2. MENTION OF THE STORY OF MOOSA
SECTION:
When this momentous event transpired, i.e. the defeat which was inflicted on the Copts in that place and the magicians who sought help from their Lord embraced Islam, it did not increase in them in anything except disbelief, stubbornness and remoteness from the truth. Allah, Most High, says, after relating the above mentioned story in Soorah Al-A‘raf, The chiefs of Fir‘awn’s people said, “Will you leave Moosa and his people to spread mischief in the land, and to abandon you and your gods?” He said, “We will kill their sons, and let their women live, and we have indeed irresistible power over them.” Moosa said to his people, “Seek help in Allah and be patient. Verily, the Earth is Allah’s. He gives it as a heritage to whom He wills of His slaves, and the (blessed) end is for the muttaqoon.” They said, “We (Children of Isra’eel) had suffered troubles before you came to us, and since you have come to us.” He said, “It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you successors on the Earth, so that He may see how you act.” (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:127-129)
Allah, Most High, informs us that the chiefs among the people of Fir‘awn – and they were the governors and the powerful and influential – incited Fir‘awn to inflict harm on the Prophet of Allah, Moosa (Peace be upon him), and to respond to the Message he brought with disbelief, rejection and harm, rather than belief. They said, “Will you leave Moosa and his people to spread mischief in the land, and to abandon you and your gods?” (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:127) They – may Allah humiliate them – meant that his call to worship Allah, Alone, without ascribing partners to Him, and his prohibition of worshipping deities other than Him was a corruption in comparison to the beliefs of the Copts – may Allah’s Curse be on them. Some of them said, “and to abandon you and your ilahah?” (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:127) means their worship of you. It is possible to understand this in two ways; one of them is “and to abandon your religion” and this is strengthened by the other recitation. The second is “and to abandon worship of you,” because he used to claim that he was a god – may Allah’s Curse be on him. He said, “We will kill their sons, and let their women live.” (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:127) so that their fighters should not become great in numbers “and we have indeed irresistible power over them.” (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:127). That is, to overcome them. Moosa said to his people, “Seek help in Allah and be patient. Verily, the Earth is Allah’s. He gives it as a heritage to whom He wills of His slaves, and the (blessed) end is for the muttaqoon.” (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:128). That is, if they are bent on harming you and murdering you, then seek refuge with your Lord and bear patiently your tribulation.“Verily, the Earth is Allah’s. He gives it as a heritage to whom He wills of His slaves, and the (blessed) end is for the muttaqoon.” It means that you be of those pious people, so that the blessed end may be yours, as He, Most High, says in another Verse, And Moosa said, “O, my people! If you have believed in Allah, then put your trust in Him, if you are Muslims (those who submit to Allah’s Will).” They said, “In Allah, we put our trust. Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the folk who are zalimoon (i.e. do not make them overpower us). And save us by Your Mercy from the disbelieving folk.” (Soorah Yoonus 10:84-86)
As for their saying: “We (Children of Isra’eel) had suffered troubles before you came to us, and since you have come to us.” (Soorah AlA‘raf 7:129) That is, our sons were killed before you came to us and after you came to us. He said, “It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you successors on the earth, so that He may see how you act.” (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:129)
