Topic: Pharaoh (Fir‘aun)
View Aspects
وَإِذْ نَجَّيْنَٰكُم مِّنْ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَسُومُونَكُمْ سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ يُذَبِّحُونَ أَبْنَآءَكُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيُونَ نِسَآءَكُمْ ۚ وَفِى ذَٰلِكُم بَلَآءٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ عَظِيمٌ
14:7; 20:81; 44:31-32.
7:128, 142; 28:5.
法老不是一个特定的君主的名称。尼罗河流域和亚历山大港的统治者们也称为法老。穆撒生于君主尔马赛思二世 (RamesesⅡ, 古埃及几个国王的姓) 在位之时, 不得不在他儿子迈伦普塔二世 (MerenptahⅡ) 在位时与古以色列人一起离开埃及。尔马赛思二世 (RamesesⅡ) 被称为残暴的君主, 而他的继承者迈伦普塔二世 (MerenptahⅡ) 则被称之为 «出埃及记» 中的法老 {Enc. Bib和Peake’s Commentary on the Bible}。
14:7; 20:81; 44:31-32.
7:128, 142; 28:5.
Pharaoh was not the name of a particular monarch. The rulers of the Nile Valley and Alexandria were called Pharaohs. Moses was born in the reign of Pharaoh Rameses II, and had to leave Egypt with the Israelites in the reign of his son, Merenptah II. Rameses II, is called the Pharaoh of the Oppression and his successor Merenptah II, the Pharaoh of Exodus (Enc. Bib. & Peake’s Commentary on the Bible).
Al (people) is derived from the verb Ala which gives the sense of returning or governing or exercising control. The word thus means, the family or party of a man, or followers of a leader, or subjects of a ruler to whom they constantly return or who governs or exercises control over them (Lane).
Pharaoh had inflicted upon the Israelites grievous torments by imposing upon them hard and disgraceful labour. He also had given orders that their sons be slain and their daughters spared. In this way he sought to destroy not only their manhood but to kill in them manly qualities.
14:7; 20:81; 44:31, 32.
7:128, 142; 28:5.
Important Words:
آل (people) is derived from the verb آل which gives the sense of returning or governing or exercising control or managing. The noun آل thus means the family or party of a man, or followers of a leader, or subjects of a ruler to whom they constantly return or who governs or exercises control over them. The word اھل is also sometimes taken to be another form of the word آل and means what the latter word means.
فرعون (Pharaoh) is not a personal name. It was the title held by the ancient kings of Egypt. Every Egyptian king is called فرعون in the Bible. The personal name of the Pharaoh with whom Moses came in contact was Rameses II (Enc. Bib.).
یذبحون (slaying) is derived from ذبح which originally means, he slaughtered or cut open the throat of an animal, or he strangled a person to death. Here the word is used in the intensified form dhabbaha to signify (1) that Pharaoh and his people treated the Israelites as mere beasts, and (2) that they killed them most mercilessly. It does not mean that they actually slaughtered them like animals, for elsewhere the Quran, speaking of the same torment, uses the word یقتلونinstead of یذبحون (7:142).
نساء (women) is the plural of مراة (a woman) from a different root. Though the word generally means "women" (Aqrab), it is also sometimes used about girls, as the Quran itself has used it (4:128). It is also used to signify "wives" (33:33).
بلاء (trial) means, anything by means of which a person may be tried; a trial whether through a blessing or an affliction (Aqrab).
Commentary:
In verses 41-48 God reminded the Israelites of His blessings in general, particularly the blessing of prophethood, which He had bestowed on them. He now calls their attention to such favours as exalted the Israelites above other peoples. The first of them to which God refers here is their deliverance from the hands of Pharaoh and his people, who inflicted on them grievous torments.
Some Christian critics have objected that whereas the Bible nowhere speaks of the sons of the Israelites being slaughtered like beasts, the Quran so speaks of them. We have shown under Important Words that the word ذبح used in the verse does not signify actual slaughtering by cutting the throat. It also means strangling to death. As Pharaoh first ordered the male children of the Israelites to be strangled at birth and later changed the decree to other methods of killing, the Quran uses a word which covers all such forms of killing. As already hinted, the word ذبح in the sense of slaughtering is used figuratively to denote that Pharaoh and his people treated the Israelites most mercilessly, killing them in whatever manner they liked. Elsewhere the Quran uses the word قتل i.e. killing in place of ذبح i.e. slaughtering (7:142).
In Exod. 1:8-22, we read: "Now there arose a new king over Egypt which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply. Therefore they (the Egyptians) did set over them taskmasters to afflict them (the Israelites) with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Rameses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour; and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. And the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives…When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools, if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive (putting up the excuse that Israelite women being healthier than Egyptians were generally delivered before the midwives arrived). And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive."
The above quotation clearly shows that the Pharaoh whose name was Rameses II not only inflicted upon the Israelites grievous torments by imposing upon them hard and disgraceful labour, but also gave orders to kill their sons and spare their daughters who were thus allowed to grow to womanhood and became نساء as the Quran puts it. The Quran uses the word ذبح to signify that at first the order was to strangle the Israelite male children at birth and when that order failed in its purpose, another was issued to the effect that all male children should be thrown into the river—a most merciless form of killing in which all human feelings were laid aside and the Israelites were treated as mere beasts.
As the word بلاء (trial) may mean either a trial through a favour or blessing, or a trial through grief or affliction, the words "in that" occurring in the verse may either refer to the deliverance of the Israelites from Pharaoh’s people, in which case the word trial will mean a favour or a blessing; or they refer to the slaying of the male children, in which case it would mean grief or affliction.
God reminds the Israelites in the verse how He delivered them from grievous torments and afflictions and calls their attention to the magnitude of the Sign which He showed in their favour. He tells them that He had faithfully fulfilled the promises which He had made to Abraham and had left nothing undone, but when they transgressed and made an ill return for the favours that had been bestowed upon them, He withheld His favours from them and transferred the gift of prophecy to their brethren, the children of Ishmael.
God does not say that He delivered the children of Israel from Pharaoh, but that He delivered them from "Pharaoh’s people", for it was through his people that Pharaoh inflicted torments upon them, he himself remaining in the background. Moreover, the expression آل فرعونdoes not exclude Pharaoh, for it, according to Arabic idiom, may also mean, Pharaoh and his people.
b
14:7; 20:81; 44:31-32.
c
7:128, 142; 28:5.
49
法老不是一个特定的君主的名称。尼罗河流域和亚历山大港的统治者们也称为法老。穆撒生于君主尔马赛思二世 (RamesesⅡ, 古埃及几个国王的姓) 在位之时, 不得不在他儿子迈伦普塔二世 (MerenptahⅡ) 在位时与古以色列人一起离开埃及。尔马赛思二世 (RamesesⅡ) 被称为残暴的君主, 而他的继承者迈伦普塔二世 (MerenptahⅡ) 则被称之为 «出埃及记» 中的法老 {Enc. Bib和Peake’s Commentary on the Bible}。
a
14:7; 20:81; 44:31, 32.
b
7:128, 142; 28:5.
56
Important Words:
آل (people) is derived from the verb آل which gives the sense of returning or governing or exercising control or managing. The noun آل thus means the family or party of a man, or followers of a leader, or subjects of a ruler to whom they constantly return or who governs or exercises control over them. The word اھل is also sometimes taken to be another form of the word آل and means what the latter word means.
فرعون (Pharaoh) is not a personal name. It was the title held by the ancient kings of Egypt. Every Egyptian king is called فرعون in the Bible. The personal name of the Pharaoh with whom Moses came in contact was Rameses II (Enc. Bib.).
یذبحون (slaying) is derived from ذبح which originally means, he slaughtered or cut open the throat of an animal, or he strangled a person to death. Here the word is used in the intensified form dhabbaha to signify (1) that Pharaoh and his people treated the Israelites as mere beasts, and (2) that they killed them most mercilessly. It does not mean that they actually slaughtered them like animals, for elsewhere the Quran, speaking of the same torment, uses the word یقتلونinstead of یذبحون (7:142).
نساء (women) is the plural of مراة (a woman) from a different root. Though the word generally means "women" (Aqrab), it is also sometimes used about girls, as the Quran itself has used it (4:128). It is also used to signify "wives" (33:33).
بلاء (trial) means, anything by means of which a person may be tried; a trial whether through a blessing or an affliction (Aqrab).
Commentary:
In verses 41-48 God reminded the Israelites of His blessings in general, particularly the blessing of prophethood, which He had bestowed on them. He now calls their attention to such favours as exalted the Israelites above other peoples. The first of them to which God refers here is their deliverance from the hands of Pharaoh and his people, who inflicted on them grievous torments.
Some Christian critics have objected that whereas the Bible nowhere speaks of the sons of the Israelites being slaughtered like beasts, the Quran so speaks of them. We have shown under Important Words that the word ذبح used in the verse does not signify actual slaughtering by cutting the throat. It also means strangling to death. As Pharaoh first ordered the male children of the Israelites to be strangled at birth and later changed the decree to other methods of killing, the Quran uses a word which covers all such forms of killing. As already hinted, the word ذبح in the sense of slaughtering is used figuratively to denote that Pharaoh and his people treated the Israelites most mercilessly, killing them in whatever manner they liked. Elsewhere the Quran uses the word قتل i.e. killing in place of ذبح i.e. slaughtering (7:142).
In Exod. 1:8-22, we read: "Now there arose a new king over Egypt which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply. Therefore they (the Egyptians) did set over them taskmasters to afflict them (the Israelites) with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Rameses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour; and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. And the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives…When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools, if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive (putting up the excuse that Israelite women being healthier than Egyptians were generally delivered before the midwives arrived). And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive."
