Qxpiv May, 2007 By Shabbir Ahmed, M. D., Florida Chief Adviser and Editor: Hossein Kowsari, California Reviewed by: Abdullah Ali Bashoeb, Hijaz

[All creatures know their Salaat, their inborn Divinely programmed instincts. So, they can automatically strive (do their Tasbeeh) in the best way. But humans are not programmed with such inborn instincts. Given free will, they must do their Salaat by following the revealed Guidance and thus strive (do Tasbeeh) in the best way]

24:42 Unto God belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and unto God is the journey’s end.

24:43 Have you not seen how God drives the clouds, then gathers them, then makes them layers, and then you see the rain coming forth from them? He sends down, from the heights, hail and loads of snow to cover some ground and leave some uncovered, according to His Laws. The flashes of lightning and the brightness of the snow dazzle the sight, all but snatching it away. [2:19-20]

24:44 It is God Who alternates the night and the day. Herein indeed is a lesson for men and women of vision and understanding. [Of darkness of ignorance and light of knowledge, of death and life, calculating time, rest and work, planning the life on the planet, and so on]

24:45 And God has created every living creature from water. (Life began in water (21:30). Some of them crawl on their bellies, some walk on two legs, and some walk on four. God creates things with a Purpose and according to His Laws. He has Supreme control over all things and events, and certainly, God is the Appointer of due measure of all things.

24:46 Surely, We have sent down messages clearly showing the Truth, but God guides onto a Straight Path one who wishes to be guided.

24:47 For, some people say, “We believe in God and the Messenger and we obey.” Then after that, a faction of them turns away. Such are not believers.

24:48 And so it is that whenever they are called to God and His Messenger to judge between them, some of them turn away.

24:49 However, if the Truth is on their side, they come to him in full submission.

24:50 Is there disease in their hearts? Or do they bear any doubts? Or do they fear that God and His Messenger might deal unjustly with them? They (who wish to obviate justice) are themselves unjust.

24:51 Whenever invited to God and His Messenger to judge in their affairs, the true believers say, "We hear and we obey." They are the ones who will ultimately prosper.

24:52 Whoever obeys God and His Messenger, and fears violating God's Commands, and thus empowers himself against evil, such indeed are the triumphant. [See Taqwa, 2:41]

24:53 Whereas there are some who swear by God solemnly that, if you order them, they will go forth to any mission. Say, “Swear not! Obedience is virtuous. Surely, God is Aware of all you do."

24:54 Say, "Obey God and obey the Messenger - the Central Authority. But if you turn away, remember that he is only responsible for the duty placed on him, and you for the duty placed on you. If you obey him, you will be on the right guidance. The Messenger’s duty is only to convey the Message clearly."

24:55 God has promised that those of you (nations) who will believe in the Divine Laws and strengthen human resources, He will surely make them rulers on earth - Just as He granted rule to the previous nations (28:6, 33:27). He will certainly establish for them the System of Life that He has approved for them, and will replace their fear with peace and security. All this because they serve Me alone. They ascribe no partner to Me. But all those who, after this, deny these Laws will drift out (of the community of living nations). [The ‘belief’ in this verse does not pertain to any dogmas and tenets, but to the realization that the entire Universe is operating under the unchangeable Physical Laws of One Supreme Authority, thus providing the basis for all Science and Technology]

24:56 Hence, (O Believers) establish and consolidate the Divine System, set up the Just Economic Order of Zakaat, and obey the Messenger, so that you may flourish as the embryo flourishes in the mother’s womb.

[La’allakum turhamoon = Literally, so that you may attain Mercy = That you may flourish as the embryo flourishes in the mother’s womb. Rahm = Womb. Obey the Messenger = The eternal Messenger now is the Qur’an]

24:57 And think not that the rejecters of the Divine Laws can escape on earth. Fire shall be their home (in both lives), and it is indeed a miserable abode.

24:58 (Your social mannerism begins at home.) O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Let your servants and children who have not yet come of age ask your permission before coming in to see you on three occasions: Before you engage in your assignments at dawn, at noon when you are resting with light clothes, and after you have completed your assignments at night. These are your three times of privacy. At other times it is not wrong for you or for them to move about freely, attending to one another. In this way, God makes clear to you the revelations, for, God is All Knowing, Wise.