Allah, Most High, says in Soorah Ha Meem Al-Mu’min, “And indeed We sent Moosa with Our Ayat, and a manifest authority, to Fir‘awn, Haman and Qaroon (Korah), but they called (him) ‘a sorcerer, a liar’!” (Soorah Ghafir 40:23, 24). Fir‘awn was the king and Haman was his minister; Qaroon was an Isra’eelite from among the people of Moosa (Peace be upon him), yet he followed the religion of Fir‘awn and his notables. He possessed great wealth, as we shall show in his story, which we shall relate later, if Allah, Most High, wills. 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,” but the plots of disbelievers are nothing but errors! (Soorah Ghafir 40:25). The sole purpose of this killing of the male infants after the start of Moosa’s mission was to humiliate, degrade and diminish the Children of Isra’eel, so that they would not have the courage to defend themselves or to attack the Copts. There were among the Copts those who warned them, but this did not benefit them and it did not deflect from the Ordainment of the One Who, (when He wills something,) simply says, “Be!” And it is. Fir’awn said, “Leave me to kill Moosa, and let him call his Lord (to stop me from killing him)! I fear that he may change your religion, or that he may cause mischief to appear in the land!” (Soorah Ghafir 40:26)
This is why the people said, by way of mockery: Fir‘awn has become a “reminder”, because Fir‘awn, according to his claim, feared for the people that Moosa (Peace be upon him) would cause them to go astray. Moosa said, “Verily, I seek refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant person who believes not in the Day of Reckoning!” (Soorah Ghafir 40:27). That is, I have sought refuge and recourse with Allah against Fir‘awn or anyone else assailing me with evil. His saying: “from every arrogant person…” (Soorah Ghafir 40:27). That is, every obstinate tyrant who will not desist or cease and fears not the Punishment of Allah, because he does not believe in the Return (to Allah, on the Day of Resurrection) or the Recompense, which is why he said, “…from every arrogant person who believes not in the Day of Reckoning!” (Soorah Ghafir 40:27)
He, Most High, says, And a believing man of Fir‘awn’s family, who hid his faith said, “Would you kill a man because he says, ‘My Lord is Allah’, and he has come to you with clear Signs (proofs) from your Lord? And if he is a liar, upon him will be (the sin of) his lie. But if he is telling the truth, then some of that (calamity) wherewith he threatens you will fall on you. Verily, Allah guides not one who is a musrif (a polytheist, or a murderer who sheds blood without a right, or the one who commits major sins, an oppressor, or a transgressor), a liar! O, my people! Yours is the kingdom this day, you are uppermost in the land. But who will save us from the Punishment of Allah, should it befall us?” Fir‘awn said, “I show you only that which I see, and I guide you only to the path of right policy!” (Soorah Ghafir 40:28, 29)
This man was a paternal cousin of Fir‘awn and he concealed his faith from his people out of fear for his own safety.
What is meant is that this man hid his belief and when Fir‘awn – may Allah’s curse be on him – made his intention clear to kill Moosa (Peace be upon him), he consulted his notables regarding this matter, the believer feared for Moosa (Peace be upon him) and so he responded gently to Fir‘awn, with words that contained a mixture of encouragement (to do good) and warning (against doing evil); he spoke in the manner of one who is asking for advice and seeking an opinion – and it has been confirmed in the Hadith from the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) that he said, “The best jihad is to speak words of truth before an unjust ruler.”
This was the highest level of such kind of a jihad, because Fir‘awn was the most tyrannical and oppressive of rulers; and there was nothing truer or more just than this speech, because in it there was protection of the blood of a Prophet. It is also possible that he argued with them by revealing his faith and making plain to them that which he had formerly concealed. But the first explanation appears more likely, and Allah knows better. He said, “Would you kill a man because he says, ‘My Lord is Allah’.” (Soorah Ghafir 40:28) It means that simply due to his saying that “My Lord is Allah” you would kill him. If so, this is not a just cause for killing a man; rather it is a reason to treat him with honor, respect, gentleness and forsake vengeance, i.e. especially since “he has come to you with clear Signs (proofs) from your Lord?” (Soorah Ghafir 40:28). That is, with miracles that prove the truth of that which he has brought from Him Who sent him. So if you deal gently with him, you will be safe, because “if he is a liar, upon him will be (the sin of) his lie.” (Soorah Ghafir 40:28). That is, that will not harm you, “but if he is telling the truth,” (Soorah Ghafir 40:28) – and you have opposed him, “then some of that (calamity) wherewith he threatens you will fall on you.” (Soorah Ghafir 40:28) – and you fear that even the lightest punishment from that which he has warned you of may befall you, then what will you do if the whole punishment is inflicted on you? These words in this situation are at the highest levels of courteousness, carefulness and perfect logic. His saying: “O, my people! Yours is the kingdom this day, you are uppermost in the land” (Soorah Ghafir 40:29) was a warning that they might be deprived of this mighty kingdom, because states never oppose Allah’s Religion except that they lose their dominion and are humbled after having possessed great power. And this is what befell the people of Fir‘awn; they continued to doubt, oppose and resist the Message brought by Moosa (Peace be upon him) until Allah removed them from the authority they had enjoyed, expelled them from their houses and their palaces and took away their blessings and their pleasures. Then they were cast into the sea, humiliated; and their souls were transferred from their former state of greatness and high rank to that of the lowest. This is why the believing, righteous, rightly-guided man, follower of the truth, adviser to his people and possessor of perfect understanding said, “O, my people! Yours is the kingdom this day, you are uppermost in the land.” That is, you are in authority over the people, rulers over them. “But who will save us from the Punishment of Allah, should it befall us?” (Soorah Ghafir 40:29) means even if possessed double the numbers, preparedness, strength and power that you do, this would not avail us anything and it would not protect us from Allah’s Punishment. Fir‘awn said (Soorah Ghafir 40:29), in answer to all of this, “I show you only that which I see.” (Soorah Ghafir 40:29). That is, I only say unto you that which I consider to be true. “and I guide you only to the path of right policy!” (Soorah Ghafir 40:29). And he lied in both of these statements, because in his heart, he knew that what Moosa (Peace be upon him) had brought was the truth from Allah, without any doubt. He only displayed opposition to it due to sinfulness, enmity, arrogance and disbelief.
As for his saying: “and I guide you only to the path of right policy!” (Soorah Ghafir 40:29). He lied in this also, because he was not following right guidance in the matter; on the contrary, he was following foolishness, error, stupidity and vain fancy. He was one of the first to worship idols and graven images, then he called upon his ignorant, misguided people to follow him and believe his claim that he was their lord.
What is intended is to make clear the untruthfulness of his saying: “I show you only that which I see.” (Soorah Ghafir 40:29) and his saying: “and I guide you only to the path of right policy!” (Soorah Ghafir 40:29)
He, Most High, says, And he who believed said, “O, my people! Verily, I fear for you a fate like that day (of disaster) of the Confederates (of old)! Like the fate of the people of Nooh, and ‘Ad and Thamood and those who came after them. And Allah wills no injustice for (His) slaves. And, O, my people! Verily! I fear for you the Day when there will be mutual calling (between the people of Hell and of Paradise).” A Day when you will turn your backs and flee, having no protector from Allah. And whomsoever Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide. And indeed Yoosuf did come to you, in times gone by, with clear signs, but you ceased not to doubt in that which he did bring to you, till when he died you said, “No Messenger will Allah send after him.” Thus Allah leaves astray him who is a musrif (a polytheist, oppressor, criminal, sinner, who commit major sins) and a murtab (one who doubts Allah’s Warning and His Oneness). Those who dispute about the Ayat of Allah, without any authority that has come to them, it is greatly hateful and disgusting to Allah and to those who believe. Thus does Allah seal up the heart of every arrogant tyrant (so they cannot guide themselves to the Right Path). (Soorah Ghafir 40:30-35)
