فَأَرْسَلَ فِرْعَوْنُ فِى ٱلْمَدَآئِنِ حَـٰشِرِينَ 53
Translations
Then Pharaoh sent among the cities gatherers
Transliteration
Fa-arsala fir'awnu fil-madaini hashireen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Pharaoh sent forth gatherers (hashireen) throughout the cities to assemble the people, likely in response to the miraculous events performed by Moses and Aaron. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, Pharaoh sought to mobilize his subjects to witness the plagues or to gather support against Moses' message, demonstrating his desperation and reliance on worldly power despite the clear signs of divine intervention. The term 'hashireen' (gatherers/mobilizers) indicates those tasked with summoning people for Pharaoh's purposes.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Moses and Pharaoh in Surah Ash-Shu'ara, a Meccan surah that recounts the stories of previous prophets to comfort Prophet Muhammad and strengthen the believers' faith. The context describes the escalation of events after the plagues began, showing Pharaoh's futile attempts to maintain control and suppress the message of monotheism through worldly authority.
Related Hadiths
While no direct hadith specifically references this ayah, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3397) emphasizes that Pharaoh's rejection and his gathering of forces against the believers was ultimately futile, as Allah's promise always prevails. Similarly, hadiths on the story of Moses and Pharaoh in Sunan Ibn Majah reinforce that no earthly power can stand against Allah's will.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that tyrants and those who reject divine guidance, despite their temporal power and ability to command masses, ultimately fail because they oppose Allah's will. For modern readers, it teaches that true strength lies not in gathering multitudes or wielding worldly authority, but in submission to Allah's guidance.