The above quotation clearly shows that the Pharaoh whose name was Rameses II not only inflicted upon the Israelites grievous torments by imposing upon them hard and disgraceful labour, but also gave orders to kill their sons and spare their daughters who were thus allowed to grow to womanhood and became نساء as the Quran puts it. The Quran uses the word ذبح to signify that at first the order was to strangle the Israelite male children at birth and when that order failed in its purpose, another was issued to the effect that all male children should be thrown into the river—a most merciless form of killing in which all human feelings were laid aside and the Israelites were treated as mere beasts.
As the word بلاء (trial) may mean either a trial through a favour or blessing, or a trial through grief or affliction, the words "in that" occurring in the verse may either refer to the deliverance of the Israelites from Pharaoh’s people, in which case the word trial will mean a favour or a blessing; or they refer to the slaying of the male children, in which case it would mean grief or affliction.
God reminds the Israelites in the verse how He delivered them from grievous torments and afflictions and calls their attention to the magnitude of the Sign which He showed in their favour. He tells them that He had faithfully fulfilled the promises which He had made to Abraham and had left nothing undone, but when they transgressed and made an ill return for the favours that had been bestowed upon them, He withheld His favours from them and transferred the gift of prophecy to their brethren, the children of Ishmael.
God does not say that He delivered the children of Israel from Pharaoh, but that He delivered them from "Pharaoh’s people", for it was through his people that Pharaoh inflicted torments upon them, he himself remaining in the background. Moreover, the expression آل فرعونdoes not exclude Pharaoh, for it, according to Arabic idiom, may also mean, Pharaoh and his people.
b
14:7; 20:81; 44:31-32.
c
7:128, 142; 28:5.
87
Pharaoh was not the name of a particular monarch. The rulers of the Nile Valley and Alexandria were called Pharaohs. Moses was born in the reign of Pharaoh Rameses II, and had to leave Egypt with the Israelites in the reign of his son, Merenptah II. Rameses II, is called the Pharaoh of the Oppression and his successor Merenptah II, the Pharaoh of Exodus (Enc. Bib. & Peake’s Commentary on the Bible).
88
Al (people) is derived from the verb Ala which gives the sense of returning or governing or exercising control. The word thus means, the family or party of a man, or followers of a leader, or subjects of a ruler to whom they constantly return or who governs or exercises control over them (Lane).
88A
Pharaoh had inflicted upon the Israelites grievous torments by imposing upon them hard and disgraceful labour. He also had given orders that their sons be slain and their daughters spared. In this way he sought to destroy not only their manhood but to kill in them manly qualities.
وَإِذْ فَرَقْنَا بِكُمُ ٱلْبَحْرَ فَأَنجَيْنَٰكُمْ وَأَغْرَقْنَآ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَأَنتُمْ تَنظُرُونَ
7:137; 8:55; 20:78, 81; 26:64-67; 28:41; 44:25.
本节经文中所提到的这事件, 指的是在安拉的命令下穆撒率领古以色列人出埃及而进入迦南的这一时期。这些古以色列人趁黑夜秘密地离去。法老得知他们逃跑后, 就带领他的军队追踪他们而淹死在红海中。为了充分正确评价这一事件--------伟大的安拉的一个迹象--------的性质和重大意义, 有必要读一下加注的本节经文以及其他各节有关经文, 20:78; 26:62-64; 44:25。下列所述个点均见之于这些经文: (a) 如 «古兰经» 所说, 当穆撒用杖击打海水时, 或如 «圣经» 所说, 他在海面上伸出他的手时, 那是退潮的时刻, 正是海水退去, 留下一片干枯的海底。(b) 安拉命穆撒赶快越过干燥的海底, 登达对岸, 他遵命做了。 (c) 可是当法老的军队到达海上时, 正是高潮时刻, 由于他们一股劲地追赶古以色列人, 没有注意到高潮, 立刻跳入海中。 (d) 因为巨大的战车及其他重武器的沉重装备, 法老军队的前进看来受到极大阻滞, 在他们尚在海中央时, 高潮重来, 使他们全军覆没。穆撒用手杖击打海水与海水的实际分流并没有因果关系。这仅仅是安拉给穆撒的一个征兆或提示, 告知他此时正是退潮, 古以色列人应加紧渡海。安拉做了这样的安排:当穆撒到达海边时, 潮水快要退去, 以便他遵照安拉的命令, 用杖一经击打海水, 海水就开始退去而为古以色列人开辟出一条干的通路。穆撒用杖击打海水与海的退朝在时间上恰好相合。这就构成了一个奇迹, 因为只有安拉才知道海水在什么时候会退去, 在退潮时他曾命令穆撒击打海水。
关于穆撒从埃及进入迦南是在何处度过红海的确切地点, 历史学家各执己见。有的认为是从法老们的所在地首都戈申地区 (Goshen)--------也称作阿尔•塔姆蒂拉特山谷 (at-Tamthilat) 或土米拉特旱谷 (Tumilat) (Enc. Bib. 第四卷, 第4012条, 条目 (“Rameses”)--------的途中穆撒由 蒂姆赛湾 (Timsah) 度过去的 (Enc. Bib. 第1438和1439条)。另一些认为他往北去, 又走得很远, 并绕着祖恩 (Zoan) 跨越到达靠近地中海的迦南 (Enc. Bib. 第1438条)。可是最可能的是这样: 那些古以色列人从穆撒时代法老的首都塔尔•阿比•苏莱曼 (Tal Abi Sulaiman) 出发, 最初去到蒂姆赛湾 (Timsah) 的东北部, 但发现密布的深渊挡住了他们的去路, 他们转而往南并渡过靠近苏伊士港市的红海, 那处的红海宽度几乎还不到两或三英里。并从那里前往卡达斯 (Qadas) (Enc. Bib.第1437 条)。“古以色列人同他 (穆撒) 一起逃跑, 跨越戈申地区 (Goshen), 进入西奈半岛。渡过 “红海” 亚姆苏普 (Yamsuph) “海” 或 “芦苇湖”, 也许就是渡过现在称为红海的西北方向几英里处一个湖泊的南端。风把连绵一大片湖滨刮得光秃, 当一支埃及军队追赶逃亡者时, 他们的战车车轮牢牢地陷在湿土中, 风向转移时, 海水又向他们冲来。关于古以色列人所走的路线, 各作者有不同说法。有的认为他们往南出发到 (现代的) 西奈山脉, 然后沿着现在称为阿卡巴湾 (عَقَبَة, ‘Akaba) 的红海湾的东部到达它的最北端伊蔡恩--------格伯尔 (Ezion-Geber)。另一些认为有迹象表明仍是麦加朝圣者所经过的路线, 接近正东朝伊蔡恩--------格伯尔, 从那里他们向西北到卡迭石 (Kadesh) 巴尔尼地区 (Barnea), 到西奈山或往南沿着阿卡巴湾 (‘عَقَبَة’) 东侧到达霍雷布 (Horeb)。各种传说不尽相同, 因而也不能加以肯定” (Peake’s Commentary on the Bible)。
اس وقت جوار بھاٹا کے اصول کے مطابق سمندر پیچھے ہٹ گیا اور قوم ِموسیٰ سمندر سے نکل گئی مگر فرعون کے لشکر کے آنے پر پانی کے لوٹنے کا وقت آگیا اور وہ ڈوب گیا۔ چونکہ جوار بھاٹا خداتعالیٰ کے مقرر کردہ اصول کے مطابق آتا ہے‘ خداتعالیٰ ہی موسیٰ اور فرعون کو اس وقت سمندر پر لے گیا تھا۔ جب جوار بھاٹے کا اثر خداتعالیٰ کے منشاء کے مطابق موسیٰ اور فرعون پر پڑ سکتا تھا۔ اس لئے خداتعالیٰ نے فرمایا ہے کہ ہم نے سمندر کو پھاڑ کر تم کو نجات دی۔
7:137; 8:55; 20:78, 81; 26:64-67; 28:41; 44:25.
The incident mentioned in this verse relates to the time when, under God’s command, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt into Canaan. The Israelites left secretly by night and when Pharaoh learnt of their flight, he pursued them with his hosts and was drowned in the Red Sea. In order to appreciate fully the nature and significance of this incident which constituted a great Divine Sign, it is necessary to read the verse under comment along with other relevant verses such as vv. 20:78; 26:62-64; 44:25. The following facts emerge from these verses: (a) When Moses struck the sea with his rod as the Qur’an says, or stretched out his hand over the sea as the Bible says, it was the time of the ebb-tide and the sea was receding, leaving a dry bed. (b) Moses was commanded by God to cross quickly the dry bed to the opposite bank, which he did. (c) But when the hosts of Pharaoh reached the sea, it was the time of high-tide and in their zeal to overtake the Israelites they took no notice of it and at once jumped
7:137; 8:55; 20:78-81; 26:64-67; 28:41; 44:25.
Important Words:
فرقنا (We divided) is from فرق meaning, he divided or he split. فرق الشعر means, he made parting in the hair (Aqrab).
بکم (for you) may give a number of meanings: (1) for you; (2) with you, i.e. the sea divided or receded as you proceeded, as if you were the means of dividing it; (3) because of you, i.e. in order to save you; (4) in your presence, i.e. while you were present (Kashshaf).
Commentary:
The incident mentioned in this verse relates to the time when, under God’s command, Moses led the Israelites from Egypt to Palestine. The Israelites left secretly at night, and when Pharaoh learnt of their flight, he pursued them with his hosts in order to bring them back to bondage. The verse mentions the favour bestowed by God on the Israelites by dividing the sea for them and drowning the Egyptians. The incident is narrated in Exod. 14:21-30. The Bible says: "And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night and made the sea dry land and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued and went in after them to the midst of the sea… And the waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them."
The بحر (sea) spoken of in the Quranic verse and mentioned in the Biblical quotation given above refers to the Red Sea through which or through an extremity of which the Israelites passed in their flight from Egypt to the Holy Land (Exod. 14).
Besides the verse under comment, the Quran also speaks of this incident in 20:78, 26:64 and 44:25. Says the Quran: And We sent a revelation to Moses, saying, 'Take away My servants by night and strike for them a dry path through the sea' (20:78). Again: Then We revealed to Moses, saying, 'Strike the sea with thy rod'. Whereupon it parted and every part was like a huge sandhill, i.e. on one side was the sea itself, and on the other (from which the sea had receded) there loomed large depressions filled with water (26:64). And again: Take My servants away by night; for you will surely be pursued. And leave the sea motionless (i.e. pass through quickly and leave it at a time when the tide has all receded but has not yet begun to flow back, so that, on the one hand, finding the sea-bed dry and, on the other, feeling secure in the thought that the high tide was not likely to overtake them, the Egyptians might be tempted to follow on); they are a host which is doomed to be drowned (44:24, 25).
In view of the above description, the facts appear to be as follows. When the Israelites were on their way to the Promised Land, they were pursued by the army of Pharaoh. When they reached the arm of the Red Sea which lay across their route, they were greatly dismayed, for Pharaoh was close behind with his hosts. But God cheered them through Moses, asking him to strike the water with his rod. This being the time of ebb-tide, the sea receded, exposing to view in the bed of the sea huge mounds of dry sand interspersed with depressions filled with water. Under the lead of Moses the Israelites quickly crossed the dry bed of the sea to the opposite bank. The army of Pharaoh came in pursuit, and while they were yet in the bed of the sea the high tide returned and drowned them all.
It should be remembered that, according to the Quran, a miracle is purely the work of God, and man has no hand in it. So, the striking of the sea by Moses was merely a symbol or a sign, having nothing to do with the actual parting of the sea which was exclusively the work of God, Who so arranged that it was the time of ebb-tide when Moses reached the sea so that just when He lifted his rod the sea began to recede. But when the army of Pharaoh began to cross the sea, they met with obstacles, just as heavily equipped armies generally do, and their progress was naturally retarded so that while they were yet in the midst of the sea, the high tide flowed and they were all drowned.
The words of the Quran do not lend themselves to the erroneous inference that there was an actual split in the sea to afford a passage for Moses and his followers. The two words used in the Quran in this connection are فرقنا (We divided) and انفلق (the sea parted); the root idea of both being "parting". These two words only corroborate the theory that when the Israelites reached the sea, the ebb-tide set in and the sea parted, exposing to view the sand dunes upon which the Israelites crossed over to the other side.
The fact that Pharaoh followed Moses through the bed of the sea also indicates that it was the time of the ebb-tide. If the sea had been actually split against all known laws of nature, Pharaoh would never have dared to follow in the wake of Moses. Nevertheless, it was a great miracle brought about by a subtle combination of the laws of nature which all united to save the Israelites and destroy Pharaoh and his people.
In this connection we may well quote an incident in Napoleon’s life which goes to illustrate how the tide helped Moses and destroyed Pharaoh in their journey across the Red Sea. In Abbott’s Life of Napoleon it is related that, "One day, with quite a retinue, he (Napoleon) made an excursion to that identical point of the Red Sea which, as tradition reports, the children of Israel crossed three thousand years ago. The tide was out, and he passed over the Asiatic shore upon extended flats. Various objects of interest engrossed his attention until late in the afternoon, when he commenced his return, the twilight faded away, and darkness came rapidly on. The party lost their path, and, as they were wandering bewildered among the sands, the rapidly returning tide surrounded them. The darkness of the night increased, and the horses floundered deeper and deeper in the rising waves. The water reached the girths of the saddles, and dashed upon the feet of the rider, and destruction seemed inevitable. From that perilous position Napoleon extricated himself by that presence of mind and promptness of decision which seemed never to fail him…The horses did not reach the shore until midnight, when they were wading breast deep in the swelling waves. The tide rises on that part of the coast to the height of 22 feet. 'Had I perished in that manner like Pharaoh', said Napoleon, 'it would have furnished all the preachers in Christendom with a magnificent text against me'." (Abbott’s Life of Napoleon, Chap. 12, p. 96).
The words, while you looked on, have been added in the verse to make the Israelites realize that though the above miracle was performed before their very eyes and their proud and haughty oppressor was brought to naught in their very sight, yet they proved ungrateful to their Lord and His Prophet.
a
7:137; 8:55; 20:78, 81; 26:64-67; 28:41; 44:25.
50
本节经文中所提到的这事件, 指的是在安拉的命令下穆撒率领古以色列人出埃及而进入迦南的这一时期。这些古以色列人趁黑夜秘密地离去。法老得知他们逃跑后, 就带领他的军队追踪他们而淹死在红海中。为了充分正确评价这一事件--------伟大的安拉的一个迹象--------的性质和重大意义, 有必要读一下加注的本节经文以及其他各节有关经文, 20:78; 26:62-64; 44:25。下列所述个点均见之于这些经文: (a) 如 «古兰经» 所说, 当穆撒用杖击打海水时, 或如 «圣经» 所说, 他在海面上伸出他的手时, 那是退潮的时刻, 正是海水退去, 留下一片干枯的海底。(b) 安拉命穆撒赶快越过干燥的海底, 登达对岸, 他遵命做了。 (c) 可是当法老的军队到达海上时, 正是高潮时刻, 由于他们一股劲地追赶古以色列人, 没有注意到高潮, 立刻跳入海中。 (d) 因为巨大的战车及其他重武器的沉重装备, 法老军队的前进看来受到极大阻滞, 在他们尚在海中央时, 高潮重来, 使他们全军覆没。穆撒用手杖击打海水与海水的实际分流并没有因果关系。这仅仅是安拉给穆撒的一个征兆或提示, 告知他此时正是退潮, 古以色列人应加紧渡海。安拉做了这样的安排:当穆撒到达海边时, 潮水快要退去, 以便他遵照安拉的命令, 用杖一经击打海水, 海水就开始退去而为古以色列人开辟出一条干的通路。穆撒用杖击打海水与海的退朝在时间上恰好相合。这就构成了一个奇迹, 因为只有安拉才知道海水在什么时候会退去, 在退潮时他曾命令穆撒击打海水。
关于穆撒从埃及进入迦南是在何处度过红海的确切地点, 历史学家各执己见。有的认为是从法老们的所在地首都戈申地区 (Goshen)--------也称作阿尔•塔姆蒂拉特山谷 (at-Tamthilat) 或土米拉特旱谷 (Tumilat) (Enc. Bib. 第四卷, 第4012条, 条目 (“Rameses”)--------的途中穆撒由 蒂姆赛湾 (Timsah) 度过去的 (Enc. Bib. 第1438和1439条)。另一些认为他往北去, 又走得很远, 并绕着祖恩 (Zoan) 跨越到达靠近地中海的迦南 (Enc. Bib. 第1438条)。可是最可能的是这样: 那些古以色列人从穆撒时代法老的首都塔尔•阿比•苏莱曼 (Tal Abi Sulaiman) 出发, 最初去到蒂姆赛湾 (Timsah) 的东北部, 但发现密布的深渊挡住了他们的去路, 他们转而往南并渡过靠近苏伊士港市的红海, 那处的红海宽度几乎还不到两或三英里。并从那里前往卡达斯 (Qadas) (Enc. Bib.第1437 条)。“古以色列人同他 (穆撒) 一起逃跑, 跨越戈申地区 (Goshen), 进入西奈半岛。渡过 “红海” 亚姆苏普 (Yamsuph) “海” 或 “芦苇湖”, 也许就是渡过现在称为红海的西北方向几英里处一个湖泊的南端。风把连绵一大片湖滨刮得光秃, 当一支埃及军队追赶逃亡者时, 他们的战车车轮牢牢地陷在湿土中, 风向转移时, 海水又向他们冲来。关于古以色列人所走的路线, 各作者有不同说法。有的认为他们往南出发到 (现代的) 西奈山脉, 然后沿着现在称为阿卡巴湾 (عَقَبَة, ‘Akaba) 的红海湾的东部到达它的最北端伊蔡恩--------格伯尔 (Ezion-Geber)。另一些认为有迹象表明仍是麦加朝圣者所经过的路线, 接近正东朝伊蔡恩--------格伯尔, 从那里他们向西北到卡迭石 (Kadesh) 巴尔尼地区 (Barnea), 到西奈山或往南沿着阿卡巴湾 (‘عَقَبَة’) 东侧到达霍雷布 (Horeb)。各种传说不尽相同, 因而也不能加以肯定” (Peake’s Commentary on the Bible)。
1
اس وقت جوار بھاٹا کے اصول کے مطابق سمندر پیچھے ہٹ گیا اور قوم ِموسیٰ سمندر سے نکل گئی مگر فرعون کے لشکر کے آنے پر پانی کے لوٹنے کا وقت آگیا اور وہ ڈوب گیا۔ چونکہ جوار بھاٹا خداتعالیٰ کے مقرر کردہ اصول کے مطابق آتا ہے‘ خداتعالیٰ ہی موسیٰ اور فرعون کو اس وقت سمندر پر لے گیا تھا۔ جب جوار بھاٹے کا اثر خداتعالیٰ کے منشاء کے مطابق موسیٰ اور فرعون پر پڑ سکتا تھا۔ اس لئے خداتعالیٰ نے فرمایا ہے کہ ہم نے سمندر کو پھاڑ کر تم کو نجات دی۔
a
7:137; 8:55; 20:78-81; 26:64-67; 28:41; 44:25.
