Tafseer of The Forgiver · Ghafir · 40:45
So Allah protected him from the evils they plotted, and the people of Pharaoh were enveloped by the worst of punishment -
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
And His word: ( fawaqāhu Allāhu sayyiʾāti mā makarū ) — "Then Allah protected him from the evils of what they plotted." The Exalted, whose praise is sublime, says: thus Allah turned away from this believer from the house of Pharaoh — on account of his faith and his affirmation of His messenger Moses — the evil with which Pharaoh used to strike those people who opposed him, by way of punishment and trial, and He saved him from it.
And in accordance with what we have said concerning this, the people of interpretation (ahl al-taʾwīl) have spoken.
* Mention of who said that:
Bishr related to us, he said: Yazīd related to us, he said: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda, concerning His word: ( sayyiʾāti mā makarū ). He said: he was a Copt from the people of Pharaoh, and he was saved together with Moses. He said: and it was related to us that on that day he traveled ahead of Moses and said: "Where have you been commanded to go, O prophet of Allah?" To which he answered: "Ahead of you." Then the believer said to him: "But is there anything for me other than the sea?" Whereupon Moses said: "No, by Allah, I have not lied and I have not been lied to." Then he traveled a while and said: "Where have you been commanded to go, O prophet of Allah?" To which he answered: "Ahead of you." Then he said: "But is there anything for me other than the sea?" To which he answered: "No, by Allah, I have not lied and I have not been lied to," until he reached the sea and struck it with his staff, whereupon it split apart into twelve paths, a path for each tribe.
And His word: ( wa-ḥāqa bi-āli Firʿawna sūʾu al-ʿadhāb ) — "And the evil of the punishment encompassed the house of Pharaoh." He says: and it descended upon the house of Pharaoh and became inescapable for them. By "the house of Pharaoh" in this place are meant his followers and those of his people who obeyed him.
As Muḥammad related to us, he said: Aḥmad related to us, he said: Asbāṭ related to us, on the authority of al-Suddī, concerning the word of Allah: ( wa-ḥāqa bi-āli Firʿawna sūʾu al-ʿadhāb ). He said: the people of Pharaoh.
And by His word ( sūʾa al-ʿadhāb ) is meant: that punishment of Allah which caused them suffering, and that is the fire of hell (jahannam).