24:59 And when the children among you come of age, let them ask permission, like those who became adults before them ask permission. Thus God makes His revelations clear for you. God is Knower, Wise. [24:27, 24:58]

24:60 And the elderly women who have no interest in getting married, there is no blame on them if they lay aside their outer garments in such a way as not to show adornment. To maintain modesty is best for them. God is Hearer, Knower. [24:31, 33:33]

24:61 (Helping the disabled, and keeping good relations within families must be matters of priority in your society.) There is no blame on the blind, nor on the crippled, nor on the sick or handicapped, to eat from your houses. And there is no blame on you for eating at your own homes, your fathers’ homes, your mothers’ homes, your brothers’ homes, your sisters' homes, your paternal uncles’ homes, your paternal aunts’ homes, your maternal uncles’ homes, your maternal aunts’ homes, the homes you manage and hold the keys of, or the home of a friend. You do nothing wrong by dining together or apart. But whenever you enter houses, salute one another with a blessed, goodly greeting from God. Thus God makes clear the revelations for you, so that you may understand.

24:62 Only those are true believers in God and His Messenger who do not leave without permission when they are with him in a community meeting. Those who ask permission are the ones who believe in God and His Messenger. So when they ask your permission (O Prophet) in order to handle some of their affairs, grant permission to whomever of them you can. Remember (their welfare during their absence) asking forgiveness for them, for, God is Forgiving, Merciful.

24:63 Do not deem the Messenger's summons among you as your calling one of another. God knows those of you who sneak out under flimsy excuses. And let those who conspire to evade his orders beware of a consequent tribulation or an awful retribution. [62:9]

24:64 Be quite sure that unto God belongs all that is in the heavens and earth. He knows your condition (capabilities, limitations, intentions and actions). The Day when all people return to Him, He will make them truly understand what they were doing in life. God is the Knower of all things and events. [53:31]

Surah 25. Al-Furqan – The Criterion

[Author’s Note] This is the 25th Surah of the Qur’an. It has 77 verses. God and His Messenger warn us against ignoring the Qur’an, for our own good. Al-Furqan, another name for the Qur’an means the "Criterion between Right and Wrong". The Messenger will say to his Lord that his people had abandoned the Qur’an. ‘His people’ applies to all Muslims at all times.

With the Glorious Name of Allah, the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness

25:1 Most Blessed He is Who has revealed to His servant, the Criterion of the right and the wrong so that it might be a warning to the entire world.

[The Prophet, with his conduct well preserved in the Qur’an, shall be a warner to all people anywhere and at all times 6:19, 7:158, 21:107. Therefore, no Prophet, Messenger or Apostle will come after him]

25:2 (The Sender of this Criterion is) He to Whom belongs the Kingship of the heavens and the earth. He has chosen no son, nor does He have a partner in His Kingship. He it is Who creates all things in precise design and gives them the potential to become what they are meant to be.

25:3 And yet, there are people who, instead of Him, choose deities and masters that create nothing and are themselves created. And they have it not within their power to avert harm or cause benefit even to themselves. They have no control over death and life, nor can they raise the dead (people and nations).

25:4 Those who are bent on denying the Truth say, “This (Qur’an) is a lie that he has devised with the help of other people.” Wrong is what they do and falsehood is what they utter.

25:5 And they say, “Fables of ancient times which he has written down as they are dictated to him morning and evening.”

25:6 Say, “He Who knows all the mysteries of the heavens and the earth has revealed it to me. He is Forgiving, Merciful.” (May He forgive you for slandering me!)

25:7 Yet they say, “What sort of Messenger is this who eats food and goes about in the market-places? Why is not an angel sent down to him to act as a warner together with him?”

25:8 “Or why has not a treasure been bestowed on him, or why has he not a garden for enjoyment?” The wicked say, “You are but following a man bewitched!”

25:9 See what sort of examples they apply to you! They have strayed far too much to find a way.

25:10 Blessed is the One Who can, if He so wills, give you far better than all that, Gardens with flowing rivers and He could give you beautiful palaces.

25:11 Nay, but they deny the oncoming Hour, and for those who deny the oncoming Hour, We have readied a Flame.

25:12 When the Flame sees them from afar they will hear its rage and its roar.

