وَأَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ 64
Translations
And We advanced thereto the others [i.e., the pursuers].
Transliteration
Wa azlafna thamma al-akhireen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah brought the other people (Pharaoh's army) near to the sea after Moses and the believers had crossed. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'azlafna' means 'We brought near' or 'We caused to approach,' referring to how Allah guided Pharaoh's forces to the shore in pursuit, setting the stage for their drowning. This demonstrates Allah's perfect orchestration of events and His power over all creation, as the disbelievers were led to their inevitable destruction while the believers were saved.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Surah Ash-Shu'ara detailing the story of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea. It occurs within the broader context of the Meccan period when the Quran was strengthening the faith of early Muslims by recounting the triumphant stories of previous prophets and the inevitable fate of those who reject Allah's signs.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this specific ayah, Surah Ash-Shu'ara's narrative parallels hadiths discussing the Red Sea crossing found in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) described the miraculous parting of the sea and drowning of Pharaoh's army as signs of Allah's power.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Allah's justice is inevitable—those who persistently reject truth and pursue believers with hostility will ultimately face consequences, while the faithful are divinely protected. It encourages believers to trust in Allah's timing and methods of salvation, even when facing seemingly overwhelming opposition.
Related Ayahs
كَلَّآ إِذَا دُكَّتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ دَكًّا دَكًّا
No! When the earth has been leveled - pounded and crushed
ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
Know that Allāh gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. We have made clear to you the signs; perhaps you will understand.
إِن يَشَأْ يُسْكِنِ ٱلرِّيحَ فَيَظْلَلْنَ رَوَاكِدَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ
If He willed, He could still the wind, and they would remain motionless on its surface. Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.
وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ
And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allāh wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.