The Holy Quran Text. Translation & Commentary(the Example Commentary in Brief)(volume Four)

Pairs in Plants

VERSE NO.7ِ9

Nowadays, it has been proved that duality and being in pair is among the universal laws of God in the nature. Every kind of plant, animal, or vegetation, are created in pairs and consist of male and female, which fecundation is needed to fertilize them, as it is done somehow among animals and Man. But it was more than 14 centuries ago that Qura"n has informed Man of this fact that, plants too, like animals are created in pairs, and have male and female! [ 431 ]

Not only animal and plants, but whatever has been created, it has been created in pair, and the only single thing in existence which is only One is God and nothing else.

وَإِذْ نَادَى رَبُّكَ مُوسَى أَنْ ائْتِ الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ(( 10 ))

10- AND WHEN YOUR LORD CALLED MOSES (AND SAID TO HIM) GO TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE OPPRESSORS.

قَوْمَ فِرْعَوْنَ أَلاَ يَتَّقُونَ(( 11 ))

11- TO THE PEOPLE OF PHARAOH (AND ASK THEM) WILL THEY NOT AVOID EVIL DEEDS?

قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى أَخَافُ أَنْ يُكَذِّبُونِ(( 12 ))

12- HE SAID; MY LORD! I AM AFRAID THEY BELIE ME.

وَيَضِيقُ صَدْرِى وَلاَ يَنْطَلِقُ لِسَانِى فَأَرْسِلْ إِلَى هَارُونَ(( 13 ))

13- AND MY BREAST STRAITENS, AND I AM NOT FLUENT IN SPEECH, SO SEND FOR AARON (TO HELP ME).

وَلَهُمْ عَلَىَّ ذَنْبٌ فَأَخَافُ أَنْ يَقْتُلُونِ(( 14 ))

14- AND (FURTHER), THEY HOLD A CHARGE OF CRIME AGAINST ME, (MOSES HAD KILLED AN EGYPTIAN UNINTENTIONALLY) AND I FEAR THEM TO KILL ME.

قَالَ كَلاَّ فَاذْهَبَا بِآيَاتِنَا إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ مُّسْتَمِعُونَ(( 15 ))

15- HE SAID:ِ ``IT IS NOT SO (AS YOU THINK). GO BOTH OF YOU WITH OUR SIGNS. WE ARE WITH YOU LISTENING.'' [ 432 ]

THE COMMENTARY THE BEGINNING OF MOSAIC MISSION

VERSE NO.10ِ15 In this chapter, the stories of seven of the prophets have been narrated, beginning with Moses and his wrangling with Pharaoh and his cruel folk, until they were all drowned together, and Moses won the race! One may think that, these narrations have been repeated here and there in Qura"n; but it is not so, and in every passage a different point of the relatively long story has been discussed.

As an instance of it, the above verses about Moses was revealed, when Muslims were very weak, and their enemies very powerful; and the two parties had a great difference to balance. So the above verses were sent down to console Muslims, and to assure them that, it is not the excess of man-power, equipments, and weapons, that counts and brings forth a victory, but having faith in God, and trusting Him is the main factor, and the most effective weapon in the fields of life and death. Moses and his brother Aaron, only two shepherds, with a worn out woolen clothes on, and the shepherd's stick in their hand, were ordered to go to Pharaoh, the greatest dictator of ages, and to warn him and admonish his host!:ِ ``And forget not when your Lord called Moses and told him:ِ ``Go to the people who are oppressorsِto the people of Pharaoh, and ask them if they will cease oppression and will avoid evil deeds, and obey their God.''

Here through the above commandment, the mission of Moses begins, but in spite of having the miracles of the snake, and shining white hand, and his talking with God, he still felt diffident and wanting confidence when he was ordered to go to Pharaoh and his folk. He feared them to belie him. He feared them to kill him, for the Egyptian whom he had slayed unintentionally. And after all for his stammering speech. But Allah assured him, and encouraged him to proceed on his mission. God changed for him all his shortcomings to power, and assigned his brother Aaron to assist him in his mission.