25:13 And when they are flung into a narrow space linked together in chains, they will pray for extinction there and then. (Distress of Hell is constricting while the Bliss of Paradise is Spacious. [3:133]

25:14 This Day, do not pray for a single extinction, but pray for repeated extinctions. [Therein they merely survive, neither living nor dying 14:17, 20:74, 87:13]

25:15 Say, “Is this better or the Garden of Immortality which is promised to the upright? That is their reward and the ultimate destination.”

25:16 Therein abiding, they have all that they desire. A promise from your Sustainer that must be fulfilled and it is worth coveting.

25:17 And on the Day when He summons them, together with the idols they had set up besides God, He will say to the idols, "Did you mislead these servants of Mine, or did they go astray from the Way on their own?"

25:18 They will say, "Glory to You! It was not befitting for us that we should take for protecting masters other than You alone. But You did bestow on them and their ancestors, good things in life to the extent that they disregarded the Reminder and became a lost folk.”

25:19 It will be said to all kinds of idolaters, “Now your idols have proved you liars in what you say. So you cannot avert your penalty nor get help.” And whoever among you wrongs others and thus wrongs himself, We shall make him taste of the great torment!

25:20 And the messengers whom We sent before you (O Prophet) were all mortals who indeed ate food and went about in the market-places. We thus let you test through each other (as to who recognizes the Truth). Will you have patience (to reflect)? Your Sustainer is Seer of all. [Human beings must evaluate the Message by way of reason and not through blind faith, physical miracles or supernatural phenomena. 12:108]

25:21 Those who do not believe that they are destined to meet Us, say, "Why do not angels come down to us, or why do we not see our Lord?" Assuredly, they think too highly of themselves and they are uttering a gross insult.

25:22 Yet on that Day when they see the angels, it will not be a pleasant news for violators of human rights who used to thrive on others’ labor. They will exclaim, “Can there be a barrier between the angels and us?”

25:23 And We will look at the deeds they have done, and will make their work scatter like ashes and dust.

25:24 Whereas on the same Day those who have earned the Paradise, excellent is their abode with fairest places for rest and repose, and good news upon good news will be theirs.

25:25 The Day the heaven with the clouds will be rent asunder, angels will be sent down, a grand descent in ranks.

25:26 On that Day it will become obvious to all that the Sovereignty belongs to the Most Gracious alone. Hence, a Day of distress it will be for all those who had been rejecting the Truth.

25:27 When the Day comes, the transgressor will bite his hands in anguish, exclaiming, “Oh, I wish I had taken a Path with the Messenger!"

25:28 “Oh, woe unto me, I wish I hadn’t taken so and so for a friend!"

25:29 "Indeed he led me away from the Reminder after it had come to me. Ah, the Satan is but a traitor to the human being.”

25:30 And the Messenger will say, “O My Lord! These are my people, the ones who had disabled this Qur’an making it of no account." [Mahjoor = Disabled = Abandoned = Neglected. They had immobilized it like villagers who bind a cow by tying her front foot to her horn]

25:31 Thus We have made for every Prophet enemies among the guilty, those who have been used to thriving on the fruit of others’ toil. Yet, Your Lord is Sufficient for a Guide and Helper. [6:112, 22:52-54. The Divine Message, being a great equalizer of humanity, strikes at the interests of the unjust exploiters]

25:32 Those who are bent on denying the Truth ask, “Why has not the Qur’an been revealed to him all at once?" But that has been so! For, in order to strengthen your heart We have already arranged it in the Right Order. And We have caused you to convey it to people in stages, step by step.

[73:4. The Qur’an has been revealed in its entirety upon the Prophet’s heart in the Night of Majesty and conveyed to people in stages over a period of 23 years. 2:185, 44:3, 97:1]

25:33 And no question or objection do they bring to you but We reveal to you the Absolute Truth and its best explanation. [The best Tafseer or explanation of the Qur’an from within itself]

25:34 Those who will be gathered prone on their faces to Hell, it is they who will be worst in station, and as to the Path, they are most astray.

25:35 Recall that We indeed gave Moses the Scripture, and appointed his brother Aaron as minister to him.

25:36 Then We said, “Go you both to the people who defy Our Laws!” Then We annihilated them with a complete annihilation.

