Islam Guidance

verse20

Section 4
The Israelites breaking the Covenant
People of Moses commanded to march into the Holy Land - the people's refusal to act - the punishment

(20) وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَى لِقَوْمِهِ يَا قَوْمِ اذْكُرُواْ نِعْمَةَ اللّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ جَعَلَ فِيكُمْ أَنبِيَاء وَجَعَلَكُم

مُّلُوكًا وَآتَاكُم مَّا لَمْ يُؤْتِ أَحَدًا مِّن الْعَالَمِينَ

20. " And (remember) when Moses said to his people: ' O' my people! remember the favour of Allah upon you when He raised prophets among you and made you kings and gave you what He had not given to any one else in the world."
Commentary:
The remembrance of divine bounties is the motive of love, gratitute, and worship. Now, the greatest bounties given by Allah (s.w.t.) are: the bounty of prophecy, the bounty of government and power, and the bounty of freedom.
For the invitation of people, the factor of emotion in populations should be utilized. That is why we ought to make them prepared through reminding them the favours of Allah (s.w.t.) before inviting them to action and assitance.

One of the responsibilities of prophets (a.s.) is reminding people of Allah's favours. (1)
"...remember the favour of Allah ..."
However, we must take an example from the history of the past. After enjoying of the peccular favour of Allah and reaching authority, the people of Moses inflicted with humiliation and wretchedness because of opposing the command of Allah.
The verse is recited as follows:
" And (remember) when Moses said to his people: ' O' my people! remember the favour of Allah upon you when He raised prophets among you and made you kings and gave you what He had not given to any one else in the world."

(1) Some of the specific bounties given to the Children of Israel are: crossing the Nile, the movement of Tur Mount, Manna and Salwa coming down from heaven, the water of twelve springs, and so on.

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