Ghafir (The Forgiver)

29. “O my people! Yours is the sovereignty today, you are dominant in the land. But who will save us from the torment of Allah, should it befall us?” Pharaoh said: “I show you only that which I see and I guide you only to the path of guidance!”

Believers are compassionate to people and prefer to struggle and make his presence even in disbelievers’ rule rather than keep aloof and live in solitude. The believing man of the family of Pharaoh was not satisfied with uttering such words.

Addressing them benevolently in a friendly manner, he said:

“O my people! Yours is the sovereignty today, you are dominant in the vast land of Egypt. You are dominant and triumphant. Do not squander such abundant bounties. Who is going to render us succor if Divine torment befall us?”

It is possible that he intended to say unto them:

“Today you have absolute power and you may pass any judgment as to Moses’ (as) fate, but do not be deceived by the power nor forget the contingent consequences of your acts.”

His words apparently impressed Pharaoh’s people and led to abatement of their wrath against Moses (as). However, Pharaoh did not keep silent and said abruptly:

“The die is cast and I believe in the veracity of my decree. Moses (as) should lose his life and there remains no other alternative. Know that: ‘I guide you only to the path of guidance!’”

That is the case with all tyrants and wrong doers in the past and present that they always imagine that their decisions are right and allow no one to comment on their acts. They consider themselves to be the masterminds and others are devoid of knowledge and intellect! This is mere ignorance and inanity.

Let us say a few words concerning the believing man of the family of Pharaoh. Qur’anic Verses solely reveal that he was a man of Pharaoh’s people who had believed in Moses (as) but he concealed his faith and loved Moses (as) at heart.

He regarded it incumbent upon himself to defend him. He was intelligent, meticulous, tactful, and very sensible who helped Moses (as) at a critical point and saved him from a perilous conspiracy aiming at his murder. Islamic traditions and the words of Qur’anic exegets yield further details regarding him among which mentioned is made of his relation to Pharaoh.

It is noteworthy that one of the points treated in the blessed Verse is discretionary concealment of one’s beliefs (taqiyya).

It is not equal to weakness, fear, and conservativeness, au contraire, it is the concealment of one’s believes employed as an effective means against the arrogant tyrants through which the secrets of enemies may be exposed.

Concealment of beliefs, plans, and stratagems of struggles against enemies may inflict severe blows on them. The believing man of the family of Pharaoh employed the same means so as to render service to the religion of Moses (as) and save his life at a critical point.

What is better than having a believing supporter to defend one at the enemy’s administration through whom one may penetrate into the depth of enemy’s seat of power and obtain intelligence regarding everything, inform one’s supporters, impress tyrants’ minds, and alter their plans and stratagems?

According to a tradition narrated from Imam Sadiq (as):

“Discretionary concealment of beliefs is my religion and that of my forefathers. One who lacks it does not believe in religion. It is Divine Shield on the earth, since had the believing man of the family of Pharaoh revealed is faith, he would have lost his life.”1

It may be particularly employed when believers constitute a minority under the rule of a merciless and insensible majority. Thus, it may impede ungrounded sparing of active forces rather it may concentrate and mobilize them for final uprising.

The Noble Prophet of Islam (as) concealed his Call in the first years of his Prophethood and make use of the same method; however, following an increase in the number of his adherents and followers and the solidification of the original nucleus, he declared his Call in public.

It would be of interest to note the following Prophetic tradition:

“The first individuals who believed in the Call [of the exalted Prophet]: Habib the carpenter, the believer among the people of Yasin, the one who asked the people [of Antioch] to follow the Messengers of God who are guided themselves and ask you for no remuneration; Ezekiel (Hizqiyal), the believer of the family of Pharaoh; and ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) who is superior to all in rank.”2