Seerah

1. MENTION OF THE STORY OF MOOSA, ALKALEEM (PBUH)

He was Moosa, son of ‘Imran, son of Qahith, son of ‘Azir, son of Lowi, son of Ya‘qoob, son of Ishaq, son of Ibraheem (peace be upon them). Allah, Most High, says, “And mention in the Book (this Qur’an) Moosa. Verily! He was chosen and he was a Messenger (and) a Prophet. And We called him from the right side of the Mount, and made him draw near to Us for a talk with him (Moosa). And We bestowed on him his brother Haroon (Aaron), (also) a Prophet, out of Our Mercy.” (Surah Maryam 19:51-53) Allah mentions him at different places in the Qur’an and He mentions his story at several places, both in brief as well as in detail. We have spoken about this at relevant places in the Tafseer and we shall set forth his life story here from the beginning to the end, as related in the Qur’an and the Sunnah. We shall also mention what has been related in the traditions that have been transmitted from Isra’eeliyyat – those which were mentioned by the Salaf and those mentioned by others – if Allah wills; and in Him we place our trust and on Him we depend.

He, Most High, says, “Ta Seen Meem. (These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’an, and none but Allah, Alone, knows their meanings). These are Verses of the Book (that makes clear truth from falsehood, good from evil, etc.). We recite to you some of the news of Moosa and Fir‘awn in truth, for a people who believe (those who believe in Qur’an, and in the Oneness of Allah). Verily, Fir‘awn exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening a group among them, killing their sons, and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the mufsidoon (i.e. those who commit great sins and crimes, oppressors, tyrants, etc.). And We wished to do a favor to those who were weak (and oppressed) in the land, and to make them rulers and to make them the inheritors, And to establish them in the land, and We let Fir’awn and Haman and their hosts receive from them that which they feared.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:1-6)

Allah, Most High, mentions the story in brief and then He explains it in detail after that. He mentions that He is relating to His Prophet (Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him)) the story of Moosa (Peace be upon him) and Fir‘awn in truth; that is, the true facts which were heard and witnessed by those who were present at the time.”Verily, Fir‘awn exalted himself in the land and made its people sects. ” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:4) That is, he behaved tyrannically, was insolent, exceeded all limits, committed outrages, preferred the life of this world (to the life of the Hereafter) and refused to obey his Lord, Most High, and made its people sects” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:4). That is, he divided his subjects into groups and classes, weakening a group among them” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:4). The group referred to is the tribe of Banu Isra’eel, who were from the offspring of Prophet Ya‘qoob, son of Ishaq, son of Ibraheem, Allah’s Khaleel, peace be upon them all, who were at that time, the best people on Earth. This unjust, tyrannical, disbelieving, iniquitous king had gained mastery over them, enslaved them and used them to perform vilest, the meanest and the lowest of tasks, in addition to which, he was “killing their sons, and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the mufsidoon.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:4) His justification for doing these wicked things was that the Children of Isra’eel used to study the religious texts that were in their possession, which they had transmitted from Ibraheem (Peace be upon him); these texts claimed that from his progeny a baby boy would be born at whose hands the king of Egypt would be destroyed. It was said – and Allah knows best the truth of this – that this was revealed to Ibraheem (Peace be upon him) at the time when the king of Egypt attempted to carry out his evil desires with Sarah, the wife of Al-Khaleel (Peace be

upon him) and Allah protected her from him. These tidings were well-known to the Children of Isra’eel and the Copts spoke of them among themselves until news of them was communicated to Fir‘awn by his governors and nobles when they would sit and talk with him in the evenings. Upon hearing this, he ordered that the sons of Banu Isra’eel be killed, in order to prevent that prophesied child from being born, but no precaution can circumvent what has been ordained by Allah (SWT).

It means that Fir‘awn took every possible precaution to prevent Moosa from growing up to fulfill the prophecy, to such an extent that he appointed men and midwives, whose duty it was to visit the houses of the pregnant women and to find out their expected delivery dates. Then, whenever a woman would give birth to a boy, those slaughterers would kill him at once. According to the People of the Scripture, he ordered the killing of the males in order to weaken the power of the Children of Isra’eel, so that they could not resist them if they fought them. But this claim is doubtful; indeed, it is false, because this order to kill their sons was only given after Moosa (Peace be upon him) was sent, as He, Most High, says, “Then, when he brought them the Truth from Us, they said, ‘Kill the sons of those who believe with him and let their women live’.” (Surah Ghafir 40:25) This was because the Children of Isra’eel said to Moosa (Peace be upon him) “We (the Children of Isra’eel) have suffered troubles before you came to us, and since you have come to us.” (Surah AlA‘raf 7:129) So the truth is that Fir‘awn only ordered the killing of their sons at first as a precaution, in order to prevent the coming of Moosa (Peace be upon him). He did all this, but the Fate said, “O, you tyrannical king, who is deceived by his large army, his great power and his extensive authority! The Greatest (i.e. Allah) – Whom none can defeat and none can resist, Whose Ordainments cannot be contradicted, has decreed that this child against whom you seek to guard yourself, due to which you have killed untold number of innocent souls, will be brought up in none other than your own house and upon your own bed and he will not partake of any food or drink but yours, which is served in your home. It is you who will raise him and educate him, while you are his enemy; yet you will not discover the significance of all this, and then your destruction in this world and in the Hereafter will be at his hands, because of your opposition to the clear truth that he brings and your rejection of the Revelation given to him. This is in order that you and all of mankind may know that the Lord of the heavens and the Earth is the Doer of what He wills and that He is the All-Powerful, the Stern, Owner of Strength and Power and Will which cannot be opposed. 

Allah, Most High, says, “And We inspired the mother of Moosa, (saying), ‘Suckle him (Moosa), but when you fear for him, then cast him into the river and fear not, nor grieve. Verily! We shall bring him back to you, and shall make him one of (Our) Messengers.’ Then the household of Fir‘awn picked him up, that he might become for them an enemy and a (cause of) grief. Verily! Fir‘awn, Haman and their hosts were sinners. And the wife of Fir‘awn said, ‘A comfort of the eye for me and for you. Kill him not, perhaps he may be of benefit to us, or we may adopt him as a son.’ And they perceived not (the result of that).” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:7-9) This Revelation was an inspiration and spiritual guidance, as He, Most High, says, “And your Lord inspired the bee, saying, ‘Take you habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they erect. Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you)’.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:68,69) This was not the Revelation of Prophethood, as Ibn Hazm and more than one from among the rationalists claimed. The correct interpretation is the first, as reported by Abul-Hasan Al-Ash‘ari from the madhab of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jama‘ah.

Allah placed in her heart and her soul that she should not fear and she should not grieve, because if he went away from her, Allah would return him to her and He would make him a Prophet and Messenger, whose word would be raised high in this life and in the Hereafter. So she did as she was commanded to do and she placed him in a basket in the river, but she neglected to secure the end of the rope to the shore and so the Nile carried him away and the basket passed by the abode of Fir‘awn. “Then they picked him up.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:8) He, Most High, says, “that he might become for them an enemy and a (cause of) grief.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:8). Some said that the letter lam used in the Verse is lam al-‘aqibah. And it would appear to be so, although it pertains to the preceding words: “Then the household of Fir‘awn picked him up.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:8) But if it is understood to relate to the meaning of the words, which is that the family of Fir‘awn were predestined to find him, so that he should become an enemy to them and a (cause of) grief, then the lam will be for justification or explanation, and Allah knows better. This second supposition is strengthened by the Words of Allah: “Verily! Fir‘awn, Haman” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:8) Haman was Fir‘awn’s wicked Wazeer “and their hosts” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:8) That is, those who followed them both “were sinners” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:8) It means, they followed what was contrary to the truth, and so they deserved this punishment and pain.

The scholars of tafseer mentioned that the servants picked him up from the water and he was in a closed box, but they did not venture to open it until they had placed it in the hands of Fir‘awn’s wife, whose name was Asiyah, daughter of Muzahim, son of ‘Ubaid, son of Ar-Rayyan Ibn Al-Waleed, who had been the Fir‘awn of Egypt during the time of Yoosuf (Peace be upon him). It was said that she was from Banu Isra’eel, from the descendants of Moosa (Peace be upon him). It was also said that she was his paternal aunt; this was reported by As-Suhaili. And Allah knows better.

We will relate the praises and commendations that have been heaped on her in the story of Maryam, daughter of ‘Imran, and how, on the Day of Resurrection, they will be with the wives of the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) in Paradise. When she opened the box and removed the covering from him, she saw his face, which was radiant with the light of Prophethood and the Mosaic Illustriousness. When she saw him, she immediately loved him intensely. When Fir‘awn came, he said, “What is this?” And he ordered that he be slaughtered; but she snatched the baby from him and pushed him away, saying, “A comfort of the eye for me and for you.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:9) But Fir‘awn said to her, “As for you, he may be; but for me, no.” That is, I have no need of him. She said, “maybe he will profit us…” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:9) Allah

granted her that benefit which she hoped for: In this world, it was that Allah guided her through him and in the Hereafter, it was that He made her to reside in His Paradise because of him.

