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Bismillahi ar-rahmani ar-rahim

Tawrat, Genesis 12:10-20

Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

This is the first mention of Egypt in the Tawrat.

It is important to pay attention to what Scriptures tell us. Sometimes, it is even important to notice what is not said.

Why did Ibrahim (as) leave Harran? Because Allah told him to.

Why did Ibrahim (as) leave the land to which he was called by Allah? Because there was severe famine.

Is that a valid reason for leaving a country? Of course, it is, especially if you have a family and flocks of animals to take care of.

Why did Ibrahim (as) go to Egypt? The Tawrat doesn’t give an answer, but it is easy to understand. Ur, where Ibrahim (as) grew up, lay at the heart of the oldest known civilization. This civilization started in that place for a good reason. It lays next to Nasiriyah in the far south of Iraq, which is one of the hottest places on Earth. There is desert to one side (Saudi Arabia), and dry mountains to the other (Iran), but the plain around Ur has been feeding generation after generation for thousands of years. How is that possible? Because Ur lay on al-Furat (Euphrates) river, which faithfully brings water from Eastern Anatolia all year round. Harran, to which Terah and Ibrahim (as) moved from Ur, lies on a dry plain, but it is near the same river, and, in times of hunger, the nomads could easily move to its banks. When famine came to Palestine, Ibrahim (as) went to the nearest great river – the Nile in Egypt, which, just like the Euphrates, provided reliable water and, consequently, nutrition.

What Ibrahim (as) did, was responsible and logical. Could we say that it was the right decision? It seemed to be, but did you notice something missing in the story? It doesn’t say that Allah spoke to Ibrahim (as) and led him to Egypt. It doesn’t say that Ibrahim prayed and asked for Allah’s provision in their pressing need. Neither do we read that Ibrahim (as) asked Allah for His guidance regarding what to do or where to go. He just did what seemed best to him.

Noticing this will help us understand what happened next. It is only when the thirsty people are about to enter Egypt, that Ibrahim (as) thinks what he needs to do next. He begins to fear things which are - like the famine they are trying to escape - beyond his control. What does he do? Does he seek Allah in duah now? We don’t read anything about that. Again, he does what seems best in his situation. Allah intervenes and saves Sarah from the situation into which her husband got her – But Ibrahim and his people have to go back to where they just came from. To put the situation in today’s perspective - they cheated the immigration officers – and, as a result, were not granted asylum and got deported.

When we meet a crisis, what is the best thing to do?

a) cry and do nothing

b) blame Allah and people around us

c) tell lies and misuse others to get ourselves out of trouble and to benefit

d) call upon Allah in duah and seek His will first, before we act