Surah Al-Muminoon (23) — Ayah 45

(Ayah 45) ➊ The word { ثُمَّ اَرْسَلْنَا مُوْسٰى وَ اَخَاهُ هٰرُوْنَ … : ’’ ثُمَّ ‘‘} indicates that Musa (peace be upon him) was sent after a long interval between prophets. Pharaoh and his people were among the most powerful and wealthy people of their time; they had enslaved the Children of Israel. Therefore, a very magnificent messenger was sent to them, whose circumstances and miracles are mentioned most extensively in the Qur’an, and at this place, unlike the prophets and nations mentioned after Nuh (peace be upon him) whose accounts are kept ambiguous, the names of Musa and Harun (peace be upon them), and Pharaoh and his chiefs, are mentioned. The nation of Musa (peace be upon him) was the Children of Israel, while Pharaoh and his people were Copts. Therefore, instead of saying that We sent Musa to his nation, the Children of Israel, it is stated that he was sent to Pharaoh and his chiefs. The name of Pharaoh’s nation is not mentioned, because they had no standing compared to Pharaoh and his chiefs. The purpose of sending to Pharaoh was to invite him to monotheism (see An-Nazi‘at: 15–19) and to liberate the Children of Israel. (See Ta-Ha: 47)

➋ By { بِاٰيٰتِنَا وَ سُلْطٰنٍ مُّبِيْنٍ :} signs are meant those miracles and signs that appeared before the drowning of Pharaoh, which are mentioned in Surah Al-A‘raf and other places. These do not include the splitting of the sea, the descent of manna and quails, the gushing forth of twelve springs, or the cloud’s shade, because these had no connection to the invitation to Pharaoh. {’’ سُلْطٰنٍ مُّبِيْنٍ ‘‘} is also included among the signs, but due to its greatness, it is mentioned separately. Although most commentators have taken this to mean the staff of Musa, I find more weight in the view of those commentators who said: “By this is meant the dominance, authority, and awe that were granted to Musa and Harun (peace be upon them).” Thus, Allah Almighty said to them when sending them to Pharaoh: « وَ نَجْعَلُ لَكُمَا سُلْطٰنًا فَلَا يَصِلُوْنَ اِلَيْكُمَا » [ القصص : ۳۵ ] “And We shall give you both dominance, so they will not reach you.” Allah Almighty also taught our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to pray for this, saying: « وَ قُلْ رَّبِّ اَدْخِلْنِيْ مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَّ اَخْرِجْنِيْ مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَّ اجْعَلْ لِّيْ مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ سُلْطٰنًا نَّصِيْرًا » [ بني إسرائیل : ۸۰ ] “And say: My Lord, cause me to enter a sound entrance and to exit a sound exit and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority.”

In the verse under commentary, {’’ سُلْطٰنٍ ‘‘} also means dominance. Reflect on how arrogant and tyrannical Pharaoh was, how many people he must have killed. How strict must have been the guard at his door. Two men, carrying only a staff in their hands, go to him, and no one dares to stop them. When the conversation begins, he is left speechless at every turn. Left speechless, he threatens prison, but does not have the courage to carry out the threat. He makes them compete with magicians, but fails. (Ash-Shu‘ara: 18–28) Then he wants to kill, but does not have the courage. (Al-Mu’min: 26) Allah knows best how many years passed like this, but he could not harm Musa and Harun (peace be upon them) in any way; this is called {’’ سُلْطٰنٍ مُّبِيْنٍ ‘‘}, that is, manifest dominance.

45-1. By "Ayat" are meant those nine signs which are mentioned in Surah Al-A'raf, whose explanation has already passed, and by سُلْطَانٍ مُبِیْنٍ is meant a clear and firm proof, to which neither Pharaoh nor his courtiers could provide any answer.

Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our signs and a clear proof [47].

[47]
The Literal Meaning of "Sultan":

"Sultan" means dominance, power, authority (Munjid, Maqayis al-Lughah), and also means royal decree (Munjid), i.e., authority or authority letter—an authorization or letter of authority given by a supreme ruler to his deputy. (And "Sultan" meaning king is its figurative and metaphorical meaning, not its literal one. Nor has the Quran used this word anywhere in that sense.) At this place, by "clear authority" (sultan mubeen) is meant either the prophethood of these two prophets or divine revelation. And by "signs" (ayat) are meant those miracles that were given to Musa (Moses) ؑ, not just the staff and the shining hand, but other miracles as well, because here the plural form is used, not the dual. Also, by "signs" can be meant the divine commandments that were given to them when they went to Pharaoh, and from which it became clear that there was some supernatural power behind them.