Surah Al Baqarah Tafseer

And (remember) when We separated the sea for you and saved you and drowned Fir`awn's (Pharaoh) people while you were watching.

means, `After We saved you from Fir`awn and you escaped with Musa; Fir`awn went out in your pursuit and We parted the sea for you.'

Allah mentioned this story in detail, as we will come to know, Allah willing.

One of the shortest references to this story is Allah's statement,

فَأَنجَيْنَاكُمْ

(And saved you) meaning,

"We saved you from them, drowning them while you watched, bringing relief to your hearts and humiliation to your enemy."

Fasting the Day of `Ashura

It was reported that the day the Children of Israel were saved from Fir`awn was called the day of Ashura.

Imam Ahmad reported that Ibn Abbas said that;

the Messenger of Allah came to Al-Madinah and found that the Jews were fasting the day of Ashura. He asked them, "What is this day that you fast?"

They said, "This is a good day during which Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy, and Musa used to fast this day."

The Messenger of Allah said,

أَنَا أَحَقُّ بِمُوسَى مِنْكُم

I have more right to Musa than you have.

So the Messenger of Allah fasted that day and ordered that it be fasted.

This Hadith was collected by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah