The Prophet Moses in Quraan

The Chapter of al-A‘raf (the Heights) (7.103-137, 7.159-166)

Then we sent after them (the messengers) Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they disbelieved in them; so see what the end of the corrupters was (7.103). Moses said: “O Pharaoh! I am a messenger from the Lord of all peoples (7.104). It is a duty on me to say nothing about Allah but the truth; I have come to you with clear proof from your Lord, therefore send with me the Children of Israel” (7.105). He said: “If you have come with a sign, then produce it, if you are one of the truthful” (7.106). So he threw his staff down, and it became a manifest serpent (7.107). And he took his hand out and lo! it was white to the beholders (7.108). The chiefs of Pharaoh’s people said: “This is an accomplished magician (7.109) who would like to drive you out of your land; what is your advice” (7.110)? They said: “Let him and his brother wait, and send to the cities summoners (7.111) to bring to you every accomplished magician” (7.112). The magicians came to Pharaoh and said: “We will have a reward if we are the victorious” (7.113). He said: “Yes, and you will be considered with those who are brought close [to me]” (7.114). They said: “O Moses! Either you throw down [your staff] or we will be the first to throw down” (7.115). He said: “You throw [first]”. So when they threw, they deceived peoples’ eyes, frightened them, and they produced a mighty feat of magic (7.116). We revealed to Moses: “Throw your staff”; then lo! it devoured what they faked (7.117). So the truth was established, and what they did became null (7.118). Thus they were vanquished there, and they turned abased (7.119). So the magicians were thrown down in prostration (7.120). They said: “We believe in the Lord of all peoples (7.121), the Lord of Moses and Aaron” (7.122). Pharaoh Said: “You have believed in Him before I give you permission? This is a plot that you have devised in the city to drive its people out of it, but you shall know (7.123). I will cut off your hands and legs on opposite sides, and then I will crucify you all” (7.124). They said: “We shall return to our Lord (7.125). You take revenge on us only because we have believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord! Pour out on us patience and cause us to die as Muslims” (7.126). The chiefs of Pharaoh’s people said: “Do you leave Moses and his people to cause corruption in the land and forsake you and your gods?” He said: “We will kill their sons but spare their women, and surely we will overpower them” (7.127). Moses said to his people: “Ask help from Allah and be patient; surely the land is Allah’s; He gives it for inheritance to whom He wills of His servants. The [best] end is for the pious” (7.128). They said: “We were harmed before you came to us and we have been harmed since then also.” He said: “May your Lord destroy your enemy and make you inheritors in the land so He sees how you act” (7.129). We tested Pharaoh’s people with droughts and shortage of crops that they may heed (7.130). When good befalls them they would say: “This is due to us,” and when evil afflicts them, they would attribute it to the ill fortune of Moses and those with him; surely their ill fortune is only from Allah, but most of them do not know (7.131). They said: “Whatever sign you may bring to bewitch us, we will not believe you” (7.132). We sent on them the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, and the blood as clear signs; but they behaved arrogantly and were guilty (7.133). When the plague hit them, they said: “O Moses! Pray to your Lord for us, by whatever covenant He has with you, that if you remove the plague from us we will believe you and we will send away with you the Children of Israel” (7.134). But when We removed the plague from them till a term that they were to reach, they broke the promise (7.135). Therefore We took vengeance on them and drowned them in the sea because they denied Our signs and were heedless of them (7.136). We made the people who used to be oppressed to inherit the eastern and western parts of the land that We have blessed. The good word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of their patience, and We destroyed what Pharaoh and his people wrought and what they built (7.137). We made the Children of Israel cross the sea. They came upon a people who worshipped idols they have created. They said: “Moses, create for us a god as they have gods.” He said: “You are ignorant people (7.138). What they are engaged in shall be destroyed and what they are doing is in vain” (7.139). He said: “What, shall I seek for you a god other than Allah when He has preferred you above all peoples” (7.140)? [Remember, O Children of Israel!] when we rescued you from Pharaoh’s people who subjected you to the worse torment, killing your sons and sparing your women. There was a great trial from your Lord in this (7.141). We appointed for Moses thirty nights and then completed them with another ten, so the appointed time of his Lord was completed to forty nights. Moses said to his brother Aaron: “Take my place