57
Important Words:
فرقنا (We divided) is from فرق meaning, he divided or he split. فرق الشعر means, he made parting in the hair (Aqrab).
بکم (for you) may give a number of meanings: (1) for you; (2) with you, i.e. the sea divided or receded as you proceeded, as if you were the means of dividing it; (3) because of you, i.e. in order to save you; (4) in your presence, i.e. while you were present (Kashshaf).
Commentary:
The incident mentioned in this verse relates to the time when, under God’s command, Moses led the Israelites from Egypt to Palestine. The Israelites left secretly at night, and when Pharaoh learnt of their flight, he pursued them with his hosts in order to bring them back to bondage. The verse mentions the favour bestowed by God on the Israelites by dividing the sea for them and drowning the Egyptians. The incident is narrated in Exod. 14:21-30. The Bible says: "And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night and made the sea dry land and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued and went in after them to the midst of the sea… And the waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them."
The بحر (sea) spoken of in the Quranic verse and mentioned in the Biblical quotation given above refers to the Red Sea through which or through an extremity of which the Israelites passed in their flight from Egypt to the Holy Land (Exod. 14).
Besides the verse under comment, the Quran also speaks of this incident in 20:78, 26:64 and 44:25. Says the Quran: And We sent a revelation to Moses, saying, 'Take away My servants by night and strike for them a dry path through the sea' (20:78). Again: Then We revealed to Moses, saying, 'Strike the sea with thy rod'. Whereupon it parted and every part was like a huge sandhill, i.e. on one side was the sea itself, and on the other (from which the sea had receded) there loomed large depressions filled with water (26:64). And again: Take My servants away by night; for you will surely be pursued. And leave the sea motionless (i.e. pass through quickly and leave it at a time when the tide has all receded but has not yet begun to flow back, so that, on the one hand, finding the sea-bed dry and, on the other, feeling secure in the thought that the high tide was not likely to overtake them, the Egyptians might be tempted to follow on); they are a host which is doomed to be drowned (44:24, 25).
In view of the above description, the facts appear to be as follows. When the Israelites were on their way to the Promised Land, they were pursued by the army of Pharaoh. When they reached the arm of the Red Sea which lay across their route, they were greatly dismayed, for Pharaoh was close behind with his hosts. But God cheered them through Moses, asking him to strike the water with his rod. This being the time of ebb-tide, the sea receded, exposing to view in the bed of the sea huge mounds of dry sand interspersed with depressions filled with water. Under the lead of Moses the Israelites quickly crossed the dry bed of the sea to the opposite bank. The army of Pharaoh came in pursuit, and while they were yet in the bed of the sea the high tide returned and drowned them all.
It should be remembered that, according to the Quran, a miracle is purely the work of God, and man has no hand in it. So, the striking of the sea by Moses was merely a symbol or a sign, having nothing to do with the actual parting of the sea which was exclusively the work of God, Who so arranged that it was the time of ebb-tide when Moses reached the sea so that just when He lifted his rod the sea began to recede. But when the army of Pharaoh began to cross the sea, they met with obstacles, just as heavily equipped armies generally do, and their progress was naturally retarded so that while they were yet in the midst of the sea, the high tide flowed and they were all drowned.
The words of the Quran do not lend themselves to the erroneous inference that there was an actual split in the sea to afford a passage for Moses and his followers. The two words used in the Quran in this connection are فرقنا (We divided) and انفلق (the sea parted); the root idea of both being "parting". These two words only corroborate the theory that when the Israelites reached the sea, the ebb-tide set in and the sea parted, exposing to view the sand dunes upon which the Israelites crossed over to the other side.
The fact that Pharaoh followed Moses through the bed of the sea also indicates that it was the time of the ebb-tide. If the sea had been actually split against all known laws of nature, Pharaoh would never have dared to follow in the wake of Moses. Nevertheless, it was a great miracle brought about by a subtle combination of the laws of nature which all united to save the Israelites and destroy Pharaoh and his people.
In this connection we may well quote an incident in Napoleon’s life which goes to illustrate how the tide helped Moses and destroyed Pharaoh in their journey across the Red Sea. In Abbott’s Life of Napoleon it is related that, "One day, with quite a retinue, he (Napoleon) made an excursion to that identical point of the Red Sea which, as tradition reports, the children of Israel crossed three thousand years ago. The tide was out, and he passed over the Asiatic shore upon extended flats. Various objects of interest engrossed his attention until late in the afternoon, when he commenced his return, the twilight faded away, and darkness came rapidly on. The party lost their path, and, as they were wandering bewildered among the sands, the rapidly returning tide surrounded them. The darkness of the night increased, and the horses floundered deeper and deeper in the rising waves. The water reached the girths of the saddles, and dashed upon the feet of the rider, and destruction seemed inevitable. From that perilous position Napoleon extricated himself by that presence of mind and promptness of decision which seemed never to fail him…The horses did not reach the shore until midnight, when they were wading breast deep in the swelling waves. The tide rises on that part of the coast to the height of 22 feet. 'Had I perished in that manner like Pharaoh', said Napoleon, 'it would have furnished all the preachers in Christendom with a magnificent text against me'." (Abbott’s Life of Napoleon, Chap. 12, p. 96).
The words, while you looked on, have been added in the verse to make the Israelites realize that though the above miracle was performed before their very eyes and their proud and haughty oppressor was brought to naught in their very sight, yet they proved ungrateful to their Lord and His Prophet.
a
7:137; 8:55; 20:78, 81; 26:64-67; 28:41; 44:25.
89
The incident mentioned in this verse relates to the time when, under God’s command, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt into Canaan. The Israelites left secretly by night and when Pharaoh learnt of their flight, he pursued them with his hosts and was drowned in the Red Sea. In order to appreciate fully the nature and significance of this incident which constituted a great Divine Sign, it is necessary to read the verse under comment along with other relevant verses such as vv. 20:78; 26:62-64; 44:25. The following facts emerge from these verses: (a) When Moses struck the sea with his rod as the Qur’an says, or stretched out his hand over the sea as the Bible says, it was the time of the ebb-tide and the sea was receding, leaving a dry bed. (b) Moses was commanded by God to cross quickly the dry bed to the opposite bank, which he did. (c) But when the hosts of Pharaoh reached the sea, it was the time of high-tide and in their zeal to overtake the Israelites they took no notice of it and at once jumped
كَدَأْبِ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
8:53, 55.
8:53, 55.
Important Words:
دأب (case) is the noun-infinitive from دأب. They say دأب فی العمل i.e. (1) he laboured and strove hard and exerted and wearied himself in the work; (2) he remained constant in it. دأب means, working hard and constantly; habit, custom or manner; case, affair or condition (Aqrab).
Commentary:
In the previous verse disbelievers were warned that their wealth and their numbers would prove of no avail against God’s punishment. The present verse points to the fact that this warning was no idle threat. Disbelievers in the past had met with a similar fate. Just as the efforts of Pharaoh and his people against Moses proved futile and their wealth, numbers and power could not save them from destruction, so would the endeavours of those who rejected the Holy Prophet not only fail to retard the progress of Islam but would pave the way for their own ruin.
a
8:53, 55.
a
8:53, 55.
303
Important Words:
دأب (case) is the noun-infinitive from دأب. They say دأب فی العمل i.e. (1) he laboured and strove hard and exerted and wearied himself in the work; (2) he remained constant in it. دأب means, working hard and constantly; habit, custom or manner; case, affair or condition (Aqrab).
Commentary:
In the previous verse disbelievers were warned that their wealth and their numbers would prove of no avail against God’s punishment. The present verse points to the fact that this warning was no idle threat. Disbelievers in the past had met with a similar fate. Just as the efforts of Pharaoh and his people against Moses proved futile and their wealth, numbers and power could not save them from destruction, so would the endeavours of those who rejected the Holy Prophet not only fail to retard the progress of Islam but would pave the way for their own ruin.
c
8:53, 55.
376
Da’b means, habit, custom or manner; case, affair or condition (Aqrab).
ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِم مُّوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَإِي۟هِۦ فَظَلَمُوا۟ بِهَا ۖ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
17:102; 28:37; 43:47.
The words "after them", contradict the popular view that Shu‘aib was a contemporary and father-in-law of Moses.
Zulm meaning to put a thing in the wrong place or to make a wrong use of it (Lane), the clause signifies that Pharaoh and his chiefs made wrong use of the Signs. The Signs were meant to engender fear of God in their hearts but instead they jeered and mocked at them.
17:102; 28:37; 43:47.
Commentary:
The clause, Then after them We sent Moses, does not mean that Moses appeared directly or immediately after the Prophets mentioned in the preceding verses. Other Messengers may have intervened between Moses and these Prophets, of whom Shu‘aib appears to be the nearest in time to Moses. In fact, the use of the words, Then after them, in the above clause only means that Moses appeared and lived sometime after them. The expression also contradicts the popular view that Shu‘aib was a contemporary and the father-in-law of Moses.
The words ظلموا بھا (they unjustly rejected them) literally meaning "they did wrong by means of the signs, or did them wrong", really signify that "they rejected the signs and treated them as lies, or they made them the means of doing wrong to men by ridiculing them and in this way deceiving the people."
The word ظلم also means, "to put a thing in the wrong place, or to make a wrong use of a thing" (Lane). Taking the word in this sense, the clause would mean, "they made a wrong use of the signs", i.e. though the signs were meant to engender fear of God in the hearts of men, the disbelievers, instead of profiting by them, jeered and mocked at them.
a
17:102; 28:37; 43:47.
511
ظُلْم (Zulm) 的意思是, 把一件东西放在错误的地方, 或错误地使用它。(Lane) 这一句意指法老和他的首长错误地使用了那些迹象。那些迹象原想在他们心中产生对安拉敬畏的心情, 但他们相反地却嘲笑那些迹象。
a
17:102; 28:37; 43:47.
999
Commentary:
The clause, Then after them We sent Moses, does not mean that Moses appeared directly or immediately after the Prophets mentioned in the preceding verses. Other Messengers may have intervened between Moses and these Prophets, of whom Shu‘aib appears to be the nearest in time to Moses. In fact, the use of the words, Then after them, in the above clause only means that Moses appeared and lived sometime after them. The expression also contradicts the popular view that Shu‘aib was a contemporary and the father-in-law of Moses.
The words ظلموا بھا (they unjustly rejected them) literally meaning "they did wrong by means of the signs, or did them wrong", really signify that "they rejected the signs and treated them as lies, or they made them the means of doing wrong to men by ridiculing them and in this way deceiving the people."
The word ظلم also means, "to put a thing in the wrong place, or to make a wrong use of a thing" (Lane). Taking the word in this sense, the clause would mean, "they made a wrong use of the signs", i.e. though the signs were meant to engender fear of God in the hearts of men, the disbelievers, instead of profiting by them, jeered and mocked at them.
b
17:102; 28:37; 43:47.
1019
The words "after them", contradict the popular view that Shu‘aib was a contemporary and father-in-law of Moses.
1020
Zulm meaning to put a thing in the wrong place or to make a wrong use of it (Lane), the clause signifies that Pharaoh and his chiefs made wrong use of the Signs. The Signs were meant to engender fear of God in their hearts but instead they jeered and mocked at them.
وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ يَٰفِرْعَوْنُ إِنِّى رَسُولٌ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
26:17; 20:48; 43:47.
26:17; 20:48; 43:47.
26:17; 20:48; 43:47.
b
26:17; 20:48; 43:47.
a
26:17; 20:48; 43:47.
c
26:17; 20:48; 43:47.
حَقِيقٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَن لَّآ أَقُولَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْحَقَّ ۚ قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِبَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَأَرْسِلْ مَعِىَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ
20:48; 26:18.
20:48; 26:18.
Haqiq means, adapted, disposed, apt, meet, right, fit or worthy (Lane).
When Moses went to Pharaoh his object was not so much to preach his Message to him as to call upon him to let the Israelites go with him, though ordinarily he would have preached to him also. As a matter of fact the Message of Moses was meant primarily for the Israelites, but as long as the Israelites remained mixed up with the natives of Egypt, Moses had to preach to them both. When the Israelites left the land, he had no concern with the Egyptians and confined his attention to his own kith and kin to whom he was sent.
20:48; 26:18.
Important Words:
حقیق (it is meet) is derived from حق meaning, it was or became suitable to the requirements of wisdom, justice, truth and right; or it was or became just, proper, correct, valid, established or confirmed as a truth or fact; or it became necessary, unavoidable, obligatory or due. They say یحق علیك ان تفعل کذا i.e. it is incumbent upon thee, or it behoves thee, or it is meet for thee, that thou shouldst do such a thing. Thus حقیق means, adapted, disposed, apt, meet, fit or worthy. The expression حقیق علیان لااقول would thus mean, I am disposed not to say; or it is binding or obligatory or incumbent on me that I should not say; or, as some render the expression, I am vehemently desirous that I should not say (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
Taking the word حقیق in the sense of "desirous", the opening sentence of the verse would mean, "I am desirous that I should speak of God nothing but the truth". These words are put in the mouth of Moses as a reply also to those who accused the Holy Prophet of lying. The Prophets of God are, as it were, represented as saying that, far from speaking a lie, they are but too anxious, and desire nothing but to speak pure and unadulterated truth. Other meanings of حقیق are also equally applicable here.
When Moses went to Pharaoh, his object was not so much the preaching of his message to him as to call upon him to let the Israelites go with him, though ordinarily he would preach to him also. As a matter of fact, the message of Moses was meant primarily for the Israelites, but as long as the Israelites remained mixed up with the natives of Egypt, Moses had to preach to them both. When the Israelites left the land, he had no concern with the Egyptians and confined his attention to his own kith and kin to whom he had been sent.
c
20:48; 26:18.
b
20:48; 26:18.
1000
Important Words:
حقیق (it is meet) is derived from حق meaning, it was or became suitable to the requirements of wisdom, justice, truth and right; or it was or became just, proper, correct, valid, established or confirmed as a truth or fact; or it became necessary, unavoidable, obligatory or due. They say یحق علیك ان تفعل کذا i.e. it is incumbent upon thee, or it behoves thee, or it is meet for thee, that thou shouldst do such a thing. Thus حقیق means, adapted, disposed, apt, meet, fit or worthy. The expression حقیق علیان لااقول would thus mean, I am disposed not to say; or it is binding or obligatory or incumbent on me that I should not say; or, as some render the expression, I am vehemently desirous that I should not say (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
Taking the word حقیق in the sense of "desirous", the opening sentence of the verse would mean, "I am desirous that I should speak of God nothing but the truth". These words are put in the mouth of Moses as a reply also to those who accused the Holy Prophet of lying. The Prophets of God are, as it were, represented as saying that, far from speaking a lie, they are but too anxious, and desire nothing but to speak pure and unadulterated truth. Other meanings of حقیق are also equally applicable here.
When Moses went to Pharaoh, his object was not so much the preaching of his message to him as to call upon him to let the Israelites go with him, though ordinarily he would preach to him also. As a matter of fact, the message of Moses was meant primarily for the Israelites, but as long as the Israelites remained mixed up with the natives of Egypt, Moses had to preach to them both. When the Israelites left the land, he had no concern with the Egyptians and confined his attention to his own kith and kin to whom he had been sent.
a
20:48; 26:18.
1021
Haqiq means, adapted, disposed, apt, meet, right, fit or worthy (Lane).
1022
When Moses went to Pharaoh his object was not so much to preach his Message to him as to call upon him to let the Israelites go with him, though ordinarily he would have preached to him also. As a matter of fact the Message of Moses was meant primarily for the Israelites, but as long as the Israelites remained mixed up with the natives of Egypt, Moses had to preach to them both. When the Israelites left the land, he had no concern with the Egyptians and confined his attention to his own kith and kin to whom he was sent.
قَالَ إِن كُنتَ جِئْتَ بِـَٔايَةٍ فَأْتِ بِهَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ
26:32.
26:32.
26:32.
d
26:32.
a
26:32.
b
26:32.
فَأَلْقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ ثُعْبَانٌ مُّبِينٌ
20:21; 26:33; 27:11; 28:32.
20:21; 26:33; 27:11; 28:32.
The Qur’an has used three different words to describe the turning of the rod of Moses into a serpent, viz. Hayyah as in 20:21, Jann as in 27:11 and 28:32 and Thu‘ban as in 26:33 and in the present verse. The first word is of general application and is used for serpents of all categories. The second word means a small serpent. The third word (Thu‘ban) means a bulky and long serpent. Thus the use of three different words at three different places in the Qur’an is significant and evidently is intended to serve a definite purpose. The word Jann has been used from the point of view of the serpent’s quick movements and Thu‘ban from the point of view of its large size. When the mere fact of the turning of the rod into a serpent is mentioned the word Hayyah is used, but when the rod is mentioned as turning into a serpent in the presence of Moses alone the word Jann (a small serpent) is used. But when the miracle of the rod turning into a serpent i
20:21; 26:33; 27:11; 28:32.
Important Words:
ثعبان (serpent) is derived from ثعب. They say ثعبه i.e. he gave vent to it; or he made it (water, etc.) to flow or run or stream. ثعبان means, a kind of long serpent; a great serpent, whether male or female, but particularly the male; or the serpent in general whether male or female, great or small; also applied to an enormous fabulous serpent (Lane).
Commentary:
The Quran has used three different words for describing the turning of the rod of Moses into a serpent; (1) ثعبان as in the verse under comment and in 26:33; (2) حیة as in 20:21, and (3) جان as in 28:32 and 27:11. The words ثعبان and حیة are applied both to a large or a small serpent, while the word جان signifies only a small serpent. Thus, there is no conflict or contradiction in using these three different words for the same thing, as all of them may be used to give the same meaning, i.e. a small serpent.
Moreover, on carefully pondering over the verses in which these words occur, we find that different words have been used to suit different occasions. The word جان has been used on the occasion when the rod is made to appear as a serpent to Moses alone (27:11) while the words ثعبان and حیة have been used in connection with the occasion when the miracle was wrought in public. This shows that to Moses the rod appeared as only a small serpent. While in the presence of Pharaoh and other men, it was made to appear like a big serpent. Thus the use of three different words for different occasions was not haphazard and casual, but deliberate and evidently intended to serve a definite purpose.
