Islam is Beautiful
capter of fourteen: the prophet aaron
The story of the Prophet Aaron may not be widely known by some. This is because the Prophet Aaron himself was assigned to be a prophet along with his brother Prophet Moses.
In the story of Prophet Moses, the Prophet Aaron was actually there to accompany his brother while preaching to the Egyptian population, especially Fir’aun. Because these two prophets were sent together for the same people, the story of Aaron was not much different from the story of Moses.
It is said that Aaron was born earlier than Moses. So that the Prophet Aaron was spared from the command of Fir’aun who told him to kill the boy at the time Moses was born.
When the Prophet Moses was appointed as a Prophet, Allah SWT ordered the Prophet Moses to go to meet Fir’aun and give proselytization to him. And Moses also answered him.
However, before leaving, Moses prayed to Allah SWT for help.
Moses said: "My Lord, spread out for me my bosom, and ease me in my business, and remove the rigidity of my tongue, that they may understand my words, and make me a servant of my family, (i.e.,) Aaron, my brother, strengthen with him my strength, and make him an ally in my affairs, that we may glorify You much, and remember You much. Verily Thou art the All-Seeing (statement) of us.” (Q.S Thaha: 25 – 35).
At the request of the Prophet Moses, Allah SWT gave a revelation and appointed the Prophet Aaron as a Prophet to accompany the Prophet Moses in spreading proselytization.
“And We have bestowed upon him part of Our mercy, that is, his brother Aaron became a prophet.” (Q.S Mary: 53).
Moses went back to his family and told the Prophet Aaron what happened so that the Prophet Aaron would agree to share his preaching with Fir’un and his people.
The Prophet Aaron who heard the news was pleased and agreed to join his brother to go preaching.
With the Prophet Aaron as a companion of the Prophet Moses made the burden of the Prophet Moses become lighter in preaching. The election of the Prophet Aaron by Moses was not without cause.
The prophet Aaron was known for his speaking prowess. Moses also acknowledged the advantages possessed by his brother.
“And my brother Aaron he is more eloquent with his tongue than I am, so send him with me as my servant to justify (word) me; verily I fear they will deny me." (Q.S Al - Qashsash: 34).
The Prophet Aaron was given a gift by Allah SWT in the form of eloquence in speaking. It is said that the way of speaking that the Prophet Aaron had was very gentle, calm, and easy to understand. The Prophet Aaron was good at arranging every word so that it made many people happy to talk to him.
In addition, the Prophet Aaron is also known to have a very strong and firm stance. With the advantages possessed by the Prophet Aaron, made him appointed as a spokesman for the Prophet Moses.
Then Moses and Aaron went to preach before Fire’aun and his people. But because of the nature of Fir’aun at that time who was notoriously cruel, then the Prophet Moses and the Prophet Aaron prayed to Allah SWT to be given protection.
They both said: "Our Lord, we fear that he will soon torment us or increase beyond measure." (Q.S Thaha: 45).
Then with the protection of Allah SWT, the two brothers set out to spread the teachings of Islam to their people and to Fir’aun.
The Prophet Aaron continued to accompany and assist his brother in preaching, including when the sinking of Fir’aun.
The story of the Prophet Aaron that may be remembered is when the Prophet Moses received a revelation from Allah SWT in the form of the Book of the Torah. In receiving the revelation, Moses had to go silent on a hill called Tursina Hill for 40 days.
Before leaving, Moses gave the message to the Prophet Aaron to replace him to supervise and lead the Children of Israel. However, the departure of Moses to receive this revelation was actually used by someone named Samiri.
Samiri tried to persuade the Children of Israel to return to idolatry by making idols and deceiving them. Seeing his people worshiping idols again, the Prophet Aaron warned and tried to prevent his people from associating with Allah SWT.
The prophet Aaron said that the idol was a trial for his people, "O my people, you were only tested with the calf. That is and your Lord is (God) the Most Merciful, so follow me and obey my command." (Q.S Thaha: 90).
However, the efforts of the Prophet Aaron to resuscitate his people were not cared for by his people. They will continue to worship the cow-like idols until Moses returns.
Finally, Moses returned with the revelation of the Torah. Seeing his people worshiping idols made Moses angry and rebuked his brother, the Prophet Aaron.
Moses said: "O Aaron, what hinders you when you see that they have gone astray, (so) you do not follow me? Have you (intentionally) disobeyed my orders?" (Q.S Thaha: 92-93).
It is said that the angry Prophet Moses came to Aaron and pulled the beard of the Prophet Aaron. Aaron answered' "Hey son of my mother, do not hold my beard and do not (after all) my head; verily I fear that you will say (to me): "You have broken up between the Children of Israel and you have not kept my message." (Q.S Thaha: 94).
As a result, the beard held by Moses changed its color to white and the beard not held by Moses remained black. Since then the beard of the Prophet Aaron has two colors, white and black.
After Aaron told his brother what had happened to him, Moses finally knew who made his people like this. Moses went to Samiri and he said, "What drives you (does this), O Samiri?” (Q.S Thaha: 95).
Samiri replied, "I know something that they do not know, so I took a handful from the apostle's footsteps and threw it away, and so my lust persuaded me." (Q.S Thaha: 96).
Moses sent Samiri away and promised to destroy the idols he had made and to be swept away into the sea.
Moses said: "Go ye, for you are in this life (only) saying: "Do not touch (me)". Verily for you is a punishment (in the Hereafter) which you cannot avoid, and behold that your Lord whom you keep worshiping. Verily we will burn it, then we will surely scatter it into the sea (in scattered ashes).” (Q.S Thaha: 97).