“Or we shall adopt him as a son.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:9) This was because they brought him up, as they had no children of their own.

Allah, Most High, says, “And they perceived not (the result of that” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:9) means that, they did not know what Allah had willed for them, that He had ordained for them to pick him up as part of His Plan to bring Divine Retribution to Fir‘awn and his hosts. “And the heart of the mother of Moosa became empty. She was very near to disclose him, had We not strengthened her heart (with faith), so that she might remain as one of the Believers. And she said to his (Moosa’s) sister, ‘Follow him.’ So she (his sister) watched him from a junub, while they perceived not. And We had already forbidden (other) foster suckling mothers for him, until she (his sister came up and) said, ‘Shall I direct you to a household who will rear him for you, and sincerely they will look after him in a good manner?’ So did We restore him to his mother, that she might be delighted, and that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the Promise of Allah is true. But most of them know not.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:10-13)

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him), Mujahid, ‘Ikrimah, Sa‘eed Ibn Jubair, Abu ‘Ubaidah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, AdDahhak and others all said regarding His Saying: “And the heart of the mother of Moosa became empty” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:10) which it means: her heart became empty of all worldly matters, except Moosa (Peace be upon him). “She was very near to disclose him” means to disclose his case, namely that the child was her son and to ask about him openly “had We not strengthened her heart” means made her patient and strong “so that she might remain as one of the Believers. And she said to his (Moosa’s) sister, ‘Follow him’.” She was her grownup daughter. That is, go after him and seek information about him. “She (his sister) watched him from a junub.” Mujahid said that it means: from a distance.

Qatadah said, “She began to observe him, (casually,) as if she had no interest in him, which is why Allah, Most High, says, while they perceived not.” This was because, when Moosa (Peace be upon him) was taken to live in Fir‘awn’s house, they wanted to provide him with a wet-nurse, but he would not accept the breast of any of them, nor

would he eat any food. So they felt at a loss as to what to do for him, having exerted all of their efforts to find some way to feed him, but to no avail. As He, Most High, says, “And We had already forbidden (other) foster suckling mothers for him.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:12) So they sent him with the midwives and maids to the marketplace, in the hope that they would find someone whose milk he would accept. While they were standing with him and the people were busy looking at him, his sister espied him, but she did not reveal that she knew him. Instead she said, “Shall I direct you to a household who will rear him for you, and sincerely they will look after him in a good manner?” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:12) According to ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him), when she said this, they said to her, they had some doubts about her, so they seized her and asked her how she knew these people will be sincere and care for him? She said to them, “They will be sincere and will care for him because they want the king to be happy and because they hope for some reward.” So they let her go. After what she said, being safe from their harm, they took her to their house and brought the baby to his mother. She gave him her breast and he accepted it, so they rejoiced and sent the glad tidings to the wife of Fir‘awn. She called for Moosa’s mother, treating her kindly and rewarding her generously. She did not realize that she was his real mother, but she saw that the baby accepted her breast. Then Asiyah asked her to stay with her and nurse the baby, but she refused, saying, “I have a husband and children, and I cannot stay with you, but if you would like me to nurse him in my own home, I will do that.” Fir‘awn’s wife agreed to that, and paid her a regular salary and gave her extra gifts and clothing and treated her kindly.

The mother of Moosa (Peace be upon him) came back with her child, happy that after a time of fear Allah granted her security, prestige and ongoing provision. There was only a short time between the distress and the way out, a day and night, or thereabouts. And Allah knows best. Glory be to the One in Whose Hands are all things; what He wills happens and what He does not will does not happen. He is the One Who grants those who fear Him, a way out from every worry and distress, Allah says, “So did We restore him to his mother, that she might be delighted, and that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the Promise of Allah is true.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:13) That is, We promised to return him to her and make him a Messenger; so his return to her is proof of the truth of the glad tidings of his status as a Messenger. But most of them know not.” (Surah AlQasas 28:13)

Allah bestowed this favor on Moosa (Peace be upon him) on the night when He spoke to him, and among the things He said to him was: “And indeed We conferred a favor on you another time (before). When We inspired your mother with that which We inspired. Saying, ‘Put him (the child) into the taboot (a box or a case or a chest) and put it into the river (Nile), then the river shall cast it up on the bank, and there, an enemy of Mine and an enemy of his shall take him.’ And I endued you with love from Me, in order that you may be brought up under My Eye.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:37-39) This was that no person saw him except that he loved him. “that you may be brought up under My Eye.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:39) Qatadah and others among the Salaf said that it means: You will be fed and given a pleasant life and you will be given the best foods to eat and the finest garments to wear. All of this is due to My Protection and My Supervision of you in that which I have created in you and for you and the things that I have ordained, which no one besides Me could do. “When your sister went and said, ‘Shall I show you one who will nurse him?’ So We restored you to your mother, that she might cool her eyes and she should not grieve. Then you did kill a man, but We saved you from great distress

and tried you with a heavy trial.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:40)

He, Most High, says, “And when he attained his full strength, and was perfect (in manhood), We bestowed on him Hukman (Prophethood, right judgment of the affairs) and religious knowledge (of the Religion of his forefathers i.e. Islamic Monotheism). And thus do We reward the muhsinoon (i.e. those who do good – see the footnote of V. 9:120). And he entered the city at a time of unawareness of its people, and he found there two men fighting – one of his party (his Religion – from the Children of Isra’eel), and the other of his foes. The man of his (own) party asked him for help against his foe, so Moosa struck him with his fist and killed him. He said, ‘This is of Shaitan’s doing, verily, he is a plain misleading enemy.’ He said, ‘My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, so forgive me.’ Then He forgave him. Verily, He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. He said, ‘My Lord! For that with which You have favored me, I will never more be a helper for the mujrimoon (criminals, those disobedient to Allah, polytheists and sinners, etc.)’!” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:14-17) Allah, Most High, mentioned that He blessed Moosa’s mother by returning him to her and by the Kindness and Grace He bestowed on her following this. Then He described how, when Moosa (Peace be upon him) grew up and became a man of fine physique and exemplary character – according to most authorities, he was aged forty years – Allah bestowed wisdom and knowledge on him, i.e. Prophethood and the Message, the glad tidings of which He informed Moosa’s mother in His Words: “Verily! We shall bring him back to you, and shall make him one of (Our) Messengers.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:7) Then He, Most High, described the cause of Moosa’s departure from Egypt, his journey to the land of Madyan and his residence there for the time ordained for him, and how Allah spoke to him and ennobled him with that which He ennobled him, as we shall make clear. Allah, Most High, says, “And he entered the city at a time of unawareness of its people.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:15) ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him), Sa‘eed Ibn Jubair, ‘Ikrimah, Qatadah and As-Suddi said that this was in the middle of the day. It was also reported on the authority of ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) that he said that it was between the two ‘isha’s “and he found there two men fighting” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:15) means exchanging blows and struggling with one another “one of his party”. That is, one of them being from among the Children of Isra’eel “and the other of his foes”. That is, the other being from among the Copts. This was said by ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him), Qatadah, As-Suddi and Muhammad Ibn Ishaq. “The man of his (own) party asked him for help against his foe.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:15) This was because Moosa (Peace be upon him) possessed power in Egypt, due to the fact that he had been adopted and brought up by Fir‘awn in his palace. As a result of this, the Children of Isra’eel had gained a degree of strength and respect and they acquired prestige and status due to the fact that one of them had breastfed him, which made them his “uncles”, i.e. through a foster relationship. So when that Isra’eelite requested Moosa’s help against the Copt, Moosa (Peace be upon him) advanced toward him “so Moosa struck him.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:15) Mujahid said that it means that he struck him a blow with his fist. Qatadah said that he struck him with a stick that he had with him “and killed him.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:15) That is, he died as a result of the blow; and that Copt was a disbeliever, who ascribed partners to Allah, the Almighty. Moosa (Peace be upon him) had not intended to kill him; he had only intended to restrain him and curb his aggression. Because of this, Moosa (Peace be upon him) said, “This is of Shaitan’s doing, verily, he is a plain misleading enemy.’ He said, more be a helper for the mujrimoon (criminals, those disobedient to Allah, polytheists, sinners, etc.)!” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:15-17) 

