Download PDF: [S] Who was Bal’ambin Baa’ur

Bal’am or Bal’aam bin Baa’ur was considered as being among the eminent people of the Bani Israel. He was also someone whose Du’a was accepted instantly. It is said that he also knew the “Isme Azam” and used to live among those people that used to create fitnah and fasaad in this world.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas – may Allah be pleased with him – explains that, “When Nabi Moosa – peace be upon him – and his people were tested through the people of Kin’an, then the cousin of Bal’am bin Ba’ur approached him  and informed him about the might of Nabi Moosa – peace be upon him – and his people. He also informed him that if this Prophet and his people were allowed to enter this land, then there would be nothing but destruction.”

 

Bal’am replied, “If I make Du’a to the Almighty Allah that Nabi Moosa – peace be upon him – be turned away from here, then I would be destroyed in both worlds.”

However, his cousin brother continued insisting that he makes Du’a for this to happen. Thereafter, Bal’am cursed Nabi Moosa – peace be upon him – and his army. However, this curse worked against him and from a position of prominence, he was placed in a position of disgrace and humiliation.

 

Imam Sudi explains, “When forty years had passed, then Almighty Allah sent Yusha bin Nun – peace be upon him – as a Prophet. He then informed the Bani Israel that he was sent as a Prophet and he also informed them to fight against those who caused oppression and tyranny. All of the Bani Israel swore allegiance to him except Bal’am bin Ba’ur. He joined the ranks of the oppressors and he also boasted to his supporters that they should not fear the Bani Israel because when they appear in the open, he would curse and destroy them. It is said that this person was not short of wealth and power, however, the Satan had overpowered this person and because of this, he joined the ranks of those who were cursed and finally destroyed.

 

In Surah Araf (7), verse 175,176, this fact is explained:

 

وَاتْلُ عَلَیۡہِمْ نَبَاَ الَّذِیۡۤ اٰتَیۡنٰہُ اٰیٰتِنَا فَانۡسَلَخَ مِنْہَا فَاَتْبَعَہُ الشَّیۡطٰنُ فَکَانَ مِنَ الْغَاوِیۡنَ ﴿۱۷۵﴾

وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَفَعْنٰہُ بِہَا وَلٰکِنَّہٗۤ اَخْلَدَ اِلَی الۡاَرْضِ وَاتَّبَعَ ہَوٰىہُ ۚ فَمَثَلُہٗ کَمَثَلِ الْکَلْبِ ۚ اِنۡ تَحْمِلْ عَلَیۡہِ یَلْہَثْ اَوْ تَتْرُکْہُ یَلْہَثۡ ؕ ذٰلِکَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِیۡنَ کَذَّبُوۡا بِاٰیٰتِنَا ۚ فَاقْصُصِ الْقَصَصَ لَعَلَّہُمْ یَتَفَکَّرُوۡنَ ﴿۱۷۶﴾

 

“And, O Prophet, recite to them the case of the one to whom We gave Our revelations, and in response he departed from them completely – so Satan went after him – he therefore became of the astray. And had We willed We could have raised him because of the revelations, but he clung to the earth and followed his own desires; his condition therefore is like that of a dog; if you attack him he hangs out his tongue and if you leave him he hangs out his tongue; this is the state of the people who denied Our signs; therefore preach, so that they may give thought.”

 

Nabi Yusha bin Nun – peace be upon him – was actually one of the khadims of Nabi Moosa – peace be upon him. He also accompanied Nabi Moosa – peace be upon him – when he went to visit Hadrat Khidir – peace be upon him.

 

 

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