and grant them peace—asked Allah Most High not to destroy them all through a general famine (1). Yet this nation may be destroyed by Allah turning their might against one another, so that wars and fighting break out among them and some perish at the hands of others, rather than through anything sent down from heaven, as Allah Most High did to the previous nations. We must therefore beware of tribulations, whether manifest or hidden; avoid everything that incites people against one another; remain calm at all times; and refrain from idle talk and excessive questioning, for these are among the things forbidden by the Prophet—may Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace—(2).

How often has a single word done what keen-edged swords do! We must therefore beware of tribulations and remain a harmonious, loving nation, with each of us seeking an excuse for his brother whenever he sees something in him that he dislikes.

“And Pharaoh”: Pharaoh was the one to whom Allah sent Moses—peace be upon him. He had subjugated the Children of Israel in Egypt, slaughtering their sons and sparing their women. Scholars have differed concerning what led him to commit this vile deed: why did he kill the sons and leave the women alive?! Some scholars said that his soothsayers had told him that a man would be born among the Children of Israel at whose hands his destruction would come. He therefore began killing the sons while sparing the women.

Other scholars said that he did so to weaken the Children of Israel, for a nation whose men are killed while its women are spared will undoubtedly be brought low. The first explanation is that of those who rely upon transmitted reports, while the second is that of those who rely upon rational consideration—the exercise of reason. It is quite possible that both factors together prompted this deed. Yet, by the power of Allah—Glorious and Exalted is He—the very man at whose hands Pharaoh’s destruction would come was raised in the very