3. THE STORY OF THE DESTRUCTION OF FIR‘AWN AND HIS ARMIES
When the Copts of Egypt persisted in their disbelief, arrogance and obstinacy, in obedience to Fir‘awn and disobedience to Allah’s Prophet and Messenger and His Kaleem, Moosa (Peace be upon him), son of ‘Imran, and Allah, Most High, bared the solid proofs against the people of Egypt and showed them the miracles which dazzled their eyes and bewildered their minds, they paid no heed; in spite of all this, they would not stop their nasty activities, would not desist and would not return (to belief) – none but a few of them believed. It was said only three, Fir‘awn’s wife – and the People of the Scriptures have no information about her – the Believer from Fir‘awn’s family whose story we have already told, and the man who came running to advise Moosa (Peace be upon him) from the farthest side of the city, saying, “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.” (Soorah Al-Qasas 28:20) This was said by ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him), according to what was narrated by Ibn Abi Hatim from him; and he was referring to other than the magicians, for they were from the Copts.
They kept their faith concealed because of the fear of Fir‘awn and his power, his tyranny and his authoritative rule, and also that news of their accepting Islam would be conveyed to him by his chiefs, which would result in him preventing them from practicing their religion.
Allah, Most High, says, and verily, Fir’awn was an arrogant tyrant on the Earth. (Soorah Yoonus 10:83) He was an obstinate oppressor, determined to practice falsehood. He was indeed one of the musrifoon (polytheists, sinners and transgressors, those who give up the truth and follow the evil, and commit all kinds of great sins). (Soorah Yoonus 10:83) He was a disease the time for whose eradication had come, an evil fruit whose time to be destroyed had arrived and an evil soul whose destruction had been ordained.
On this, Moosa (Peace be upon him) said, “O, my people! If you have believed in Allah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslim (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) He ordered them to put their trust in Allah and seek help from Him and to seek refuge with Him and they complied with his orders, so Allah made for them a release and a way of escape from the situation they were in. And We inspired Moosa and his brother (saying), “Take dwellings for your people in Egypt, and make your dwellings as a qiblah, and perform as-Salah (iqamat us-Salah), and give glad tidings to the believers.” (Soorah Yoonus 10:87). Allah revealed to Moosa (Peace be upon him) and his brother, Haroon (Peace be upon him) that they should tell the Children of Isra’eel to take houses that were separate from the houses of the Copts, so that they might be ready to leave in case they were commanded to do so, and in that case, they would know each other’s houses. As for His Saying: “and make your dwellings as a qiblah…” (Soorah Yoonus 10:87), it was said that it means as places of worship and it was also said that it means as places in which you offer frequent prayers; this latter opinion was held by Mujahid, Abu Malik, Ibraheem An-Nakha‘i, Ar-Rabee‘, Ad-Dahhak, Zaid Ibn Aslam, his son, ‘Abdur Rahman and others.
Based on this understanding, the meaning of the Verse would be that they should seek help from Allah against the pain, misery and oppression to which they were being subjected by offering frequent prayers, as He, Most High, says, And seek help in patience and as-Salah (the prayer) and truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for al-khashi‘oon (i.e. the true Believers in Allah – those who obey Allah with full submission, fear much from His Punishment, and believe in His Promise [Paradise, etc.] and in His Warnings [Hell, etc.]). (Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:45) And whenever the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) was beset by any problem, he would pray.
Sa‘eed Ibn Jubair said that “and make your dwellings as a qiblah…” (Soorah Yoonus 10:87) means make them facing each other.
