Lesson 9: Crossing the Red Sea

So they left during the night, according to the command of Allaah, and they made their way towards the Levant, and when Pharaoh heard about this he became enraged and gathered all his men to pursue them from all the various cities, saying "These are just a small group of people, and we are going to be ready for them!". And they all left their gardens and dwellings, which was by the Will of Allaah so that they would be destroyed, and they followed them at sunrise. And when they met and saw each other, Banu Isra'il became afraid as the sea was in front of them and there seemed to be no escape, and they began to lose hope but Musa remained firm as he knew Allaah was with him. With Musa were Harun and Yusha' bin Noon who was one of the scholars of Banu Isra'il and he became a prophet after Musa and Harun.

So Allaah then commanded him to strike the sea with his staff, which split and both sides became like massive mountains and when Pharaoh's army came close, chasing Bani Isra'il, Allaah made the ocean to come back together, drowning Pharaoh and his army and saving Bani Isra'il when they had made it to the other side of the sea.

The people of Pharaoh also proclaimed that they believed in Allaah when they saw the punishment overtake them but it was also too late as their repentance is not worth anything if it only comes when they finally see the punishment, and they did not believe in any of signs that were sent to them, out of arrogance and stubbornness, to the point that if they were returned to life then they would have returned to their disbelief and their evil ways.

And Jibreel said, as has been established in authentic narrations, to the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ that on that day, he was putting the mud of the sea into Pharaoh's mouth, just in case that Allaah's Mercy may still reach him.

Pharaoh's body was then brought out of the sea as a sign so that Bani Isra'il could see for themselves that he had finally been destroyed as they had trouble believing that he was truly dead and that they were free from his tyranny.

And this day was the day of 'Ashura, which is why the Muslims fast on the day of 'Ashura as the Jews used to fast in celebration but the Prophet ﷺ said that we are more worthy of fasting on this day.

Escape and Pursuit – Prophet Musa (Moses) led the Children of Israel out of Egypt at night as commanded by Allah, but Pharaoh and his army pursued them, leaving behind their wealth and homes.

Miracle at the Sea – Allah instructed Musa to strike the sea with his staff, causing it to part into massive walls of water, allowing the Israelites to pass safely. When Pharaoh and his army followed, the sea closed upon them, drowning them all.

Pharaoh’s Fate and Ashura – Pharaoh declared belief in Allah at the moment of his death, but it was too late. His body was preserved as a sign for future generations. The event is commemorated by fasting on the day of ‘Ashura, as practiced by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.