Page 86 - The Prophet Moses (pbuh)

THE PROPHET MOSES (PBUH)

THE PERIOD OF DISASTERS
and
THE FOLLY OF PHARAOH

ne after another, Allah tried Pharaoh and his subjects
with various disasters, a people obstinate in denial. First,
O there began a period of extreme drought in Egypt.
Water was terribly crucial for the Egyptians, the drought directly threaten-
ing their very livelihood. As a result, agricultural products diminished in
availability and famine ensued:
We seized Pharaoh's people with years of drought and scarcity of
fruits so that hopefully they would pay heed. (Surat al-A'raf: 130)
As the above verse informs us, the famine lasted for several years. After
his confrontation with the people of Pharaoh, the Prophet Moses (pbuh)
stayed many years in Egypt to communicate the message of Allah. Within
that time, Allah asked the Prophet Moses (pbuh) to build houses for his
people so as to fulfil their prayers in safety. In this way too, the believers
aided in staying together:
We revealed to Moses and his brother: "Settle your people in hous-
es in Egypt and make your houses places of worship and establish
prayer and give good news to the believers." (Surah Yunus: 87)
In these houses, the Prophet Moses (pbuh) and his adherents per-
formed their prayers and remembered Allah. The people of Egypt, on the
other hand, continued to encourage one another in ignorance:
Whenever a good thing came to them, they said, "This is our due."
But if anything bad happened to them, they would blame their ill
fortune on Moses and those with him. No indeed! Their ill fortune
will be with Allah. But most of them did not know. (Surat al-A'raf:
131)

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