The Noble Qur'an, as the book of guidance and light, directs humanity towards truth and felicity through its illuminating verses. Verses 90 to 92 of Surah Ynus present a profound narrative concerning the fate of Pharaoh and the Children of Israel, wherein divine justice, the consequences of arrogance and oppression, and the significance of humility and meekness are vividly portrayed. These verses, describing the moment of Pharaoh's drowning and his belated declaration of faith, serve as a caution to mankind to abstain from pride and self-exaltation, and to step towards the servitude of God and justice. This treatise endeavours, through reflection on these verses and associated lectures, to elucidate the deep Quranic concepts in a coherent form and in an eloquent, clear language. This work invites humanity to self-assessment, so that by avoiding Pharaoh-like traits, the path to happiness and salvation may be pursued.
"And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his hosts pursued them in tyranny and enmity. Until, when drowning overtook him, he said: 'I believe that there is no deity except Him in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims.'
'Now? And you had disobeyed before and were among the corrupters.'
"So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people are heedless of Our signs."
Translation: And We caused the Children of Israel to pass through the sea, then Pharaoh and his armies pursued them out of oppression and enmity until the moment drowning seized him, when he said: I have believed that there is no deity except Him in whom the Children of Israel have believed, and I am among the submitters. Now? Whereas you disobeyed before and were among the corrupters! So today We save you with your body so that you may be a sign for those who come after you, and indeed many among the people are heedless of Our signs.
The discussed verses depict a decisive moment in the history of the Children of Israel and Pharaoh. Pharaoh, who in his arrogance and claim to divinity considered himself superior to all, resorted at the moment of drowning to an apparent faith. This faith, expressed out of compulsion and fear of death, was not accepted due to his history of disobedience and corruption. The Noble Qur'an, with the phrase, Now? And you had disobeyed before and were among the corrupters, emphasises that true faith requires sincerity and righteous deeds throughout ones life, not a declaration born of desperation at the moment of death.
Divine justice is clearly manifested in these verses. God, unlike humans who often bow to the powerful and oppress the weak, judges by the standards of truth and justice. Pharaoh, who had enslaved his nation through tyranny and dictatorship, did not become a lesson for posterity due to his apparent power but because of his oppression and corruption. The phrase So today We save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign reflects divine wisdom that even in punishment, a lesson for human guidance is embedded.
Verses 90 to 92 of Surah Ynus, through the narration of Pharaohs fate, emphasise two fundamental principles: first, the instability of compelled faith expressed out of fear rather than sincerity; and second, divine justice which judges according to truth and reality regardless of social status or apparent power. These verses invite humanity to reflect on their deeds and to avoid oppression and arrogance.
Pharaoh, by claiming I am your Most High Lord (The Noble Quran, Surah Nzit, verse 24), elevated his arrogance and self-exaltation to its pinnacle. This claim, rooted in pride and disregard for divine truth, led him to ruin in both this world and the Hereafter. The Noble Qur'an states in verse 15 of Surah Zumar: That is the manifest loss. This loss was evident not only in Pharaohs physical destruction but also in the annihilation of his spiritual standing and dignity.
I am your Most High Lord.
Pharaohs arrogance was an obstacle that prevented him from prostrating before God. As the Qur'an states in Surah Al-Arf, verse 206: Indeed, those who are near your Lord do not disdain worshipping Him. This verse introduces arrogance as the primary impediment to guidance.
Humans, like Pharaoh, sometimes rush toward self-exaltation in pursuit of power and wealth. Just as a gentle breeze causes a branch to become arrogant and detach from its root, pride distances humans from divine truth. The lectures employ a beautiful analogy: those who sit upon seats of power sometimes become so intoxicated by the wind of arrogance that they consider themselves superior to others and distance themselves from humility and meekness. Such pride, like a destructive storm, leads to the annihilation of their very being.
Arrogance and pride are the principal roots of misguidance that divert humans from the path of servitude to God. Pharaoh, with his claim to lordship, exemplifies this misguidance. Humans must reflect on this fate, shun arrogance, and move towards humility and meekness.
Pharaoh-like traits manifest in any form of oppression and tyranny, from individual to societal levels. Anyone who exerts force over anotherwhether child, spouse, or nationbelongs to the category of Pharaoh-like individuals. The Noble Quran states in Surah Shr, verse 42: The way [of blame] is only against those who wrong the people and transgress throughout the land without right. This verse identifies oppression as the principal factor in destruction.
The lectures clearly elucidate that Pharaoh-like traits are not confined to kings and rulers alone but appear in anyone who oppresses others, from mistreating a child or spouse to tyrannising a nation. This trait consigns the individual to the company of Pharaoh and leads to eternal ruin.
The desire for power and dominion over others is a prominent feature of Pharaoh-like individuals. The lectures employ a subtle analogy: just as the seat of power may cause a person to become arrogant, worldly positions can lead humans towards self-exaltation and oppression. The Qur'an states in Surah Qaa, verse 83: That is the Home of the Hereafter; We assign it to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth.
Pharaoh-like traits are those manifested in all forms of oppression and ambition for power. Humans must avoid these traits, abstain from injustice towards others, and proceed towards justice and humility. This lesson serves as a warning to all humanity to reflect on their conduct and learn from Pharaohs fate.
Humility and meekness, like a shining jewel, guide humans towards felicity and divine proximity. The Noble Qur'an states in Surah Al-Furqn, verse 63: And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly. This verse introduces humility as a characteristic of the sincere servants of God.
The lectures, with heartfelt expression, invite humans to distance themselves from pride and arrogance. Just as a gentle breeze softly caresses the branches of trees, humility cleanses the human heart from the pollutants of pride and directs it towards the truth.
Humans must, through self-assessment, avoid Pharaoh-like behaviours and titles. Claims such as the most knowledgeable of scholars or desires for superiority are signs of self-exaltation that lead one towards misguidance. The Qur'an states in Surah Al-ashr, verse 9: They love them as they should love God. But those who believe are stronger in love for God. This verse emphasises the importance of love for God and distancing from self-exaltation.
Humility, like a golden key, opens the doors to happiness and salvation for humans. By avoiding pride and self-exaltation, humans can advance towards servitude of God and justice and be protected from the fate of Pharaoh-like individuals.
The Noble Qur'an states in verse 92 of Surah Ynus: And indeed, many among the people are heedless of Our signs. This heedlessness results from attachment to power, wealth, and pride, which prevent humans from reflecting on divine signs. The lectures eloquently reiterate that many humans, due to arrogance and self-exaltation, neglect divine indications and march towards loss.
Just as stars in the night sky guide travellers, divine signs direct humans towards guidance, but heedlessness acts as a dark veil, concealing this light from human eyes.
The lectures emphasise the importance of reliance upon God and seeking guidance through the prayer: O God, guide us, and make our end good. This prayer, like a shield against misguidance, protects humans from