Moreover, in the verses in which the word جان is used, it is not said that the rod actually turned into a جان (small serpent) but that it moved as though it were a جان. This does not mean that the rod necessarily turned into a small serpent but that it only moved quickly like a small serpent, though it may have been a large serpent. So the different words used by the Quran do not conflict with each other, whether the rod be taken as turning into a small serpent or a large one.
It should also be noted here that this miracle did not really contradict any law of nature. If the existence of a thing is proved beyond doubt, it must be admitted, even if we are unable to explain it in the light of the laws of nature, as we know them. Our knowledge of the laws of nature is evidently very limited and so we cannot deny a fact on the basis of our limited and imperfect knowledge. Moreover, the said miracle did not take place in the manner in which it is popularly understood to have occurred. Indeed, miracles shown by God’s Prophets are not like the performance of jugglers. They are meant to serve some great moral or spiritual purpose. One of their primary objects is to bring about certainty of faith and engender feelings of piety and fear of God in the minds of those who witness them. If the rod had actually turned into a serpent, the whole performance must have looked more like the hand-tricks of a juggler than the miracle of a Prophet. In spite of what the Bible might say about this miracle, the Quran lends no support whatever to the view that the rod actually turned into a real and living serpent. No such thing ever took place. The rod only appeared like a moving serpent. It was a sort of a vision in which God either exercised special control over the sight of the onlookers in order to make them see the rod in the form of a serpent or the rod itself was made to appear like a serpent; and this vision was shared by Pharaoh and his courtiers and the enchanters along with Moses. The rod remained a rod, only it appeared to Moses and others as a serpent. It is a spiritual phenomenon of common occurrence that in a vision when man rises above the encumbrances of the flesh and becomes temporarily transported to a spiritual sphere, he can see things taking place which are beyond his ken and are quite invisible to his physical eyes. The miracle of the rod turning into a serpent was one such spiritual experience.
A similar spiritual phenomenon took place when in the time of the Holy Prophet the moon was seen as rent asunder not only by the Holy Prophet but by some of his followers and opponents as well (Bukhari, ch. on Tafsir). Such visions, which constitute a peculiar state between sleep and wakefulness, are a common spiritual experience of God’s Prophets and His Elect, but sometimes they are shared by ordinary men and by even disbelievers. Tradition tells us that Gabriel whom the Holy Prophet often saw in his visions, was also once seen by his Companions, who were sitting with him (Bukhari, ch. on Iman). Similarly, some angels were seen even by some of the disbelievers at the Battle of Badr (Jarir, vi.47). Another instance of this kind occurred when a Muslim army under the well-known Muslim general, Sariyah, was fighting the enemy in Iraq at a distance of hundreds of miles from Medina. ‘Umar, the Second Khalifah, while delivering his Friday sermon at Medina, saw in a vision that the Muslim army was being over-whelmed by the superior numbers of the enemy and that a disastrous defeat was imminent. Thereupon, ‘Umar suddenly discontinued his sermon and cried out from the pulpit, saying, "O Sariyah, take to the mountain, take to the mountain." Sariyah, hundreds of miles away and surrounded by the deafening noise of the battlefield, heard the voice of ‘Umar and obeyed it; and the Muslim army was saved from destruction (Khamis, ii. 270).
The miracle of Moses mentioned in the verse under comment possessed a special significance. It may be interpreted something like this. God told Moses to throw down his rod which then appeared to him like a serpent; and when subsequently on God’s bidding he took it up, lo! the rod was a mere piece of wood. Now a serpent, in the language of visions and dreams, is a symbol of the enemy, while a rod is emblematic of one’s community (Ta‘tirul-Anam). Thus, by means of this vision, God made Moses understand that if He cast away his people from him, they would become veritable serpents. But if he kept them under his care, they would grow into a strong and well-knit community of righteous and God-fearing men. Moses had in the beginning begged to be excused from being entrusted with the onerous task of reclaiming a morally depraved people, but God told him by means of this vision that the well-being of his people depended upon his taking them in his charge, failing which they would turn into veritable serpents.
Abu Jahl, the arch-enemy of Islam, was also once made to see a similar vision. It is reported that the Holy Prophetone day went to him and asked him to pay a certain sum of money which he owed to a poor man, a stranger in Mecca, but which he had so far declined to pay. On the Holy Prophet’s demand, Abu Jahl, in spite of his great enmity to the Prophet, made the payment at once, and when asked by his friends the reason for his doing so, he said he saw two enraged camels on both sides of Muhammad about to tear him to pieces if he refused to comply with his demand (Hisham). Arabia is a land of camels, so Abu Jahl was made to see camels, while Egypt being a land of magic serpents, Pharaoh was made to see a serpent.
e
20:21; 26:33; 27:11; 28:32.
b
20:21; 26:33; 27:11; 28:32.
1001
Important Words:
ثعبان (serpent) is derived from ثعب. They say ثعبه i.e. he gave vent to it; or he made it (water, etc.) to flow or run or stream. ثعبان means, a kind of long serpent; a great serpent, whether male or female, but particularly the male; or the serpent in general whether male or female, great or small; also applied to an enormous fabulous serpent (Lane).
Commentary:
The Quran has used three different words for describing the turning of the rod of Moses into a serpent; (1) ثعبان as in the verse under comment and in 26:33; (2) حیة as in 20:21, and (3) جان as in 28:32 and 27:11. The words ثعبان and حیة are applied both to a large or a small serpent, while the word جان signifies only a small serpent. Thus, there is no conflict or contradiction in using these three different words for the same thing, as all of them may be used to give the same meaning, i.e. a small serpent.
Moreover, on carefully pondering over the verses in which these words occur, we find that different words have been used to suit different occasions. The word جان has been used on the occasion when the rod is made to appear as a serpent to Moses alone (27:11) while the words ثعبان and حیة have been used in connection with the occasion when the miracle was wrought in public. This shows that to Moses the rod appeared as only a small serpent. While in the presence of Pharaoh and other men, it was made to appear like a big serpent. Thus the use of three different words for different occasions was not haphazard and casual, but deliberate and evidently intended to serve a definite purpose.
Moreover, in the verses in which the word جان is used, it is not said that the rod actually turned into a جان (small serpent) but that it moved as though it were a جان. This does not mean that the rod necessarily turned into a small serpent but that it only moved quickly like a small serpent, though it may have been a large serpent. So the different words used by the Quran do not conflict with each other, whether the rod be taken as turning into a small serpent or a large one.
It should also be noted here that this miracle did not really contradict any law of nature. If the existence of a thing is proved beyond doubt, it must be admitted, even if we are unable to explain it in the light of the laws of nature, as we know them. Our knowledge of the laws of nature is evidently very limited and so we cannot deny a fact on the basis of our limited and imperfect knowledge. Moreover, the said miracle did not take place in the manner in which it is popularly understood to have occurred. Indeed, miracles shown by God’s Prophets are not like the performance of jugglers. They are meant to serve some great moral or spiritual purpose. One of their primary objects is to bring about certainty of faith and engender feelings of piety and fear of God in the minds of those who witness them. If the rod had actually turned into a serpent, the whole performance must have looked more like the hand-tricks of a juggler than the miracle of a Prophet. In spite of what the Bible might say about this miracle, the Quran lends no support whatever to the view that the rod actually turned into a real and living serpent. No such thing ever took place. The rod only appeared like a moving serpent. It was a sort of a vision in which God either exercised special control over the sight of the onlookers in order to make them see the rod in the form of a serpent or the rod itself was made to appear like a serpent; and this vision was shared by Pharaoh and his courtiers and the enchanters along with Moses. The rod remained a rod, only it appeared to Moses and others as a serpent. It is a spiritual phenomenon of common occurrence that in a vision when man rises above the encumbrances of the flesh and becomes temporarily transported to a spiritual sphere, he can see things taking place which are beyond his ken and are quite invisible to his physical eyes. The miracle of the rod turning into a serpent was one such spiritual experience.
A similar spiritual phenomenon took place when in the time of the Holy Prophet the moon was seen as rent asunder not only by the Holy Prophet but by some of his followers and opponents as well (Bukhari, ch. on Tafsir). Such visions, which constitute a peculiar state between sleep and wakefulness, are a common spiritual experience of God’s Prophets and His Elect, but sometimes they are shared by ordinary men and by even disbelievers. Tradition tells us that Gabriel whom the Holy Prophet often saw in his visions, was also once seen by his Companions, who were sitting with him (Bukhari, ch. on Iman). Similarly, some angels were seen even by some of the disbelievers at the Battle of Badr (Jarir, vi.47). Another instance of this kind occurred when a Muslim army under the well-known Muslim general, Sariyah, was fighting the enemy in Iraq at a distance of hundreds of miles from Medina. ‘Umar, the Second Khalifah, while delivering his Friday sermon at Medina, saw in a vision that the Muslim army was being over-whelmed by the superior numbers of the enemy and that a disastrous defeat was imminent. Thereupon, ‘Umar suddenly discontinued his sermon and cried out from the pulpit, saying, "O Sariyah, take to the mountain, take to the mountain." Sariyah, hundreds of miles away and surrounded by the deafening noise of the battlefield, heard the voice of ‘Umar and obeyed it; and the Muslim army was saved from destruction (Khamis, ii. 270).
The miracle of Moses mentioned in the verse under comment possessed a special significance. It may be interpreted something like this. God told Moses to throw down his rod which then appeared to him like a serpent; and when subsequently on God’s bidding he took it up, lo! the rod was a mere piece of wood. Now a serpent, in the language of visions and dreams, is a symbol of the enemy, while a rod is emblematic of one’s community (Ta‘tirul-Anam). Thus, by means of this vision, God made Moses understand that if He cast away his people from him, they would become veritable serpents. But if he kept them under his care, they would grow into a strong and well-knit community of righteous and God-fearing men. Moses had in the beginning begged to be excused from being entrusted with the onerous task of reclaiming a morally depraved people, but God told him by means of this vision that the well-being of his people depended upon his taking them in his charge, failing which they would turn into veritable serpents.