[ 433 ]

فَأتِيا فِرْعَوْنَ فَقُولاَ إِنَّا رَسُولُ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ(( 16 ))

16- BOTH OF YOU GO TO PHARAOH, AND SAY:ِ ``WE ARE THE MESSENGER OF THE LORD OF THE WORLDS.''

أَنْ أَرْسِلْ مَعَنَا بَنِى إِسْرَائِيلَ(( 17 ))

17- (WE WANT YOU) TO SEND WITH US THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.

قَالَ أَلَمْ نُرَبِّكَ فِينَا وَلِيداً وَلَبِثْتَ فِينَا مِنْ عُمُرِكَ سِنِينَ(( 18 ))

18- (PHARAOH SAID TO MOSES;) DID WE NOT CHERISH YOU AS A CHILD AMONG US, AND YOU STAYED MANY YEARS OF YOUR LIFE WITH US.

وَفَعَلْتَ فَعْلَتَكَ الَّتِى فَعَلْتَ وَأَنْتَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ(( 19 ))

19- AND YOU DID THAT WHICH YOU DID (KILLING ONE OF MY PEOPLE) AND YOU ARE OF THE UNGRATEFULS.

قَالَ فَعَلْتُهَا إِذاً وَأَنَا مِنْ الضَّالِّينَ(( 20 ))

20- (MOSES) SAID; ``I DID IT WHEN I WAS AMONG THE STRAYS.''

فَفَرَرْتُ مِنْكُمْ لَمَّا خِفْتُكُمْ فَوَهَبَ لِى رَبِّى حُكْماً وَجَعَلَنِى مِنْ الْمُرْسَلِينَ (( 21 ))

21- THEN I FLED FROM YOU WHEN I WAS AFRAID OF YOU. THEN MY LORD BESTOWED ON ME THE WISDOM, AND MADE ME OF THE MESSENGERS.

وَتِلْكَ نِعْمَةٌ تَمُنُّهَا عَلَىَّ أَنْ عَبَّدْتَ بَنِى إِسْرَائِيلَ(( 22 ))

22- AND IS THAT A FAVOUR OF WHICH YOU REMIND ME, THAT YOU HAVE ENSLAVED THE ISRAELITES?

[ 434 ]

THE COMMENTARY THE DECISIVE AND LOGICAL ENCOUNTER WITH PHARAOH VERSE NO.16ِ22

The second stage of the Mosaic mission was to pay a visit to Pharaoh, informing him of his Divine Mission, and asking him to release the Israelites and set them free of the bonds of his slavery. The above verse emphasizes that the brethren had to visit the king of Egypt in person, and inform him of God's Message:ِ ``Both of you go to Pharaoh and tell him that you are the Messenger of the Lord of all the worlds, and also ask him to send with you the children of Israel.''

Anyhow, the two apostles of God, found a way and met with the king who was among some of his courtiers. The two brothers told Pharaoh of their mission, and put forth their request for the freedom of the enslaved Israelites. Pharaoh with considered and chosen words, and crafty and sly sentences, tried to prove the rights of his Lordship over the two brothers in the form of shepherds, by reminding them of his past favour to Moses:ِ Pharaoh said to Moses; Did we not cherish you among us and you lived for many years of your life among us, but you did that which you didِkilling one of my servantsِand then escaped away to avoid retaliation.

There is an irony in the word of the king of Egypt in order to oblige Moses for his old favour of saving him from the sea as a body and bringing him up as a child. He also reminded Moses in a taunting manner that he had killed one of the Egyptians, and he was no more than a murderer, and a thankless man who had forgotten the favours of his master.

Moses answered his irony and taunts in Pharaoh's own language, [ 435 ]

saying:ِ ``Yes, I did kill him unintentionally and by mistake; and that was a time when I was among you and one of you, in error and under your influence. But now things are different. I fled from you when I was afraid of you. Then my Lord bestowed on me wisdom, and made me of the Messengers, and here I am to warn you.'' Then in an ironical way, Moses continued:ِ ``And is that a favour of which you remind me that you have enslaved my people!?''

قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ وَمَا رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ(( 23 ))

23- PHARAOH SAID:ِ ``AND WHAT IS THE LORD OF THE WORLD?''

