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quails were tired of flying across the desert. They landed on the desert near the camps and could be picked up easily. The drowned Pharaoh Allah said in the Qur‘ān,
: And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh with his hosts followed them in oppression and enmity, till when drowning overtook him, he said: ―I believed that none has the right to be worshipped but He (Allah) in whom the Children of Israel believed, and I am one of the Muslims (those who submitted to Allah's Will).‖ Now ((you believe) while you refused to believe before, and you were one of the mufsidūn (evil doers and corrupters). So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you! And 2)2verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our signs, (Q. 10: 90-
Asad‘s commentary on such incident is as follows: …. It should always be remembered that all Qur‘anic references to historical or legendary events – whether described in the Bible or in the oral tradition of pre-Islamic Arabia – are invariable meant to elucidate a particular lesson in ethics and not to narrate a story as such; and this explains the fragmentary character of these references and allusions." (Note: 110)
According to Maurice Bucaille, Ramses II was the Pharaoh of the Oppression, whereas his son Merneptah was the Pharaoh of the Exodus. He said that Moses was born during the reign of Ramses II who built the two cities of Ramesses and Pithom, and when Ramses II died Moses was in Midian. Then he was succeeded by his son Merneptah. Ramses II reigned 66 years (1301-1235 BC according to Drioton and Vandier's chronology, whereas according to Rowton he reigned from 1290-1224 BC. Mernephtah reigned (according to Drioton and Vandier) 10 years (12341224 BC) or 20 years (1224-1204 BC). (Maurice Bucaille, The Bible, the Qur‘an and Science. Indianapolis, Ind.: North American Trust, Publication, 1979, p. 233). According to the Old Testament, Moses was 80 years old, and Aaron 83 years old when they spoke to Pharaoh (Exodus 2, 23). Rasmses II was 90-100 years old. He began reigning when he was 23-33 years old, and