And He, Most High, says, “So he became afraid, looking about in the city (waiting as to what would be the result of his crime of killing), when, behold, the man who had sought his help the day before, called for his help (again). Moosa said to him, ‘Verily, you are a plain misleader!’ Then, when he decided to seize the man who was an enemy to both of them, the man said, ‘O, Moosa! Is it your intention to kill me as you killed a man yesterday? Your aim is nothing but to become a tyrant in the land, and not to be one of those who do right.’ And there came a man running, from the farthest end of the city. He said, ‘O, Moosa! Verily, the chiefs are taking counsel together about you, to kill you, so escape. Truly, I am to you of those who give sincere advice.’ So he escaped from there, looking about in a state of fear. He said, ‘My Lord! Save me from the people who are zalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers)’!” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:18-21)

Allah, Most High, informs us that the following day, Moosa (Peace be upon him) was in a state of anxiety in the Egyptian city; i.e. he was fearful that Fir‘awn and his council of elders would know that the murder victim, whose case had been submitted to Fir‘awn, had been killed by none other than Moosa (Peace be upon him), while supporting a man from among the Children of Isra’eel, for this would strengthen their belief that Moosa (Peace be upon him) was one of them – and the consequences of this would be severe. So he began to walk around the city on that morning, “so he became afraid, looking about.” It means that he started glancing about in all directions. And while he was engorssed, the same Isra’eelite who had sought his help the previous day “called to him” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:18) That is, he shouted to him and requested his help against another man with whom he had picked a fight. But Moosa (Peace be upon him) rebuked him and blamed him for his repeated wickedness and argumentativeness, saying to him, “Verily, you are a plain misleader!” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:18) Then, when he intended to fight ‘My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, so forgive me.’ Then He

forgave him. Verily, He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. He said, ‘My Lord! For that with which You have favored me, I will never with that Copt – who was the enemy of Moosa (Peace be upon him) and of the Isra’eelite – to restrain him and rescue the Isra’eelite from him, he advanced toward the Copt, “The man said, ‘O, Moosa! Is it your intention to kill me as you killed a man yesterday? Your aim is nothing but to become a tyrant in the land, and not to be one of those who do right’.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:19) Some said that these words were spoken by the Isra’eelite, who was aware of what Moosa (Peace be upon him) had done the previous day; and it was as if, when he saw him advancing on the Copt, he thought that Moosa (Peace be upon him) wanted to hit him because of his rebuke to him, “Verily, you are a plain misleader!” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:18) and so he said those words to Moosa (Peace be upon him) (in self-defense). Thus he made known what had transpired the previous day and the Copt went to Fir‘awn and incited him against Moosa (Peace be upon him).

What is intended here is that Fir‘awn was informed that Moosa (Peace be upon him) was the man who had killed the Copt the previous day and so he sent his people out to look for him. But they were preceded by an advisor, who had taken a shortcut to reach him “And there came a man running, from the farthest end of the city.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:20). That is, hastening to him, because he was concerned for his safety. He said, “O, Moosa! Verily, the chiefs are taking counsel together about you, to kill you, so escape” (Surah AlQasas 28:20) means so, you escape from this land. “Truly, I am to you of those who give sincere advice.” That is, in what I say to you. Allah, Most High, says, “so he escaped from there, looking about in a state of fear,” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:21) meaning he left the land of Egypt immediately, being unaware of which road he was taking and not knowing where it would lead him, saying, “My Lord! Save me from the people who are zalimoon.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:21).

And He, Most High, says, “And when he went toward (the land of) Madyan he said, ‘It may be that my Lord guides me to the Right Way.’ And when he arrived at the water of Madyan (Midian) he found there a group of men watering (their flocks), and besides them he found two women who were holding back. He said, ‘What is the matter with

you?’ They said, ‘We cannot water (our flocks) until the shepherds take (their flocks). And our father is a very old man.’ So he watered (their flocks) for them, then he turned back to shade, and said, ‘My Lord! Truly, I am in need of whatever good that You bestow on me’!” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:22-24).

Allah, Most High, informs us about the departure of His slave, His Messenger and His Kaleem from Egypt “looking about in a state of fear.” That is, afraid that one of Fir‘awn’s men would recognize him, while he had no idea in which direction he was heading, or where his footsteps were taking him. This was due to the fact that he had never before left Egypt. “And when he went toward (the land of) Madyan” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:22) means, when he (unknowingly) embarked on the road that led him there, “He said, ‘It may be that my Lord guides me to the Right Way’.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:22). That is, haply this road will lead to (a good) destination. And that was what happened; it led him to a destination – and what a destination! “And when he arrived at the water of Madyan” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:23) it was a well at which the people used to draw water. Madyan was the city whose inhabitants, the companions of the Aykah, whom Allah had destroyed. They were the people of Shu‘aib (Peace be upon him), and their destruction took place before the time of Moosa (Peace be upon him), according to one of two opinions held by the scholars. When he reached the aforementioned water, “he found there a group of men watering (their flocks), and besides them he found two women who were holding back.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:23) That is, they were holding back their sheep, to prevent them from becoming mixed with the other peoples’ sheep. According to the People of the Scripture, they were seven girls, but this is also a mistake; possibly there were seven daughters, but only two of them were watering the sheep. In this manner, we can reconcile the two sayings, if that is what has been (reliably) reported. Otherwise, (we must say that) it is apparent that he had only two daughters. “He said, ‘What is the matter with you?’ They said, ‘We cannot water (our flocks) until the

shepherds take (their flocks). And our father is a very old man’.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:23) They said that, we cannot get near to the water until after the shepherds have taken their sheep away, because we are weak; and the reason why we have come here with our sheep is because our father is elderly and weak. Allah, Most High, says, “So

he watered (their flocks) for them.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:24)

He, Most High, says, “Then there came to him one of the two women, walking shyly. She said, ‘Verily, my father calls you that he may reward you for having watered (our flocks) for us.’ So when he came to him and narrated the story, he said, ‘Fear you not. You have escaped from the people who are zalimoon.’ And said one of them (the two women), ‘O, my father! Hire him! Verily, the best of men for you to hire is the strong, the trustworthy.’ He said, ‘I intend to wed one of these two daughters of mine to you, on condition that you serve me for eight years, but if you complete ten years, it will be (a favor) from you. But I intend not to place you under difficulty. If Allah wills, you will find me one of the righteous.’ He (Moosa) said, ‘That (is settled) between me and you, whichever of the two terms I fulfill, there will be no injustice to me, and Allah is Surety over what we say’.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:25-28)

When Moosa (Peace be upon him) sat in the shade and said, “O, ‘My Lord! Truly, I am in need of whatever good that You bestow on me’!” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:24), the two women heard him and they went to their father; it was said that he rebuked them because of their early return and so they told him about Moosa (Peace be upon him) and he ordered one of them to go to him and invite him, “Then there came to him one of the two women, walking shyly,” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:25) means walking like a free woman. She said, “Verily, my father calls you that he may reward you for having watered (our flocks) for us.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:25) She spoke frankly to him, so that her words should not excite any suspicion in him – and this was a part of her perfect modesty and chastity. “So when he came to him and narrated the story” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:25) means, when he told him his story and related to him the events surrounding his departure from Egypt, as he fled from Fir‘awn. On hearing his story, the old man said, “Fear you not. You have escaped from the people who are zalimoon.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:25) It means that you have left the area in which they exercise their authority and you are no longer in their lands. Scholars disagreed as to the identity of this old man; it was said that he was Shu‘aib (Peace be upon him) and this is widely accepted by many; among those who related it were Al-Hasan Al-Basri and Malik Ibn Anas and he stated it positively in a Hadith, but there is some doubt regarding the authenticity of its chain of narrators. Another group declared that Shu‘aib (Peace be upon him) lived for a very long time after the destruction of his people, so that Moosa (Peace be upon him) encountered him and married his daughter.

What is intended is that he offered him his hospitality, gave him a comfortable place to stay and informed him about his situation; he gave him the glad tidings that he was safe. At that point, one of his daughters said to him, “O, my father! Hire him!” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:26) so that to herd your sheep; then she praised him saying that he was strong and trustworthy.

‘Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ood (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The most discerning of people are three: The companion of Yoosuf (Peace be upon him) (i.e. Al-‘Aziz), when he said to his wife, “Make his stay comfortable.” (Surah Yoosuf 12:21), the companion of Moosa, when she said, “O, my father! Hire him! Verily, the best of men for you to hire is the strong, the trustworthy.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:26) and Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) when he designated ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) as his successor.

He, Most High, says, “He (Moosa) said, ‘That (is settled) between me and you, whichever of the two terms I fulfill, there will be no injustice to me, and Allah is Surety over what we say’.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:28) Allah tells us that Moosa (Peace be upon him) said to his father-in-law, “The matter will be as you have said and whichever you decide, there will be no sin upon me; and Allah will be the Hearer and Witness to what we agree upon – and He is the Disposer of my affairs and of yours.” But though he said this, he completed the ten years in full.