قَالَ رَبُّ السَّموَاتِ وَالاَْرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إنْ كُنتُمْ مُّوقِنِينَ(( 24 ))

24- HE SAID:ِ ``THE LORD OF THE HEAVENS AND EARTH AND WHATEVER EXISTS BETWEEN THEM IF YOU ARE TO MAKE SURE.''

قَالَ لِمَنْ حَوْلَهُ أَلاَ تَسْتَمِعُونَ(( 25 ))

25- (PHARAOH) SAID TO THOSE WHO WERE AROUND HIM:ِ ``DO YOU NOT HEAR? (WHAT HE SAYS)''

قَالَ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ آبَائِكُمُ الاَْوَّلِينَ(( 26 ))

26- (MOSES) SAID:ِ ``YOUR LORD, AND THE LORD OF YOUR FATHERS OF OLD.''

قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَكُمُ الَّذِى أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ لَمَجْنُونٌ(( 27 ))

27- (PHARAOH) SAID:ِ ``VERILY YOUR MESSENGER WHO HAS BEEN SENT TO YOU IS MAD!''

[ 436 ]

قَالَ رَبُّ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ(( 28 ))

28- (MOSES WENT ON AND SAID AGAIN) THE LORD OF EAST AND WEST AND WHAT IS BETWEEN THEM IF YOU WERE WILLING TO USE YOUR MIND.

قَالَ لَئِنِ اتَّخَذْتَ إِلَـهاً غَيْرِى لاََجْعَلَنَّكَ مِنَ الْمَسْجُونِينَ(( 29 ))

29- PHARAOH SAID:ِ ``IF YOU TAKE ANY GOD OTHER THAN ME, I SHALL IMPRISON YOU.''

THE COMMENTARY CHARGE OF MADNESS, AND THREAT TO PRISON VERSE NO.23ِ29

Moses made Pharaoh excited by so boldly speaking, and putting forward the name of God as the Lord of all the worlds, which included Egypt too. The ancient idolaters proved a certain Lord or god for every phenomenon like; war, peace, beauty and love, and etc. Now the two shepherds so frankly deny the many gods, including the lordship of Pharaoh even over his own Egyptian people! So with a little play of wit, the king says to Moses:ِ ``And who is the Lord of all the worlds!?'' He did not ask that really to know who the Creator and the Cherisher of the world is. He rather was pulling the legs of Moses. But Moses stood firmly and with utmost seriousness and said in answer:ِ

``He is the Lord and the Creator of the heavens and earth, and whatever exists between them, if you want to make sure!'' Such answer implies that; my Lord is the Lord of everything including you and all your courtiers, and Egyptian folk who are buzzying around your kitchen. [ 437 ] In order to wound the feelings of Moses, Pharaoh sarcasmically said to his courtiers who were around him:ِ ``Look at this apostle who has been sent to you! He is mad!''

Moses was not embarrassed at all, and boldly said:ِ ``The Lord Who has sent me, is the Lord and cherisher of you and your fathers of old. Wherever you go from east to west my Lord reigns over you all, and you have to obey his commands either willingly or unwillingly.''

Usually when logic fails, a dictator resorts to power and force, and so did the tyrant ruler of Egypt threaten Moses with prison for treason, and accusation of attempting to overthrow his government.

قَالَ أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكَ بِشَىء مُّبِين(( 30 ))

30- (MOSES) SAID:ِ ``WHAT THEN, IF I BRING YOU A PERSPICUOUS THING?''

قَالَ فَأْتِ بِهِ إِنْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ(( 31 ))

31- (THE KING) SAID:ِ ``BRING IT THEN IF YOU ARE OF THE TRUTHFULS.''

فَأَلْقَى عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ ثُعْبَانٌ مُّبِينٌ(( 32 ))

32- SO HE CAST HIS STICK WHICH IT TURNED TO A VERITABLE SERPENT.

وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ بَيْضَاءُ لِلنَّاظِرِينَ(( 33 ))

33- AND HE DREW HIS HAND (OUT OF HIS ARM-PIT) AND IT WAS SHINING WHITE TO THE BEHOLDERS.