And He, Most High, says, And Moosa said, “Our Lord! You have indeed bestowed on Fir‘awn and his chiefs splendor and wealth in the life of this world. Our Lord! That they may lead men astray from Your Path. Our Lord! Destroy their wealth, and harden their hearts, so that they will not believe until they see the painful punishment.” Allah said, “Verily, the invocation of you both is accepted. So keep you both to the Straight Way (i.e. keep on doing good deeds and preaching Allah’s Message with patience), and follow not the path of those who know not (the truth, i.e. to believe in the Oneness of Allah, and also to believe in the Reward of Allah: Paradise, etc.) (Soorah Yoonus 10:88, 89)
This was a great and momentous invocation which Allah’s Kaleem, Moosa (Peace be upon him) , made against his enemy, Fir‘awn, out of anger for Allah’s sake, because of his arrogant refusal to follow the truth, his turning away from Allah’s Path, his obstinacy, his recalcitrance, his disobedience, his dogged insistence on adhering to follow that which is false and invalid and his disdain for the clear, plain and perceptible truth and the indisputable evidence, which is why he said, “Our Lord! You have indeed bestowed on Fir’awn and his chiefs” (Soorah Yoonus 10:88) (on his followers among the Copts and those who professed and practiced his religion) “splendor and wealth in the life of this world, our Lord! That they may lead men astray from Your Path.” (Soorah Yoonus 10:88). It means that those who exalt the importance of the life of this world are bedazzled by this, causing the ignorant among them to think that they are following what is correct, because of the fine things, such as garments, ships, houses and palaces, foodstuffs, beautiful landscapes, great power, etc., that they possess, but these things were theirs in the life of this world, not in the Hereafter. Our Lord! Destroy their wealth. (Soorah Yoonus 10:88). ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) and Mujahid said that it means, eradicate it. As for His Saying: “and harden their hearts, so that they will not believe until they see the painful punishment” (Soorah Yoonus 10:88), according to ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him), it means seal them; and this invocation was made out of anger for Allah’s sake, for His Religion and for His Proofs. And Allah, Most High, accepted it and implemented it, just as He accepted the invocation of Nooh (Peace be upon him) against his people, when he said, “My Lord! Leave not one of the disbelievers on the Earth!” (Soorah Nooh 71:26). This is why Allah, Most High, says, addressing Moosa (Peace be upon him) when he made his invocation against Fir‘awn and his chiefs and his invocation was affirmed by Haroon (Peace be upon him) and so he was described as a supplicator also: Allah said “Verily, the invocation of you both is accepted. So you both keep to the Straight Way (i.e. keep on doing good deeds and preaching Allah’s Message with patience), and follow not the path of those who know not (the truth i.e. to believe in the Oneness of Allah, and also to believe in the Reward of Allah: Paradise, etc.).” (Soorah Yoonus 10:89)
And He, Most High, says, And We inspired Moosa, saying, “Take away My slaves by night, verily, you will be pursued.” Then Fir‘awn sent callers to (all) the cities, (saying), “Verily! These indeed are but a small band. And verily, they have done what has enraged us; But we are host all assembled, amply forewarned.” So, We expelled them from gardens and springs, treasures and every kind of honorable place. Thus (We turned them [Fir‘awn’s people] out) and We caused the Children of Isra’eel to inherit them. So they pursued them at sunrise. And when the two hosts saw each other, the companions of Moosa said, “We are sure to be overtaken.” (Moosa) said, “Nay, verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.” Then We inspired Moosa (saying), “Strike the sea with your stick.” And it parted, and each separate part (of that seawater) became like the huge, firm mass of a mountain. Then We brought near the others (Fir‘awn’s party) to that place. And We saved Moosa and all those with him. Then We drowned the others. Verily! In this is indeed a sign (or a proof), yet most of them are not believers. And verily, your Lord! He is truly the Almighty, the Most Merciful. (Soorah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:52-68). The scholars of tafseer said that when Fir‘awn and his army set out in pursuit of the Children of Isra’eel, he headed a large force.
What is meant is that Fir‘awn and his army caught up with them at sunset and the two hosts saw one another and there remained no doubt and no confusion. They looked across at each other and it seemed that naught remained except for them to fight each other. At that point, Moosa’s companions said fearfully to him, “We are sure to be overtaken.” (Soorah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:61). This was they had had to follow a path to the sea and they had no way to go except into the sea – and none of them could do this. To their left and to their right lay mountains – and they were of towering heights. Fir‘awn had trapped them and now faced them; they saw him before him at the head of his soldiers and they observed their great numbers and their preparedness (weapons, chariots, armor, etc.) and they were in a state of extreme fear and terror, because of the humiliation and deception they had experienced under his rule. So they complained to the Prophet of Allah (Peace be upon him) of their situation; but the Messenger, the honest and trustworthy said to them, “Nay, verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.” (Soorah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:62)
Then, when the matter came to a head and the situation became critical and Fir‘awn advanced with his armies, intent on their task, bearing their arms and filled with anger and resentment and the eyes (of the Children of Isra’eel) were turned away and their hearts were in their throats, at that moment, the Most Gentle, the Mighty, the Omnipotent, Lord of the Noble Throne revealed to Moosa, Al-Kaleem (Peace be upon him): “Strike the sea with your stick.” (Soorah Ash- Shu’ara’ 26:63). And when he struck the sea, it was reported that he said to it, “Split, by Allah’s Permission.”
Allah, Most High, says, Then We inspired Moosa (saying), “Strike the sea with your stick.” And it parted, and each separate part (of that seawater) became like the huge, firm mass of a mountain. (Soorah Ash-Shu’ara’ 26:63). It was said that it parted revealing twelve paths, one for each tribe to proceed. It was even said that Allah caused apertures (like windows) to appear so that they might see each other, but this statement requires verification, because water is a transparent substance when there is light behind it. So the water was standing still, like mountains, held back by the Mighty Power which emanates from the One Who says to a thing, “Be!” and it is. And He, Most High, commanded the west wind and it burned the black clay of the sea, so that it became dry and did not stick to the hooves of their horses and the feet of their camels.
