The Rise and Fall of Egypt: The Ancient Glory of Egypt
The Rise and Fall of Egypt, Over 5,000 years ago, Egypt became the world’s first unified kingdom under King Narmer. Thanks to the Nile River, Egypt became a wealthy and powerful empire. Pharaohs eventually declared themselves gods, demanding worship from the people and creating a religion centered around their divine status.
Prophecy of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ About Egypt
The Rise and Fall of Egypt, Before his passing, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ foretold that Muslims would one day conquer Egypt. He advised his followers to treat the people of Egypt kindly because they were their relatives.
Conquests Under Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab
Soon after the Prophet’s ﷺ death, Muslims, under Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab, defeated both the Roman and Persian Empires. However, a deadly plague struck the newly conquered lands, killing many top generals. Umar appointed new military leaders, including Amr ibn al-As as commander of the Muslim army in the region.
Amr ibn al-As and the Egyptian Campaign
Amr ibn al-As proposed to Umar that Muslims should march toward Egypt, one of the richest and most strategic lands. Egypt had been a center of power for thousands of years, largely due to the Nile River, which provided abundant water and fertility.
The Birth of Mummification and Pyramids
Pharaohs competed to preserve their bodies after death to maintain their divinity. This led to the practice of mummification. Their preserved bodies, or mummies, were entombed in grand structures that evolved into the majestic pyramids. The Great Pyramid of Giza, built by Pharaoh Khufu over 4,500 years ago, remained the tallest building in the world for 3,800 years.
Economic Decline and the Arrival of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph)
The massive cost of pyramid construction led to Egypt’s economic decline. During this time, a beautiful slave boy was sold in Egypt — Yusuf (Joseph) عليه السلام. He was adopted by a powerful minister and eventually became the Prime Minister of Egypt. Yusuf عليه السلام helped restore Egypt’s economic strength, but after his death, his descendants, the Israelites (Bani Israel), remained in Egypt and grew powerful.
The Oppression of Bani Israel
A new Pharaoh overthrew the old regime and enacted harsh laws against foreigners, especially Bani Israel. They were enslaved for 400 years. During this period, the people awaited a savior. Eventually, Prophet Musa (Moses) عليه السلام was born — the man foretold to free Bani Israel and destroy Pharaoh’s empire.
The Clash Between Musa عليه السلام and Pharaoh
Pharaoh ordered all newborn Israelite boys to be killed, but Musa عليه السلام was saved and raised in Pharaoh’s own palace. After receiving prophethood, Musa عليه السلام demanded freedom for Bani Israel. After a series of divine miracles, Pharaoh reluctantly agreed but later pursued them with his army. At the Red Sea, Allah parted the water for Musa عليه السلام and his people, but drowned Pharaoh and his forces.
The Rise and Fall of Egypt: The Fall of Pharaoh’s Empire
Pharaoh Ramses’ death marked the end of Egypt’s dominance. Despite being one of the greatest empires for 3,000 years, Egypt never fully recovered. Historians and scriptures agree that Egypt entered a “dark age” after Ramses, losing its superpower status forever.
🏛️ 1. King Narmer Unites Egypt – Birth of the First Superpower
Around 3100 BCE, King Narmer (also called Menes) unified Upper and Lower Egypt, creating the world’s first centralized kingdom. This marked the beginning of the ancient Egyptian civilization, which would become a global superpower for thousands of years.
🌊 2. Nile River Becomes the Lifeline of Civilization
The Nile River, the longest in the world, provided fertile land, fresh water, and transportation. Its annual floods enriched the soil, allowing agriculture to flourish and making Egypt one of the wealthiest regions in the ancient world.
👑 3. Pharaohs Declare Themselves Gods and Rule with Absolute Power
The Rise and Fall of Egypt, Egyptian kings, known as Pharaohs, gradually claimed divine status, positioning themselves not just as rulers but as living gods. This gave them supreme control over religion, law, and society.
🏗️ 4. Pyramids Built as Monuments of Immortality and Divine Rule
To secure their place in the afterlife, Pharaohs began constructing massive pyramids to house their mummified bodies. The Great Pyramid of Giza, built by Pharaoh Khufu, stood as the tallest man-made structure for over 3,800 years.
⚰️ 5. Mummification Introduced to Preserve Pharaohs for Eternity
Believing the body must be preserved for the soul’s journey in the afterlife, Egyptians perfected the process of mummification. Organs were removed and preserved in jars, and the body was embalmed and wrapped in linen.
💰 6. Excessive Wealth and Monument Construction Strain Economy
The vast resources spent on pyramid-building and maintaining a powerful elite drained Egypt’s economy. Over time, this contributed to political instability and made the empire vulnerable.
🌾 7. Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) عليه السلام Saves Egypt from Collapse
The Rise and Fall of Egypt, Sold into slavery and later rising to power, Prophet Yusuf became the prime minister of Egypt. With divine wisdom, he managed a major famine and stabilized the economy, bringing prosperity to the land once again.
👨👦 8. Bani Israel Rise to Power in Egypt After Yusuf’s Time
After Yusuf عليه السلام, his descendants (Bani Israel) settled in Egypt and grew in number. Over time, they became influential in Egyptian society, causing tension with the native rulers.
🧱 9. New Pharaoh Enslaves Bani Israel, Fearing Their Growth
A new Pharaoh, who did not recognize Yusuf’s contributions, feared the rising power of Bani Israel. He enslaved them, banned their rights, and began a brutal policy of oppression that lasted centuries.
✨ 10. Prophet Musa (Moses) عليه السلام Challenges Pharaoh’s Tyranny
The Rise and Fall of Egypt, Prophet Musa was raised in Pharaoh’s own palace, but later confronted him as a prophet of Allah. He demanded the freedom of Bani Israel and showed many miracles as signs from God.
🌊 11. Pharaoh’s Army Destroyed in the Red Sea – Empire Collapses
When Pharaoh refused to let Bani Israel go, Allah split the sea for Musa and his people to escape. Pharaoh’s army drowned while pursuing them. This marked the divine downfall of a tyrant who claimed to be god.
🏚️ 12. Egypt Enters the Dark Ages, Loses Global Influence
After the death of Pharaoh Ramses (believed to be the Pharaoh of Musa’s time), Egypt never fully recovered. The once-glorious empire entered a period of decline, known as the “Dark Ages.”
⚔️ 13. Alexander the Great and Romans Conquer a Weakened Egypt
The Rise and Fall of Egypt, In later centuries, Egypt was invaded by Alexander the Great and absorbed into the Roman Empire. Greek and Roman cultures heavily influenced the region, and the original Egyptian identity faded.
🕌 14. Muslims Fulfill the Prophecy and Conquer Egypt Under Caliph Umar رضي الله عنه
The Rise and Fall of Egypt, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had foretold that Muslims would conquer Egypt. This came true during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه when General Amr ibn al-As defeated the Roman forces, bringing Egypt under Islamic rule.