among my people, act rightly, and do not follow the path of the corrupting ones” (7.142). When Moses came to our appointment and was spoken to by his Lord he said: “My Lord, enable me to see You.” He said: “You shall not see Me, but look at the mountain; if it remains steady, you shall see Me.” When his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain He turned it into dust, and Moses fell down in a swoon. When he regained consciousness he said: “Glory be to You! I repent to You, and I am the first of the believers” (7.143). He said: “O Moses! I have chosen you over people for My messages and words, so take what I have given you and be among the thankful” (7.144). We wrote for him on the Tablets an admonition concerning everything and a detailing of everything. [We said to him:] “Take them firmly and command your people to observe their most excellent teachings. I will show you the abode of the ungodly (7.145). I will turn away from My signs those who unjustly behave with arrogance in the earth so if they see any sign they do not believe it, if they see the path of righteousness they do not take it for a path, and if they see the path of transgression they take it for a path. This is so because they have rejected Our signs and have been heedless of them (7.146). The works of those who rejected Our signs and the encounter of the hereafter will be in vain. Shall they be rewarded other than for what they have done” (7.147)? The people of Moses took to themselves [as a god] after him a lowing corporeal calf made of their ornaments. Did they not see that it did not speak to them and did not guide them in the path? They took it and were wrongdoers (7.148). When they realized what they have done and saw that they have sinned they said: “If our Lord does not show mercy to us and forgive us we will be among the losers” (7.149). When Moses returned to his people angry and grieved he said: “Evil is what you have done after me. Would you hasten your Lord’s matter?” He threw down the Tablets and seized his brother by the head, dragging him. He said: “O son of my mother! The people weakened me and almost killed me. Do not make my enemies gloat over me and do not consider me with the wrongdoing people” (7.150). He said: “My Lord! Forgive me and my brother and admit us into Your mercy; You are the most merciful of the merciful” (7.151). Those who took the calf [as a god] shall have wrath from their Lord and humiliation in the life of this world, and so do We reward the forgers (7.152). As for those who commit evil things then repent after that and believe, Your Lord will be to them, after that, forgiving, merciful (7.153). When Moses’ anger calmed down, he took the Tablets, in the inscription of which there are guidance and mercy for those who fear their Lord (7.154). Moses chose from his people seventy for our appointment. When the earthquake overtook them he said: “My Lord! Had you willed, you could have killed them and me before. Would You kill us for what the fools among us have done? This is not but Your trial with which You send astray whom You will and guide whom You will. You are our guardian, so forgive us and show mercy to us, and You are the best of forgivers (7.155). Write down for us good in this world and in the hereafter. We have repented to You.” He said: “I will strike with My torment whom I will, and My mercy embraces everything, so I shall write it down for those who are pious, give alms, and believe in Our signs” (7.156).
From Moses’ people there is a nation who guide by the truth and measure with it (7.159). We divided them into twelve tribes — nations. We inspired Moses when his people asked him for drink: “Strike the rock with your staff,” so twelve springs burst forth. Every people knew their drinking place. We overshadowed them with the clouds and sent down on them the manna and the quails, [saying]: “Eat of the good things We have given you.” They did not wrong Us but they were wronging themselves (7.160). When it was said to them: “Live in this town and eat from wherever you like. Say ‘hittatun’ and enter the gate prostrating so that We forgive your sins and give increase to the good-doers” (7.161). The wrongdoers among them then changed what had been said to them with another saying, so We sent down on them a punishment from heaven because of their wrongdoing (7.162). Ask them about the town on the sea when they transgressed during the Sabbath, as their fish would come to them on the day when they observe the Sabbath, appearing openly, and on the day they do not observe the Sabbath they would not come. So We tested them because of their rebellion (7.163). When a group from them said: “Why do you admonish a people whom Allah will destroy or punish severely?” They said: “For our own excuse with your Lord, and that they may become pious to Allah” (7.164). When they forgot what they had been reminded of we saved those who forbade evil and we overtook those who did wrong with a severe torment because of their rebellion (7.165). But when they arrogantly persisted in that which they were forbidden We said to them: “Be despised apes” (7.166).

