TODAY’S OPENING OF THE RED SEA: REFLECTIONS ON EGYPT
When Prophet Musa (as) stood in front of the Red Sea, a tyrant and his army approached from behind.
Some of those in Musa’s midst began to divide. Looking ahead, those people saw only defeat:
“And when the two bodies saw each other, the people of Moses said: ‘We are sure to be
overtaken.’”(Qur’an, 26:61)
But Musa (as) had different eyes. His eyes were spiritual eyes that saw through the illusions of
worldly hardship and defeat. He saw through. With a heart connected to the Most High, looking at the
same seemingly impossible situation, Musa saw only God:
“(Moses) said: ‘By no means! My Lord is with me! He will guide me through!’” (Qur’an, 26:62)
And indeed Allah did just that:
“Then We told Moses by inspiration: ‘Strike the sea with thy rod.’ So it divided, and each separate
part became like the huge, firm mass of a mountain. And We made the other party approach thither.
We delivered Moses and all who were with him; But We drowned the others.” (Qur’an, 26: 63-66)
Today in Egypt, we are standing in front of a Red Sea. Today in Egypt, a tyrant and his army are at
our back. Today, there are some who see only defeat. However, there are others whose eyes are
looking through the blockade to the path and the hope beyond it. Today in Egypt, there are some who
—even with a tyrant at their back—are saying:
“Indeed my Lord is with me, He will guide me through.”
One might wonder why, at such a critical time in history, we would retell an ancient story. Why
would something that happened thousands of years ago be relevant today? The reason is that it is not
just a story. Nor is it ancient. It is an everlasting sign and a lesson for all time. In the very next ayah,
Allah says:
“Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe.” (Qur’an, 26:67)
It is a sign of the Reality of God and the secrets of this world. It is a sign that tyranny never wins and
that obstacles are only illusions, created to test us, train us, and purify us. But most of all it is a sign of
where success comes from. And it is a vision of what that success, against all odds—at a time we
think we’re trapped, defeated, and powerless—really looks like.
Some might ask why, if we are indeed on the side of God, does victory not come easily. Some might
wonder why God doesn’t just give the righteous victory without immense struggle and sacrifice. The
answer to this question is also given by God. He tells us: