If one goes through all the volumes of the Masnavi by Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi, one notices that he has discussed every imaginable topic – the Almighty, the prophets, djinns, human beings, animals and many more. Of the many prophets, he only discussed Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Hazrat Musa (AS), Hazrat Isa (AS) and Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) – peace be upon them. In my last column, I discussed what was written about Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). In this column, I would like to write about Hazrat Musa (AS).
Since very few Pakistanis read the Quran translated into a language they understand, most of them don’t have true knowledge about what is written about Islam, the prophets and divine edicts. In these columns I try to write about our religious heritage and the golden principles that have been laid out.
Maulana Rumi has discussed the birth of Hazrat Musa (AS), his upbringing in the Pharaoh’s palace, his being taken care of by his own mother, his prophethood, dialogues with the Pharoah, the tryst between him and the Pharaoh, the defeat of Pharaoh’s magicians and many other incidents. Rumi has frequently referred to Quranic verses, especially Surah Taha, which contains the story of Hazrat Musa (AS) and the Pharaoh. Sura Taha also mentions the journey of Hazrat Musa (AS) and his clan and seeing fire far away on the mountain.
In this verse, the Almighty addresses Hazrat Musa (AS) in these words:“Has the story of Musa reached you? When he saw a fire he said to his family, ‘Hold on! I have just perceived a fire; perhaps I will bring a brand from it for you or I will find some guidance at the fire about the way to follow’.” (Explanation: This happened when Musa (AS),
after years of exile in Midain, was on his way back to Egypt accompanied by his wife whom he had married there. It appears that this occurred on a winter night. Hazrat Musa (AS) was crossing the southern part of the Sinai peninsula when he saw a fire at some distance. He decided to venture there in the hope that he would either be able to obtain some
fire that would keep his family warm during the night, or at least gain directions for the journey ahead. Ironically, he went to that spot expecting to find something ordinary and commonplace – the way to his destination in this world – only to find a way that was far more valuable – the way of success and felicity in the Hereafter.)
“When he came to it, a voice called out: ‘Musa! Verily I am your Lord! Take off your shoes. You are in the sacred valley, Tuwa! I Myself have chosen you; therefore, give ear to what is revealed. Verily I am Allah. There is no god beside Me.
So serve Me and establish prayers to remember Me. The hour of resurrection is coming. I have willed to keep the time of its coming hidden so that everyone may be recompensed in accordance with his effort. Let him who does not believe in it and follows his lust not turn your thought away from it, lest you are ruined. And what is in your right hand, O Musa?’