Abu Jahl, the arch-enemy of Islam, was also once made to see a similar vision. It is reported that the Holy Prophetone day went to him and asked him to pay a certain sum of money which he owed to a poor man, a stranger in Mecca, but which he had so far declined to pay. On the Holy Prophet’s demand, Abu Jahl, in spite of his great enmity to the Prophet, made the payment at once, and when asked by his friends the reason for his doing so, he said he saw two enraged camels on both sides of Muhammad about to tear him to pieces if he refused to comply with his demand (Hisham). Arabia is a land of camels, so Abu Jahl was made to see camels, while Egypt being a land of magic serpents, Pharaoh was made to see a serpent.
c
20:21; 26:33; 27:11; 28:32.
1023
The Qur’an has used three different words to describe the turning of the rod of Moses into a serpent, viz. Hayyah as in 20:21, Jann as in 27:11 and 28:32 and Thu‘ban as in 26:33 and in the present verse. The first word is of general application and is used for serpents of all categories. The second word means a small serpent. The third word (Thu‘ban) means a bulky and long serpent. Thus the use of three different words at three different places in the Qur’an is significant and evidently is intended to serve a definite purpose. The word Jann has been used from the point of view of the serpent’s quick movements and Thu‘ban from the point of view of its large size. When the mere fact of the turning of the rod into a serpent is mentioned the word Hayyah is used, but when the rod is mentioned as turning into a serpent in the presence of Moses alone the word Jann (a small serpent) is used. But when the miracle of the rod turning into a serpent i
وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُۥ فَإِذَا هِىَ بَيْضَآءُ لِلنَّٰظِرِينَ
26:34; 27:13; 28:33.
大家知道, 精神高超的人们的身上, 根据他们精神发展性质或程度的不同, 会发出各种颜色的光芒。各个先知的身上放的是纯白色的光。同样地, 穆撒那只手上发出的光一定是那种颜色的。这样, 他们都看到了那些光芒, 他的手在观看者面前自然呈现着白光。在安拉派遣的其它先知的时代, 大家知道那些人也具有这样的精神经历。安拉对穆撒说, “把你的手插入怀中, 抽出时它将洁白无疵。” (28:33) 这是用象征性的语言清楚地意示穆撒, 如果他保持和他的门徒紧密地在一起并在他的养护之下, 他们自己也不仅会成为发光的人, 而且还会把光传给别人, 否则, 他们不仅会变成黑色, 而且在道德上会生病。这一奇迹因此不是一个巫师的表现, 而是一种充满深刻精神意义的迹象。
26:34; 27:13; 28:33.
The bodies of highly spiritual men are known to emit rays of various colours according to the degree or nature of their spiritual development. The rays that are emitted by the bodies of Prophets are of pure white colour. Similarly, rays that issued from the hand of Moses must have been of that colour and, when they were made visible, his hand naturally appeared white to the beholders. Men are known to have had such spiritual experiences in the times of other Prophets of God as well. God said to Moses: Thrust thy hand into thy bosom; it will come forth white without disease (28:33). This constituted, in symbolic language, a clear hint to Moses that if he kept his followers close to him and under his fostering care, they would not only become men of light themselves but would also impart light to others, otherwise they would become not only black but also morally diseased. The miracle was not, therefore, the performance of a sorcerer but a Sign full of deep spiritual significance.
26:34; 27:13; 28:33.
Commentary:
The miracle of the white hand has also been mentioned in the Bible (Exod. 4:6), with the difference that whereas in the Bible the hand is represented as "leprous", the Quran represents it as being "without disease" (28:33). Another difference between the two accounts is that the Quran represents Moses as having shown both signs to Pharaoh, while according to the Bible, although Moses is bidden to show this sign to Pharaoh (Exod. 4:8), it does not mention that Moses did actually show the latter sign to him. The Quranic version clearly seems to be the more correct, not only because Moses could not omit to show the sign of the white hand to Pharaoh as he was commanded by God, as admitted by the Bible itself, but also because Pharaoh having failed to profit by the first sign, Moses must have shown him the second Sign also, after the rejection of the first.
The bodies of highly spiritual men are known to emit invisible rays of various colours according to the degree or nature of their spiritual development. The rays that emerge from the bodies of perfectly holy men, such as Prophets, are of pure white colour. So the rays that issued from the hand of Moses must have been of that colour, and when these rays were made visible, his hand naturally appeared white to the beholders. Men are known to have had such spiritual experience in the times of other Prophets of God as well. For instance, authentic instances of such spiritual experiences having been felt by certain individuals in the time of Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, are on record (Al-Fadl, vol. 32, No. 217).
Elsewhere the Quran says, God said to Moses Thrust thy hand into thy bosom; it will come forth white without disease (28:33). This constituted, in symbolic language, a clear hint to Moses that if he kept his followers close to him and under his fostering care, they would not only become men of light themselves, but would also impart light to others, otherwise they would become not only black but also diseased. The miracle was not, therefore, the performance of a magician but a sign full of deep spiritual significance.
f
26:34; 27:13; 28:33.
512
大家知道, 精神高超的人们的身上, 根据他们精神发展性质或程度的不同, 会发出各种颜色的光芒。各个先知的身上放的是纯白色的光。同样地, 穆撒那只手上发出的光一定是那种颜色的。这样, 他们都看到了那些光芒, 他的手在观看者面前自然呈现着白光。在安拉派遣的其它先知的时代, 大家知道那些人也具有这样的精神经历。安拉对穆撒说, “把你的手插入怀中, 抽出时它将洁白无疵。” (28:33) 这是用象征性的语言清楚地意示穆撒, 如果他保持和他的门徒紧密地在一起并在他的养护之下, 他们自己也不仅会成为发光的人, 而且还会把光传给别人, 否则, 他们不仅会变成黑色, 而且在道德上会生病。这一奇迹因此不是一个巫师的表现, 而是一种充满深刻精神意义的迹象。
a
26:34; 27:13; 28:33.
1002
Commentary:
The miracle of the white hand has also been mentioned in the Bible (Exod. 4:6), with the difference that whereas in the Bible the hand is represented as "leprous", the Quran represents it as being "without disease" (28:33). Another difference between the two accounts is that the Quran represents Moses as having shown both signs to Pharaoh, while according to the Bible, although Moses is bidden to show this sign to Pharaoh (Exod. 4:8), it does not mention that Moses did actually show the latter sign to him. The Quranic version clearly seems to be the more correct, not only because Moses could not omit to show the sign of the white hand to Pharaoh as he was commanded by God, as admitted by the Bible itself, but also because Pharaoh having failed to profit by the first sign, Moses must have shown him the second Sign also, after the rejection of the first.
The bodies of highly spiritual men are known to emit invisible rays of various colours according to the degree or nature of their spiritual development. The rays that emerge from the bodies of perfectly holy men, such as Prophets, are of pure white colour. So the rays that issued from the hand of Moses must have been of that colour, and when these rays were made visible, his hand naturally appeared white to the beholders. Men are known to have had such spiritual experience in the times of other Prophets of God as well. For instance, authentic instances of such spiritual experiences having been felt by certain individuals in the time of Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, are on record (Al-Fadl, vol. 32, No. 217).
Elsewhere the Quran says, God said to Moses Thrust thy hand into thy bosom; it will come forth white without disease (28:33). This constituted, in symbolic language, a clear hint to Moses that if he kept his followers close to him and under his fostering care, they would not only become men of light themselves, but would also impart light to others, otherwise they would become not only black but also diseased. The miracle was not, therefore, the performance of a magician but a sign full of deep spiritual significance.
a
26:34; 27:13; 28:33.
1024
The bodies of highly spiritual men are known to emit rays of various colours according to the degree or nature of their spiritual development. The rays that are emitted by the bodies of Prophets are of pure white colour. Similarly, rays that issued from the hand of Moses must have been of that colour and, when they were made visible, his hand naturally appeared white to the beholders. Men are known to have had such spiritual experiences in the times of other Prophets of God as well. God said to Moses: Thrust thy hand into thy bosom; it will come forth white without disease (28:33). This constituted, in symbolic language, a clear hint to Moses that if he kept his followers close to him and under his fostering care, they would not only become men of light themselves but would also impart light to others, otherwise they would become not only black but also morally diseased. The miracle was not, therefore, the performance of a sorcerer but a Sign full of deep spiritual significance.
قَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ مِن قَوْمِ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسَٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
20:64; 26:35.
The word Sahir does not necessarily mean, a magician. It also means, a fascinator: one skilful and intelligent; one able to make a thing look other than what it is: a deceiver, deluder or beguiler, etc. (Lane). See also {128}.
20:64; 26:35.
Important Words:
The word ساحر (magician) does not necessarily mean a magician. It also means, an enchanter; fascinator; one knowing, or one skilful and intelligent; one able to make a thing look other than what it is; a deceiver, deluder or beguiler, etc. (Lane). See also 2:103.
a
20:64; 26:35.
513
سَاحِرْ (Sahir) 这个单词的意思并不一定是魔术师。它的意思也可以是: 迷人者; 灵巧和聪明的人; 能把一件事物做得好像另外一件事物的人; 欺骗者; 诈骗者或哄骗者等等 (Lane)。
a
20:64; 26:35.
