فَوَقَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِ مَا مَكَرُوا۟ ۖ وَحَاقَ بِـَٔالِ فِرْعَوْنَ سُوٓءُ ٱلْعَذَابِ 45
Translations
So Allāh protected him from the evils they plotted, and the people of Pharaoh were enveloped by the worst of punishment -
Transliteration
Fawaqahu Allahu sayyiaat ma makaroo wa haaqa bi-ali firawn suoo al-adhab
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah protected the believer (Mu'min Aal-Firaun) from the evil plots and schemes that Pharaoh and his people devised against him, while the people of Pharaoh were overtaken by severe punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this verse illustrates Allah's divine protection for the righteous and His justice in punishing the arrogant disbelievers who persist in their tyranny and deception.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the broader narrative of Surah Ghafir (a Meccan chapter) which recounts the story of the believing man from Pharaoh's family who secretly advised his people to follow the Messenger. The context follows the believer's warning to his people and demonstrates the contrast between those whom Allah protects and those upon whom His punishment falls.
Related Hadiths
The principle of Allah's protection is supported by hadith: 'Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah at the expense of people's displeasure, Allah will protect him from their harm' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the general promise in Sahih Muslim that 'Allah protects the one who protects the boundaries of Allah' (deen) relates to this theme of divine safeguarding.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that sincere faith and righteous conduct place one under Allah's protection against the schemes of enemies, while arrogance and rejection of truth inevitably lead to severe consequences. For modern readers, it reinforces trust in Allah's guardianship when one prioritizes truth and righteousness over worldly appeasement.