Allah’s Wali (friend) warned them that if they belied Allah’s Messenger, Moosa (Peace be upon him), the same punishments that were inflicted on the people of Nooh (Peace be upon him), ‘Ad, Thamood and those who came after them, up to the time of Fir‘awn’s people, would be inflicted on them. By these exemplary punishments, Allah established the proofs for all of the people of the Earth in the truth of the Messages that the Prophets brought, which showed how He exacted retribution on their rejecters and saved the Awliya’ who followed them. Furthermore, He made them fear the Day of Resurrection, which is the Day of the Gathering, i.e. when He will call the people in successive groups and they will turn on their heels in an attempt to flee, but they will find no way to do so. On that day man will say, “Where (is the refuge) to flee?” No! There is no refuge! Unto your Lord (Alone) will be the place of rest that day. (Soorah Al-Qiyamah 75:10-12)
He, Most High, informs us about the inhabitants of Egypt at that time, i.e. about their natural inclination to reject the truth and oppose the Messengers, which is why He says, but you ceased not to doubt in that which he did bring to you, till when he died you said, “No Messenger will Allah send after him.” (Soorah Ghafir 40:34). That is, you continued to reject it, which is why he said, Thus Allah leaves astray him who is a musrif (a polytheist, oppressor, a criminal, sinner who commit major sins) and a murtab (one who doubts Allah’s Warning and His Oneness). Those who dispute about the Ayat of Allah, without any authority that has come to them, it is greatly hateful and disgusting to Allah and to those who believe. Thus does Allah seal up the heart of every arrogant, tyrant. (So they cannot guide themselves to the Right Path) (Soorah Ghafir 40:34, 35) That is, they reject Allah’s Proofs and the evidences of His Oneness, and they do not have any proof or evidence from Allah. This is a thing that is absolutely abhorrent to Allah, i.e. He hates those of mankind who possess such characteristics, which is why he says, Thus does Allah seal up the heart of every arrogant tyrant (so they cannot guide themselves to the Right Path). (Soorah Ghafir 40:35). The first word in the Verse (kadhalika) has been read as meaning “likewise” and also as “thus” – and both of them are inseparable: That is, thus, if the hearts oppose the truth and do so without any evidence from Allah, He seals them.
He, Most High, says, And Fir‘awn said, “O, Haman! Build me a tower that I may arrive at the ways, the ways of the heavens, and I may look upon the Ilah (God) of Moosa but verily, I think him to be a liar.” Thus it was made fair-looking, in Fir‘awn’s eyes, the evil of his deeds, and he was hindered from the (Right) Path, and the plot of Fir‘awn led to nothing but loss and destruction (for him). (Soorah Ghafir 40:36,37) Fir‘awn belied Moosa (Peace be upon him) in his assertion that Allah had sent him and falsely claimed to his people that “I know not that you have an ilah (a god) other than me, so kindle for me (a fire), O, Haman, to bake (bricks out of) clay, and set up for me a Sarhan (a lofty tower, or palace, etc.) in order that I may look at (or look for) the Ilah (God) of Moosa; and verily, I think that he (Moosa) is one of the liars.” (Soorah Al-Qasas 28:38). And here He says, “…that I may arrive at the ways, the ways of the heavens.” (Soorah Ghafir 40:36, 37). That is, the paths or roads. “…and I may look upon the Ilah (God) of Moosa but verily, I think him to be a liar.” (Soorah Ghafir 40:37). It is possible to infer two meanings from this Verse; one of them is: I think that he is a liar when he says that there is a Lord of this world other than me. The second is in his claim that Allah sent him. The first appears more likely, based on what is known of Fir‘awn’s nature, because he used to deny the existence of the Creator. However, the second is closer to the wording, since he said, “…and I may look upon the Ilah (God) of Moosa.” (Soorah Ghafir 40:37). That is, so that I might see if He sent him or not. “…but verily, I think him to be a liar.” (Soorah Ghafir 40:37). But Fir‘awn’s intention was no more than to discourage his people from believing in Moosa (Peace be upon him) and to encourage them to reject him.