25:37 And Noah’s folk: When they had denied the messengers, We caused them to drown and made them a sign for all mankind. And We have readied a painful doom for violators of human rights.

25:38 And (Our Law also struck) ‘Aad and Thamud, and the people of Ar-Rass, and many generations in between.

[The People of Ar-Rass used to dig deep wells, and irrigate their flourishing crops. They lived in the current province of Al-Qaseem in the Central Arabian Peninsula. Historically, they had thrown their Messenger in a well, and persisted with their unjust feudal system]

25:39 Each of them We had warned with examples, and each of them We brought to total ruin.

25:40 They must have passed by the township (Sodom) that was rained with a miserable rain. Did they not see it? But they do not expect to be raised again. [They do not believe in accountability, and think that events happen only by chance]

25:41 Hence, whenever they see you, they make you a target of their mockery saying, “Is this the one whom God has sent as a Messenger?

25:42 He would have led us far away from our gods if we were not so steadfastly attached to them.” They will know, when they see the doom, as to who is more astray from the Road.

25:43 Have you seen the one who has taken as god his own desire? Could you be an advocate for him?

25:44 Or do you think that most of them really hear and use their reason? Nay! they are but like cattle. Nay, they are farther astray. [The cattle at least follow the Divine Laws instinctively]

25:45 Are you not aware of your Lord by His Works? – How He spreads the shade. And if He willed, He could have made it still! Then We have made the sun its pilot. [He could have designed the Solar System differently with the earth remaining stationary]

25:46 And then We gradually withdraw it to Us, a gradual withdrawal.

25:47 And, He it is Who makes night a robe for you, and sleep a rest, and makes every day to be a resurrection.

25 And, He is the One Who sends the winds, glad news of His coming Grace, and We send down pure water from the sky.

25:49 That We may give life with it to a dead land, and We provide drink for Our creations, a great many animals and human beings.

25:50 And certainly, many times We have repeated all this to mankind, so that they might bear in mind. Yet most people remain ungrateful (for such Light-giving Guidance).

25:51 Had We so willed, We could have continued to raise up a warner in every single community. [But, the time has now come for the Eternal, Universal Message, the Qur’an. 25:1]

25:52 Hence, (O Prophet) disregard the likes and dislikes of the rejecters, but strive hard against them by means of this, with utmost striving. [Jihadan Kabeera = The Great Jihad by means of this Qur’an]

25:53 And He it is Who has given freedom of movement to the two kinds of great bodies of water. One is palatable and fresh, the other salty and bitter. Yet, He has made a barrier between them, a barrier that is not to be crossed. [35:12. Please see 18:60 for two streams in a different sense]

25:54 And He it is Who has created the human being from this very water, (21:30, 24:45) and then He has established relationships by lineage and by marriage, for, your Lord is the Designer of all things. [The best relationships are established on the basis of Ideology 3:102, 49:10-13]

25:55 Yet they serve instead of God what can neither benefit them nor harm them. Indeed, a rejecter of the Truth, (regardless of his origin and relationship) joins hands with another rejecter against his own Sustainer. [Zaheera = Helper. For Ideology and Relatives, see 11:45-47, 66:10]

25:56 Yet We have sent you (O Prophet) as a bearer of glad news and as a warner.

25:57 Say, "I ask you no reward for this, except that whoever wishes may take a way unto his Lord.” [34:47, 42:13]

25:58 And put your trust in Him Who lives, and dies not, and strive to manifest His Praise. He suffices as the Knower of where His servants trail behind.

25:59 He who has created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six stages, and is established on the Throne of His Almightiness of Supreme Control. The Beneficent! Ask about Him anyone acquainted.

[Six Stages or Eras: 7:54, 10:3, 11:7, 25:59, 50:38, 57:4, See 41:10. ‘Anyone acquainted’ = Someone well founded in knowledge = One who has some idea of His glory by reflecting on His Book of Revelation and the ‘Book’ of Nature = Ask God Himself by reflecting on His creation]

25:60 Yet when it is said to them, “Adore the Beneficent!” They say, "What is the Beneficent? Are we to adore just what you say?" And it merely increases them in disgust.

25:61 Blessed is He Who set up in the sky great constellations, and put therein a radiant Lamp, and a shining Moon.