Al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Sa‘eed Ibn Jubair that he said, “A Jew from the people of Al-Hirah asked me which one of the two periods Moosa completed.” I said, “I don’t know, (but wait) until I see the most learned Arab and enquire him about it.” So I went to Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) and asked him. He replied, “Moosa completed the longer and better period.” Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) added, “Verily, a Messenger of Allah always does what he says.”

He, Most High, says, “Then, when Moosa had fulfilled the term, and was traveling with his family, he saw a fire in the direction of At-Toor (Mount). He said to his family, ‘Wait, I have seen a fire; perhaps I may bring to you from there some information, or a burning fire-brand that you may warm yourselves.’ So when he reached it (the fire), he was called from the right side of the valley, in the blessed place from the tree, ‘O, Moosa! Verily! I am Allah, the Lord of Al-‘Alameen. And throw your stick!’ But when he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he turned in flight, and looked not back. (It was said), ‘O, Moosa! Draw near, and fear not. Verily, you are of those who are secure. Put your hand in your bosom, it will come forth white without a disease, and draw your hand close to your side to be free from fear (that which you suffered from the snake, and also by that your hand will return to its original state). These are two burhan (signs, miracles,

evidence and proofs) from your Lord to Fir‘awn and his chiefs. Verily, they are the people who are fasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)’.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:29-32)

We said previously that Moosa (Peace be upon him) completed the longer of the two specified periods (eight years or ten years) and this may be understood from the Words of Allah: “Then, when Moosa had fulfilled the term.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:29) It is reported on the authority of Mujahid that he completed ten years of service and another ten after that. Allah says, “and was traveling with his family” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:29) means, he had left his father-in-law –according to what more than one of the scholars of tafseer and others have said – because he missed his family; so he set out to visit them in secret in Egypt. He was traveling with his family, including his two sons, and some sheep which he had acquired during his time in his father-in-law’s service. The scholars said, it was a dark, cold night. Due to this, they lost their way and were unable to find the path again. He tried to kindle a fire, but he was unable to do so. The darkness and

cold increased and while he was occupied in trying to start a fire, he observed a fire burning at a distance, in the direction of At-Toor, which was a mountain that lay to the west of him, somewhere of to his right. He said to his family, “Wait! Verily, I have seen a fire.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:10). It was as if – and Allah knows better – he alone saw it, because this fire was from the Light of Truth and it would not be fitting that every person should see it. “Perhaps I may bring to you from there some information” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:29) means, perhaps I can ask those whose fire it is on the way to the road. “…or a burning fire-brand that you may warm yourselves.” (Surah AlQasas 28:29) It is proved that they had lost their way on a cold, dark night, because Allah, Most High, says in another Verse, “And has there come to you the story of Moosa? When he saw a fire, he said to his family, ‘Wait! Verily, I have seen a fire, perhaps I can bring you some burning brand therefrom, or find some guidance at the fire.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:9,10) So this proves that there was darkness and that they had lost their way.

He, Most High, says: “(Remember) when Moosa said to his household, ‘Verily! I have seen a fire, I will bring you from there some information, or I will bring you a burning brand, that you may warm yourselves.” (Surah An-Naml 27:7) So he brought them news from it – and what news he brought them! And he found guidance there – and what guidance he found! And he acquired a light from it – but what a light he acquired! Allah, Most High, says, “So when he reached it (the fire), he was called from the right side of the valley, in the blessed place from the tree, ‘O, Moosa! Verily! I am Allah, the Lord of Al-‘Alameen’!” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:30)

In Surah An-Naml, He Most High, says, “But when he came to it, he was called, ‘Blessed is whosoever is in the fire, and whosoever is round about it! And Glorified be Allah, the Lord of Al-‘Alameen.” (Surah An-Naml 27:8) That is, Glory be to Allah, Who does as He wills and decides what He wills. “And when he came to it (the fire), he was called by name, ‘O, Moosa! Verily! I am your Lord! So take off your shoes, you are in the sacred valley, Tuwa. And I have chosen you. So listen to that which is inspired to you. Verily! I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform as-salah (iqamat as-salah – Prayer) for My Remembrance. Verily, the Hour is coming and My Will is to keep it hidden that every person may be rewarded for that which he strives. Therefore, let not the one who believes not therein (i.e. in the Day of Resurrection, Reckoning, Paradise and Hell, etc.), but follows his own lusts, divert you therefrom, lest you perish’.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:11- 16)

More than one of the scholars of tafseer from among the earlier and the later generations have said that when Moosa (Peace be upon him) walked toward that fire which he had seen, and when he reached it, he found that it was burning in a green boxthorn tree. The more the fire burned, the more the greenness of the tree increased and he stood in amazement. The tree was at the foot of a mountain, which lay west of him, to his right, as He, Most High, says, “And you (O, Muhammad) were not on the western side (of the Mount), when We made clear to Moosa the Commandment, and you were not among those present.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:44) Moosa (Peace be upon him) was in a valley named Tuwa and he was facing the Qiblah and that tree was on his right, in the West. His Lord called to him in the Sacred Valley of Tuwa and He commanded him first of all to remove his shoes, out of reverence and respect for that blessed location – and especially on that blessed night. According to the People of the Scriptures, he placed his hand on his face in awe and in fear for his sight, due to the intensity of the light. Then Allah, Most High, addressed him as He willed, saying to him, “Verily! I am Allah, the Lord of Al-‘Alameen!” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:30) and “Verily! I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform as-salah (iqamat as-salah) for My Remembrance.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:14). That is, I am the Lord of the Worlds, besides Whom none has the right to be worshipped – and worship devoted to any other deity cannot benefit.

Then He informed him that the life of this world is only temporary and that the permanent abode is that of the Day of Resurrection, whose establishment is inevitable “that every person may be rewarded for that which he strives.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:15) That is, whether good or evil. He encouraged him and incited him to work for it and to avoid those who do not believe in it, such as those who disobey their Lord and follow their own vain desires. Then He informed him that He is able to do all things, saying to a thing, “Be!” and it is: “And what is that in your right hand, O, Moosa?” (Surah Ta Ha 20:17) means that, is this not your stick, which We have known since you had it. This is an interrogative, used for the purpose of affirmation. “He said, ‘It is my stick upon which I lean, with which I beat down branches for my sheep and for which I find other uses’.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:18) That is, it is my stick which I know and of which I am sure. “(Allah) said, ‘Cast it down, O, Moosa!’ He cast it down, and behold! It was a snake, moving quickly.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:19, 20)

This was a great miracle and an irrefutable proof that when the One Who was speaking to him says to something, “Be!” it is – and that He does as He wills.

This serpent combined huge size with lightning speed and when Moosa (Peace be upon him) saw it “he turned in flight” (Surah AnNaml 27:10) means, he fled in fear from the snake, because it was a natural human reaction to do so, “and did not look back.” (Surah AnNaml 27:10). That is, he did not turn around; so his Lord called him, saying, “O, Moosa! Draw near, and fear not. Verily, you are of those who are secure.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:31) When he returned, Allah, Most High, commanded him to take hold of it: He said, “Grasp it, and fear not, We shall return it to its former state.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:21) It was said that he feared it greatly and so he placed his hand in the sleeve of his garment and then placed his hand inside its mouth.

According to the People of the Scriptures, he grasped it by its tail and when he held it firmly, it became a stick once again, with two branches. So Glory be to Allah, the Omnipotent, Almighty, Lord of the two Easts and the two Wests. Then He, Most High, commanded him to place his hand inside his garment and then to remove it, upon which he saw that it was shining white, like the moon “without any disease” means without leprosy or bahaq, which is why He says, “Put your hand in your bosom, it will come forth white, without a disease, and draw your hand close to your side to be free from fear (that which you suffered from the snake, and also by that your hand will

return to its original state).” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:32) 

What is meant is that when Allah, Most Glorified, commanded Moosa (Peace be upon him) to go to Fir‘awn, “He said, ‘My Lord! I have killed a man among them, and I fear that they will kill me. And my brother Haroon (Aaron), he is more eloquent in speech than I, so send him with me as a helper to confirm me. Verily! I fear that they will belie me.’ Allah said, ‘We will strengthen your arm through your brother, and give you both power, so they shall not be able to harm you, with Our Ayat, you two as well as those who follow you will be the victors’.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:33-35)

Allah, Most High, informs us about Moosa (Peace be upon him) and his reply to his Lord, the Almighty, the All-Powerful, when He told him to go to his enemy, from whose power and injustice in the lands of Egypt he had fled, after he had killed the Copt. He said, “He said, ‘My Lord! I have killed a man among them, and I fear that they will kill me. And my brother Haroon he is more eloquent in speech than I, so send him with me as a helper to confirm me. Verily! I fear that they will believe me’.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:33, 34) That is, make along with me a helper, an adviser and a supporter, who will aid me in delivering Your Message to them, because he is more eloquent in speech than I am and better able to elucidate.