Let us return to the advice of the believer and the arguments he advanced. Allah, Most High, says, And the man who believed said, O, my people! Follow me, I will guide you to the way of right conduct (i.e. guide you to Allah’s Religion of Islamic Monotheism with which Moosa has been sent). O, my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment, and verily, the Hereafter that is the home that will remain forever. Whosoever does an evil deed will not be requited except the like thereof, and whosoever does a righteous deed, whether male or female and is a true believer (in the Oneness of Allah), such will enter Paradise, where they will be provided therein (with all things in abundance) without limit. (Soorah Ghafir 40:38-40)
He – may Allah be pleased with him – called them to the path of right guidance and truth, which is following the Prophet of Allah, Moosa (Peace be upon him), and believing in the Message that he brought from his Lord. Then he induced them to give up the pleasures of this temporary Earthly life, which must, without doubt, come to an end. He encouraged them to seek the reward which is with Allah, with Whom no deed is lost. He is the Omnipotent, in Whose Hands is the dominion of all things. It is He Who gives a great reward for few deeds and it is from His Justice that He does not recompense an evil deed except with its like. He (the believer) informed them that the Hereafter is an everlasting abode, which He will grant to the believer, who performs righteous deeds. Such will be admitted to the highest Gardens of Paradise and Halls of Tranquility, and they will have many superior good things, everlasting blessings which will never perish or pass away. And the goodness that they will have will be more than they require.
Then he began to invalidate their beliefs and to cause them to fear the end to which they were heading, saying, “And O, my people! How is it that I call you to salvation while you call me to the Fire! You invite me to disbelieve in Allah (and in His Oneness), and to join partners in worship with Him; of which I have no knowledge, and I invite you to the Almighty, the Oft-Forgiving! No doubt you call me to (worship) one who cannot grant (me) my request (or respond to my invocation) in this world or in the Hereafter. And our return will be to Allah, and musrifoon! They shall be the dwellers of the Fire! And you will remember what I am telling you, and my affair I leave it to Allah. Verily, Allah is the All-Seeing of (His) slaves.” So Allah saved him from the evils that they plotted (against him), while an evil punishment encompassed Fir‘awn’s people. The Fire; they are exposed to it morning and afternoon, and on the day when the Hour will be established (it will be said to the angels), “Cause Fir’awn’s people to enter the severest punishment!” (Soorah Ghafir 40:41-46)
He had called them to the worship of the Lord of the heavens and Earth, Who says to a thing, “Be!” and it is, while they called him to the worship of Fir‘awn, the ignorant man, the misguided, the cursed, which is why he said to them by way of rebuke, “And O, my people! How is it that I call you to salvation while you call me to the Fire! You invite me to disbelieve in Allah (and in His Oneness), and to join partners in worship with Him; of which I have no knowledge, and I invite you to the Almighty, the Oft-Forgiving!” (Soorah Ghafir 40:41,42). Then he made clear to them the futility of worshipping anything other than Allah, such as idols and graven images and he further explained that they have no power to benefit or harm, saying, “No doubt you call me to (worship) one who cannot grant (me) my request (or respond to my invocation) in this world or in the Hereafter. And our return will be to Allah, and musrifoon! They shall be the dwellers of the Fire!” (Soorah Ghafir 40:43)
Then he warned them what would happen if they continued in their obstinacy, saying, “And you will remember what I am telling you, and my affair I leave it to Allah. Verily, Allah is the All-Seeing of (His) slaves.” (Soorah Ghafir 40:44) Allah, Most High, says, So Allah saved him from the evils that they plotted (against him) (Soorah Ghafir 40:45) means, because of his rebuke to them, Allah saved him from the punishment that befell them, because of their disbelief in Allah and the plots they hatched in order to prevent people from reaching the Path of Allah, such as vain fancies and tricks which they imposed on the common people, which is why He said, “encompassed”. That is, surrounded. So Allah saved him from the evils that they plotted (against him), while an evil punishment encompassed Fir‘awn’s people. The Fire; they are exposed to it morning and afternoon.” (Soorah Ghafir 40:45,46). That is, their souls are exposed night and day in their barzakh to the Fire. “And on the day when the Hour will be established (it will be said to the angels), ‘Cause Fir‘awn’s people to enter the severest punishment’!” (Soorah Ghafir 40:46). And we have already discussed the evidence in this Verse for the punishment of the grave in the Tafseer. All praise and thanks be to Allah (SWT).
