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
هَلْ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ ٱلْجُنُودِ
Has there reached you the story of the soldiers -
لِلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟ لِرَبِّهِمُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَهُۥ لَوْ أَنَّ لَهُم مَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُۥ مَعَهُۥ لَٱفْتَدَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ سُوٓءُ ٱلْحِسَابِ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ
For those who have responded to their Lord is the best [reward], but those who did not respond to Him - if they had all that is in the earth entirely and the like of it with it, they would [attempt to] ransom themselves thereby. Those will have the worst account, and their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place.
وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِۦ سُلْطَـٰنًا وَمَا لَيْسَ لَهُم بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ ۗ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِن نَّصِيرٍ
And they worship besides Allāh that for which He has not sent down authority and that of which they have no knowledge. And there will not be for the wrongdoers any helper.
فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوكُم بِمَا تَقُولُونَ فَمَا تَسْتَطِيعُونَ صَرْفًا وَلَا نَصْرًا ۚ وَمَن يَظْلِم مِّنكُمْ نُذِقْهُ عَذَابًا كَبِيرًا
So they will deny you, [disbelievers], in what you say, and you cannot avert [punishment] or [find] help. And whoever commits injustice among you - We will make him taste a great punishment.