ثُمَّ أَدْبَرَ يَسْعَىٰ 22
Translations
Then he turned his back, striving [i.e., plotting].
Transliteration
Thumma adbara yas'a
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Pharaoh's arrogant rejection and hasty departure after hearing Prophet Musa's message, turning away and hastening to gather his people against him. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the phrase illustrates Pharaoh's obstinate refusal to heed the divine call and his determination to oppose Allah's messenger, despite the clear signs presented to him. This rejection epitomizes the behavior of those who, upon hearing truth, choose instead to cling to their worldly power and status.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative account of Prophet Musa's encounter with Pharaoh in Surah An-Nazi'at. The surah recounts the dramatic confrontation where Musa presented the signs of Allah to Pharaoh, and this particular verse shows Pharaoh's immediate negative response—turning away and hastening to mobilize his forces against the believers rather than contemplating the message.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this verse, Surah An-Nazi'at 79:17-26 is referenced in various ahadith discussing Pharaoh's arrogance. See At-Tirmidhi and other collections discussing the stories of the prophets (Qisas al-Anbiya).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that arrogance and attachment to worldly power can blind people to truth, and those who rush to oppose divine guidance only hasten their own destruction. For believers, it serves as a reminder to reflect upon messages of truth rather than reactively defending our established positions and interests.