What is meant is that Allah, Most High, did not destroy them until after the proofs had been established against them, including the sending of Messengers to them and the removal of doubts from them. And the establishment of the proof against them was achieved sometimes by instilling fear in them and at other times by encouragement, as He Most High says, And indeed We punished the people of Fir‘awn with years of drought and shortness of fruits, that they might remember (take heed). But whenever good came to them, they said, “Ours is this.” And if evil afflicted them, they ascribed it to evil omens connected with Moosa and those with him. Be informed! Verily, their evil omens are with Allah but most of them know not. They said (to Moosa), “Whatever Ayat you may bring to us, to work therewith your sorcery on us, we shall never believe in you.” So We sent on them the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, and the blood: (as a succession of) manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were mujrimoon.” (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:130-133)
Allah, Most High, informs us how He tried the people of Fir‘awn, i.e. the Copts, with the years; and these were the years of drought during which the crops failed and no entreaty was of benefit. He says, “and shortness of fruits” (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:130) is referred to the fruits of the trees. That they might remember (take heed). (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:130). But they did not benefit from it, nor did they take heed; instead, they remained arrogant and persisted in their disbelief and obstinacy. But whenever good came to them (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:131) means abundance of crops and the like. They said, “Ours is this.” (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:131) means this is what we deserve and what is fitting for us. And if evil afflicted them, they ascribed it to evil omens connected with Moosa and those with him. (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:131) That is, they would say, “This has befallen us because of their evil portents, yet they would not say regarding their good fortune that it was their blessing (from Allah) and due to their (the Copts’) proximity to Moosa (Peace be upon him) and his people. Instead, their hearts were filled with rejection and arrogance and were averse to the truth. When evil befell them, they ascribed it to Moosa (Peace be upon him) and when good came their way, they ascribed it to themselves. He, Most High, says, Be informed! Verily, their evil omens are with Allah (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:131) means Allah will recompense them with the fullest recompensation for this. But most of them know not. They said (to Moosa), “Whatever Ayat you may bring to us, to work therewith your sorcery on us, we shall never believe in you.” (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:131-132). That is, no matter what Ayat (i.e. miracles) you may bring, we will not believe in you, we will not follow you and we will not obey you – even if you were to bring every Ayah. Likewise, Allah informs us in His Saying: Truly! Those, against whom the Word (Wrath) of your Lord has been justified, will not believe. Even if every sign should come to them – until they see the painful torment. (Soorah Yoonus 10:96-97). He, Most High, says, So We sent on them the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs and the blood: (as a succession of) manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were mujrimoon. (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:133)
Allah, Most High, says, And when the punishment fell on them they said, “O, Moosa! Invoke your Lord for us because of His Promise to you. If you will remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Isra’eel go with you.” But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term, which they had to reach, behold! They broke their word! So We took retribution from them. We drowned them in the sea, because they believed in Our Ayat and were heedless about them. (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:134-136)
He, Most High, informs us about their disbelief, their arrogance and their determination to continue in their error, ignorance and refusal to follow Allah’s Ayat and to believe in His Messenger, in spite of the great and clear signs and the profound and overwhelming proofs which Allah allowed them to witness with their own eyes. But the more signs they witnessed, and the more they weakened them and exhausted them, the more they swore to Moosa (Peace be upon him) and promised him that if he relieved them of these (afflictions), they would surely believe in him and they would definitely send with him his followers. But every time they were relieved of these signs, they returned to the evil they had formerly practiced and they rejected the truth that he had brought to them and did not pay any heed to it. And so Allah would send upon them another sign, more severe