Allah, Most High, says in reply to his question, “Allah said, ‘We will strengthen your arm through your brother, and give you both power’.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:35). That is proof and evidence “So they shall not be able to harm you, with our Ayat”. That is, so they will not be able to inflict any harm on you because of your acting upon Our Ayat (fulfilling Our Commands), or it was said, due to the blessing of Our Ayat. “You two as well as those who follow you will be the victors.”

In Surah Ta Ha, He says, “Go to Fir’awn! Verily, he has transgressed (all bounds in disbelief and disobedience, and has behaved arrogantly and as a tyrant).” (Moosa) said, “O, my Lord! Open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence, contentment, and boldness). And ease my task for me; and make loose the knot (the defect) from my tongue, (i.e. remove my speech defect), that they may understand my speech.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:24-28) It was said that he was afflicted by a speech impediment as a result of putting a burning coal in his mouth when he was a small child. This was due to Fir‘awn, wanting to test his intelligence when, as a small child, he seized his beard. Fir‘awn wanted to kill him (for pulling his beard), but Asiyah, fearing for him, said, “He is a baby!” So Fir‘awn tested him by placing a date and a burning coal in front of him; Moosa (Peace be upon him) tried to take the date, but Fir‘awn directed his hand to the coal and he took it and placed it on his tongue, as a result of which he was afflicted with a speech defect. So he asked Allah to remove a part of it – sufficient that the people might understand his speech – and he did not ask Him to completely remove it.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, “Messengers only ask for what is sufficient for their needs; for this reason, a little of the defect remained on his tongue. This is why Fir‘awn – may Allah’s curse be upon him – claimed concerning Moosa (Peace be upon him), “…and (he) can scarcely express himself clearly.” (Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:52) It means that he cannot convey his meaning and express what is in his mind and his heart. Then Moosa (Peace be upon him) said, “And appoint for me a helper from my family, Haroon, my brother; increase my strength with him, and let him share my task (of conveying Allah’s Message and Prophethood), that we may glorify You much and remember You much, verily! You are of us Ever All Seeing.” (Allah) said, “You are granted your request, O, Moosa!” (Surah Al-Qasas 20:29-36) That is, We have granted everything that you asked and given you all that you requested – and it was due to the high estimation in which his Lord, the Almighty, the All-Powerful held him that when he asked Allah to grant Prophethood to his brother, He did so. And this is indicative of great rank. He, Most High, says, “and he was honorable before Allah.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:69)

He, Most High, says, “And We bestowed on him his brother Haroon,

(also) a Prophet, out of Our Mercy.” (Surah Maryam 19:53)

The Mother of the Believers, ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, heard a man saying to some people when they were traveling on the road for Hajj (in Makkah), “Which brother was most benevolent toward his brother?” The people remained silent, but ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said to those around her howdah, “It was Moosa, son of ‘Imran, when he asked for Prophethood to be bestowed on his brother, Haroon, and Allah did so. This is why Allah, Most High, says, ‘And We bestowed on him his brother, Haroon, (also) a Prophet, out of Our Mercy’.” (Surah Maryam 19:53)

He, Most High, says in Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’, “And (remember) when your Lord called Moosa (saying), ‘Go to the people who are zalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers), The people of Fir‘awn. Will they not fear Allah and become righteous?’ He said, ‘My Lord! Verily, I fear that they will believe me, and my breast straightens, and my tongue does not express well. So send for Haroon (to come along with me). And they have a charge of crime against me, and I fear they will kill me.’ Allah said, ‘Nay! Go you both with Our Signs. Verily! We shall be with you, listening. And when you both come to Fir‘awn, say, We are the Messengers of the Lord of Al-‘Alameen, so allow the Children of Isra’eel to go with us’.” (Fir’awn) said (to Moosa), ‘Did we not bring you up among us as a child? And you did dwell many years of your life with us. And you did your deed, which you did. And you are one of the ingrates’.” (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:10-19) And the meaning of these Words is: So they went to Fir‘awn and spoke these words to him, conveying to him the Message they had been given, which was to call him to the worship of Allah, Most High, Alone, without ascribing partners to Him; to free the slaves, the Children of Isra’eel, from his grip and his subjugation and allow them to worship their Lord as and when they wished; let them be free to declare His Oneness, invoke Him and humble themselves before Him. But Fir‘awn responded with arrogance, insolence and oppression, looking on Moosa (Peace be upon him) with contempt and scorn, saying to him, “Did we not bring you up among us as a child? And you did dwell many years of your life with us.” (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:18) That is, was it not you whom we brought up in our house, to whom we showed kindness, and on whom we bestowed favors for so many years? This proves that the Fir‘awn to whom Moosa (Peace be upon him) was sent was the same Fir‘awn from whom he fled.

This contradicts the claim of the People of the Scriptures, who said that the Fir‘awn from whom he fled died while he was living in Madyan and that the person to whom he was sent was another Fir‘awn.

He, Most High, says, “And you did your deed, which you did. And you are one of the ingrates” (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:19). means, you killed the Coptic man and fled from us and were ungrateful for the favors we bestowed on you. Moosa said, “I did it then, when I was ignorant (as regards my Lord and His Message).” (Surah AshShu‘ara’ 26:20). That is, before my Lord inspired me and sent down Revelation to me. “So I fled from you when I feared you. But my Lord has granted me Hukman (i.e. religious knowledge, right judgment of the affairs and Prophethood), and appointed me as one of the Messengers.” (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:21) Then he replied to Fir‘awn regarding the favors he had given him, such as bringing him up and showing kindness to him, “And this is the past favor with which you reproach me, that you have enslaved the Children of Isra’eel.” (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:22) It means that, this favor which you have mentioned, which was that you treated me with kindness – and I am one man from among the Children of Isra’eel – does it compare with the manner in which you have used this entire great nation and enslaved them with a view to making them carry out your works and serve you. Fir‘awn said, “And what is the Lord of the Al-‘Alameen?” Moosa said, “Lord of the heavens and the Earth, and all that is between them, if you seek to be convinced with certainty.” Fir‘awn said to those around, “Do you not hear (what he says)?” Moosa said, “Your Lord and the Lord of your ancient fathers!” Fir‘awn said,

“Verily, your Messenger who has been sent to you is a mad man!”

Moosa said, “Lord of the East and the West, and all that is between

them, if you did but understand!” (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:23-28)

Allah, Most High, informs us of the discussion, the dispute and the debate which took place between Fir‘awn and Moosa (Peace be upon him) and the proof (of disbelief) which Al-Kaleem confirmed against the wicked Fir‘awn, including the rational and spiritual proofs and then the tangible, perceptible proofs. This was because Fir‘awn – may Allah have curse on him – demonstrated his rejection of the Creator, Most Blessed, Most High, and claimed that he was the (only) deity. “Then he gathered his people and cried aloud, saying, ‘I am your lord, most high’.” (Surah An-Nazi‘at 79:23,24) And he said, “O, chiefs! I know not that you have an ilah (god) other than me.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:38) He was just being stubborn in this dispute and he knew that he was a slave, subject to Allah’s Mastery and Lordship and that He is the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms, the true God, as He, Most High, says, “And they belied them (those Ayat) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their own selves were convinced thereof [i.e. those (Ayat) are from Allah, and Moosa is the Messenger of Allah in truth, but they disliked to obey Moosa, and hated to believe in his Message of Monotheism]. So see what was the end of the mufsidoon (disbelievers, those disobedient to Allah, evildoers, liars).” (Surah An-Naml 27:14)

This is why he said to Moosa (Peace be upon him) by way of rejection of his Message and evincing his belief that there is no lord who had sent him, “And what is the Lord of the Al-‘Alameen?” (Surah AshShu‘ara’ 26:23) That is, the Lord of the Worlds, the Creator of these heavens and this Earth, which are visible (to all) and every oftcreated thing in between them, such as the clouds, the winds, the rains, the plants and the animals, which every rational person knows, do not create themselves and require a Creator – and that is Allah, besides Whom none has the right to be worshipped, the Lord of the Worlds. “He said”, that is, Fir‘awn said “to those around him”. Such as his princes, his provincial governors and his ministers, by way of mockery and ridicule of what Moosa (Peace be upon him) had related, “Do you not hear?” means these words of his. Moosa (Peace be upon him) said, addressing both Fir‘awn and those around him,

“Your Lord and the Lord of your ancient fathers!” (Surah AshShu‘ara’ 26: 26). It means, it is He Who created you and your fathers, your grandparents and all of the previous generations, because every person knows that he did not create himself nor did his father and mother create themselves; and he (i.e. everybody) was not brought into being without a Creator – he was only brought into being and created by the Lord of the Worlds. And it is these two aspects that are referred to in the Words of Allah, Most High: “We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur’an) is the truth.” (Surah Fussilat 41:53) But in spite of all this, Fir‘awn did not wake up from his sleep, nor did he divest himself of his errors. Instead, he persisted in his transgression, stubbornness and rejection. “Fir‘awn said, ‘Verily, your Messenger who has been sent to you is a madman!’ Moosa said, ‘Lord of the East and the West, and all that is between them, if you did but understand’!” (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:27, 28) That is, it is He Who subjugates these shining stars and causes the celestial bodies to remain in their orbits. He created the darkness and the light. He is the Lord of the Earth and the heaven. He is the Lord of the first created people and the last. He created the sun, the moon and the moving and the fixed celestial bodies. He created the night with its darkness and the day with its light. All are under His Subjugation and Control and all of their movements are ordained by Him and follow courses decreed by Him at all times, for He, Most High, is the Creator, the Owner, and He disposes of the affairs of His creation as He wills.