[ 438 ]

قَالَ لِلْمَلَإِ حَوْلَهُ إِنَّ هَذَا لَسَاحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ(( 34 ))

34- (PHARAOH) SAID TO THOSE CHIEFS WHO WERE AROUND HIM: ``VERILY THIS IS A WELL VERSED SORCERER.''

يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُخْرِجَكُمْ مِّنْ أَرْضِكُمْ بِسِحْرِهِ فَمَاذَا تَأْمُرُونَ(( 35 ))

35- HE WANTS TO EXPEL YOU FROM YOUR LAND BY HIS MAGIC. WHAT DO YOU THEN COMMAND?

قَالُوا أَرْجِهْ وَأَخَاهُ وَابْعَثْ فِى الْمَدَائِنِ حَاشِرِينَ(( 36 ))

36- THEY SAID:ِ ``GIVE HIM AND HIS BROTHER A TIME, AND SEND SUMMONERS TO THE CITIES.''

يَأْتُوكَ بِكُلِّ سَحَّار عَلِيم(( 37 ))

37- IN ORDER TO BRING TO YOU ALL THE WELL-VERSED SORCERERS.

THE COMMENTARY RAISE UP! THAT YOUR LAND IS IN DANGER! VERSE NO.30ِ37

In that meeting, which was more a general consultation than a common gathering, Moses preached his doctrine with reason and wisdom, a brief of which is mentioned through the above verses. On the contrary, Pharaoh gave his views in irony and with mockery, mingled with some dictatorship! Therefore, Moses found it better to change the mode of his operation, and said to the king:ِ

``What then if I bring you a perspicuous sign from your Lord!? Will you still insist upon your power and prison!?'' Pharaoh could have no other way but to admit Moses to show his miracles if he had any at all:ِ So the king said:ِ ``Bring it then if you are of the truthfuls.'' And [ 439 ] Moses cast his stick, and Lo! It turned to a huge serpent in real movements, who frightened everyone who was present!

In a second illustration, Moses drew his hand out of his arm-pit, and his hand was shining white to the beholders! The king felt that he was entrapped in a serious dead-lock. Now he could not take the matter so easy that he had thought at first, because Moses had attracted the attentions of all the chiefs of the court enough to cause a semi-revolt. This was when Pharaoh was far from yielding to truth, and was willing to keep and protect his Satanic Power at any price. On the other hand, the Egyptians were habitually given to magic and sorcery, when the true miracles were shown to them. This was an opportunity for the king to declare the miracles as witchcrafts, to his courtiers who were around him. He therefore, without any pause and pondering, said to those who were present:ِ

``Verily this is a well-versed sorcerer. And he wants to expel you from your land by his magic. What is your opinion and command then?'' The chiefs too were perplexed, and could not know what was really the best to be done. They eventually said to the king:ِ ``Give them a time, and send summoners to the cities in order to bring to you all the well-versed sorcerers.''

فَجُمِعَ السَّحَرَةُ لِمِيقَاتِ يَوْم مَّعْلُوم(( 38 ))

38- THEN THE MAGICIANS WERE GATHERED FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A KNOWN DAY.

وَقِيلَ لِلنَّاسِ هَلْ أَنْتُمْ مُّجْتَمِعُونَ(( 39 ))

39- AND THE PEOPLE WERE ASKED IF THEY TOO, WANTED TO TAKE PART.

لَعَلَّنَا نَتَّبِعُ السَّحَرَةَ إِنْ كَانُوا هُمُ الْغَالِبِينَ(( 40 ))

40- SO THAT WE MAY FOLLOW THE SORCERERS IF THEY WIN.

[ 440 ]

فَلَمَّا جَاءَ السَّحَرَةُ قَالُوا لِفِرْعَوْنَ أَئِنَّ لَنَا لاََجْراً إِنْ كُنَّا نَحْنُ الْغَالِبِينَ(( 41 ))

41- THEN WHEN THE SORCERERS CAME, THEY SAID TO PHARAOH:ِ ``IS THERE ANY REWARD FOR US, IF WE BECOME THE WINNERS?''

