وَقَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ مِن قَوْمِ فِرْعَوْنَ أَتَذَرُ مُوسَىٰ وَقَوْمَهُۥ لِيُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَيَذَرَكَ وَءَالِهَتَكَ ۚ قَالَ سَنُقَتِّلُ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ وَنَسْتَحْىِۦ نِسَآءَهُمْ وَإِنَّا فَوْقَهُمْ قَـٰهِرُونَ 127
Translations
And the eminent among the people of Pharaoh said, "Will you leave Moses and his people to cause corruption in the land and abandon you and your gods?" [Pharaoh] said, "We will kill their sons and keep their women alive; and indeed, we are subjugators over them."
Transliteration
Wa qāla al-mala'u min qawmi fir'awna atadharru mūsā wa qawmahu liyufsidū fi al-ardi wa yadhiraka wa ālihataka qāla sanaqattilu abnā'ahum wa nasthyi nisā'ahum wa innā fawqahum qāhirūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The nobles of Pharaoh's court urge him to eliminate Musa and his people, claiming they will corrupt the land and abandon Pharaoh's gods. Pharaoh responds with arrogant defiance, declaring he will slaughter the male children of Banu Isra'il and enslave their women, asserting his absolute dominance over them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this exchange exemplifies the pride and oppressive nature of Pharaoh's regime, demonstrating how tyrannical rulers surround themselves with advisors who reinforce their wickedness rather than counsel them toward justice.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the Meccan surah Al-A'raf and is part of the extended narrative of Musa and Pharaoh (7:103-162). It reflects the historical account of Pharaoh's persecution of the Israelites and his rejection of Musa's message, serving as a warning to the Meccans about the fate of those who arrogantly reject divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The story of Pharaoh's oppression is referenced in multiple hadiths. One relevant narration from Sunan Ibn Majah discusses the punishment of tyrants: 'The most beloved of people to Allah on the Day of Resurrection will be a just ruler, and the most hated of people to Allah will be a tyrant ruler.' This principle underscores the gravity of Pharaoh's crimes.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns believers against the danger of surrounding themselves with enablers of injustice and reminds us that no matter how powerful an oppressor may seem, Allah's justice ultimately prevails. It teaches that true strength lies in submission to Allah, not in human dominance and cruelty.