PHARAOH RULED WITH TYRANNY IN THE LAND AND DIVIDED ITS PEOPLE INTO CASTES, ONE GROUP OF WHICH HE PERSECUTED, KILLING THEIR SONS AND SPARING ONLY THEIR DAUGHTERS. TRULY, HE WAS AN EVIL MAN. (Verse 4)
The surah relates an episode from the story of Moses and his people as an illustration that the laws of history retain their validity despite the passage of time. It says: "These are the verses of the perspicuous Book. We truthfully recount to you tales of Moses and Pharaoh for the benefit of those who believe" (2-3). The Pharaoh referred to here is most likely to be Ramses II who ruled Egypt around the thirteenth century BC and whose kingdom extended to the Danube river in south-east Europe.
The surah also related confrontation between Moses and the Pharaoh. The latter ordered his chief right-hand man, Haman to help him find the God to whom Moses had referred:
And Pharaoh said, "Nobles, you have no other god that I know of except myself. Haman, build me a tower from bricks of clay that I may climb and see the god of Moses. I suspect that he is definitely lying ." (38)
The foolish Pharaoh believed that God resided in the sky or somehow sat above the clouds. Although this notion may sound comical or silly, it is a belief still held surprisingly by some people today.
The Pharaoh and his like, who deny the existence of God shall: "Lead others to the fire, and on Resurrection Day shall have none to help them. In this world We laid Our curse on them, and on Resurrection Day they shall be held in dishonour" (41-42).
The Pharaohs could have ruled with justice and glory. On the other hand, their subjects could have resisted and refused to submit to their tyranny.
And Pharaoh said, "Nobles, you have no other god that I know of except myself. Haman, build me a tower from bricks of clay that I may climb and see the god of Moses. I suspect that he is definitely lying ." (38)
The foolish Pharaoh believed that God resided in the sky or somehow sat above the clouds. Although this notion may sound comical or silly, it is a belief still held surprisingly by some people today.
The Pharaoh and his like, who deny the existence of God shall: "Lead others to the fire, and on Resurrection Day shall have none to help them. In this world We laid Our curse on them, and on Resurrection Day they shall be held in dishonour" (41-42).
The Pharaohs could have ruled with justice and glory. On the other hand, their subjects could have resisted and refused to submit to their tyranny.
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