Lesson 10: Revelation at Mount Sinai

When Banu Isra'il were travelling across the sea, they came across a people who were worshipping idols which were in the form of calves and they became amazed, some of them asking Musa to make for them a god to worship like they had, out of ignorance and misguidance. To this, Musa became very stern and angry, rebuking his people and reminding them of the Tawheed of Allaah and the futility of polytheism, and the punishment that will befall the polytheists just as it had befallen Pharaoh and his people. As well as this, he reminded them of the fact that Allaah had just favoured Banu Isra'il above the rest of mankind and jinn and that He had saved them from the oppression and tyranny of Pharaoh.

He then reminded them of the importance of singling Allaah out with worship, not worshipping anyone other than Him as none is worthy of worship except the Lord of the heavens and the earth.

O Children of Israel! We delivered you from your enemy, and We made a covenant with you on the right side of the Mount, and We sent down to you Al-Manna (a type of sweet gum) and quails, (Saying) eat of the Tayyibât (good lawful things) wherewith We have provided you, and commit no transgression or oppression therein, lest My Anger should justly descend on you. And he on whom My Anger descends, he is indeed perished. [Surah Ta-Ha, verse 80-81]

In these verses, Allah informs us of His favours upon the Children of Israel. He rescued them from their enemy and freed them from their slavery. Also, He promised them the companionship of their Prophet Musa, who He had ordered to come to Mount Sinai. The purpose of this was that Musa could receive revelation and teachings which would benefit them in this life and the Hereafter. Similarly, He mentions how He sent down for them al-Manna (sweet gum) and as-Salwa (quails), which they were in need of due to them being in a dry, barren land where there was no water and no crops. When they woke up in the morning, they found it everywhere and they would take whatever they needed for that day. Whoever took extra out of greed would find that it had rotted by the next day. And whoever took a little bit from it, found it sufficed their needs.

During summer and at hot times when the sun was scorching, Allah sent clouds, which provided them shade because they were in a barren desert with no trees to provide them any shade otherwise.

But Banu Isra'il weren't grateful and they weren't thankful to Allaah for all the bounties that he had given them, and they asked Musa if they could have other things instead, like lentils, herbs, and onions, which were not as good as the food that Allaah had already given them so Musa responded to them, rebuking them, "Would you exchange that which is better for that which is lower? Go you down to any town and you shall find what you want!" [Surah al-Baqarah, verse 61]

Allaah appointed Musa for thirty nights, to fast and spend in worship to Him.

Ibn ‘Abbas, Masrooq, Mujahid and others said: “The thirty nights referred to in the verses are the nights of the month of Dhul-Qa‘dah and they were completed to forty with the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah." And when the end of the month came, he took a leaf of a tree in his mouth and chewed it so his mouth may get a fresh smell. So Allaah ordered him to withhold for another ten days, making the total length forty days.

When Musa decided to leave for the appointed place, he put his brother, the Prophet of Allaah, Harun in charge of the affairs of the Israelites since he was his minister and partner in his mission and the best of the people after him.

Upon reaching the mountain, Musa heard Allaah speak directly to him from behind a curtain. Imam Bukhari and Muslim reported on the authority of Abu Moosa that the Prophet said: “His curtain is light.” And this is why Prophet Musa is given a special title: “KaleemuLlaah” (The one who Allaah spoke to directly) due to this favour that was given to him by Allaah.

In awe of hearing Allaah’s speech, Musa then asked to see Allaah. Allaah, explained to Musa that no human is able to see Allaah here in the Dunya due to His Greatness and Majesty. So Allaah said to Musa that if the mountain would be able to bear the sight of Allaah then he would reveal himself to Musa also. But when Allaah revealed a tiny fraction of His Light, the mountain disintegrated into dust from the Greatness of Allaah, and Musa fell unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he immediately repented and proclaimed his faith declaring himself to be the first of the believers.

Allaah then revealed the Torah to Musa in the form of the Tablets, engraving in them 10 commandments. Many scholars say that these 10 commandments were mentioned in the saying of Allaah, "Say (O Muhammad ﷺ): "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty - We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawâhish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allâh has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islâmic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand. And come not near to the orphan’s property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give evidence), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfil the Covenant of Allâh. This He commands you, that you may remember. And verily, this (i.e. Allâh’s Commandments mentioned in the above two Verses 151 and 152) is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqûn" [Surah al-An'aam, verse 151-153]

Importance of Tawheed and Knowledge - The Children of Isra’il became easily misguided when they saw the people worshipping other than Allaah on the other side of the sea, asking Musa to have the same. This shows the importance of knowledge, as Musa rebuked them for their ignorance with regards to the right of Allaah upon them.

Allaah speaks when He wills - Allaah spoke to Musa when he was on the mountain, who heard His Speech, showing that Allaah speaks, whenever He wills, with whatever He wills in accordance to His Wisdom and that His Speech is heard. From His Speech is the Qur’aan and He will speak on the Day of Judgement and to the believers in al-Jannah.

The Mercy of Allaah - Allaah continued to send down bounties and favours upon Bani Isra’il, even though they were ungrateful and wanted more, instead of punishing them for their arrogance, showing His Wisdom and Mercy.