سُوْرَةُ الشُّعَرَآءِ

Surah Ash-Shu'araa (26) — Ayah 64

The Poets · Meccan · Juz 19 · Page 370

وَأَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ ﴿64﴾
Then We brought near the others [Fir‘aun’s (Pharaoh) party] to that place.
وَأَزْلَفْنَا wa-azlafnā And We brought near
ثَمَّ thamma there
ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ l-ākharīna the others

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 64) {وَ اَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ الْاٰخَرِيْنَ : ’’ أَزْلَفَ يُزْلِفُ‘‘} to bring near. {’’ ثَمَّ ‘‘} there, at that place. {’’ الْاٰخَرِيْنَ ‘‘} other people, meaning the people of Pharaoh. {’’ ثَمَّ ‘‘} means that at this magnificent occasion, We brought Pharaoh and his people near to the Muslims. This too was a special act of Allah Almighty that Pharaoh and his people entered the sea; otherwise, it is beyond comprehension how a materialist like Pharaoh, seeing such a terrifying scene, could have entered the sea. That is why Allah Almighty attributed this action to Himself and stated with the plural of majesty that at this occasion, We brought them near, otherwise, how would they have come near.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

64-1. By this is meant Pharaoh and his army, that is, We brought others near the sea.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

64. And We brought the other group near there as well [45].

[45] Allah Almighty miraculously created a way of salvation for the Children of Israel. And the Children of Israel passed through it and safely reached the other shore of the sea. At that time, Pharaoh’s army was preparing to cross the sea by the same paths. Perhaps at that moment, Musa (Moses) ؑ thought that he should strike the sea again with his staff so that the waters would rejoin and Pharaoh’s army would not be able to reach them. But at that very moment, Allah Almighty revealed to Musa ؑ that ﴿وَاتْرُكِ الْبَحْرَ رَهْوًا﴾ [44: 24] meaning: leave the sea standing as it is, like mountains. Because Allah’s will was not only that the Children of Israel be saved from these Pharaoh-followers, but also that this tyrannical nation be drowned in the sea and wiped off the face of the earth.

The Drowning of Pharaoh and His Army:

If Pharaoh and the people of Pharaoh had not pursued the Children of Israel or had turned back from the sea, their only loss would have been that a nation of slaves had escaped from their hands. But Allah’s will must be fulfilled. Their destruction itself drew them to the place of destruction. Then, when they saw open paths in the sea, even then Pharaoh did not think that perhaps the making of a path in the sea in this manner was an extraordinary event and a miracle of Musa ؑ. Without any hesitation, he immediately drove his horses onto those paths. And when Pharaoh’s entire army was caught in the midst of the sea, Allah Almighty commanded the water to return to its natural state and join together. Thus, Pharaoh, who made lofty claims of divinity, along with all his courtiers and army, was drowned in that sea.