25:62 And He it is Who causes the night and the day to succeed each other. (This is sufficient sign) for him who is willing to be mindful, and who is willing to be appreciative (for the evident signs).

25:63 The true servants of the Beneficent are those who walk upon the earth humbly, and when the ignorant ones address them, they say, "Peace!" [3:138, 22:41, 31:17-18]

25:64 And who adore their Lord at night, making a rightful submission and taking a rightful stand.

25:65 And who say, “Our Lord! Avert from us the doom of Hell, for its doom is bound to be a dire torment.”

25:66 Surely, it is a miserable abode and station.

25:67 And those who, when they spend their wealth, are neither wasteful, nor stingy. And (they know that) there is always middle ground between the two extremes. [2:219, 17:29]

25:68 And those who call on no deities along with God. Nor take a life that God has forbidden except in the course of justice (through a court of Law).
Nor do they commit adultery; and whoever does this, drags down one’s own humanity.

25:69 The retribution on the Day of Resurrection will be doubled for him and therein He will abide in lasting humiliation.

25:70 Except one who repents and believes in the Permanent Moral Values and takes corrective action. For such, God will replace the ill effects of their deeds with the balancing effects of good deeds. For, God is Forgiving, Merciful.

25:71 And whoever repents and takes corrective action, certainly he turns toward God with true repentance.

25:72 Those who: Never give false witness, do not participate in assemblies of vanity, and when they have to pass near senseless play, pass by with dignity.

25:73 When they are reminded of (even) the revelations of their Lord, do not fall at them deaf and blind (with deaf and blind acceptance).

25:74 And say, "Our Lord! Grant us that our spouses and children be a joy to our eyes (that they excel in character). And make us the foremost among the righteous."

25:75 Such are the ones who will be rewarded with a high station of honor for their steadfast commitment (to their Lord). Therein they will be met with salutation and peace.

25:76 Therein to abide. What a goodly destiny! And what a high station!

25:77 Say, (O Prophet), "My Lord would not concern Himself with you if you did not call (people) unto Him." (And tell the deniers), “You have rejected (Him), and soon will come the inevitable requital.”

Surah 26. Ash-Shu’ara – The Poets

[Author’s Note] This is the 26th Surah of the Qur’an. It has 227 verses. The Book goes along in its style of unity in diversity. The Qur’an emphasizes that nothing in the Universe is inherently bad. Poetry can be beneficial or detrimental depending on the Message it carries. Those who indulge in senseless poetry mislead people and waste their own and others' time. Poets do not do what they say, and only the straying people follow them. The exceptions are those poets who believe in the Permanent Values and work for the betterment of humanity. The Surah embraces some other magnificent concepts as well.

With the Glorious Name of Allah, the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness

26:1 T.S.M. Ta-Seen-Meem (Toor-e-Sina, Musa. Recall Mount Sinai where Moses received the Revelation.)

26:2 Now these are verses of the Book that is clear in itself and makes things clear.

26:3 (O Prophet) Will you, (in your compassion), torment yourself to death that they refuse to become believers?

26:4 Had We so willed, We could have sent down to them a sign from the sky, to which they would bend their necks in humility. [But, that is not Our Design. We expect them to use reason. 12:108]

26:5 And so whenever a Reminder comes to them from the Beneficent, they turn away from it.

26:6 Thus indeed they have rejected this Message. But in time they will come to understand what it was that they ridiculed.

26:7 Have they never considered the earth, how many noble things of all kind We have made to grow thereon in pairs? [Zawjin kareem = Noble, bounteous things in pairs. 51:50-51]

26:8 This is indeed a sign, yet most of them are not believers (in the Almightiness of their Lord).

26:9 But, certainly, your Lord is Almighty, Merciful. [Whether they believe or disbelieve, He provides them with means of sustenance]

26:10 And recall when your Lord called Moses, "Go to the nation of the oppressors,

26:11 To the people of Pharaoh so that they may live upright."

26:12 Moses said, "My Lord! I am afraid they will accuse me of lying.

26:13 I shall be embarrassed and I might not speak confidently, so send for Aaron to help me.

26:14 And they have a charge against me, so I fear they will kill me." [28:15]

26:15 God said, "Nay! Both of you go with Our messages. We are with you.”

26:16 Go together to Pharaoh and say, “We are messengers from the Lord of the Worlds.”