than the last and more powerful. So they would speak, but they would lie, and they would promise, but they would not keep their promise. “If you will remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Isra’eel go with you.” (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:134). So they would be relieved of the calamitous punishment, after which they would return to their vast and deep ignorance. And Allah, the Mighty, the Gentle, the Omnipotent would grant them a respite; He would not hurry them. Instead He would defer their punishment. Then He seized them after the evidence was established against them and they had received the warning. He seized them with the Seizure of the Almighty and made them a warning and an example to those disbelievers who resemble them and a lesson to those believers among His slaves who allow themselves to be admonished by them, as He, Most Blessed, Most High, says – and He is the Most Truthful of speakers – in Soorah Ha Meem Wal-Kitab Al-Mubeen: And indeed We did send Moosa with Our Ayat to Fir‘awn and his chiefs (inviting them to Allah’s Religion of Islam) He said, “Verily, I am a Messenger of the Lord of Al-‘Alameen.” But when he came to them with Our Ayat, behold! They laughed at them. And not an Ayah (sign, etc.) We showed them but it was greater than its fellow, and We seized them with torment, in order that they might turn (from their polytheism to Allah’s Religion [Islamic Monotheism]). And they said (to Moosa), “O, you sorcerer! Invoke your Lord for us according to what He has covenanted with you. Verily, We shall guide ourselves (aright).” But when We removed the punishment from them, behold! They broke their covenant (that they will believe if We remove the punishment for them). And Fir‘awn proclaimed among his people, saying, “O, my people! Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me. See you not then? Am I not better than this one (Moosa), who is maheen (has no honor nor any respect, and is weak and despicable) and can scarcely express himself clearly? Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him?” Thus he (Fir‘awn) befooled and misled his people, and they obeyed him. Verily, they were ever a people who were fasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). So when they angered Us, We punished them and drowned them all. And We made them a precedent and an example to later generations. (Soorah Az-Zukhruf 43:46-56)
Allah, Most High, describes how He sent His slave, Al-Kaleem, the noble, to Fir‘awn, the despicable, the vile; and how He, Most High, supported him with clear and obvious signs, which deserved to be received with exaltation and belief, abandonment of the pagan beliefs that they followed and a return to the truth and the Straight Path. Whereas instead of that, they laughed at them and mocked at and they rejected Allah’s Path and declined to follow the truth. So Allah sent upon them the Ayat, one after another; and each Ayah was greater than the one that preceded it, because confirmation was more profound than that which came before it. And not an Ayah (sign, etc.) We showed them but it was greater than its fellow, and We seized them with punishment, in order that they might turn (from their polytheism to Allah’s Religion [Islamic Monotheism]). And they said (to Moosa), “O, you sorcerer! Invoke your Lord for us according to what He has covenanted with you. Verily, We shall guide ourselves (aright).” (Soorah Az-Zukhruf 43:48, 49) The word “sorcerer” at that time did not have any negative connotations, because the learned men at that time were sorcerers, which is why they addressed him thus when they needed him and implored him. Allah, Most High, says, But when We removed the punishment from them, behold! They broke their covenant (that they will believe if We remove the punishment for them). (Soorah Az-Zukhruf 43:50) Then He, Most High, informs us about Fir‘awn’s bragging of his kingdom, the vastness of his land, of its beauty and of the waterways which traverse it, i.e. the canals which they dug for minimizing the effect of the Nile’s flood and to make use of its waters for irrigation purposes. Then he boasted about himself and his jewelry and began to belittle the Messenger of Allah, Moosa (Peace be upon him) , and to ridicule him, saying that he “can scarcely express himself clearly” (Soorah Az-Zukhruf 43:52) means his speech was not clear due to the remainder of that tongue impediment, which in him was a sign of nobility, perfection and beauty and it did not prevent him from being spoken to by Allah and receiving Revelation from Him; and after that, He revealed the Tawrah to him, yet Fir‘awn belittled him – may Allah’s curse be upon him – because he did not wear bracelets on his arms and bore no adornments. And yet (in fact) such adornments are for women and are unbefitting an ordinary man, so what then of the Messengers, who possess the most complete discernment and understanding and the highest intentions, and are the most abstemious people on Earth, and know best what Allah has prepared for His Awliya’ in the Hereafter.
