سُوْرَةُ الدُّخَانِ

Surah Ad-Dukhaan (44) — Ayah 23

The Smoke · Meccan · Juz 25 · Page 497

فَأَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى لَيْلًا إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ ﴿23﴾
(Allâh said): "Depart you with My slaves by night. Surely, you will be pursued.
فَأَسْرِ fa-asri Then "Set out
بِعِبَادِى biʿibādī with My slaves
لَيْلًا laylan (by) night
إِنَّكُم innakum Indeed, you
مُّتَّبَعُونَ muttabaʿūna (will be) followed

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 23) ➊ {فَاَسْرِ بِعِبَادِيْ لَيْلًا … :} The prayer of Musa (Moses) عليه السلام was accepted and the command was given that you should take My servants away by night, so that Pharaoh may not get immediate news, and remember! You will be pursued, therefore you must undertake this journey of migration with full caution and alertness.

{’’ بِعِبَادِيْ ‘‘} (My servants) refers to Bani Israel, and also includes those Copts who had embraced faith. For details of this incident, see Surah Ash-Shu'ara (52 to 68), Yunus (88 to 92), and Surah Ta-Ha (77).

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.

23. 1. Thus Allah accepted the prayer and commanded them to take the Children of Israel and depart from here by night, and see! Do not be afraid, you will be pursued as well.

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.

23. (Allah commanded:) "So set out with My servants by night. Surely, you will be pursued [18]."

[18]
The Command to Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) to Migrate and the News of Pursuit:

All of the Children of Israel had believed in you. Although most of them were not openly expressing their faith out of fear of Pharaoh’s persecution. In addition to them, some people from the house of Pharaoh had also believed in you. Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) was commanded to secretly migrate from Egypt, taking all these believers with him. These people numbered more than one hundred thousand souls. Accordingly, you secretly conveyed the message of migration to everyone, and the time and place were also fixed where they would all gather and set out for migration. At the same time, Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) was also informed that Pharaoh and the house of Pharaoh would pursue you. Therefore, this journey of migration would have to be undertaken with alertness and every precaution in mind.