Tafseer Ibn Kathir of YUNUS [88]

88. And Musa 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 torment.'' 89. Allah said: ”Verily, the invocation of you both is accepted. So you both keep to the straight way, and follow not the path of those who know not.'' Allah mentioned what Musa said when he prayed against Fir`awn and his chiefs after they refused to accept the truth. They continued to go astray and be haughty and arrogant. Musa said:

(Our Lord! You have indeed bestowed on Fir`awn and his chiefs splendor) and pleasure of this worldly life.

(and wealth) plentiful and abundant. Allah's statement,

(in the life of this world, Our Lord! That they may lead men astray from Your path.) was read with the word ”Liyadillu'' and ”Liyudillu.'' The first is with a Fathah over the Ya, meaning that ”You have given them that while You know they would not believe in what You have sent me with to them. You did that so they would gradually be drawn away from the truth.'' As Allah said:

(that We may test them thereby.)(20:131) and (72:17). Others read the word with a Dammah over the Ya. (i.e. Liyudillu) This makes the Ayah mean: You have given them that so whoever You willed from among Your creatures will be tried. Those whom You wish to misguide would think that You have given them that because You loved them and You cared about them.''

(”Our Lord! Destroy their wealth,'') Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid said: ”They asked Allah to destroy their wealth.'' Ad-Dahhak, Abu Al-`Aliyah and Ar-Rabi`a bin Anas said: ”Allah made their wealth into engraved stones as it was before.'' About Allah's statement,

(and harden their hearts) Ibn `Abbas said, ”Harden their hearts means put a seal on them.''

(so that they will not believe until they see the painful torment.) This prayer was from Musa because he was angry for the sake of Allah and His religion. He prayed against Fir`awn and his chiefs when he was certain that there was no good in them. Similarly, Nuh prayed and said:

(My Lord! Leave not one of the disbelievers on the earth! If You leave them, they will mislead Your servants, and they will beget none but wicked disbelievers.) (71:26-27) Harun said ”Amin'' to his brother's prayer. And Allah answered Musa's prayer. Allah said:

(Verily, the invocation of you both is accepted.) `in destroying Fir`awn's people.

(Verily I have answered your prayers (both of you). So you both keep to the straight way) So as I have answered your prayer, you should remain steadfast on My command.' Ibn Jurayj narrated that Ibn `Abbas said about this Ayah: ”Be steadfast and follow My command.''