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They observed all such miracles with their own eyes in the desert. There they could start military exercises and prepare themselves for capturing back their lost territory under the guidance and leadership of their great Prophet Musa. But they proved themselves as ungrateful to all the favours bestowed upon them by Almighty Allah on different occasions. They were bent upon going back to the cowardly, slavish and miserable living as under Phiraun (Pharaoh). They disliked the nutritional, fresh and pure food of the desert, and demanded the pulses and the vegetables, which were given to them during the period of their slavery under Pharaoh. They thus avoided honorable as well as martial living, and proved themselves as cowardly, when they were ordered to face their enemy for capturing back their sacred land.
The Holy Quran depicts their cowardly and slavish attitude as follows:
(Prophet Musa said:) ‘ O’ my people! Enter (and capture) the sacred
land (of Palestine) which Allah has written for you; and you must not
retreat, otherwise you will be the losers (and the defeated people).’
They replied: ‘ O’ Musa! Surely, there are very ferocious people in
it, and we shall not move into it, unless they get out of it…’…They
further said: ‘ …You and your Lord may go and fight ; we will
be just sitting here’. ..Almighty Allah (then) commanded: ‘ Indeed,
therefore, this (land) is forbidden to them for 40 years..” (5:21-26)
2. The above event reminds us that freedom is safeguarded with courage and through sacrifice.
3.The above event further reminds us about the ‘Battle of Badr’ which was fought by our Holy Prophet and his dauntless and unarmed companions with great courage and bravery against the mighty and fully equipped enemy. Before the enemy came upon, the Holy Prophet consulted his companions. Abu Bakr and Umar stood up and delivered arousing speeches. Then Miqdad bin Amar stood up and submitted: “ O’ Allah’s Messenger! We are with you. We will not say to you what he Descendents of Israel told Musa i.e. he and his Lord could go and fight, and that they would be just sitting there.’ Then Sad bin Maa’z , another famous companion of our Holy Prophet, stood up and submitted:
“…By Almighty Allah, Who has sent you with truth! We will even
jump into the sea with you, and none of us will retreat. We are
strong and perfect in fighting. I hope that Almighty Allah may
show you our such wonderful deeds that you will be satisfied.
Kindly take us with you (for fighting.)” (Ibn Hashsham)