Allah, Most High, says, {And indeed We inspired Moosa (saying), “Travel by night with ‘ibadi (My slaves) and strike a dry path for them in the sea, fearing neither to be overtaken (by Fir‘awn [Fir‘awn]) nor being afraid (of drowning in the sea).” Then Fir’awn pursued them with his hosts, but the seawater completely overwhelmed them and covered them up. And Fir’awn led his people astray, and he did not guide them} (Soorah Ta Ha 20:77-79)
And what is meant is that when the sea was transformed in this manner by the Permission of the Lord, the Mighty, the Powerful, He commanded Moosa (Peace be upon him) to cross it with the Children of Isra’eel, and so they went down to it in haste, filled with happiness. And they had seen that amazing sight, which bedazzled those who saw it and guided the hearts of the Believers. Then, when they had crossed it and the last of them had emerged from it, they departed from it. This happened as the first of Fir‘awn’s army arrived at the path across the sea, and Moosa (Peace be upon him) intended to strike the sea with his staff again, so that it would return to its former state, in order to prevent Fir‘awn and his army from reaching them. But Allah, the Omnipotent, Owner of Majesty ordered him to leave the sea in this state, as He, the Truthful says in His Words: {And indeed We tried before them Fir’awn’s people, when there came to them a noble Messenger (i.e. Moosa [Moosa] saying, “Restore to me the slaves of Allah (i.e. the Children of Isra’eel). Verily! I am to you a Messenger worthy of all trust. And exalt not (yourselves) against Allah. Truly, I have come to you with a manifest authority. And truly, I seek refuge in my Lord and your Lord, lest you stone me (or call me a sorcerer or kill me). But if you believe me not, then keep away from me and leave me alone. (But they were aggressive), so he (Moosa) called upon his Lord (saying), “These are indeed the people who are mujrimoon (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, criminals, etc.). (Allah said), “Depart you with My slaves by night. Surely, you will be pursued. And leave the sea as it is. Verily, they are a host to be drowned. How many of gardens and springs have they (Fir’awn’s) people left. And green crops (fields, etc.) and goodly places, and comforts of life wherein they used to take delight! Thus (it was)! And We made other people inherit them (i.e. We made the Children of Isra’eel to inherit the kingdom of Egypt). And the heavens and the Earth wept not for them, nor were they given a respite. And indeed We saved the Children of Isra’eel from the humiliating punishment, from Fir‘awn. Verily! He was arrogant and was of the musrifoon (those who transgress all bounds in spending and other things and commit great sins). And We chose them (the Children of Isra’eel) above the ‘Alameen (during the time of Moosa [Moosa]) with knowledge, and granted them signs in which there was a plain trial} (Soorah Ad-Dukhan 44:17-33). The meaning of His Words: {“And leave the sea as it is’”} (Soorah Ad-Dukhan 44:24) is: still, as it is, do not change it from this state. This was said by ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him), Mujahid, ‘Ikrimah, Ar-Rabee‘, Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah, Ka‘b Al-Ahbar, Simak Ibn Harb, ‘Abdur-Rahman Ibn Zaid Ibn Aslam and others.
When he left it as it was, and Fir‘awn reached it and saw what he saw and witnessed what he witnessed, he was alarmed at the sight and he acknowledged what he had secretly acknowledged before, which was that this was the Work of the Lord of the Noble Throne and he recoiled and did not advance. In his heart, he regretted that he had set out in pursuit of them; but at such a time and in such circumstances, his regret profited him nothing. However, he showed a brave front to his troops and he dealt with them in an aggressive manner. But his disbelieving soul and his sinful nature caused him to say to those who scorned and despised them and obeyed him and followed him in his falsehood, “See how the sea has rolled up so that I may overtake my slaves who have run away from my authority, abandoned obedience to me and left my land!” And he told himself that he should go after them and he hoped that he would be safe, but how far he was from that!