1003
Important Words:
The word ساحر (magician) does not necessarily mean a magician. It also means, an enchanter; fascinator; one knowing, or one skilful and intelligent; one able to make a thing look other than what it is; a deceiver, deluder or beguiler, etc. (Lane). See also 2:103.
b
20:64; 26:35.
1025
The word Sahir does not necessarily mean, a magician. It also means, a fascinator: one skilful and intelligent; one able to make a thing look other than what it is: a deceiver, deluder or beguiler, etc. (Lane). See also {128}.
يُرِيدُ أَن يُخْرِجَكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُمْ ۖ فَمَاذَا تَأْمُرُونَ
20:64; 26:36.
20:64; 26:36.
These words are intended to work up the feelings of the Egyptians against Moses, whereas the truth was that Moses had no desire to turn them out. His mission was confined to taking away his own people from Egypt.
20:64; 26:36.
Important Words:
تامرون (you advise) is derived from امر. They say امرہ i.e. he commanded, ordered or enjoined him. The word also means, he counselled or advised him (Lane).
Commentary:
The words, He desires to turn you out, are intended to work up the feelings of the people against Moses, whereas the truth was that Moses had no desire of turning out the Egyptians. On the contrary, he only desired to take his own people away and leave the Egyptians in Egypt.
b
20:64; 26:36.
a
20:64; 26:36.
1004
Important Words:
تامرون (you advise) is derived from امر. They say امرہ i.e. he commanded, ordered or enjoined him. The word also means, he counselled or advised him (Lane).
Commentary:
The words, He desires to turn you out, are intended to work up the feelings of the people against Moses, whereas the truth was that Moses had no desire of turning out the Egyptians. On the contrary, he only desired to take his own people away and leave the Egyptians in Egypt.
a
20:64; 26:36.
1026
These words are intended to work up the feelings of the Egyptians against Moses, whereas the truth was that Moses had no desire to turn them out. His mission was confined to taking away his own people from Egypt.
قَالُوٓا۟ أَرْجِهْ وَأَخَاهُ وَأَرْسِلْ فِى ٱلْمَدَآئِنِ حَٰشِرِينَ
26:37.
26:37.
26:37.
c
26:37.
b
26:37.
b
26:37.
يَأْتُوكَ بِكُلِّ سَٰحِرٍ عَلِيمٍ
26:38.
26:38.
26:38.
d
26:38.
c
26:38.
c
26:38.
وَجَآءَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ لَنَا لَأَجْرًا إِن كُنَّا نَحْنُ ٱلْغَٰلِبِينَ
26:42.
26:42.
e
26:42.
d
26:42.
1005
Commentary:
The words, We shall, of course, have a reward, if we prevail, were probably spoken by the magicians to one another and not addressed to Pharaoh who, however, overheard them.
d
26:42.
قَالَ نَعَمْ وَإِنَّكُمْ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ
26:43.
26:43.
26:43.
Commentary:
When Pharaoh heard, or rather overheard, the magicians saying to one another the words contained in the previous verse, he told them that they would not only get the reward they rightly expected, but that they would also become his favourite courtiers.
f
26:43.
e
26:43.
1006
Commentary:
When Pharaoh heard, or rather overheard, the magicians saying to one another the words contained in the previous verse, he told them that they would not only get the reward they rightly expected, but that they would also become his favourite courtiers.
e
26:43.
قَالُوا۟ يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِمَّآ أَن تُلْقِىَ وَإِمَّآ أَن نَّكُونَ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُلْقِينَ
20:66.
g
20:66.
f
20:66.
1007
Commentary:
Mark the intensity of the scene—both parties arrayed before one another ready to come to grips in a decisive struggle.
f
20:66.
1027
Mark the intensity of the scene—both parties arrayed against each other ready to come to grips in a decisive trial.
قَالَ أَلْقُوا۟ ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَلْقَوْا۟ سَحَرُوٓا۟ أَعْيُنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَٱسْتَرْهَبُوهُمْ وَجَآءُو بِسِحْرٍ عَظِيمٍ
20:67; 26:45.
20:67; 26:45.
Prophets of God never attack first. They wait for an attack on the part of their opponents, for they prefer to defend and look to God for succour.
20:67; 26:45.
Important Words:
سحر عظیم (a great magic). For the meaning of the word سحر see 2:103 & 7:110.
Commentary:
Moses was not slow in availing himself of the opportunity offered and at once replied that they should throw first. The Prophets of God generally wait for an attack on the part of their opponents, for they prefer to defend and then look to God for succour.
h
20:67; 26:45.
a
20:67; 26:45.
1008
Important Words:
سحر عظیم (a great magic). For the meaning of the word سحر see 2:103 & 7:110.
Commentary:
Moses was not slow in availing himself of the opportunity offered and at once replied that they should throw first. The Prophets of God generally wait for an attack on the part of their opponents, for they prefer to defend and then look to God for succour.
g
20:67; 26:45.
1028
Prophets of God never attack first. They wait for an attack on the part of their opponents, for they prefer to defend and look to God for succour.
۞ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَلْقِ عَصَاكَ ۖ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ
یہ محاورہ کا کلام ہے‘ مطلب یہ کہ ان کا اثر زائل کرتا جاتا تھا۔ اصل بات یہ ہے کہ انہوں نے اپنی رسیوں میں لوہے کے پیچ چھپائے ہوئے تھے اور سونٹوں میں پارہ بھرا ہوا تھا جس کی وجہ سے وہ حرکت کرتے تھے۔ جیسے آج کل کے یورپ کے کھلونے ہوتے ہیں۔ موسیٰ نے جب ان پر اپنا عصا مارا تو پیچ ٹوٹ گئے اور پارہ نکل گیا اور سب فریب ظاہر ہو گیا۔ اسے محاورہ کی زبان میں نگلنا کہا گیا ہے۔
20:70; 26:46.
It was not the "serpent" made out of the rod, but the rod itself which undid the magic of the magicians. The rod of Moses wielded with the spiritual force of a great Prophet and thrown at the command of God exposed the deception they had wrought on the spectators and broke to pieces the things which, by their magic, they had made them take for real serpents. The words, "it swallowed up whatever they feigned" signify that the rod quickly exposed the deception wrought by the magicians, "swallowed up" signifying "destroyed the effect of, or the impression created by."
20:70; 26:46.
Important Words:
تلقف (it swallowed up) is derived from لقف. They say لقف الشیء i.e. he took or seized the thing quickly; or he took or seized the thing quickly when it was thrown to him. لقف الطعام or تلقف الطعام means, he swallowed up the food (Aqrab).
Commentary:
It was certainly not the "serpent" made out of the rod, but the rod itself which undid the magic of the magicians. The rod of Moses, wielded with the spiritual force of a great Prophet and thrown at the command of God, exposed the deception they had wrought on the spectators by breaking to pieces the things which, by their magic, they had made the people take for real serpents. The words تلقف مایافکون literally meaning "it swallowed up whatever they feigned" really signify that the rod quickly exposed the deception wrought by the magicians.
a
20:70; 26:46.
514
这并不是由手杖做成的 “大蛇”, 但是那手杖本身在拆穿魔术师们的魔术。穆撒的手杖运用一个伟大先知的精神力量, 在安拉的命令下, 抛向并揭穿他们做给观众看的欺诈行为; 把他们用魔法做成的、看样子像许多真的毒蛇的那些东西打得粉碎。“它正在吞食魔术家的魔术” 这些字, 意指那根手杖很快地揭穿了那些魔术家作出的欺诈行为。“吞食” 意指 “消除……的效果或消除已由…造成的印象。”
1
یہ محاورہ کا کلام ہے‘ مطلب یہ کہ ان کا اثر زائل کرتا جاتا تھا۔ اصل بات یہ ہے کہ انہوں نے اپنی رسیوں میں لوہے کے پیچ چھپائے ہوئے تھے اور سونٹوں میں پارہ بھرا ہوا تھا جس کی وجہ سے وہ حرکت کرتے تھے۔ جیسے آج کل کے یورپ کے کھلونے ہوتے ہیں۔ موسیٰ نے جب ان پر اپنا عصا مارا تو پیچ ٹوٹ گئے اور پارہ نکل گیا اور سب فریب ظاہر ہو گیا۔ اسے محاورہ کی زبان میں نگلنا کہا گیا ہے۔
b
20:70; 26:46.
1009
Important Words:
تلقف (it swallowed up) is derived from لقف. They say لقف الشیء i.e. he took or seized the thing quickly; or he took or seized the thing quickly when it was thrown to him. لقف الطعام or تلقف الطعام means, he swallowed up the food (Aqrab).
Commentary:
It was certainly not the "serpent" made out of the rod, but the rod itself which undid the magic of the magicians. The rod of Moses, wielded with the spiritual force of a great Prophet and thrown at the command of God, exposed the deception they had wrought on the spectators by breaking to pieces the things which, by their magic, they had made the people take for real serpents. The words تلقف مایافکون literally meaning "it swallowed up whatever they feigned" really signify that the rod quickly exposed the deception wrought by the magicians.
a
20:70; 26:46.
1029
It was not the "serpent" made out of the rod, but the rod itself which undid the magic of the magicians. The rod of Moses wielded with the spiritual force of a great Prophet and thrown at the command of God exposed the deception they had wrought on the spectators and broke to pieces the things which, by their magic, they had made them take for real serpents. The words, "it swallowed up whatever they feigned" signify that the rod quickly exposed the deception wrought by the magicians, "swallowed up" signifying "destroyed the effect of, or the impression created by."