Pharaoh did not appear to believe Moses’ message, nor did he stop torturing the children of Israel. As a result, Moses prayed to his Lord as follows: “Our Lord! Our Lord, you have indeed bestowed splendor and wealth on Pharaoh and his chiefs in this world’s life! That they may deviate from Your path. Oh, Lord! Destroy their wealth and harden their hearts so they won’t believe until they see the agony.”
“Verily, the invocation of you both is accepted; so, you both keep to the Straight Way (i.e., keep on doing good deeds and preaching Allah’s Message with patience), and do not follow the path of those who do not know (the truth, i.e., to believe in the Oneness of Allah, and also to believe in the Reward of Allah: Paradise, and so on).”
Although Allah inspired Moses to lead his people out of Egypt, only a few of his followers believed in his message. But none believed in Moses except his descendants, for fear of Pharaoh and his chiefs persecuting them; and verily, Pharaoh was an arrogant tyrant on the earth, he was indeed one of the Musrifeen (polytheists, sinners and transgressors, those who abandon the truth and follow the evil, and commit all kinds of great sins).
“0 my people!” Moses exclaimed. If you believe in Allah, then trust Him if you are Muslims (those who submit to Allah’s Will).”
They stated. “We put our trust in Allah.” Oh, Lord! Make us not a test for the Zalimeen (polytheists and wrongdoers) (i.e. do not let them overpower us). And save us from the unbelieving people through Your Mercy.”
After giving Pharaoh several chances, Almighty Allah decided to put an end to his crimes. Allah commanded Moses to depart, and Pharaoh reluctantly granted the children of Israel permission to leave the city for their feast. They were preparing to leave Egypt. This was later known as the Exodus. They brought their jewels with them and borrowed many from the Egyptians.
In the dead of night, Moses led his people to the Red Sea, where they arrived the next morning. Pharaoh had learned of their departure by this time and had assembled a massive army to pursue them.
“In front of us is this impassable barrier, the sea, and behind us is the enemy; surely death cannot be avoided!” exclaimed Joshua (Yusha), Ibn Nun.
Moses replied that he would await further instruction from Allah. These words gave them some hope, but man is always impatient for results: they were willing to return to slavery. “Smite the sea with your staff!” Allah revealed to Moses at that moment. Moses obeyed the command. A strong wind blew, the sun shone brightly, and the sea parted in an instant, the crests of the waves standing like mountains on each side.
Moses led his people across the Jordan. This miracle validated Moses’ oft-stated claim: “Verily! “My Lord is near!” When they turned around, they saw Pharaoh and his army approaching, about to take the path that had been cleared for them. In great fear and panic, they begged Moses to request that Allah close the sea. However, Allah told Moses not to strike the sea with his staff again because Allah’s decree was already in effect.
Pharaoh and his army had witnessed the miracle of the sea parting, but Pharaoh, being the pretender that he was, turned to his men and exclaimed, “Look! The sea has opened at my command, allowing me to pursue and apprehend those rebels!” They rushed across the divided waters, and when they reached the halfway point, Allah commanded the sea to return to its original state.
Pharaoh, terrified, declared out of fear, “I believe that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, in Whom the children of Israel believe, and I am of those who surrender to Him.” But Allah did not accept the tyrant’s declaration, and the waters closed in on him, drowning him.