When the proofs were established against Fir‘awn and his specious arguments had been refuted and no words remained for him except words of obstinacy, he gave up arguing and used his authority, his rank and his power, saying, “If you choose an ilah (god) other than me, I will certainly put you among the prisoners.” Moosa said, “Even if I bring you something manifest (and convincing)?” Fir‘awn said, “Bring it forth then, if you are of the truthful!” So (Moosa) threw his stick, and behold, it was a serpent, manifest. And he drew out his hand, and behold, it was white to all beholders!” (Surah AshShu‘ara’ 26:29-33)

These were the two proofs with which Allah had supported him: the stick and the hand. In this situation, he displayed the great miracle, which dazzled their eyes and their minds when he threw the stick and lo, it became a serpent, manifest, i.e. with a huge body, terrifying and hideous to the beholders.

Allah, Most High, says in Surah Ta Ha, “When your sister went and said, ‘Shall I show you one who will nurse him?’ So We restored you to your mother, that she might cool her eyes and she should not grieve. Then you did kill a man, but We saved you from great distress and tried you with a heavy trial. Then you stayed a number of years with the people of Madyan. Then you came here according to a fixed term. And I have Istana‘tuka for Myself. Go you and your brother with My Ayat, and do not taniya in My Remembrance. Go, both of you, to Fir‘awn, verily, he has transgressed (all bounds in disbelief and disobedience and behaved as an arrogant man and as a tyrant). And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear Allah.” They said, “Our Lord! Verily! We fear lest he should hasten to punish us or lest he should transgress (all bounds against us).” He (Allah) said, “Fear not, verily! I am with you both, hearing and

seeing.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:40-46)

Allah, Most High, addressed Moosa (Peace be upon him) on the night when He inspired him and conferred Prophethood on him, and informed him that He was a Witness when he was in the house of Fir‘awn and that He was guarding him, protecting him and bestowing His Kindness on him. Then He reminded him of how He removed him from Egypt to Madyan by His Will, His Power and His Disposal and how he remained there for a number of years. “Then you came here according to a fixed term.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:40). That is, according to the fixed term ordained by Me. “And I have Istana‘tuka for Myself.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:41) That is, I have chosen you for Myself, to convey My Message and to hear My Speech. “Go you and your brother with My Ayat, and do not taniya in My Remembrance” (Surah Ta Ha 20:42) means, do not be weak or slack in remembering Me when you approach him, for that will be a support for you when addressing him, answering him, offering him advice and establishing the evidence against him.

Allah, Most High, says, “O, you who believe! When you meet (an enemy) force, take a firm stand against them and remember the Name of Allah much (both with tongue and mind), so that you may be successful.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:45) Then He, Most High, says, “Go, both of you, to Fir‘awn, verily, he has transgressed (all bounds in disbelief and disobedience and behaved as an arrogant man and as a tyrant). And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear Allah.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:43, 44) This was from Allah’s Gentleness, Generosity, Compassion and Mercy toward His creation, in spite of His Knowledge of Fir‘awn’s disbelief, his arrogance and his tyranny; and at that time, he was the worst of Allah’s creation, yet Allah sent one who was the best of His creation at that time to him. Nevertheless, He commanded them to call Fir‘awn to Allah in the best way, with kindness and gentleness and to treat him as one who it is hoped may remember Allah or fear Him, as He, Most High, said to His Messenger (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), “Invite (mankind, O, Muhammad,) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur’an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better.” (Surah AnNahl 16:125).

He, Most High, says, “And argue not with the people of the Scriptures (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong.” (Surah Al-Ankaboot 29:46) Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, regarding the Words of Allah: “And speak to him mildly” (Surah Ta Ha 20:44) means, be tolerant and forbearing with him and say to him, “Verily, you have a Lord and you have a Hereafter – and before you are a Garden and a Fire.”

He, Most High, says, “So go you both to him, and say, ‘Verily, we are Messengers of your Lord, so let the Children of Isra’eel go with us, and torment them not; indeed, we have come with a sign from your Lord! And peace will be upon him who follows the guidance! Truly, it has been revealed to us that the punishment will be for him who denies (believes not in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messengers, etc.), and turns away (from the truth and obedience to Allah).” (Surah Ta Ha 20:47,48) Allah, Most High, tells us that He commanded them both to go to Fir‘awn and to call him upon him to believe in Allah, Most High, and worship Him, Alone, without ascribing partners to Him, and to ask him also to cease tormenting the Children of Isra’eel; free them from their enslavement and allow them to leave with Moosa and Haroon,may Allah be pleased with them both. “And peace will be upon him who follows the guidance!” (Surah Ta Ha 20:47) That is, peace will be on you if you follow the guidance. Then they warned him against rejecting their Message, saying, “Truly, it has been revealed to us that the punishment will be for him who denies (believes not in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messengers, etc.), and turns away (from the truth and obedience to Allah).” (Surah Ta Ha 20:48) That is, rejects the truth in his heart and turns away from acting upon it. He, Most High, says, regarding Fir‘awn, Fir‘awn said, “Who then, O, Moosa, is the Lord of you two?” (Moosa) said, “Our Lord is He Who gave to each thing its form and nature, then guided it alright.” (Fir‘awn) said, “What about the generations of old?” (Moosa) said, “The knowledge thereof is with my Lord, in a Record. My Lord is neither unaware nor does He forget.” Who has made earth for you like a bed (spread out); and has opened roads (ways and paths, etc.) for you therein; and has sent down water (rain) from the sky. And We have brought forth with it various kinds of vegetation. Eat and pasture your cattle, (therein); verily, in this are proofs and signs for men of understanding. Thereof (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:49-55)

Allah, Most High, informs us that Fir‘awn refused to confirm the existence of the Creator, saying, “Who then, O, Moosa, is the Lord of you two?” (Moosa) said, “Our Lord is He Who gave to each thing its form and nature, then guided it alright.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:49,50) That is, it is He Who created mankind and ordained for them their deeds, their sustenance and their lifespans; He recorded all of these things with Him, in His Book, Al-Lawh Al-Mahfooz (the Preserved Tablet). This Verse is like the Words of Him, Most High, “Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High, Who has created (everything), and then proportioned it. And Who has measured; then guided (i.e. showed mankind the right as well as wrong paths, and guided the animals to pasture.)(Surah Al-A‘la 87:1-3) That is, He ordained preordainments and guided His creations to them. Fir‘awn said to Moosa (Peace be upon him), “Then if your Lord is the Creator, Who ordains everything and guides His creatures to that which He has ordained, in which case, none would have the right to be worshipped but He, then why did the earlier peoples worship deities other than Him, ascribing partners and rivals to Him from such things as the stars, as you know? Why were the earlier generations not guided to that which you have mentioned?” “(Moosa) said, ‘The knowledge thereof is with my Lord, in a Record. My Lord is neither unaware nor does He forget’.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:52) That is, even if they worshipped other deities besides Allah, that is not an argument or an authorization for you to do likewise, nor does it prove anything that contradicts what I say, because they were ignorant, like you. They will be held accountable for everything that they did and they will be recompensed accordingly, by my Lord, the Almighty, the AllPowerful and He does not wrong anyone, even as little as an atom’s weight, because all of the deeds of the slaves are recorded with Him in a Record and He is not unaware of any of their doeds, nor did He forget anything.

