سُوْرَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ
Surah Al-Israa (17) — Ayah 103
فَأَرَادَ أَن يَسْتَفِزَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ فَأَغْرَقْنَـٰهُ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥ جَمِيعًا ﴿103﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
So he resolved to turn them out of the land (of Egypt). But We drowned him and all who were with him.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَأَرَادَ
fa-arāda
So he intended
أَن
an
to
يَسْتَفِزَّهُم
yastafizzahum
drive them out
مِّنَ
mina
from
ٱلْأَرْضِ
l-arḍi
the land
فَأَغْرَقْنَـٰهُ
fa-aghraqnāhu
but We drowned him
وَمَن
waman
and who
مَّعَهُۥ
maʿahu
(were) with him
جَمِيعًۭا
jamīʿan
all
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
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 103) ➊ In { فَاَرَادَ اَنْ يَّسْتَفِزَّهُمْ۠ مِّنَ الْاَرْضِ … : ’’ الْاَرْضِ ‘‘}, the "alif lam" is for specification, meaning the land of Egypt. That is, Pharaoh intended to kill the Israelites indiscriminately to frighten them so much that they would leave the country one by one. He did not want to allow them to migrate collectively and peacefully, but his plans failed, and Allah Almighty brought all the Israelites out safely together and drowned Pharaoh and his companions. The incident of their drowning has already been detailed in Surah Yunus (88 to 92).
➋ Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said, in this verse there is also an indication towards the conquest of Makkah, even though the surah is Makki. Here, it is Pharaoh’s intention: «اَنْ يَّسْتَفِزَّهُمْ۠ مِّنَ الْاَرْضِ » and there, the intention of the people of Makkah: «وَ اِنْ كَادُوْا لَيَسْتَفِزُّوْنَكَ مِنَ الْاَرْضِ لِيُخْرِجُوْكَ مِنْهَا » [ بني إسرائیل : ۷۶ ] “And indeed, they were about to drive you out from the land to expel you from it.” Pharaoh was drowned along with his people and the Israelites became heirs, likewise the polytheists of Makkah were subdued and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) became the heir.
➋ Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said, in this verse there is also an indication towards the conquest of Makkah, even though the surah is Makki. Here, it is Pharaoh’s intention: «اَنْ يَّسْتَفِزَّهُمْ۠ مِّنَ الْاَرْضِ » and there, the intention of the people of Makkah: «وَ اِنْ كَادُوْا لَيَسْتَفِزُّوْنَكَ مِنَ الْاَرْضِ لِيُخْرِجُوْكَ مِنْهَا » [ بني إسرائیل : ۷۶ ] “And indeed, they were about to drive you out from the land to expel you from it.” Pharaoh was drowned along with his people and the Israelites became heirs, likewise the polytheists of Makkah were subdued and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) became the heir.
