When the Pharaoh and his followers refused to obey Musa NabiAS and comply with the will of Allah, Allah commanded Musa NabiAS to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt.
“We revealed to Musa: “Travel with Our devotees by night. You will certainly be pursued.” (Qur’an, 26: 52)
In compliance with the command of Allah, Musa and his people secretly left Egypt and headed towards Jerusalem.The flight of the children of Israel was entirely unacceptable to Pharaoh, who considered himself to be their Lord. He saw himself as the sole master of all the children of Israel. Therefore, he mobilized his soldiers and set out after them.
Allah thus relates the pursuit of Pharaoh and his people:
We expelled them (Pharaoh and his people) from gardens and springs, from treasures and a splendid situation. So it was! And We bequeathed them to the tribe of Israel. So they (Pharaoh and his troops) pursued them towards the east. (Qur’an, 26: 53-60)
By the time the children of Israel had reached a shore, Pharaoh and his soldiers had caught up with them. Panic and despair engulfed the people of MusaAS when they saw Pharaoh and his soldiers approaching. They assumed that they would be caught. At that very moment, Musa Nabi (AS) remained steadfast to his faith setting an example for all believers. He remembered that he need never lose faith in the help of Allah:
He said, “Never! My Lord is with me and He will guide me.” (Qur’an, 26: 62)
Musa NabiAS followed the revelation he received from Allah,
“Strike the sea with your staff” (Qur’an, 26: 63).
Miraculously, Allah divided the waters of the sea leaving a dry path in the middle, which the children of Israel immediately followed. Pharaoh and his soldiers chased them into the sea. Here was an apparent miracle; without question, Allah’s help and support was with Musa Nabi and his followers. Nevertheless, this miracle did not suffice to convince Pharaoh. Together with his soldiers, he blindly entered the path that divided the sea. However, after the children of Israel had safely crossed to the other side, the waters suddenly began to close in on Pharaoh and his soldiers and they all drowned. Pharaoh tried to repent, but his repentance was not accepted:
We brought the tribe of Israel across the sea and Pharaoh and his troops pursued them out of tyranny and enmity. Then, when he was on the point of drowning, he (Pharaoh) said, “I believe that there is no god but Him in whom the tribe of Israel believe. I am one of the Muslims.” What, now! When previously you rebelled and were one of the corrupters? Today we will preserve your body so you can be a Sign for people who come after you. Surely many people are heedless of Our Signs. (Qur’an, 10: 90-92)