Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Abu al-Silil narrates from Hazrat Qais bin ‘Abad, who was among those who narrated the most about Bani Israel, he says that he told us that the group whose names Pharaoh had written were six hundred thousand people, and Pharaoh’s vanguard consisted of seven hundred thousand individuals, and every person would be mounted on a horse, with a helmet on his head, and a spear in his hand, and he would follow behind those people. When Musa (peace be upon him) brought Bani Israel to the sea, Bani Israel began to say, “Where is that which you promised us? The sea is before us and Pharaoh and his army are advancing upon us,” or he said, “they are behind us.” Musa (peace be upon him) said, “O sea! Split apart.” It said, “O Musa, I will not split for you; I am before you in creation,” or he said, “I am stronger.” So it was called out, “Strike the sea with your staff.” He struck it with his staff and it split apart. Jurayri says that they were twelve tribes and each tribe had a separate path. When the first part of Pharaoh’s army reached the sea, the horses were frightened by the torches, and in front of every horse appeared the form of a mare, so the horses began to run swiftly after them. When the last part of the army entered the sea, Bani Israel exited from the sea, so the sea closed over them. Bani Israel began to say that Pharaoh has not died, and he will never die. So, before Allah conveyed their denial to their prophet, the sea cast him upon the shore as if he were a red-colored bull, and Bani Israel began to look at him.