قَالَ نَعَمْ وَإِنَّكُمْ إِذاً لَّمِنْ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ(( 42 ))

42- PHARAOH SAID:ِ ``YES! IN THAT CASE YOU WILL BE AMONG THE NEARERS. (TO ME)

THE COMMENTARY MAGICIANS WERE GATHERED FROM EVERYWHERE VERSE NO.38ِ42

As per order of the king, many especial staff were sent here and there, through Egypt to choose and collect the most skillful sorcerers. Enough of them were chosen and prepared for the great challenge of an appointed day.

People too, were ordered to come as many as possible to witness the victory of their culture and creed, and to respect their king more ardently. It was announced by the priests that the victory of the magicians was the victory of their gods.

The appointment was in a day of general festival which was well known to all Egyptians. Their propaganda was such that, the two wizards (Moses and Aaron) had endangered the Egyptian cult and creed which was based on the worship of their Pharaoh. It was told everywhere that the two had come to drive the Egyptians out of their land by sorcery. The ministers and the chief courtiers had the object of gathering as many people as possible to witness the scenery, with the expectation that the Egyptian sorcerers would win with their tricks and cheating [ 441 ] devices. So the people had to come and witness the triumph of Egyptian Religion, so as to become more faithful to the cult of being obedient to Pharaoh.

The magicians who were priests too, were chasing their own benefit and selfish interests. They only wanted to increase their influence on the king, as well as their country-fellows. Their strive was not based on the loyalty to their exploiting and cruel tyrant. This was why before starting their carrier they said to Pharaoh:ِ ``....Is there any reward for us if we become the winners?'' The king too, was well aware of the material and worldly ambitions of those wizard priests, and therefore his answer to their plea was not only positive, but attractive too:ِ ``Yes of course!'' He said, ``And besides, you will become of the nearers to my person, if you win the combat.''

قَالَ لَهُمْ مُّوسَى أَلْقُوا مَا أَنْتُمْ مُّلْقُونَ(( 43 ))

43- (THE APPOINTED TIME REACHED, AND ALL THE MAGICIANS WERE READY IN THE FIELD, WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF EGYPTIAN GAZING AT THEIR HANDS, THEN MOSES SAID:ِ)

``CAST YOU DOWN WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO CAST.''

فَأَلْقَوْا حِبَالَهُمْ وَعِصِيَّهُمْ وَقَالُوا بِعِزَّةِ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّا لَنَحْنُ الْغَالِبُونَ(( 44 ))

44- THEN THEY CAST THEIR ROPES AND RODS, AND SAID:ِ BY THE EXALTED MIGHT OF PHARAOH, WE ARE THE VICTORS OURSELVES.

فَأَلْقَى مُوسَى عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ(( 45 ))

45- THEN MOSES CAST HIS STAFF, AND THERE IT SWALLOWED ALL THEIR FALSE DEVICES!

[ 442 ]

فَأُلْقِىَ السَّحَرَةُ سَاجِدِينَ(( 46 ))

46- AND THE MAGICIANS FELL DOWN PROSTRATING THEMSELVES.

قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ(( 47 ))

47- THEY SAID:ِ ``WE HAVE BELIEVED IN THE LORD OF ALL THE WORLDS.''

رَبِّ مُوسَى وَهَارُونَ(( 48 ))

48- THE LORD OF MOSES AND AARON.

قَالَ آمَنْتُمْ لَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ آذَنَ لَكُمْ إِنَّهُ لَكَبِيرُكُمْ الَّذِى عَلَّمَكُمُ السِّحْرَ فَلَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ لَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ مِّنْ خِلاَف وَلَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ(( 49 ))

49- PHARAOH SAID:ِ ``BELIEVED YOU IN HIM BEFORE I GAVE YOU PERMISSION!? VERILY HE IS THE ELDER OF YOU WHO HAS TAUGHT YOU SORCERY. THEN VERY SOON SHALL YOU COME TO KNOW THAT I WILL CUT OFF YOUR HANDS AND FEET ALTERNATELY, AND I WILL CRUCIFY YOU ALL TOGETHER.''

قَالُوا لَا ضَيْرَ إِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا مُنْقَلِبُونَ(( 50 ))

50- THEY SAID:ِ ``THAT IS NOT IMPORTANT! WE ARE TURNING TO OUR LORD.''

