فَٱلْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ ءَايَةً ۚ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا لَغَـٰفِلُونَ 92
Translations
So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless.
Transliteration
Fa-al-yawma nunajjika bi-badanika li-takuna li-man khalfaka ayah wa-inna kathiran min-al-nasi an ayatina la-ghaafilun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's preservation of Pharaoh's body after his drowning in the sea, as a sign and lesson for those who come after him. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that despite Pharaoh's arrogance and rejection of Allah's signs during his lifetime, his corpse was miraculously preserved so that future generations would witness tangible evidence of divine punishment and the reality of the hereafter. The ayah concludes with a reminder that despite such clear signs, many people remain heedless of Allah's ayat (verses and signs).
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Yunus, which recounts the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and Pharaoh. It specifically addresses the moment after Pharaoh's drowning, when Allah saved his body as a sign. The broader context emphasizes the contrast between those who believe in Allah's signs and those who turn away in heedlessness, a major theme throughout this Meccan surah.
Related Hadiths
Imam Ahmad and others recorded that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding Pharaoh: 'Today We will save you in your body so that you may be a sign for those who come after you.' This is directly referenced in Islamic tradition. Additionally, hadiths in Sahih Muslim regarding the Day of Judgment mention that bodies will be resurrected as evidence of deeds.
Themes
Key Lesson
Even those who seem most powerful and arrogant are subject to Allah's justice, and their fate becomes a lesson for generations to come. Modern readers should reflect on how we respond to Allah's clear signs—whether we are among those who believe and take heed, or among the heedless majority mentioned in the concluding clause.
Related Ayahs
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا صَـٰلِحًا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَمِنْ خِزْىِ يَوْمِئِذٍ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلْقَوِىُّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ
So when Our command came, We saved Ṣāliḥ and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us, and [saved them] from the disgrace of that day. Indeed, it is your Lord who is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ فِى ٱلنَّارِ لِخَزَنَةِ جَهَنَّمَ ٱدْعُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ يُخَفِّفْ عَنَّا يَوْمًا مِّنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ
And those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, "Supplicate your Lord to lighten for us a day from the punishment."
فَإِن رَّجَعَكَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَىٰ طَآئِفَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ فَٱسْتَـْٔذَنُوكَ لِلْخُرُوجِ فَقُل لَّن تَخْرُجُوا۟ مَعِىَ أَبَدًا وَلَن تُقَـٰتِلُوا۟ مَعِىَ عَدُوًّا ۖ إِنَّكُمْ رَضِيتُم بِٱلْقُعُودِ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ فَٱقْعُدُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلْخَـٰلِفِينَ
If Allāh should return you to a faction of them [after the expedition] and then they ask your permission to go out [to battle], say, "You will not go out with me, ever, and you will never fight with me an enemy. Indeed, you were satisfied with sitting [at home] the first time, so sit [now] with those who stay behind."
وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ يَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
And to Allāh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.