Chapter 10: Pharaoh’s Opposition to Moses

“When he (Musa) came to them with our signs, lo! they laughed at them. And We did not show them a sign but it was greater than its like and We overtook them with chastisement that they may turn. And they said: O enchanter! Call on thy Lord for our sake and He has made the covenant with thee. We shall surely be the followers of the right way. But when We removed from them the chastisement, lo! they broke the pledge. And Fir’aun proclaimed among his people: O my people: Is not the kingdom of Egypt mine? And these rivers that flow beneath me, do you not then see? Nay! I am better than this fellow who is contemptible and who can hardly speak distinctly. Why have not bracelets of gold been put upon him or why have there not come with him angels as companions? So he incited his people to levity and they obeyed him. Surely they were a transgressing people.” (13:47-54).

“And the chief of Fir’aun’s people said: Dost thou leave Musa and his people to make mischief in the land and to forsake thee and thy gods? He said: We will slay their sons and spare their women and surely we are masters over them. Musa said to his people: Ask help from Allah and be patient. Surely the land is Allah’s. He causes such of His servants to inherit it as he pleases and the end is for those who guard against evil. They said: We have been persecuted before thou came to us and since thou hast come to us. He said:” It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you rulers in the land, then He will see how you act.” (7:127-129)

“And Musa said: O my people! If you believe in Allah, then rely on Him alone if you submit to Allah. So they said: On Allah we rely. O Our Lord! Make us not subject to the persecution of the unjust people. And do Thou deliver us by Thy mercy from the unbelieving people. And We revealed to Musa and his brother saying: Take for your people houses to abide in Egypt and make your houses places of worship and keep prayer and give good news to the believers. And Musa said: Our Lord! Surely Thou hast given to Fir’aun and his chiefs finery and riches in this world’s life, to this end, our Lord, that they lead people astray from Thy way? Our Lord! Destroy their riches and harden their hearts so that they believe not until they see the painful chastisement. He said: The prayer of you both has indeed been accepted. Therefore continue in the right was and do not follow the path of those who do not know.” (20:84-89)