Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #66

This is how the Yaqeen of the Messengers is:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

We think that we are so independent that we feel like we’ll manage everything and every situation on our own. But when things get out of hand, and we can’t control the situation; that is when panic sets in. Know, that had we complete trust in Allaah تعالى from the beginning, we would be guided by Allaah عز وجل out of our troubles. This is illustrated in the following story of Moosaa عليه السلام. 

{And We revealed to Moosaa, saying: “Depart by night with My servants, verily, you will be pursued. Then Fir`aun sent callers to (all) the cities, (saying): “Verily, these indeed are but a small band, and verily, they have done what has enraged us. But we are a host all assembled, amply forewarned.” So, We (Allaah) expelled them from gardens and springs, treasures, and every kind of honorable place. Thus and We caused the Children of Israaeel to inherit them. So, they pursued them at sunrise. And when the two hosts saw each other, the companions of Moosaa said: “We are sure to be overtaken.” (Moosaa) said: “NAY, VERILY WITH ME IS MY LORD. HE WILL GUIDE ME.” Then We revealed to Moosaa (saying): “Strike the sea with your stick.” And it parted, and each separate part became like huge mountain. Then We brought near the others to that place. And We saved Moosaa and all those with him. Then We drowned the others. Verily, in this is indeed a sign, yet most of them are not believers. And verily your Lord, He is truly the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.} ‎[Surah al-Shu`raa (26): 52-68]

Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

And in the end (Fir`aun) gathered the people so that he can get rid of Moosaa عليه السلام. So Moosaa عليه السلام along with his people (the Banee Israa’eel) flew from him, in the direction as per the command of Allaah تعالى towards the Red Sea (al-Bahr al-Ahmar) and it is also known as “Bahr al-Qalzam” in the direction of the East, so that Egypt, the direction of the West, would be behind them.

So when they reached the sea, while Fir`aun with his huge army and strong legions, in pursuit of them and the sea in front of them, {the companions of Moosaa said: “We are sure to be overtaken”}. The sea is in front of us and Fir`aun and his army is behind us, so where is the refuge to flee?!

{(Moosaa) said: “NAY, VERILY WITH ME IS MY LORD. HE WILL GUIDE ME.”}. Allaah تعالى send His blessings and peace upon Moosaa – for this is how the Yaqeen (Certainity) of the Messengers عليهم الصلاة والسلام is in critical and difficult situations. One would find with them the Yaqeen which would make a difficult situation – rather a situation which one thinks is impossible – into an easy one. {“VERILY WITH ME IS MY LORD. HE WILL GUIDE ME.”}. So when he عليه السلام related the matter towards Allaah سبحانه وتعالى – Allaah تعالى revealed to him: {Strike the sea with your stick}. So he عليه السلام struck the sea with his stick, giving a single strike and the sea parted into twelve different paths, because the Banee Israa’eel were twelve tribes.

[Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (1/338-339) of Shaikh l-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله]