]

[Surah Ma’idah, Verse 25, refers to this issue:]

He said: “O my Lord! I have power only over myself and my brother: so separate us from this rebellious people!”

If we call the infallible Walī (pbuh) but we disobey him, we will not have the previous position! Instead, the infallible will curse us. Similarly, on the night of 19 Ramadhan, Āmir al Mu’menin (pbuh) stated, ‘[O, God! Please get me rid of them, and give them someone bad, instead!’

 

 

[1] Enemyology or enemy logy, means knowing the enemy, his strengths and weaknesses, the way he works, etc.