سُوْرَةُ الْفَجْرِ

Surah Al-Fajr (89) — Ayah 10

The Dawn · Meccan · Juz 30 · Page 593

وَفِرْعَوْنَ ذِى ٱلْأَوْتَادِ ﴿10﴾
And (with) Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) who had the stakes (to torture men by binding them to the stakes)?
وَفِرْعَوْنَ wafir'ʿawna And Firaun
ذِى dhī owner of
ٱلْأَوْتَادِ l-awtādi stakes

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 10) { وَ فِرْعَوْنَ ذِي الْاَوْتَادِ : ’’ الْاَوْتَادِ ‘‘ ’’وَتَدٌ‘‘} is the plural, nails of wood or iron, etc. {’’ ذِي الْاَوْتَادِ ‘‘} "Possessor of nails," that is, one with great armies, for whom a large number of nails were always available to pitch tents, or a severe tyrant who, when angered at someone, would have nails driven into their hands and feet.

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.

10. 1. It means that he was one with great armies who had a multitude of tents which were erected by driving pegs. Or it is a reference to his oppression and tyranny, that he used to punish people by means of pegs.

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.

10. And with Pharaoh, the owner of stakes [9],

[9]
Pharaoh and the People of Pharaoh:

The third rebellious nation was Pharaoh and his people. Several explanations have been given for calling Pharaoh "the one of the stakes." For example, one is that "the one of the stakes" refers to the strength of his kingdom, as if the roots of his empire were driven into the ground like stakes. Another is that the stakes refer to his armies and troops, by whose power he became a rebel and opponent of Allah. A third is that when his armies moved, they used large stakes to set up their tents. And a fourth is that when he wanted to crucify someone, instead of tying them to the gallows with ropes, he would drive stakes into their hands and feet. All these things indicate his power, arrogance, pride, and cruelty. Pharaoh and his people were also deniers of the Hereafter and disobedient to Allah. Allah cleansed the world of their existence by drowning them in the Red Sea.