26:17 And, “Let the Children of Israel go with us." [20:47]

26:18 Pharaoh said to Moses, "Did we not rear you as a child among us? And you lived with us many years of your life.

26:19 And you did what you did, killing a man from our nation. You are of the ungrateful."

26:20 Moses said, "Indeed I did it but I am lost how it happened!” [I only struck him once with a fist and he died. 28:15]

26:21 Then I fled from you in fear. But God has given me a Command and appointed me one of His messengers.

26:22 And this, the past favor you so tauntingly remind me! Yes, you raised me in your palaces. But it was so since you enslaved the Children of Israel.”

26:23 Pharaoh said, "What is the Lord of the Worlds?" [20:49]

26:24 Moses said, "Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them; if you allow yourselves to be convinced." [43:51, 79:24]

26:25 Pharaoh said to those around him, "Do not you hear this?"

26:26 Moses said, "Yes, He is your Lord and the Lord of your ancestors."

26:27 Pharaoh said, "Your Messenger who has been sent to you is a crazy man."

26:28 Moses said, "He is the Lord of the East and the West and everything in between. You would know if you use reason."

26:29 Pharaoh said, "If you choose a god other than me, I will put you in prison."

26:30 Moses responded, "Even if I bring to you all evidence of the Truth?"

26:31 He said, "Bring your signs if you are truthful."

26:32 Moses presented the Absolute Truth, vibrant with life. [7:107-108, 20:17-25, 28:31-32]

26:33 He presented his powerful logic that shone bright.

26:34 Pharaoh said to his chiefs, "He is a magical debater.

26:35 He intends to expel you from your own land by his magic. Then what is it you advise?" [7:110]

26:36 They said, "Put him and his brother on hold and send couriers into cities,

26:37 That they bring all expert religious debaters to you." [Saahir = Magician = Sorcerer = Spellbinding orator]

26:38 The debaters got together at the appointed day and time.

26:39 People were given an open invitation to assemble there, “Are you all gathering?”

26:40 Pharaoh continued, “So that when the debaters win, we carry them in a procession.”

26:41 When they came, they said to Pharaoh, "Will there be a reward for us if we are the winners?"

26:42 He said, "Yes, and you will have high ranks in my court." [7:113]

26:43 Moses said, “Begin however you wish to begin.”

26:44 They put forward their logic and swore, "By Pharaoh's majesty! We will be the victors."

26:45 Moses responded with the mighty Truth, and right away it swallowed their false logic.

26:46 The debaters fell prostrate in awe.

26:47 Saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds.

26:48 The Lord of Moses and Aaron."

26:49 Pharaoh said, "Have you believed in him before I grant my permission? He is surely your chief who has taught you spellbinding eloquence. You shall find out soon. I will cut off your hands and feet alternately and certainly I will crucify every one of you." [It is worth noting that the tyrannical powers wish to guard even the thinking of others!]

26:50 They said, "No matter! (This will not change our decision.) To our Lord we will return.

26:51 We hope that our Lord will forgive our faults, since we are the foremost of the believers."

26:52 We revealed to Moses, "Take away My servants by night, for, behold, you will be pursued."

26:53 In the meantime, Pharaoh sent couriers to the cities.

26:54 "This is a low contemptible gang.

26:55 And indeed they are offenders against us.

26:56 And, we are indeed a ready army."

26:57 Thus We drove them (Pharaoh and his chiefs) out of the gardens and springs,

26:58 And treasures, lofty positions and beautiful estate. [Soon to be drowned in hateful pursuit of Moses and his followers]

26:59 Thus those things were taken away from them and We caused the Children of Israel to inherit the blessings.

[Instead of returning to Egypt they would rule the land including Sinai, Jordan, Palestine, Northern Arabian Peninsula until their zenith during the times of David and Solomon about 940 BC. 7:136:137, 20:76-80]

26:60 And they (Pharaoh's armies) overtook them at sunrise.

26:61 When both parties saw each other, the companions of Moses said, "We are indeed caught."

26:62 He answered, “Nay indeed! My Lord is with me and He will guide me.”

26:63 Then We revealed to Moses, “Strike the sea with your staff. Seek for them a dry path with confidence. (Cross over the dried up Sea of Reeds.) The morning found the two parties apart like two hills with a basin in between.