إِنَّا نَطْمَعُ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ لَنَا رَبُّنَا خَطَايَانَا أَنْ كُنَّا أَوَّلَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ(( 51 ))

51- WE COVET OUR LORD TO FORGIVE US OUR WRONGS, FOR BEING THE FIRST OF THE BELIEVERS. [ 443 ]

THE COMMENTARY THE GLORIOUS LIGHT OF GOD SHONE IN THE HEARTS OF THE SORCERERS. VERSE NO.43ِ51

After having the promise of Pharaoh for an excellent reward, the sorcerers did all that they could do to prepare themselves to defeat the Serpent Stick, and to darken the Shining White hand of Moses. They filled up their hollow ropes and rods, that were formed in the shape of snakes and serpent, with some chemicals like mercury, so as to have a movement when heated through the sunshine. They also provided for any tricks of such that was possible for them. Then in the appointed time, they were present in the congregational field, in which was waiting the king, his courtiers, and minister, and tens of thousands of citizens.

There in the field also stood only three persons in opposition to the whole crowd of people, namely; Moses, Aaron, and Yahovah. Every one was silent as if a bird was on their head, waiting to see what would happen. Moses took the lead, and said to the sorcerers:ِ ``Cast you down what you are going to cast.'' Then they cast their ropes and rods, and said:- ``By the exalted might of Pharaoh we are the victors.''

The ropes and rods of the magicians appeared to move here and there like snakes and great worms. Then Moses cast his stick, and Yahovah made it a real hungry serpent, which rushed towards the sorcerer's stuff and swallowed them all! In other word; the truth appeared and falsehood vanished. When so it happened, the magicians trembled with fear of God, and fell down on the ground prostrating themselves, and frankly said:ِ ``We now believe in the Lord of the Worldsِthe Lord of Moses and Aaron!''

[ 444 ] The first party who distinguished the reality from the falsehood were the magicians who saw something different from their own tricks. Therefore God's Glorious light of Grace guided them and caused them to prostrate themselves out of a sudden, to celebrate the praise of God and to confirm the truth that was with Moses. Their unexpected sudden act, filled the king with rage, and confused him so much that he lost his control, and shouted upon the sorcerers saying:ِ

``How dare of you to believe in any other god, before I give you permission!? This is a conspiracy to expel Egyptians from their country which is plotted by you and Moses, who has taught you magic. Soon shall you come to know that I am going to cut-off your hands and feet alternately and will then crucify you all?'' This has always been the methodical way of cruel tyrant kings. But the sorcerers who were converted at once to sincere believers, were ready to suffer any torture and death. So they indifferently said:ِ ``Do as you like. These are of no importance to us. You can only judge and decree in this mortal and temporary life of us. We are turning to our Lord, and expect him to forgive us our sins, for being the first of believers.''

وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَى مُوسَى أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى إِنَّكُمْ مُّتَّبَعُونَ(( 52 ))

52- AND WE INSPIRED MOSES TO TAKE MY SERVANTS BY NIGHT, THAT YOU WILL BE PURSUED.

فَأَرْسَلَ فِرْعَوْنُ فِى الْمَدَائِنِ حَاشِرِينَ(( 53 ))

53- (WHEN PHARAOH WAS INFORMED OF THE ISRAELITES DECAMP) HE SENT TO THE CITIES THE MUSTERERS.

إِنَّ هَؤُلاَءِ لَشِرْذِمَةٌ قَلِيلُونَ(( 54 ))

54- (AND HE SAID):ِ ``THESE ARE A SMALL GROUP''

[ 445 ]

وَإِنَّهُمْ لَنَا لَغَائِظُونَ(( 55 ))

55- AND THEY ARE ENRAGING US.

وَإِنَّا لَجَمِيعٌ حَاذِرُونَ(( 56 ))

56- AND WE ARE ALL WELL-PREPARED.

فَأَخْرَجْنَاهُمْ مِّنْ جَنَّات وَعُيُون(( 57 ))

57- THEN WE DROVE THEM OUT OF (THEIR) GARDENS AND SPRINGS.

وَكُنُوز وَمَقَام كَرِيم(( 58 ))

58- AND TREASURES AND HONOURABLE POSITIONS.