And He, Most High, says, “…or angels sent along with him?” (Soorah Az-Zukhruf 43:53) But the matter does not require that; if the idea was that the angels would glorify and exalt him, the angels glorify and display humility toward much lesser men than Moosa (Peace be upon him), according to the Hadith which states, “Verily, the angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge, out of pleasure for what he is doing.” So what would be the manner of their humility and glorification toward Moosa (Peace be upon him), Al-Kaleem? And if the idea was that they might bear witness to the truth of his Message, then Allah has already supported him with miracles, which prove indisputably to those with good hearts and those who are seeking truth and that which is right and proper. But those who look at the outer covering and ignore what is inside it are blind to the clear proofs and plain evidences that he brought; and the Lord of lords has sealed their hearts, because of the doubt and uncertainty they feel, as was the case with Fir‘awn, the Copt, the blind man (i.e. blind to the truth), the liar. Allah, Most High, says, Thus he (Fir‘awn) befooled and misled his people, and they obeyed him” (Soorah Az-Zukhruf 43:54) means, he deceived their hearts and minds and turned them from one state to another, until they believed his claim that he was their lord – may Allah’s curse be on him and disgrace them. Verily, they were ever a people who were fasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). (Soorah Az-Zukhruf 43:54) So when they angered Us, We visited vengeance on them. (Soorah Az-Zukhruf 43:55) That is, by drowning, debasement and deprivation of power, replacing might with humiliation, blessings with punishment, luxury with poverty and fine living with the Fire – we seek refuge with Allah from that. And We made them a precedent (Soorah Az-Zukhruf 43:56) means as a lesson for those who possessed similar characteristics. And an example (Soorah Az-Zukhruf 43:56). That is to those who take warning from them and fear the evil consequences that befell them, as He, Most High, says, Then, when Moosa came to them with Our Clear Ayat, they said, “This is nothing but invented magic. Never did we hear of this among our fathers of old.” Moosa said, “My Lord knows him best who came with guidance from Him, and whose will be the happy ending in the Hereafter. Verily, the zalimoon will not be successful.” Fir‘awn said, “O, chiefs! I know not that you have an ilah (a god) other than me, so kindle for me (a fire), O, Haman, to bake (bricks out of) clay, and set up for me a Sarhan (a lofty tower, or palace, etc.) in order that I may look at (or look for) the Ilah (God) of Moosa; and verily, I think that he (Moosa is one of the liars.” And he and his hosts were arrogant in the land, without rights, and they thought that they would never return to Us. So We seized him and his hosts, and We threw them all into the sea (and drowned them). So behold (O, Muhammad) what was the end of the zalimoon. And We made them leaders inviting to the Fire, and on the Day of Resurrection, they will not be helped. And We made a curse to follow them in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection, they will be among maqboohoon (those who are prevented from receiving Allah’s Mercy or any good, despised or destroyed, etc.). (Soorah Al-Qasas 28:36-42)
Allah, Most High, informs us that when they arrogantly refused to follow the truth and their king made his false claim, and they agreed upon it and obeyed him in it, the Anger of the Lord, the Omnipotent – the Almighty, Whom none can overcome and none can resist – increased upon them, and He inflicted the severest of punishments on them and He drowned Fir‘awn and his followers on one morning, so that not a single one of them escaped. In fact, all of them died and entered the Fire and they continue to be cursed by the people in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection, wretched will be the state of the supporters and the supported (Fir‘awn) and on that Day they will be the most abject and debased.
By Ibn Katheer
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