Wilayat of Mohammad and AhlulBayt (SBUT),

From creation to eternity

Part 3

3) Bani Israel’s passing through the water

Qur’an 2:50 And when We parted the sea for you, so We saved you and drowned the people of Pher’on while you were watching.

Imam Hasan Askari (SBUH) in regard to the above verse has said that when Moosa -Moses- (SBUH) reached the water, it was revealed to him from Allah -the Mighty and the Majestic- to tell bani Israel to renew and revive their affirmation and profession of the Uniqueness of Allah, and to believe in their hearts the Prophethood of Mohammad (SBUH&HA), and to revive in their souls the Wilayat of Ali (SBUH) and the Imams (SBUT) from his descendants, and to supplicate: “O Allah! By the Jaah (dignity, …) of Mohammad and Aal (Progeny) of Mohammad (SBUT), pass us through this water safely.”, so that the water would split and land would appear, and thus they would pass through.

Moosa (SBUH) told bani Israel to repeat the supplication and pass through the water. But they said that they had come there escaping death and the evil of Pher’on (Pharaoh). They told Moosa (SBUH) that what he wanted to do was to deceive them with those words and drown them, and lead them to another death after they had escaped that other death!!!

Kaaleb son of Yoohanna (Caleb the son of Jephunneh) who was on a horse asked Moosa (SBUH) whether Allah had commanded him to tell them that if they recited those words they would pass through the water safely and whether he the Prophet of Allah was commanding them to do so. Moosa (SBUH) responded yes. Kaaleb then stood and reaffirmed his profession of the Uniqueness of Allah, the Prophethood of Mohammad (SBUH&HA) and the Wilayat of Ali and the Imams (SBUT), and supplicated: “O Allah! By the dignity of Mohammad and Aal of Mohammad (SBUT), pass me through this water safely.”

He then rode to the water. All of a sudden the water became like a land under the feet of his horse. He rode over and reached the shore, then he returned back from the other side and addressed the bani Israel and told them to obey the command of Allah and the command of Moosa the Prophet of Allah, he told them to be aware that those words were the key to Heaven, the shield from Hell, and the key of sustenance.

But the children of Israel did not accept and said that they had to see the sea dried up.!!

It was revealed to Moosa (SBUH) to strike the sea with his rod and say: ”O Allah! By the dignity of Mohammad and Aal of Mohammad (SBUT) part the sea and make the land apparent.”

After Moosa (SBUH) recited those words the land immediately became visible. But the bani Israel said that they would not pass until the land would completely dry up, they said that the mud might be adhesive and prevent them from moving!!!

It was revealed to Moosa (SBUH) to say: “O Allah! By the dignity of Mohammad and Aal of Mohammad (SBUT) dry up the mud of this land.” Moosa (SBUH) said so, and Allah sent a wind and it blew at the mud and dried it.

But they did not yet enter the water!!! They told Moosa (SBUH) that they were twelve tribes and they had to pass through in twelve parallel columns!!!

Again it was revealed to Moosa (SBUH) to recite the words and to strike the water with his rod. Moosa (SBUH) did so. Twelve pathways appeared and they passed.

After the last person of bani Israel passed and all the people of Pher’on entered the water, Allah commanded the sea to come together; and the bani Israel watched all the people of Pher’on drown.

Imam Askari (SBUH) has continued that Allah (SWT), at the time of the Last Prophet (SBUH&HA), has addressed the bani Israel and told them that the saving of their forefathers and predecessors from Pher’on and their passing the water was by the means of the Karaamat (honor, munificence, excellence, venerability, miracle, ...) of Mohammad and Aal of Mohammad (SBUT) and by the means of Tawassol of Moosa (SBUH) to Mohammad and Aal of Mohammad (SBUT); Allah has addressed them that why have they not pondered?! And at this time that they have perceived the presence of Mohammad (SBUH&HA) and observed the Hojaj al Baaleghah (the Ultimate Proofs) of Allah (the AhlulBayt -SBUT-), why have they not believed in Mohammad and Aal of Mohammad (SBUT)?!!!

(From: Tafsir of Imam Hasan Askari (SBUH); Tafsir Jaame’, vol. 1, pp. 164-165; Tafsir Borhaan, pp. 213-215; ...)

O the Most Loving, the Most Benevolent and the Most Giving Allah! We implore You by the Haq (Rightfulness …) of Hadrat Mohammad and his beloved AhlulBayt (SBUT) to take our very weak hands and solve our many problems in these hard times, and heal our broken hearts by hastening the beautiful Appearance of Your beloved Mahdi (SBUH) … .

Aameen

To be continued ...