Johnnie Ellington II May 18, 2014 · In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful We did not reveal the Quran to you, to cause you any hardship. Only to remind the reverent. A revelation from the Creator of the earth and the high heavens. The Most Gracious; He has assumed all authority. To Him belongs everything in the heavens, and the earth, and everything between them, and everything beneath the ground. Whether you declare your convictions (or not) He knows the secret, and what is even more hidden. Allah: there is no other god besides Him. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Have you noted the history of Moses? When he saw a fire, he said to his family, "Stay here. I have seen a fire. Maybe I can bring you some of it, or find some guidance at the fire." When he came to it, he was called, "O, Moses. I am your Lord; remove your sandals. You are in the sacred valley, Tuwaa. I have chosen you, so listen to what is being revealed. I am GOD; there is no other god beside Me. You shall worship Me alone, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) to remember Me. End of the World is Not Hidden* The Hour (end of the world) is surely coming; I will keep it almost hidden, for each soul must be paid for its works. Do not be diverted therefrom by those who do not believe in it - those who pursue their own opinions - lest you fall. What is this in your right hand, Moses?" He said, "This is my staff. I lean on it, herd my sheep with it, and I use it for other purposes." He said, "Throw it down, Moses." He threw it down, whereupon it turned into a moving serpent. He said, "Pick it up; do not be afraid. We will return it to its original state. And hold your hand under your wing; it will come out white without a blemish; another proof. We thus show you some of our great portents. Go to Pharaoh, for he has transgressed." He said, "My Lord, cool my temper. And make this matter easy for me. And untie a knot from my tongue. So they can understand my speech. And appoint an assistant for me from my family. My brother Aaron. Strengthen me with him. Let him be my partner in this matter. That we may glorify You frequently. And commemorate You frequently. "You are Seer of us." He said, "Your request is granted, O Moses. We have blessed you another time. When we revealed to your mother what we revealed. Saying: `Throw him into the box, then throw him into the river. The river will throw him onto the shore, to be picked up by an enemy of Mine and an enemy of his.' I showered you with love from Me, and I had you made before My watchful eye. Your sister walked to them and said, `I can tell you about a nursing mother who can take good care of him.' We thus returned you to your mother, that she may be happy and stop worrying. And when you killed a person, we saved you from the grievous consequences; indeed we tested you thoroughly. You stayed years with the people of Midyan, and now you have come back in accordance with a precise plan. I have made you just for Me. Go with your brother, supported by My signs, and do not waver in remembering Me. Go to Pharaoh, for he transgressed. Speak to him nicely; he may take heed, or become reverent." They said, "Our Lord, we fear lest he may attack us, or transgress." He said, "Do not be afraid, for I will be with you, listening and watching. Go to him and say, `We are two messengers from your Lord. Let the Children of Israel go. You must refrain from persecuting them. We bring a sign from your Lord, and peace is the lot of those who heed the guidance. `We have been inspired that the retribution will inevitably afflict those who disbelieve and turn away.' " He said, "Who is your Lord, O Moses." He said, "Our Lord is the One who granted everything its existence, and its guidance." He said, "What about the past generations?" He said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord never errs, nor does He forget." He is the One who made the earth habitable for you, and paved in it roads for you. And He sends down from the sky water with which we produce many different kinds of plants. Eat and raise your livestock. These are sufficient proofs for those who possess intelligence.* From it we created you, into it we return you, and from it we bring you out once more. We showed him all our proofs, but he disbelieved and refused. [He said, "Did you come here to take us out of our land with your magic, O Moses? "We will surely show you similar magic. Therefore, set an appointment that neither we, nor you will violate; in a neutral place." He said, "Your appointed time shall be the day of festivities. Let us all meet in the forenoon." Pharaoh summoned his forces, then came. Moses said to them, "Woe to you. Do you fabricate lies to fight GOD and thus incur His retribution? Such fabricators will surely fail." They disputed among themselves, as they conferred privately. They said, "These two are no more than magicians who wish to take you out of your land with their magic, and to destroy your ideal way of life. Let us agree upon one scheme and face them as a united front. The winner today will have the upper hand." They said, "O Moses, either you throw, or we will be the first to throw." He said, "You throw." Whereupon, their ropes and sticks appeared to him, because of their magic, as if they were moving. Moses harbored some fear. We said, "Have no fear. You will prevail. Throw what you hold in your right hand, and it will swallow what they fabricated. What they fabricated is no more than the scheming of a magician. The magician's work will not succeed."