The tenth day of the Month of Muhamamd in the Islamic Hijri Calendar marks the commemoration of the day of Ashura. This is a day that Muslims fast a voluntarily fasts in order to attain it virtue according to what Prophet Muhammad said,
“By fasting the day of ‘Ashoora’ I hope Allaah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” Narrated by Muslim,
It means that fasting today will be equivalent to the forgiveness of two years of sins simply because of fasting for one special day. According to Imam An Nawawi,
“Fasting this day expiates all minor sins.”
According to a hadith reported by Imam Al Bukhari, Prophet Muhammad enjoined fasting on the day of Ashura’ when he saw the Jews in Madinah fasting on this day. He asked the companions,
“What is this?” The Jews said, “This is a good day, it is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy (the Egyptians) and Moses fasted this day also.”
Prophet Muhammad said,
“We are closer to (and more rightful of following) Moses than you.”
So Prophet Muhammad fasted this day and ordered the people to fast this day as voluntary day of fasting.
According to another narration by Imam Muslim, the Jews saying that, “this is a good day” is referring to the great day whan Allah saved Moses and his companions from Egypt and drowned Pharaoh and his army.”
Also mentioned is that Moses fasted this day in gratitude of Allah’s favors.
We have seen the importance of the day of Ashurah but how do Muslims view Prophet Moses in Islam?
ONE OF THE GREATEST PROPHETS AND MESSENGERS
Allah said in the Quran,
“And [mention, O Muhammad], when We took from the prophets their covenant and from you and from Noah and Abraham and Moses and Jesus, the son of Mary; and We took from them a solemn covenant.” ~Quran 33:7
The five prophets mentioned in this verse are the prophets who are known as Ulul ‘Azmi minar Rusul or the five Messengers who have the strongest determination in calling people to Islam and upholding the truth.
THE SAME MOSES AS THE ONE IN THE BIBLE
Incidentally, the story of Moses in the Quran is almost the same as the story of Moses in the Bible. In fact, his, is the most mentioned story in the Quran by being mentioned . He is mentioned more than Prophet Muhammad himself. Moses is recognized by Muslims, Jews and Christians as a great prophet of God.
Moses was born in Egypt after the migration of the people of Israel under the leadership of Prophet Joseph. But the People of Israel was enslaved later on by Pharaoh. One day, had a dream that his kingdom was burned to the ground except for the Israelites that survived. He was also informed of a prophecy that a man from the Israelites would grow up to overthrow him. Because of this, he commanded, that all new-born Israelite males be killed in order to stop his dream from happening. Moses was born in these trying times.
Because of this, when he was born, his mother was forced to tearfully put him in a basket and left him floating in the river in an ark in order to escape being killed. His sister patiently watched over him as he was carried by the great Nile River and report to her everything that happens to Moses.
He was eventually discovered by Pharaoh’s wife, Asiya. She convinced Pharaoh to adopt Moses but Moses did suckle from anyone which is when his sister stepped in and offered to help them look for a wet nurse for Moses. Moses’ sister recommended their own mother and he was reunited with his grieving mother.
When Moses grew older, he saw an Israelite fighting with an Egyptian and he helped him. However, in a fit of anger, Moses killed the Egyptian but he repented to Allah immediately. The next day, he saw the same Israelite fighting with another Egyptian and he was again asked for help. But Moses did not intervene and he was recognized by the Egyptian and Moses was reported to Pharaoh. Pharaoh then ordered Moses to be killed.
Moses escaped to Midian. On his way, he saw two young women and he helped them water their flock. The two women brought Moses to their father and the father offered Moses to work for him for eight to ten years in order to marry one of his daughters. After this period, Moses had his own family and decided to travel back to Egypt with them. They passed by Mount Tur, where Moses observed a fire. He went to the source of light in order to bring fire or ask for guidance. And when he arrived at the Valley of Tuwa, Allah, commanded Moses to remove his shoes and informed him that he is being made a prophet. Allah then showed Moses his staff becoming a snake and his hand becoming white as signs for Pharaoh to whom he will be sent.
Moses pleaded to Allah that he has a speech problem and therefore asked for his brother Harun to be made a prophet as well as his partner. They went to Pharaoh’s court and brought the message that the Israelite be set free and that Pharaoh should worship Allah alone. They were dismissed as sorcerers so Pharaoh ordered a group of sorcerers to face off with Moses but they were defeated. The staff of Moses that became a real snake ate their ropes. All these sorcerers became believers in the oneness of Allah.
In spite of this, Pharaoh did not believe in Moses and different trials were sent to Pharaoh such as the death of all firstborn, flooding, locusts and others.
Moses was then ordered to flee with the Israelites at night but Pharaoh followed them. Allah saved them by splitting the Red Sea. This event is that which is commemorated in Ashura.
I hope that this column made your day. If you need clarification you may send your questions, comments, and suggestions to mujahidnavarra@gmail.com.
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