Then he spoke to him of Allah’s Greatness and His Ability to create (all) things; he described to him how Allah made the Earth a resting place and the sky a ceiling, safe and well-guarded, and He subjugated the clouds and the rains to provide sustenance to His slaves and their livestock and (other) animals, as He, Most High, says, “Eat and pasture your cattle (therein); verily, in this are proofs and signs for men of understanding.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:54) That is, for those who possess rational minds and sound innate character, for He, Most High is the Creator and the Sustainer, as He says, “O, mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqoon. Who has made the Earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped).” (Surah AlBaqarah 2:21,22). And after Allah had described how He gave life to the Earth with rain and caused thereby the plants and crops to burst forth from it, He called attention to the ultimate destination (on the Day of Resurrection), saying “Thereof” i.e. from the Earth “We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:55), as He, Most High, says, “As He brought you (into being) in the beginning, so shall you be brought into being (on the Day of Resurrection) (in two groups, one as a blessed one [Believers], and the other as a wretched one [disbelievers]).” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:29)

He, Most High, says, “And He it is Who originates the creation, then will repeat it (after it has been perished), and this is easier for Him. His is the highest description (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but He, and there is nothing comparable unto Him) in the heavens and in the Earth. And He is the Almighty, the Most Wise.” (Surah Ar-Room 30:27) Then He, Most High, says, “And indeed We showed him (Fir‘awn) all Our Signs and Evidences, but he denied and refused. He (Fir‘awn) said, ‘Have you come to drive us out of our land with your magic, O, Moosa? Then verily, we can produce magic the like thereof; so appoint a meeting between us and you, which neither we, nor you shall fail to keep, in an open wide place where both shall have a just and equal chance (and beholders could witness the competition).’ (Moosa) said, “Your appointed meeting is the day of the festival, and let the people assemble when the sun has risen.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:56-59)

Allah, Most High, informs us about the wretchedness and sheer ignorance of Fir‘awn, the meanness of his intellect in denying Allah’s Signs, his arrogant refusal to follow them and his saying to Moosa (Peace be upon him), “Verily, what you have brought is no more than magic and we shall oppose you with its like.” Then he asked Moosa (Peace be upon him) that he appoint a meeting between them at a fixed time and in a designated place. And this was one of Moosa’s major objectives – to show Allah’s Signs and His Proofs openly to an assembly of the people, which is why he said, “Your appointed meeting is the day of the festival.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:59) That was the day of their New Year celebration and a day on which it was their custom to gather. “And let the people assemble when the sun has risen.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:59) That is, in the late morning, just before noon, when the light of the sun was very bright; in this way, the truth would be clearer and more obvious to them; and he did not request that the meeting be held at night, so that they might not be deceived by trickery and falsehood in the darkness of night. Instead, he requested that it be held in daylight and openly, because he had insight from his Lord and he had certainty that Allah would make His Word and His Religion triumphant, even though the Copts might dislike it.

Allah, Most High, says, “So Fir‘awn withdrew, devised his plot and then came back. Moosa said to them, ‘Woe unto you! Invent not a lie against Allah, lest He should destroy you completely by a punishment. And surely, he who invents a lie (against Allah) will fail miserably.’ Then they debated with one another what they must do, and they kept their talk secret. They said, ‘Verily! These are two magicians. Their object is to drive you out from your land with magic, and overcome your chiefs and nobles. So devise your plot, and then assemble in line. And whoever overcomes this day will be indeed successful’.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:60-64)

Allah, Most High, informs us about Fir‘awn and how he went and gathered the magicians in his land – Egypt at that time was filled with magicians who excelled in their art – so they gathered before him from all corners of the land and they were very large in numbers.

Fir‘awn came along with his princes and the governors of his provinces without exception. This was because Fir‘awn had ordered their presence at this unprecedented meeting; they came out, saying, “That we may follow the sorcerers (who were on Fir‘awn’s religion of disbelief) if they are the winners.” (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26: 40). Moosa (Peace be upon him) advanced toward the magicians and he admonished them and rebuked them for practicing vain and false magic, which contradicts Allah’s Signs and His Proofs, saying, “Woe unto you! Invent not a lie against Allah, lest He should destroy you completely by a punishment. And surely, he who invents a lie (against Allah) will fail miserably.” Then they debated with one another what they must do. (Surah Ta Ha 20:61,62) It was said that it means that they disagreed among themselves and one of them said, “This is the speech of a Prophet and not magic,” while another said, “Nay, it is magic.” And Allah knows better. They spoke these words and others secretly, among themselves. They said: “Verily! These are two magicians. Their object is to drive you out from your land with magic” (Surah Ta Ha 20:63) They said, “This man, Moosa and his brother are skilled magicians and their aim is to gather the people on their side and to attack the King and his entourage and expel you from your abodes; and they are scheming against you by this magic. “So devise your plot, and then assemble in line. And whoever overcomes this day will be indeed successful.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:64) They only said these first words in order to prepare, encourage one another and bring forth all of the tricks, deceptions, cheating, sorcery and falsehood. But how far from the truth were their beliefs and how wrong were their ideas! How could their falsehood, their sorcery and their folly oppose the proofs which Moosa (Peace be upon him), Allah’s slave, His Kaleem and His Messenger brought; proofs which dazzled the eyes and confused the minds. They said, “and then assemble in line.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:64) As they assembled all together they incited each other to advance in this position, because Fir‘awn had promised them and caused them to hope for a great reward; but that which Satan promises them is naught but illusion. They said, “O, Moosa! Either you throw first or we will be the first to throw.” (Moosa) said, “Nay, throw you (first)!” Then behold, their ropes and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as though they moved fast. So Moosa conceived a fear in himself. We (Allah) said, “Fear not! Surely, you will have the upper hand. And throw that which is in your right hand! It will swallow up that which they have made. That which they have made is only a magician’s trick, and the magician will never be successful, no matter whatever amount (of skill) he may attain.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:65-69)

When the magicians lined up and Moosa and Haroon, peace be upon them, stood before them and they said to Moosa (Peace be upon him), “Either you throw before us, or we will throw before you.” (Moosa) said, “Nay, throw you (first)!” They had taken ropes and sticks and placed in them quicksilver and other substances, which would cause them to twist and turn in a manner that would make them appear to be moving of their own accord. But they only moved because of these tricks and thus they deceived the eyes of the people and terrified them. As they threw their ropes and their sticks, they chanted, “By the might of Fir‘awn, it is we who will certainly win!” (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26: 44). He, Most High, says, “So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them, and they displayed a great magic.” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:116) He, Most High, says, “Then behold, their ropes and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as though they moved fast. So Moosa conceived a fear in himself.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:66,67) That is, he feared for the people that they would be seduced by their sorcery and their trickery before he could throw what was in his hand, for he would not do anything before Allah commanded him and inspired him to throw at the fixed time: “Fear not! Surely, you will have the upper hand. And throw that which is in your right hand! It will swallow up that which they have made. That which they have made is only a magician’s trick, and the magician will never be successful, no matter whatever amount (of skill) he may attain.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:68, 69) On hearing this, Moosa (Peace be upon him) threw his stick and he said, “What you have brought is sorcery, Allah will surely make it of no effect. Verily, Allah does not set right the work of mufsidoon (the evildoers, corrupt ones, etc.). And Allah will establish and make apparent the truth by His Words, however much the mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) may hate it.” (Surah Yoonus 10:81, 82). He, Most High, says, “Then Moosa threw his stick, and behold, it swallowed up all the falsehoods which they showed!” (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:45)

