فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُ وَجُنُودَهُۥ فَنَبَذْنَـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌ 40
Translations
So We took him and his soldiers and cast them into the sea, and he was blameworthy.
Transliteration
Fa-akhdhnaahu wa-junudahu fa-nabadhnāhum fil-yammi wa-huwa mulīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's seizure of Pharaoh and his armies, casting them into the sea after their pursuit of the Children of Israel. The word 'mulīm' (blameworthy/full of regret) describes Pharaoh's state as he faced divine punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize this as the culmination of Pharaoh's defiance—despite witnessing clear signs, he persisted in disbelief and was drowned along with his soldiers, serving as a warning to those who reject Allah's messengers.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ad-Dhariyat, a Meccan chapter that recounts stories of past nations and their rejection of divine guidance. The context here refers to the narrative of Pharaoh and Prophet Moses, illustrating the consequences of arrogance and rejection. This story was revealed to comfort the Prophet Muhammad and the early believers facing persecution in Mecca by showing how Allah ultimately punished the oppressors of the past.
Related Hadiths
The drowning of Pharaoh is referenced in Surah Yunus 10:90-92, where additional details appear. A relevant hadith from Sahih Bukhari (Book of Tafsir) discusses how the Qur'an repeatedly mentions Pharaoh's fate as a lesson for believers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no matter how powerful earthly rulers may seem, those who reject Allah's signs and oppress the believers will ultimately face divine justice. For modern readers, it emphasizes the importance of humility, acceptance of truth, and the transient nature of worldly power in the face of Allah's eternal authority.