يَقْدُمُ قَوْمَهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فَأَوْرَدَهُمُ ٱلنَّارَ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْوِرْدُ ٱلْمَوْرُودُ 98
Translations
He will precede his people on the Day of Resurrection and lead them into the Fire; and wretched is the place to which they are led.
Transliteration
Yaqdumu qawmahu yawma al-qiyamati fa-awradahumu al-naru wa-bi'sa al-wirdu al-mawordu
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Pharaoh will lead his people into the Fire on the Day of Judgment, having misguided them in worldly life. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that leaders who mislead their followers bear the burden of their followers' sins alongside their own, and the phrase 'wabi'sa al-wirdu al-mawordu' (what an evil destination) underscores the severe punishment awaiting them. This ayah illustrates the grave responsibility of leadership and the ultimate consequence of kufr (disbelief) and tyranny.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the narrative of Musa (Moses) and Pharaoh in Surah Hud, which was revealed in Mecca during a period when the Quraysh were intensifying persecution of Muslims. The ayah serves as a warning to those who follow tyrants and leaders who reject divine guidance, emphasizing that no worldly power can protect one from divine judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of leaders are those whom you love and who love you, and the worst of leaders are those whom you hate and who hate you.' (Sahih Muslim 1855). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari regarding those who follow the way of Pharaoh: 'Whoever imitates a people is one of them' (Sunan Abu Dawud 4031) relates to the fate of those who follow tyrants.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that leaders will be held accountable for misleading their followers, and that blindly following tyrants or corrupt leaders will result in shared punishment on the Day of Judgment. For modern believers, it emphasizes the importance of choosing righteous leadership and not being swayed by worldly power or false promises.
Related Ayahs
إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
To Allāh is your return, and He is over all things competent."
إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَإِي۟هِۦ فَٱتَّبَعُوٓا۟ أَمْرَ فِرْعَوْنَ ۖ وَمَآ أَمْرُ فِرْعَوْنَ بِرَشِيدٍ
To Pharaoh and his establishment, but they followed the command of Pharaoh, and the command of Pharaoh was not [at all] discerning.
وَٱصْنَعِ ٱلْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنَا وَلَا تُخَـٰطِبْنِى فِى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُم مُّغْرَقُونَ
And construct the ship under Our observation and Our inspiration and do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are [to be] drowned."
قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّى وَرَزَقَنِى مِنْهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا ۚ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنْهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ ۚ إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا ٱلْإِصْلَـٰحَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُ ۚ وَمَا تَوْفِيقِىٓ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ ۚ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ
He said, "O my people, have you considered: if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided me with a good provision from Him...? And I do not intend to differ from you in that which I have forbidden you; I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allāh. Upon Him I have relied, and to Him I return.