Allah, Most High, says, And We saved Moosa and all those with him. Then We drowned the others. Verily! In this is indeed a sign (or a proof), yet most of them are not believers. And verily, your Lord! He is truly the Almighty, the Most Merciful. (Soorah Ash-Shu‘ara’ 26:65-68) That is, in His saving of His Awliya’ – for not a single one of them was drowned – and His drowning of His enemies – for not a single one of them was saved. And this was a great sign and an indisputable proof of His Mighty, the Omnipotence and of the truthfulness of His Messenger with regard to the noble law and the righteous system of jurisprudence that he brought from his Lord. And He, Most High, says, And We took the Children of Isra’eel across the sea, and Fir‘awn with his hosts followed them in oppression and enmity, till when drowning overtook him, he said, “I believe that La ilaha illa (Allah): (none has the right to be worshipped but [Allah]), in Whom the Children of Isra’eel believe, and I am one of the Muslims (those who submit to Allah’s Will).” Now (you believe) while you refused to believe before and you were one of the mufsidoon. So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you! And verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Ayat. (Soorah Yoonus 10:90-92)
Allah, Most High, informs us how Fir‘awn, the leader of the disbelieving Copts, was drowned and how the waves plunged him down and then raised him up, while the Children of Isra’eel looked at him and at his troops and the great punishment which Allah had inflicted on them, in order to gladden the eyes of the Children of Isra’eel and heal their hearts. When Fir‘awn saw the destruction and the agony of death approached him, he regretted and repented (of his disbelief) and at that moment, he believed, when his belief no longer availed him, as Allah, Most High, says, 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 punishment. (Soorah Yoonus 10:96,97) And He, Most High, says, So when they saw Our punishment, they said, “We believe in Allah, Alone, and reject (all) that we used to associate with Him as (His) partners. Then their Faith (in Islamic Monotheism) could not avail them when they saw Our Punishment. (Like) this has been the way of Allah in dealing with His slaves. And there the disbelievers lost utterly (when Our Punishment covered them). (Soorah Ghafir 40:84,85) And thus did Moosa (Peace be upon him) supplicate against Fir‘awn and his chiefs, that Allah destroy their wealth and harden their hearts, “…so that they will not believe until they see the painful punishment.” (Soorah Yoonus 10:88) That is, when it would no longer avail them and it would be a cause of regret for them. And Allah, Most High, had said to them both, i.e. Moosa (Peace be upon him) and Haroon (Peace be upon him) when they made this supplication, “Verily, the invocation of you both is accepted.” (Soorah Yoonus 10:89). So this proves that Allah, Most High, accepted and answered the supplication of His Kaleem, Moosa (Peace be upon him) and his brother, Haroon (Peace be upon him).
It is also clear from the Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad, on the authority of ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him), who said, “The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “(Regarding) when Fir‘awn said, “I believe that La ilaha illa (Allah): (none has the right to be worshipped but [Allah]), in Whom the Children of Isra’eel believe, and I am one of the Muslims (those who submit to Allah’s Will).”} (Soorah Yoonus 10:90), Jibraeel said to me, “If you had seen me… when I thrust the mire of the sea into his mouth in order to prevent the Mercy (of Allah) reaching him.”
And He, Most High, says, “Now (you believe) while you refused to believe before and you were one of the mufsidoon?” (Soorah Yoonus 10:91). This is a rhetorical question, implying censure and rebuke and it proves that Allah, Most High, did not accept his repentance, because – and Allah knows better – if he were returned to the life of this world, he would have returned to what he was doing before, as Allah, Most High, says, regarding the disbelievers, when they see the Fire, that they will say, “Would that we were but sent back (to the world)! Then we would not deny the Ayat of our Lord, and we would be of the believers!” (Soorah Al-An‘am 6:27)
And He, Most High, says, “So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you!” (Soorah Yoonus 10:92). ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) and more than one scholars said that some of the Children of Isra’eel doubted that Fir‘awn was dead, indeed some of them even went so far as to say, “Fir‘awn does not (i.e. cannot) die.” So Allah commanded the sea to raise him up high, or it was said, onto the surface of the water, or it was also said, onto an elevated piece of land – and he was wearing his armor, which they recognized and by which they were able to confirm that he was dead and to realize Allah’s Omnipotence over him. This is why He says, “So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea)…” (Soorah Yoonus 10:92) means with your armor on your body by which you will be recognized “…that you may be a sign.” (Soorah Yoonus 10:92) That is, you are a sign “…to those who come after you!” (Soorah Yoonus 10:92). That is, from the Children of Isra’eel, as evidence of Allah’s Ability to destroy him. For this reason, some of the Salaf recited “…that you may be a sign to those who come after you!” (Soorah Yoonus 10:92), meaning: We shall deliver you along with your armor, in order that your armor may be a sign to those who come after you from the Children of Isra’eel, by which they may recognize you and know that you are dead. And Allah knows better. The destruction of Fir‘awn and his army took place on the Day of ‘Ashurah, according to what Imam Al-Bukhari has narrated in his Saheeh, on the authority of ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him), who said, “When the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) arrived in Madinah, the Jews were fasting on the Day of ‘Ashurah and they said, “This is the day on which Moosa defeated Fir‘awn.” The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said (to the Muslims), “You have more right to celebrate Moosa’s victory than they have. So observe the fast on this day.” The essence of this Hadith is recorded in the Saheehain and in other compilations. And Allah (SWT) knows better.
By Ibn Katheer
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