Hornbill came forward, he was a little hesitant, or nervous, but a moment later he returned to calm down, saying salaam, then said, "Abu Waqid Al-Laithi narrated that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out to Hunain, he passed a big green lotte tree that the idolaters called Dhat Anwat, upon which they hung their weapons. They (the Companions) said,
يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ اجْعَلْ لَنَا ذَاتَ أَنْوَاطٍ كَمَا لَهُمْ ذَاتُ أَنْوَاطٍ
"O Messenger of Allah! Make a Dhat Anwat for us as they have a Dhat Anwat.'
The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ هَذَا كَمَا قَالَ قَوْمُ مُوسَى : (اجْعَلْ لَنَا إِلَهًا كَمَا لَهُمْ آلِهَةٌ ) وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَتَرْكَبُنَّ سُنَّةَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ
"Subhanallah! This is like what Musa's people said, "Make for us a god like their gods. By the One in Who holds my soul in His Hand! You shall follow the way of those who were before you."
The hadeeth narrated by At-Tirmidhi (2181) and Ahmad in Al-Musnad (5/218), and At-Tirmidhi graded it a hasan (good) Saheeh (authentic) Hadeeth.
O my brothers and sisters, Abu Waqid, his name is Al-Harith Ibn 'Awf, a renowned Companion, gives an account of an interesting incident that took place immediately before the Battle of Hunayn. Hunayn is a valley lying ten miles east of Mecca, where the Prophet (ﷺ) combated the tribe of Hawazin. Some Muslims had just embraced Islam, and thus they were unaware of specific acts of polytheism. When they witnessed the polytheists seeking the blessings of a tree, they asked the Prophet (ﷺ) to assign a tree for them to seek blessing thereof. The Prophet (ﷺ) was greatly surprised and shocked by their suggestion. He (ﷺ) disapproved of their mistaken proposal and likened it to the affair of the Children of Israel who asked Prophet Musa, alayhissalam, to assign an idol for them to Worship. The Hadeeth proves that seeking blessings of trees or any other object is an act of polytheism. The Prophet (ﷺ) informed that the Muslim Nation would follow the steps of the Jews and Christians. He (ﷺ) condemned such an imitation."
Seagull ask, "What exactly happened to the Children of Israel after they crossed the Red Sea? Tell us the story, my brother!"
Hornbill said, "After Bani Israel had crossed the Red Sea, they took the road through the barren desert in the direction of Sinai. There they saw the inhabitants worshipping idols in temples. Seeing this they came to Prophet Musa, alayhissalam, and demanded, as Allah says,
وَجَاوَزْنَا بِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ الْبَحْرَ فَأَتَوْا عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍ يَعْكُفُونَ عَلَىٰ أَصْنَامٍ لَهُمْ ۚ قَالُوا يَا مُوسَى اجْعَلْ لَنَا إِلَٰهًا كَمَا لَهُمْ آلِهَةٌ ۚ قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ قَوْمٌ تَجْهَلُونَ
"And We took the Children of Israel across the sea; then they came upon a people intent in devotion to [some] idols of theirs. They said, "O Moses, make for us a god just as they have gods." He said, "Indeed, you are a people behaving ignorantly." - (QS.7:138)
The Children of Israel safely cross the sea, but still held on to the idea of idol worshipping. Allah mentions the words that the ignorant ones among the Children of Israel uttered to Musa after they crossed the sea and witnessed Allah's Ayat and great power. Some scholars of Tafsir said that the people mentioned here were from Canaan, or from the tribe of Lakhm. Ibn Jarir commented, “They were worshipping idols that they made in the shape of cows, and this influenced the Children of Israel later when they worshipped the calf."
Prophet Musa replied, "You are ignorant of Allah’s greatness and majesty and His purity from any partners or anything resembling Him." Then he said,
إِنَّ هَؤُلاءِ مُتَبَّرٌ مَا هُمْ فِيهِ وَبَاطِلٌ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
"Indeed, those [worshippers] - destroyed is that in which they are [engaged], and worthless is whatever they were doing." - (QS.7:139)
قَالَ أَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ أَبْغِيكُمْ إِلَهًا وَهُوَ فَضَّلَكُمْ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ
"He said, Is it other than Allah I should desire for you as a god while He has preferred you over the worlds?'" - (QS.7:140)
Prophet Musa reminded the Children of Israel of Allah’s blessings, such as saving them from Fir‘awn, his tyranny and the humiliation and disgrace they suffered. He reminded them of the glory and revenge against their enemy, when they watched them suffering in disgrace, destroyed by drowning and meeting utter demise.O my brothers and sisters, those who committed dhulm, never gave thanks to Allah, they considered what they got was the result of their ingenuity. Likewise, the Children of Israel, were never grateful, even though there were so many blessings of Allah had been given to them.
