Repeated reminders a day are God’s divine interference

The story of Prophet Musa (AS) is one such blessed reminder from God

The ocean whisper yelled at me, “Did you remember to believe in impossibility after seeing me?” Overwhelmed gratitude & numbness was the only reply she could get out of me. (Writer’s Image)

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It’s natural for believers to have dips in faith. Our prophet Muhammad ﷺ has said that every Muslim will experience highs and lows in his iman. It is important for us to not act upon our desires and simply stick to our principles. But at times you may feel like you are too far off from God, and your heedlessness is unforgivable. But Allah has his ways. He sends to each one of us subtle reminders every other day. Likewise, one day, He gently reminded me twice of his magnificent mercy in the most unexpected situations. His mercy manifested by reminding me of the story of Prophet Musa alaihissalām.

The mysterious snake

A few days before Ramadan began, my family and I went to the beach after a very long time. When it was close to Maghrib Salah, we went to pray ‘Asr, as we couldn’t pray it due to the long drive and our melodramatic kids. We entered the prayer room, prayed ‘Asr, and waited for the Maghrib adhan. When we heard the Maghrib adhan, everyone in the room stood up to pray. My siblings and I were in the second Saff or row. When we were about to pray, all of a sudden, the ones in the front row started screaming and running out. One of my siblings and I remained stuck in our spots since we were trying to understand what had just happened. What could possibly scare the women’s clan inside the prayer room that they ended up running? That was the thought that stood unique from among my other thoughts. When the crowd in front of me cleared, I noticed the creature that was capable of scaring the devil himself. A small greyish-black coloured poisonous snake was moving rapidly along the side of the wall in a zigzag manner. I stood there amazed while it made its way towards the corner of the room. A few were alerting those who were entering the prayer room to pray. A few were busy calling their loved ones for help. A few even remembered to click its picture. I couldn’t stop myself from questioning.

Why are we scared of a creature in the house of the one who created it?

Wouldn’t we love to die while praying?

Will the snake dare to bite the one who is humbly bowing down to the magnificent creator of the seven heavens and all that exist?

Did the snake smell a hypocrite from far away?

Or was it even a jinn disguised as a snake who wished to pray?

My thoughts were paused when the absurdity of the possible answers struck me. I suddenly felt the urge to just stand and pray.

What can a snake possibly do?

My mind kept challenging. I stood in the front row, followed by my sister and a few others. We started to pray Maghrib. It was one of the few prayers that I’ve prayed with utmost concentration. No doubt, death is a sufficient reminder that can make everything else insignificant within a matter of seconds.

Was the snake in the story of Prophet Musa (AS) also mysterious?

After reaching home, we narrated the story to our mom. I couldn’t stop myself from laughing every time I remembered the incident. It was wild. But as I sat down to ponder, I remembered how the snake and the ocean have a connection. They reminded me of the story of Prophet Musa, peace be upon him.

It’s fascinating how Allah has helped Musa alaihissalām with the snake in different situations. He used a snake to scare the pharaoh and the magicians and to humble Musa alaihissalām before his lord. The most interesting thing is that these snakes were not the same.

Writer’s Image

In the pharaoh’s court, the pharoah asked Musa (AS) for evidence to prove his prophethood. By Allah’s command, Musa alaihissalām cast his stick, and it turned into a snake. Here, Allah used a massive & terrifying clear serpent to scare the Pharaoh (the word used for the snake is thu’bān (ثُعْبَانٌ) Quran 26:32, 7:107). Ibn Kathir also states that this snake had a huge body and a big mouth. This was a clear and dominating sign from Allah that could shatter Pharaoh’s pride. But, still, the pharaoh remained defiant against Allah’s miracle that proved the sincerity of Musa alaihissalām. See how Allah used a snake to help Musa alaihissalām prove himself.

During the feast, when the Pharaoh, the chiefs, the magicians, and the people gathered, Musa alaihissalām was also present. They plotted a scheme against Musa AS. Later, Musa alaihissalām asked them to cast their sticks first. The magicians cast their sticks and deluded the people with their magic. Ibn ‘Abbas commented that they threw their thick ropes and long sticks, which appeared to be crawling (like a snake) when they were nothing but magic. Then, when Musa alaihissalām cast his stick, it became a snake and devoured their objects of delusion (Quran 26:45, 7:117). But notice how Allah doesn’t specify that the stick was converted to a snake. Instead, He uses the word ‘it’, which is profound. Because the magicians’ magic didn’t create a snake to begin with. And Allah didn’t consider it worth mentioning. In the end, this sign of a snake was enough for the magicians to repent and submit to the lord of all worlds.

Lastly, remember the time Musa alaihissalām met Allah the most exalted. Here, the snake was not present to terrorize. Instead, it was a small sign to humble Musa alaihissalām. A sign that he was in search of.

Musa alaihissalām was with his family in the desert at night. That was when he saw a fire. When he reached the spot, he met Allah the most exalted. Allah commanded him to throw his staff. And behold! It turned into a small fast-moving snake. Ibn Kathir notes that the stick changed into a huge snake, like a long python, and it moved rapidly, like that of the fastest type of small snake. While in Ma’arif Al-Quran, it is said that the word Jānnun (جَانٌّ) means a small and slim snake (Quran 28:31) and the word Hayyatun (حَيَّةٌ) is used for snakes of all sizes and thickness (Quran 20:20). Hence, the conclusion is that the snake was initially slim and small and later grew on in size and thickness.

Regardless, when the stick turned into a snake, Musa alaihissalām was startled. He was so terrified that he ran away without turning back. That is when Allah reassured him, “O Musa! Draw near, and have no fear. You are perfectly secure.” (Quran 28:31)

Snakes in Disguise

This reality reminded me of a few things.

a) A snake can be scary.

b) A snake can be terrifying.

c) A snake can be deluding.

but a snake can also be a means for

1. Manifesting the truth
2. Absolute submission
3. Reassuring the soul

You know how some realities are hard to accept. Or how they are miracles in disguise.

The truth is a few hearts are capable of understanding the difference.

And only some hearts can see beyond their eyes.

A beautiful return to Him

The snake I saw inside the prayer room in the crowded corners of the beach was no doubt a means for stirring my soul.

Reminding my heart of Allah’s truth.

His infinite mercy and magnificence.

Each time the waves rushed to me and beckoned the sand to carry my feet along with her, I felt emotional. I couldn’t contain myself in front of the ocean, which had wholeheartedly split apart by God’s command. The ocean submitted to her creator’s will with ease. The wind that swayed my hijab was whispering a similar promise to me: If you are indeed a servant of Allah, Musa alaihissalām’s story of the snake and the ocean will suffice your inner being. At that moment, my soul released a breath filled with praises and gratitude to the highest being.

Alhamdulillah for his reminders that stumble upon me twice a day.

May Allah bless you for taking your time to read this.

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With peace,

Faheema