Thread by @fahadansari

Short 🧵 on #Ashura. Today is the 10th of Muharram, the day Muslims celebrate Allah saving the prophet Musa & the Israelites from Pharaoh.

Here are 7 lessons about speaking truth to power from the story of Musa and Pharaoh.

Lesson 1: Islam requires us to speak truth to power regardless of the personal consequences for ourselves. This is the best form of jihad as understood and practiced by the greatest Muslims.

Lesson 2: It is normal to be afraid. Courage is doing the right thing despite that fear. The Prophet Musa feared confronting Pharaoh but asked Allah to help him and went ahead regardless. With each conversation with Pharaoh, Musa’s bravery and confidence increased.

Lesson 3: As with cowardice, courage is infectious. Musa’s actions inspired a number of others to stand up to Pharaoh including Pharaoh’s own wife, the hair dresser of his daughter and the magicians who were sent to defeat him. All willingly attained martyrdom for their stances.

Lesson 4: Recognise your weaknesses and don’t be afraid to ask for help. The Prophet Musa was conscious of his speech impediment and asked Allah to cure it and to send his brother Harun with him. Nothing causes a leader and his people’s downfall more than ego.

Lesson 5: Learn to ignore the naysayers and toxic people around you. When Musa was trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh and his army, he had to block out all the negativity and cries of his people to focus on the culmination of his momentous task.

Lesson 6: Don’t just rely on your eyes and ears, see with your heart. Despite the overwhelming odds and their inevitable destruction, Musa never lost hope in his Lord and had full confidence He would find him a way out. Complete trust in his Lord.

Lesson 7: When you put in your maximum effort in your duty to Allah, He will literally split the sea open to fulfil His promise to you. Striking his staff in the sea appears ridiculous in the circumstances but Musa continues to play his part and leave the rest to Allah.