سُوْرَةُ الشُّعَرَآءِ
Surah Ash-Shu'araa (26) — Ayah 23
قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ وَمَا رَبُّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ﴿23﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) said: "And what is the Lord of the ‘Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists)?"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالَ
qāla
Firaun said
فِرْعَوْنُ
fir'ʿawnu
Firaun said
وَمَا
wamā
And what
رَبُّ
rabbu
(is the) Lord
ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
l-ʿālamīna
(of) the worlds
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
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.
Pharaoh said: "And what is the Lord of the worlds [16]?"
[16] Pharaoh had seized control of all the economic resources of the kingdom. In this sense, he considered himself the sustainer or lord of his subjects, and even claimed to be their supreme lord. He had statues of himself installed throughout the land, which were worshipped. He had firmly implanted in the minds of his subjects that he alone was their provider. Therefore, when Musa (peace be upon him) said that they were messengers of the “Lord of all worlds,” Pharaoh was immediately startled and, out of contempt, said: What is this “Lord of all worlds”? I myself am the lord of my subjects. Which lord of all worlds are you talking about?
[16] Pharaoh had seized control of all the economic resources of the kingdom. In this sense, he considered himself the sustainer or lord of his subjects, and even claimed to be their supreme lord. He had statues of himself installed throughout the land, which were worshipped. He had firmly implanted in the minds of his subjects that he alone was their provider. Therefore, when Musa (peace be upon him) said that they were messengers of the “Lord of all worlds,” Pharaoh was immediately startled and, out of contempt, said: What is this “Lord of all worlds”? I myself am the lord of my subjects. Which lord of all worlds are you talking about?