When Bani Israel were in the Valley of Sinai, where it was very hot, from where they were to far off, there was no greenery and no water. Then they said, "O Musa! How can we find water for ourselves here? Where is there food?" So Allah sent down to them manna and salwa. Then they said, "This is the food, but where is the drink? " So prophet Musa was commanded, and he struck the rock with his staff, and there broke forth from it twelve springs, each tribe drinking from one spring. Allah said,
وَقَطَّعْنَاهُمُ اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ أَسْبَاطًا أُمَمًا وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَى مُوسَى إِذِ اسْتَسْقَاهُ قَوْمُهُ أَنِ اضْرِبْ بِعَصَاكَ الْحَجَرَ فَانْبَجَسَتْ مِنْهُ اثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ عَيْنًا قَدْ عَلِمَ كُلُّ أُنَاسٍ مَشْرَبَهُمْ وَظَلَّلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الْغَمَامَ وَأَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَنَّ وَالسَّلْوَى كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَمَا ظَلَمُونَا وَلَكِنْ كَانُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
"And We divided them into twelve descendant tribes [as distinct] nations. And We inspired to Moses when his people implored him for water, "Strike with your staff the stone," and there gushed forth from it twelve springs. Every people knew its watering place. And We shaded them with clouds and sent down upon them manna and quails, [saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you." And they wronged Us not, but they were [only] wronging themselves." (QS.7:160)
Allah also said,
وَإِذِ اسْتَسْقَى مُوسَى لِقَوْمِهِ فَقُلْنَا اضْرِبْ بِعَصَاكَ الْحَجَرَ فَانْفَجَرَتْ مِنْهُ اثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ عَيْنًا قَدْ عَلِمَ كُلُّ أُنَاسٍ مَشْرَبَهُمْ كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا مِنْ رِزْقِ اللَّهِ وَلا تَعْثَوْا فِي الأرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ
"And [recall] when Moses prayed for water for his people, so We said, 'Strike with your staff the stone.' And there gushed forth from it twelve springs, and every people knew its watering place. 'Eat and drink from the provision of Allah, and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.'" - (QS. 2:60)
Allah said, “ Remember My favor on you when I answered the supplication of your Prophet, Musa, when he asked Me to provide you with water. I made the water available for you, making it gush out through a stone. Twelve springs burst out of that stone, a designated spring for each of your tribes. You eat from the manna and the quails and drink from the water that I provided for you, without any effort or hardship for you. So worship the One Who did this for you. Do not return the favor by committing acts of disobedience that cause favors to disappear.
Ibn ‘Abbas said that the Children of Israel, “Had a square stone that Musa was commanded to strike with his staff and, as a result, twelve springs burst out of that stone, three on each side. Each tribe was, therefore, designated a certain spring, and they used to drink from their springs. They never had to travel from their area, they would find the same bounty in the same manner they had in the first area.”
Then they said, "This is the food and drink, but where is the shade? " So Allah shaded them with clouds. Allah says,
وَظَلَّلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ الْغَمَامَ وَأَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَنَّ وَالسَّلْوَى كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَمَا ظَلَمُونَا وَلَكِنْ كَانُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
"And We shaded you with clouds and sent down to you manna and quails, [saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you." And they wronged Us not - but they were [only] wronging themselves." - (QS.2:57)
White clouds provided shade for the Children of Israel, protecting them from the sun’s heat during their years of wandering. It was cooler and better than the type we know.
The manna used to descend to them to the trees, and they used to eat whatever they wished of it. Qatadah said, “The manna, which was whiter than milk and sweeter than honey, used to rain down on the Children of Israel, just as the snow falls, from dawn until sunrise. One of them would collect enough for that particular day, for if it remained more than that, it would spoil. On the sixth day, Friday, one would collect enough for the sixth and the seventh day, which was the Sabbath during which one would not leave home to seek his livelihood, or for anything else. All this occurred in the wilderness.”
The type of manna that we know provides sufficient food when eaten alone, because it is nutritious and sweet. When manna is mixed with water, it becomes a sweet drink. It also changes composition when mixed with other types of food. However, this is not the only type. It was narrated from Abu Sa`eed and Jabir that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
الْكَمْأَةُ مِنَ الْمَنِّ وَمَاؤُهَا شِفَاءٌ لِلْعَيْنِ
“Al Kam'ah (truffles) are a type of manna, and their water is a remedy for the eyes." (HR Imam Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi said it was Hasan sahih)
At-Tirmidhi recorded Abu Hurayrah saying that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
الْعَجْوَةُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَفِيهَا شِفَاءٌ مِنَ السُّمِّ وَالْكَمْأَةُ مِنَ الْمَنِّ وَمَاؤُهَا شِفَاءٌ لِلْعَيْنِ
"The Ajwah (pressed, dried date) is from Paradise and it cures poison, Al-Kam'ah (truffles) is a form of manna, and its liquid heals the eyes." At-Tirmidhi is the only one of them who recorded this Hadith.
As for the quail (Salwa), Ibn ‘Abbas said, “The (Salwa) is a bird that looks like the quail.” Also, Ikrimah said that the Salwa is a bird in Paradise about the size of a sparrow. Qatadah said, "The Salwa is a bird that is similar to a sparrow. During that time, an Israelite could catch as many quails as was sufficient for that particular day, otherwise the meat would spoil. On the sixth day, Friday, he would collect what is enough for the sixth and the seventh day, the Sabbath, during which one was not allowed to depart his home to seek anything.”
