Musa (PBUH) and Isa (PBUH) and Bani Israel

 

Everything in the universe is busy carrying out its assigned mission by Allah, the Almighty. His Law is extremely powerful (الْعَزِيزُ). However, this power is based on wisdom (الْحَكِيمُ).

Allama Iqbal explains it beautifully:

Moonlight’s shine is completely quiet; each branch of the tree is quiet

The caravan of stars is quite; it has no bell, but is moving along quietly

The desert and mountains are quiet; it is as if the Nature is in meditation

The entire Universe is quiet but is moving along at incredible speed; and constantly busy in carrying out its mission. Allama Iqbal in another place says that those nations which are constantly busy working hard to carry out their program, they do not waste their time talking about it.

The Quran says:

لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ

Why say ye that which ye do not? (61:2) [Yusuf Ali]

كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ اللَّـهِ أَ  تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ

Grievously odious is it in the sight of Allah that ye say that which ye do not. (61:3) [Yusuf Ali]

According to the Divine Law it is most loathsome and questionable that one says one will do something, but then one does not do it. On one side are the ones who are constantly busy in carrying out their duties and no talks, whereas on the other side are those who just boast and talk but do not carry out their assigned duties.

When people start advising others not to lie; not to cheat; not to take bribes etc. without reforming themselves, then the entire society becomes corrupt and dysfunctional by indulging in blame-game as it is the case today in the political arena throughout the world. As a result, hellish environment prevails throughout the world, including the Muslim world.

The Quran gives evidence from history of what happens to a people’s psyche who keep talking; who keep concocting one argument after another argument. It says look at the behavior of the people of Musa (PBUH)! They used to be continuously engaged in simply talking but not listening and doing what Musa (PBUH) was telling them to do according to divine commands. They started giving heart-ache to Musa (PBUH) by their endless queries. The Quran has described these things at many places. For example, the Quran gave a simple order to slaughter a cow but they started crooked arguments about its color, its age, its size, etc., (2:67-2:73).

The Quran cites the example of Musa (PBUH) about what he went through:

وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ يَا قَوْمِ لِمَ تُؤْذُونَنِي وَقَد تَّعْلَمُونَ أَنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّـهِ إِلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا زَاغُوا أَزَاغَ اللَّـهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ ۚ وَاللَّـهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ

That is why Musa (PBUH) said to his people: "O my people! why do ye vex and insult me, though ye know that I am the messenger of Allah (sent) to you?" Then when they went wrong, Allah let their hearts go wrong. For Allah guides not those who are rebellious transgressors. (61:5) [Yusuf Ali]

Musa’s (PBUH) people used to talk a lot, but when they were called upon to do something they looked for excuses and thus became a source of vexation for their Messenger. So these were the circumstances under which Musa (PBUH) said to his people: Why do you always remain a source of trouble and torture for me, although you know that I have been sent towards you as a Messenger from Allah. Any path I ask you to adopt is proposed by the Almighty and is for your own good. But in spite of this they did not give up their erroneous ways. As they strayed from the right way, the outcome according to the Law of Requital was that their hearts turned further away from the truth.

يُؤْفَكُ عَنْهُ مَنْ أُفِكَ

Through which are deluded (away from the Truth) such as would be deluded. (51:9) [Yusuf Ali]

The Divine Law states that people who knowingly go astray cannot reach the right destination.

The Quran is full of stories of how Israelites were giving hard time to Musa (PBUH). Musa (PBUH) kept telling them that whatever I convey to you is from Almighty Allah which is for your own benefit. You will not do any favors to me by obeying Allah’s commends. If you won’t, you will suffer the consequences thereof.

The Quran then describes Isa (PBUH) who came after Musa (PBUH):

وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّـهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَمُبَشِّرًا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ ۖ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ قَالُوا هَـٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad." But when he came to them with Clear Signs, they said, "this is evident sorcery!" (61:6) [Yusuf Ali]

This was the condition of the nation of Bani-Israel at the time. But the people who were a source of trouble and nuisance to Musa (PBUH), also mistreated Isa (PBUH) in a way that everyone is aware of. How could they believe the news of a Messenger that was to come? Now when that awaited Messenger finally came and brought clear and evident Laws, they said: This is not Allah's Revelation, but a manifest lie that has been concocted by him.

There used to be debates with Christians regarding the messenger’s name who will come after Isa (PBUH). The Quran says here that his name will be ‘Ahmad.’ But the Christians say that there is no such name in the Bible. The original Bible that Jesus (PBUH) gave does not exist. It was in Aramaic language. Its translation was done in Greek. Even the original Greek Bible does not exist. Now there are many Bibles in many languages. New versions keep coming. Even in English there are many versions. Even for the same version there are many editions and one edition does not match with any other editions. The Christians say there is no such name as ‘Ahmad’ in the Bible. But the Greek word ‘Paraclete’ (Latin: ‘paracletus’) means consoler. Many other translations were done as advocate, and helper. But there is a Bible of Barnabas which is closer to the original Bible in which the messenger’s name (who will come after Isa (PBUH)) is written as ‘Mohammad’.

Anyway, even in current Bibles, it is written that disciples of Isa (PBUH) asked him to implement the divine system that he brought. At this, Isa (PBUH) said that there will be another divine messenger who will come after me and he will complete my mission and implement the divine system; that you must follow him when he comes. But when that messenger came with all the signs of proof that Isa (PBUH) had explained to his followers, they rejected him by saying that this is open lie.

The Quran says:

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّـهِ الْكَذِبَ وَهُوَ يُدْعَىٰ إِلَى الْإِسْلَامِ ۚ وَاللَّـهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ

Who doth greater wrong than one who invents falsehood against Allah, even as he is being invited to Islam? And Allah guides not those who do wrong. (61:7) [Yusuf Ali]

This Messenger has been mentioned in their own books. However, in order to belie him they give different interpretations and explanations that this person was not the Messenger whose glad tiding was given by Isa (PBUH). According to the Divine Law, interpolating things and attributing them to Allah is a very serious offense. Just think of why you belie this Messenger? What wrong or objectionable things is he telling you? He is only inviting you towards Islam, the same Deen that Messengers from Bani-Israel had been presenting; but which is not available in its original form. A straight and clear path of life can never open up for people who do not allow things to stay in their appropriate places. Allah bestows His guidance to all, but many people do not follow it.

All efforts to extinguish divine light will fail

The Quran says:

يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّـهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَاللَّـهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ

Their intention is to extinguish Allah's Light (by blowing) with their mouths: But Allah will complete (the revelation of) His Light, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it). (61:8) [Yusuf Ali]

With such attitude and actions, they cannot extinguish the Divine Light (the Quran). They can never succeed. Could they ever extinguish the light of the sun by just blowing at it? Allah is determined to make His light perfect; and spread it all over, regardless of how much the rejecters may detest it.

يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ

Fain would they extinguish Allah's light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow but that His light should be perfected, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it). (9:32) [Yusuf Ali]

All the efforts that happened in the past could never extinguish this divine light. The kingship, religious priesthood, and blood-sucking capitalists have tried to extinguish this divine light but have failed. So, they try to cover it under the darkness of their blind belief in man-made Sharia. They have brainwashed the masses into believing that this man-made Sharia is from Allah; and they have turned the world into hell. As a result, the whole world is suffering in this hell. But the divine program will ultimately wipe out the man-made Sharia from this world and humanity will see the divine light as bright as the Sun (24:35).

The Quran says:

هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ

It is He Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, that he may proclaim it over all religion, even though the Pagans may detest (it). (9:33) [Yusuf Ali]

It is Allah Who has sent His Messenger with a Code of Guidance and a Deen (Divine System of Universal Sustenance) based on absolute truth and reality. His aim is that it will ultimately triumph over all other systems in the world, no matter how detestable this may be to those who want to obey laws of other gods other than those given by Allah.