كَذَلِكَ وَأَوْرَثْنَاهَا بَنِى إِسْرَائِيلَ(( 59 ))

59- AND THUS WE MADE THE ISRAELITES TO INHERIT THEM.

THE COMMENTARY THEY WERE DRIVEN OUT OF THEIR GLORIOUS PALACES. VERSE NO.52ِ59

We read in the previous verses how Moses won the challenge in that critical field, and great congregation of the heathens and polytheists. Although Pharaoh and his folk did not admit the truth to be with Moses and insisted on their blasphemy; yet the victory over the magicians had its own marvelous effects:ِ

1ِThe Israelites were encouraged and their faith in their leader increased. 2ِMoses obtained an important position among the Egyptians. Some of them got faith in him, and some others left their hostility. 3ِMore important was that, Pharaoh now dared not to kill or imprison Moses, or to get rid of him in the mysterious ways to which Dictators are accustomed.

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All these advantages gave Moses the good opportunity to stay among his people, and to preach and teach them, and to purify and cleanse them from evil deeds. Many years elapsed thus during which Moses showed many other miracles, some of which are very famous like; the Bloodِthe Frogِthe Gnatِthe Darkness and etc., which have all been narrated in detail in the Bible, and are also confirmed through the Holy Qura"n.

But Pharaoh and his cruel folk had enslaved the poor and helpless Israelites who were their free of charge servants, farmers, and gardeners, and doers of all sorts of hard works. Of course, Allah's plan was otherwise; a part of it being to drive the tyrants and oppressors out of their gardens and springs; treasurse, and honourable positions; and to help the helpless Israelites to inherit all that they had.

Therefore the command of the PASS OVER was issued:ِ ``And We inspired Moses to take my servants by night that you shall be pursued.'' And thus the incident of Pass Over began in which Moses took the Israelites as per order of God by night, in order to leave Egypt for their promised land; but Pharaoh and his host got the information, and pursued them which ended in the triumph of the truth, and destruction of falsehood, and the hosts of evil.

60- THEN (PHARAOH AND HIS HOSTS) PURSUED THEM (AND APPROACHED THEM) AT THE SUNRISE.

فَلَمَّا تَرَاءَ الْجَمْعَانِ قَالَ أَصْحَابُ مُوسَى إِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُونَ(( 61 ))

61- WHEN THE TWO PARTIES SAW EACH OTHER; THE COMPANIONS OF MOSES SAID:ِ ``WE SHALL CERTAINLY BE OVERTAKEN.''

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قَالَ كَلاَّ إِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ(( 62 ))

62- MOSES SAID:ِ ``NOT SO! MY LORD IS WITH ME. SOON WILL HE GUIDE ME.''

فَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَى مُوسَى أَنِ اضْرِبْ بِّعَصَاكَ الْبَحْرَ فَانفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْق كَالطَّوْدِ الْعَظِيمِ(( 63 ))

63- WE THEN INSPIRED MOSES TO STRIKE THE SEA WITH YOUR STICK. THEN IT CLEAVED; (A PATH ACROSS THE SEA WAS MADE) AND EACH PART OF THE SEA BECAME LIKE A GREAT, HUGE MOUNTAIN!

وَأَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ الاْخَرِينَ(( 64 ))

64- AND THERE WE BROUGHT (IN THE CLEAVAGE) THE OTHERS TOO. (i.e. PHARAOH AND HIS HOSTS)

وَأَنْجَيْنَا مُوسَى وَمَنْ مَّعَهُ أَجْمَعِينَ(( 65 ))

65- AND WE SAVED MOSES AND WHOEVER WAS WITH HIM, ALL TOGETHER.

ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا الاْخَرِينَ(( 66 ))

66- AFTER THAT WE DROWNED THE OTHERS.

إِنَّ فِى ذَلِكَ لاَيَةً وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُمْ مُّؤْمِنِينَ(( 67 ))

67- VERILY IN THAT THERE IS A SIGN, BUT MOST OF THEM WERE NOT BELIEVERS.

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الرَّحِيمُ(( 68 ))

68- AND TRULY YOUR LORD IS EXALTED IN MIGHT, COMPASSIONATE.

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