Tafseer Ibn Kathir of AN NAAZI'AAT [15]

15. Has there come to you the story of Musa 16. When his Lord called him in the holy valley of Tuwa, 17. Go to Fir`awn; verily, he has transgressed all bounds. 18. And say to him: ”Would you purify yourself'' 19. ”And that I guide you to your Lord, so you should fear Him'' 20. Then he showed him the great sign. 21. But he denied and disobeyed. 22. Then he turned back, striving. 23. So he gathered and called out, 24. Saying: ”I am your lord, most high.'' 25. So Allah seized him with punishing example for the Hereafter and the first (life). 26. In this is a lesson for whoever fears. Allah informs His Messenger Muhammad about His Messenger Musa. He mentions that he sent Musa to Fir`awn and He aided him with miracles. Yet, even after this, Fir`awn continued in his disbelief and transgression until Allah seized him with a mighty and powerful punishment. Thus is the punishment of whoever opposes you (Muhammad ) and rejects that which you have been sent with. This is why Allah says at the end of the story,

(In this is a Lesson for whoever fears.) Allah begins by saying,

(Has there come to you the story of Musa) meaning, have you heard of his story

(When his Lord called him) meaning, He called out speaking to him.

(in the holy valley) meaning purified

(Tuwa) According to what is correct, it is the name of a valley, as preceded in Surah Ta Ha. So, He said to him:

(Go to Fir`awn; verily, he has transgressed all bounds.) meaning, he has become haughty, rebellious and arrogant.

(And say to him: ”Would you purify yourself'') meaning, say to him, ”Will you respond to the path and way that will purify you'' This means, `will you submit (accept Islam) and be obedient'

(And that I guide to your Lord,) meaning, `I will guide you to the worship of your Lord.'

(so that you fear) meaning, `so that your heart will become humble, obedient, and submissive to Him after it was hard, evil, and far away from goodness.'

(Then he showed him the great sign.) This means that Musa showed him -- along with this truthful call -- a strong evidence and a clear proof of the truthfulness of what he had come up with from Allah.

(But he denied and disobeyed.) meaning, he (Fir`awn) rejected the truth and opposed what Musa commanded him with of obedience. So what happened with him was that his heart disbelieved, and Musa (i.e., his call) could not internally or externally affect it. Along with this, his knowledge that what Musa had come to him with was the truth, did not necessitate his being a believer in it. This is because recognition is the knowledge of the heart, and faith is its action. And it (faith) is to comply with the truth and submit to it. Concerning Allah's statement,

(Then he turned back, striving.) meaning, in responding to the truth with falsehood. This was by his gathering the group of magicians in order to confront that which Musa had come up with of spectacular miracles.

(So he gathered (his people) and called out) meaning, among his people.

(Saying; I am your lord, most high.'') Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid both said, ”This is the word which Fir`awn said after he said,

(`I have not known of any other god for you all other than me) for the past forty years.''' Allah then says,

(So Allah seized him with a punishing example for the Hereafter and the first (life). ) meaning, Allah avenged Himself against him with a severe vengeance, and He made an example and admonition of him for those rebellious people in the world who are like him.

(And on the Day of Resurrection, evil indeed is the gift gifted ï´¿i.e., the curse (in this world) pursued by another curse (in this world) pursued by another curse (in the Hereafter)ï´¾.) (11:99) This is as Allah says,

(And We made them leaders inviting to the Fire: and on the Day of Resurrection, they will not be helped.) (28:41) Allah said;

(In this is a lesson for whoever fears.)