 

Variety is The Best Key To a Healthy Diet

It has been said that variety is the spice of life, and that is certainly true when
trying to eat a healthy diet. No one likes to eat the same thing day after day,
and boredom is the enemy of a healthy diet.

Fortunately for those trying to follow a healthy diet, there is plenty of variety to be had in healthy foods. In addition to the hundreds of varieties of fruits andvegetables available at the average grocery store, there is a wide variety of beans, lentils, nuts, meat, dairy products, fish and poultry. There is no need
for boredom to set in when pursuing a healthier lifestyle.
The key to enjoying a variety of foods while eating healthy is to plan meals
carefully and be sure to use the many varieties of foods that are available.

Using a combination of fresh fruit, vegetables, meats and whole grains, it is possible to create a fresh, exciting and healthful meal every day of the week.
Nutritionists often stress the importance of a varied diet, both for nutritional and psychological reasons.

 A varied diet is essential for good health, since different types of foods contain different types of nutrients. And following avaried diet is important to your chological well being as well, since feeling deprived of your favorite foods can lead you to give up your healthy lifestyle.

It is much better to continue eating the foods you like, but to eat them in
moderation. Instead of giving up that juicy bacon, for instance, have it as an
occasional treat, perhaps pairing it with an egg white omelet instead of a
plateful of scrambled eggs. As with everything else in life, good nutrition is a
tradeoff.
It is important for everyone to eat foods from the five major food groups each
and every day. The five food groups identified by the USDA include grains,
vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy and meat and beans. Each of these food
groups contains specific nutrients, so it is important to eat a combination of
these foods to ensure proper levels of nutrition.
Of course simply choosing foods from the five food groups is not enough.
After all a meal from the five food groups could include cake, candied yams,
avocados, ice cream and bacon. Although all five food groups are
represented, no one would try to argue that this is a healthy days menu.
Choosing the best foods from within each group, and eating the less healthy
foods in moderation, is the best way to ensure a healthy and varied diet.
For instance, choosing healthy, lean meats is a great way to get the protein
you need without consuming unnecessary fat and calories. And removing fat
and skin from chicken is a great way to eliminate extra fat and calories.
When choosing breads and cereals, it is usually best to choose those that
carry the whole grain designation. Whole grains, those that have not been
overly refined, contain greater nutritional qualities and fewer sugars.
In addition, many grains and cereals are fortified with additional vitamins and
minerals. While this vitamin fortification is important, it should be seen as a
bonus, not as a substitute for a proper diet. Many foods are supplemented with
important nutrients such as calcium (essential for strong bones and teeth) and
folic acid (important in preventing birth defects).
Substituting healthier foods for less healthy ones is a cornerstone of a healthy
diet. For instance, substituting lean cuts of meat for fattier ones, and
substituting skinless chicken or turkey breast for less healthy drumsticks, is a
great way to maximize nutrition without sacrificing good taste.
No matter what your reason for following a healthy diet, or what your ultimate
fitness goals may be, you will find that a good understanding of nutrition will
form the basis of your healthy diet. Understanding how the various food
groups work together to form a healthy diet will go a long way toward helping
you meet your ultimate fitness goals. Whether your goal is to run a marathon,
lose ten pounds or just feel better, knowledge is power, and nutritional
knowledge will power your diet for the rest of your life.