Allâh Ta‘âlâ sent Yûshâ Alayhis Salâm as a prophet to Banu Israil after Musa Alayhis Salâm. Yûshâ Alayhis Salâm had a wheatish complexion. He was of medium height, doe-eyed, and a brave warrior who fought in the path of Allâh. He ruled over Banu Israil after Musa Alayhis Salâm for twenty-seven or twenty-nine years according to the rulings of Tawrah.

In accordance with the divine command, Musa Alayhis Salâm said to Banu Israil: “This is Yûshâ bin Nun. He will rule over you after me. Listen to his words and obey him. He will rule over you with justice. Whoever opposes and rebels against him is accursed!”

After Hadhrat Yûshâ Alayhis Salâm conquered the city of Balqa, he addressed Banu Israil: “Now, enter the city of Balqa. Allâh Ta‘âlâ gave it to you as an inheritance from arrogant and oppressive people. As you enter it, bow and prostrate in humility, supplicate to Allâh Ta‘âlâ, saying “Hitta” (O Rabb, forgive us) so that Allâh Ta‘âlâ accepts your efforts and forgives the sins of your ancestors. These were the same people who previously did not obey Musa Alayhis Salâm and consequently, they were stuck in the Desert of Sinai.

When Yûshâ Alayhis Salâm instructed his people to recite that dua (supplication), the righteous among them recited it and affirmed it in their hearts. Allâh Ta‘âlâ forgave their sins. On the other hand, instead of saying Hitta, Hitta (Forgive us, forgive us), the transgressors said, “Hinta, Hinta! (Wheat, wheat!) We left Sinai and have not eaten wheat for a long time, we are hungry.”

Allâh Ta‘âlâ mentions this incident in the Holy Qur’an: “But those who wronged among them changed (the words) to a statement other than which had been said to them. So, we sent upon them a punishment from the sky for the wrong that they were doing.” (Surah al-Araf, verse 162).

They were seventy thousand people. Allâh Ta‘âlâ sent a plague to them as a punishment and destroyed all of them.

There is a crucial lesson to take from this incident, and no one should take Allâh Ta‘âlâ’s words lightly. Due respect should be observed for Kalamullah.