The Divine System of life will ultimately overpower all man-made systems of life

Here Allah has called His Divine System as al-Deen (الدِّينِ) which is practical, not theoretical or abstract. The divine guidance is theoretical and is contained in the pages of the Quran. When it gets practically implemented as a system of life in real world then it becomes al-Deen (الدِّينِ). The Quran declares here that it will overpower every system of life and ultimately prevail over all man-made systems of life as it did during the first period of Islam.

So, Islam as Deen, as a system of life, is not there anywhere in the world now. Many Muslim movements rise and fade away. There are around 1.8 billion Muslims in the world today and around fifty Muslim governments but there is no Deen anywhere. So, is Islam a spent force that once it could establish itself as Deen and overpowered all the man-made systems (including Persian and Roman empires) at one time; but it cannot do that again? This is because Muslims have left the Deen and are following man-made Sharia.

But other nations are in search of a better system of life because they are fed up with their current systems that has turned the world into hell. The Western thinkers and intellectuals are not aware that the system they are searching for – the universal values, the universal human rights, the universal justice, etc. – is already in the Quran because Muslims have not done their job to explain the Quran at their intellectual level. We have presented the wrong version of Islam to them based on man-made Sharia that was deliberately promoted by kingship, priesthood, and blood-sucking capitalists. So, we have proven to them that Islam is a spent force.

How ironic and sad that we have the solutions of all of humanity’s problems in the Quran, but, we have turned away from it. As a result, we have become laughing stock in the world and are being pushed and kicked around but we don’t wake up from the man-made Sharia-induced deep slumber. Our priesthood has turned Islam into a profession.

Allah achieves His plans in the world through human hands

The Quran says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا أَنصَارَ اللَّـهِ كَمَا قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ لِلْحَوَارِيِّينَ مَنْ أَنصَارِي إِلَى اللَّـهِ ۖ قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ اللَّـهِ ۖ فَآمَنَت طَّائِفَةٌ مِّن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَكَفَرَت طَّائِفَةٌ ۖ فَأَيَّدْنَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا عَلَىٰ عَدُوِّهِمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا ظَاهِرِينَ

O ye who believe! Be ye helpers of Allah: As said Jesus the son of Mary to the Disciples, "Who will be my helpers to (the work of) Allah?" Said the disciples, "We are Allah's helpers!" then a portion of the Children of Israel believed, and a portion disbelieved: But We gave power to those who believed, against their enemies, and they became the ones that prevailed (61:14). [Yusuf Ali]

What a sublime character the Quran is presenting of the companions of Isa (PBUH)? The companions (helpers) of Isa (PBUH) were fully committed to Isa (PBUH) and were great revolutionaries. On the contrary, the Bible presents a totally different picture – that some deserted him and others conspired against him.

In the human world, human beings themselves should join hands to accomplish Allah’s programs. Previously also, wherever such systems were established, they all came into existence through human effort. For instance, Isa (PBUH) had similarly asked his devoted disciples: Tell me, who amongst you will help me in establishing the Divine Order? To this his disciples replied in unison: For this purpose, we shall become Allah's helpers. The result of their efforts was that one group amongst the Bani-Israel believed in the truth of this System, while another turned against it. When a struggle arose between them, Allah helped those who had believed this Deen; and they overpowered their enemies.

This is what had happened at the time of the Prophet (PBUH. Eventually, from amongst those who opposed the Prophet (PBUH), emerged a group that would stand up against the enemies of the Deen and help in the establishment of the Divine Order. Allah will bestow His support upon this group. And history bears testimony that the Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions (R) did establish the Divine Order and it turned the most backward and uncivilized people in the world into the most advanced people who reached the pinnacle of human civilization.

May Allah give us the fortitude, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to follow the shining footsteps of the Prophet (PBUH). Then Allah guarantees that His cosmic forces will join us in our effort to achieve this goal:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

Verily, God and His angels bless the Prophet: [hence,] O you who have attained to faith, bless him and give yourselves up [to his guidance] in utter self-surrender! (33:56) [Asad]