Allah sent down the manna and quails to them, a good, pure, beneficial, easily acquired food. But they asked Musa to exchange this type of food for an inferior type that consists of vegetation, and so forth. Allah says,
وَإِذْ قُلْتُمْ يَا مُوسَى لَنْ نَصْبِرَ عَلَى طَعَامٍ وَاحِدٍ فَادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُخْرِجْ لَنَا مِمَّا تُنْبِتُ الأرْضُ مِنْ بَقْلِهَا وَقِثَّائِهَا وَفُومِهَا وَعَدَسِهَا وَبَصَلِهَا قَالَ أَتَسْتَبْدِلُونَ الَّذِي هُوَ أَدْنَى بِالَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ اهْبِطُوا مِصْرًا فَإِنَّ لَكُمْ مَا سَأَلْتُمْ وَضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الذِّلَّةُ وَالْمَسْكَنَةُ وَبَاءُوا بِغَضَبٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يَكْفُرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَيَقْتُلُونَ النَّبِيِّينَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ ذَلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوْا وَكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ
"And [recall] when you said, "O Musa, we can never endure one [kind of] food. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us from the earth its green herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions." [Musa] said, "Would you exchange what is better for what is less? Go into [any] settlement and indeed, you will have what you have asked." And they were covered with humiliation and poverty and returned with anger from Allah [upon them]. That was because they [repeatedly] disbelieved in the signs of Allah and killed the prophets without right. That was because they disobeyed and were [habitually] transgressing." - (QS. 2:61)
Al-Hasan Al-Basri said about the Children of Israel, “They were bored and impatient with the type of food they were provided. They also remembered the life they used to live, when their diet consisted of lentils, onions, garlic and herbs.”
Prophet Musa, alayhissalam answered them, “What you are asking for is easy, for it is available in abundance in any city that you might enter. So since what you asked for is available in all of the villages and cities, I will not ask Allah to provide us with it, especially when it is an inferior type of food.” Since their request was the result of boredom and arrogance and since fulfilling it was unnecessary, their request was denied. The Children of Israel rebelled, disbelieved and committed injustice against themselves, even though they saw the clear signs, tremendous miracles and extraordinary events."
Then the hornbill said, "O my brothers and sisters, here it is important to point out the virtue of the Companions, radhiyallahu 'anhum, over the companions of the other Prophets. This includes firmness in the religion, patience and the lack of arrogance. Although the Companions accompanied the Prophet (ﷺ)in his travels and battles, such as during the battle of Tabuk, in intense heat and hardship, they did not ask for a miracle, though this was easy for the Prophet (ﷺ) by Allah leave. And when the Companions became hungry, they merely asked the Prophet (ﷺ) to invoke Allah for increase in the mount of food. They collected whatever food they had and brought it to the Prophet (ﷺ), and he (ﷺ) asked Allah to bless it, told each of them to take some food, and they filled every pot they had. Also, when they needed rain, the Prophet (ﷺ) asked Allah to send down rain, and a rain cloud came. They drank, gave water to their camels and filled the water skins. When they looked around, they found that the cloud had only rained on their camp. This is the best example of those who were willing to accept Allah’s decision and follow the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
The Ummah of prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is better than the Children of Israel. Allah says,
كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَلَوْ آمَنَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ مِنْهُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ
"You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah . If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient." - (QS. 3:110)
The Ummah of Muhammad (ﷺ) is the most righteous and beneficial nation for mankind. Imam Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Al-Hakim recorded that Hakim bin Mu'awiyah bin Haydah narrated that his father said that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
أَنْتُمْ تُوَفُّون سَبْعِينَ أُمَّةً، أَنْتُمْ خَيْرُهَا، وَأَنْتُمْ أَكْرَمُ عَلَى اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَل
"You are the final of seventy nations, you are the best and most honored among them to Allah." This is a well-known Hadith about which At-Tirmidhi said, “Hasan.”
The Ummah of Muhammad (ﷺ) achieved this virtue because of its Prophet, Muhammad (ﷺ), the most regarded of Allah’s creation and the most honored Messenger with Allah. Allah sent Muhammad (ﷺ) with the perfect and complete Law that was never given to any Prophet or Messenger before him. And Allah knows best."
References :
- Shaikh Shafiurrahman Al-Mubarakpury, Tafsir Ibn Katheer, Abridged Volume 2 and 4, Darussalam
- William M. Brinner, The History of At-Tabari Volume III : The Children of Israel, SUNY
- Maulana Hifzur Rahman Soeharwy, Qasasul Ambiyaa, Translated by Maulana Yusuf Karaan, Idara Impex
Musa left his brother Aaron with the Children of Israel and commanded him to use wisdom and refrain from mischief. This was only a reminder, for Aaron was an honorable and noble Prophet who had grace and exalted standard with Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him and the rest of the Prophets.