He, Most High, says, “Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect. So they were defeated then and there, and were returned disgraced. And the sorcerers fell down in prostration. They said, ‘We believe in the Lord of the Al-‘Alameen – the Lord of Moosa and Haroon’.” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:118-122). This was because when Moosa (Peace be upon him) threw his stick, it became a huge serpent with feet – according to what has been reported from more than one scholars from among the Salaf – and it also had a large neck and a gigantic, terrifying body, which caused scare among the people and forced them flee, in awe and fear, from the spot. The serpent advanced upon the ropes and sticks they had thrown and began to devour them, one after another, moving very rapidly. The people looked at it in sheer amazement. As for the magicians, they saw something that terrified them and confused them, and they beheld a thing the like of which they had never seen and never imagined, and was beyond their comprehension and devoid of capabilities to reproduce. At this point, with the knowledge of magic they possessed, they realized that this was not magic, nor was it slightest of hand, nor trickery, nor imagination, nor falsehood, nor lies, nor misguidance. Rather, it was real and none could do it except Allah, Who sent it to support the truth. Allah lifted the cover of foolishness from their hearts and illuminated them with the guidance that He had created; and He banished the hardness from them, causing them to turn to their Lord in repentance and throw themselves down in prostration before Him. They said loudly for all those present to hear, without fearing any punishment or affliction, “We have believed in the Lord of Moosa and Haroon,” as Allah, Most High, says, “So the magicians fell down in prostration. They said, ‘We believe in the Lord of Haroon and Moosa.’ (Fir‘awn) said, ‘Believe you in him (Moosa) before I give you permission? Verily! He is your chief who taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you on the trunks of date-palms, and you shall surely know which of us (I, [Fir‘awn]) or the Lord of Moosa [i.e. Allah]) can give a severe and more lasting punishment.’ They said, ‘We prefer you not over the clear signs that have come to us, and to Him (Allah) Who created us. So decree whatever you desire to decree, for you can only decree (regarding) the life of this world. Verily! We have believed in our Lord, that He may forgive us our faults, and the magic to which you did compel us. And Allah is better as regards reward in comparison to your (Fir‘awn’s) reward, and more lasting (as regards punishment in comparison to your punishment).’ Verily! Whoever comes to his Lord as a mujrim (criminal, polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah and His Messengers and sinner, etc.), then surely, for him is Hell, therein he will neither die nor live. But whoever comes to Him (Allah) as a Believer (in the Oneness of Allah, etc.), and has done righteous good deeds, for such are the high ranks (in the Hereafter), the Gardens of ‘Adn (Eden) (everlasting Gardens), under which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever: such is the reward of those who purify themselves (by abstaining from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden and by doing all that which Allah has ordained).” (Surah Ta Ha 20:70-76) Sa‘eed Ibn Jubair, ‘Ikrimah, Al-Qasim Ibn Abi Burdah, Al-Awza‘i and others said that when the magicians prostrated, they saw their houses and their palaces in Paradise prepared and decorated for their arrival and for this reason, they did not pay any heed to Fir‘awn’s threats. This was because, when Fir‘awn saw that the magicians had publicly embraced Islam and that the people were saying good things about Moosa and Haroon, peace be upon them, this made him alarmed and he saw something that confused him, robbed him of his perception and took away his sight. He was a sly, cunning and deceptive man, highly skilled in avoiding Allah’s Path and so he said, addressing the magicians before the assembled crowd, “Believe you in him (Moosa) before I give you permission?” (Surah Ta Ha 20:71). That is, did you not think to consult me before doing this terrible thing that you have done in front of my assembled subjects? Then he resorted to threats, intimidation, ranted and raved and lied and made far-fetched claims, saying, “Verily! He is your chief who taught you magic.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:71). And in another Verse, he said, “Surely, this is a plot which you have plotted in the city to drive out its people, but you shall come to know.” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:123) These words which he spoke were false, and every rational person acknowledges the disbelief, untruthfulness and folly in them; indeed, a child would not believe them, for all of those present, including the people of his country and others knew that these (magicians) had never met Moosa (Peace be upon him) before, so how could he be their chief, who had taught them magic? In addition to this, it was not he who had gathered them and he knew nothing of their gathering. It was Fir‘awn who invited them and selected them from every deep mountain pass and valley, from the farthest corners of Egypt, from the cities and from the countryside. He, Most High, says in Surah Al-A‘raf, Then after them We sent Moosa with Our Signs to Fir‘awn and his chiefs, but they wrongfully rejected them. So see how was the end of the mufsidoon. And Moosa said, ‘O, Fir‘awn! I am a Messenger from the Lord of Al- ‘Alameen. Proper it is for me that I say nothing concerning Allah but the truth. Indeed I have come unto you from your Lord with a clear proof. So let the Children of Isra’eel go along with me.’ (Fir‘awn) said, ‘If you have come with a sign, show it forth – if you are one of those who tell the truth.’ Then he (Moosa) threw his stick and behold! It was a serpent, manifest! And he drew out his hand, and behold! It was white (with radiance)for the beholders. The chiefs of the people of Fir‘awn said, ‘This is indeed a well-versed sorcerer; he wants to get you out of your land, so what do you advise?’ They said, ‘Put him and his brother off (for a time), and send callers (men) to the cities to collect (and) that they bring up to you all well-versed sorcerers.’ And so the sorcerers came to Fir‘awn. They said, ‘Indeed there will be a (good) reward for us if we are the victors.’ He said, ‘Yes, and moreover you will (in that case) be of the nearest (to me).’ They said, ‘O, Moosa! Either you throw (first), or shall we have the (first) throw?’ He (Moosa) said, ‘Throw you (first).’ So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them, and they displayed a great magic. And We inspired Moosa (saying), ‘Throw your stick,’ and behold! It swallowed up straight away all the falsehoods which they showed. Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect. So they were defeated then and there, and were returned disgraced. And the sorcerers fell down prostration. They said, ‘We believe in the Lord of Al-‘Alameen, the Lord of Moosa and Haroon.’ Fir‘awn said, ‘You have believed in him (Moosa) before I gave you permission. Surely, this is a plot which you have plotted in the city to drive out its people, but you shall come to know. Surely, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, then I will crucify you all.’ They said, ‘Verily, we are returning to our Lord. And you take vengeance on us only because we believed in the Ayat of our Lord when they reached us! Our Lord! Pour out on us patience, and cause us to die as Muslims’.” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:103- 126)

What is meant is that Fir‘awn rejected everything, invented lies and evinced extreme disbelief in his words: “Verily! He is your chief who taught you magic.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:71) He brought forth a statement so patently false that its untruthfulness was clear to all. He said, “Surely, this is a plot which you have plotted in the city to drive out its people, but you shall come to know.” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:123) And he said, “Surely, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides.” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:124). This way he threatened to cut off their right hands and their left feet. “Then I will crucify you all.” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:124). He said that he would make an example of them and a warning to others among his subjects against emulating them, which is why he said, “and I will surely crucify you on the trunks of date-palms.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:71) He said he would place them on the trunks of date-palms because they are the highest and most visible “and you shall surely know which of us (I, [Fir‘awn] or the Lord of Moosa [i.e. Allah]) can give the severe and more lasting punishment.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:71) means in the life of this world. They said, “We prefer you not over the clear signs that have come to us.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:72) That is, we will not obey you and abandon the faith in the clear signs and irrefutable proofs that has become firmly set in our hearts “and to Him (Allah) Who created us.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:72). It was said that the letter “waw” in this Verse means “and”, and it was said that it implies an oath. “So decree whatever you desire to decree” (Surah Ta Ha 20:72) means do whatever you are able to do “for you can only decree (regarding) the life of this world.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:72). It means that, your jurisdiction over us is limited to this Earthly life and when we move on from it to the abode of the Hereafter, we will be under the Jurisdiction of Him to Whom we have submitted and Whose Messengers we have obeyed. “Verily! We have believed in our Lord, that He may forgive us our faults, and the magic to which you did compel us. And Allah is better as regards reward in comparison to your (Fir’awn’s) reward, and more lasting (as regards punishment in comparison to your punishment).” (Surah Ta Ha 20:73) That is, His Reward is better than that which you promised us and made us aspire to and “more lasting” (Surah Ta Ha 20:72) means more permanent than this transient, Earthly life. In another Verse, He says: They said, “No harm! Surely, to our Lord (Allah) we are to return; verily! We really hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins” (Surah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:50, 51) means He will forgive us for the sins and unlawful deeds we committed. “As we are the first of the believers (in Moosa and in the Monotheism which he has brought from Allah).” That is, we are the first from among the Copts to believe in Moosa and Haroon, peace be upon them both.

They also said to him, “And you take vengeance on us only because we believed in the Ayat!” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:126). That is, we are not guilty of any sin in your eyes except that we have believed in our Messenger and obeyed the Signs of our Lord, when they came to us. “Our Lord! pour out on us patience” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:126). Means to make us steadfast in the face of the punishment that this obstinate tyrant, this ruthless ruler may inflict on us “and cause us to die as Muslims.” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:126). They also said, seeking to warn him and make him fear the Punishment of his Lord, the Great, “Verily! Whoever comes to his Lord as a mujrim, then surely, for him is Hell, therein he will neither die nor live.” (Surah Ta Ha 20:74) They said to him, “So take care not to be one of them,” but he was one of them. “But whoever comes to Him (Allah) as a believer (in the Oneness of Allah, etc.), and has done righteous good deeds, for such are the high ranks (in the Hereafter).” (Surah Ta Ha 20:75) That is, the elevated abodes (in Paradise) “The Gardens of ‘Adn (Eden) (everlasting Gardens), under which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever: such is the reward of those who purify themselves (by abstaining from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden and by doing all that which Allah has ordained).” (Surah Ta Ha 20:76) So beware of being among them. But those pre ordainments – which none can overcome and none can prevent – came between him and that (i.e. Paradise) and the Judgment of Allah, Most High, was that he would be among the inhabitants of the blazing Fire, so that he should feel the agonizing punishment that would be poured on his head from above, and that is al-hameem and the painful humiliation. It will be said to him by way of rebuke and censure – and he is disgraced, manbooh, wretched and base: “Taste you (this)! Verily, you were (pretending to be) the mighty, the generous!” (Surah Ad-Dukhan 44:49) 

It is apparent from these words that Fir‘awn – may Allah’s Curse be on him – crucified them and tortured them – may Allah be pleased with them all. ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) and ‘Ubaid Ibn ‘Umair said that at the start of the day, they were magicians and by the end of it, they were pious martyrs. This is supported by their saying: “Our Lord! Pour out on us patience, and cause us to die as Muslims.” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:126)

By Ibn Katheer

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John Doe

23/3/2019

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John Doe

23/3/2019

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John Doe

23/3/2019

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

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