Page 108 - The importance of conscience in the Qur'an

106 The Importance of Conscience in the Qur'an

they said, 'Musa, pray to your Lord for us by
the contract He has with you. If you remove
the plague from us, we will definitely believe in
you and send the tribe of Israel away with
you.' (Surat al-A'raf: 134)
Allah responded to Prophet Musa's prayer and removed
the punishment from them for a certain time so that they
would keep their promise. However, they displayed the
untrustworthy and flighty character adopted by all corrupt
disbelievers, and when the punishment was removed from
them, they betrayed their word by returning to their old ways.
Finally, Allah took revenge on these people for their
constant denial of His signs in spite of the many chances He had
given them to believe. He manifested His attribute of 'al-
Muntaqim' (one who punishes):
But when We removed the plague from them
– for a fixed term which they fulfilled – they
broke their word. Then We took revenge on
them and drowned them in the sea because
they denied Our Signs and paid no attention
to them. (Surat al-A'raf: 135-136)
Deep within themselves, Pharaoh and those who followed
him were aware of Allah's power, in spite of their denial and
transgression. In their greatest hours of need, they turned to
Prophet Musa to ask help from Allah for them. In those
moments of pain and despair they knew that no one could help
them but Allah the Almighty.
Nowadays when faced with disaster from which there
appears to be no escape, such as a plane crash or a hurricane,
many people who do not consider themselves religious will
start praying, then when the danger is passed they forget and