وَأَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ 64
Translations
And We advanced thereto the others [i.e., the pursuers].
Transliteration
Wa azlafna thamma al-akhireen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah brought the other people (Pharaoh's army) near to the sea after Moses and the believers had crossed. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'azlafna' means 'We brought near' or 'We caused to approach,' referring to how Allah guided Pharaoh's forces to the shore in pursuit, setting the stage for their drowning. This demonstrates Allah's perfect orchestration of events and His power over all creation, as the disbelievers were led to their inevitable destruction while the believers were saved.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Surah Ash-Shu'ara detailing the story of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea. It occurs within the broader context of the Meccan period when the Quran was strengthening the faith of early Muslims by recounting the triumphant stories of previous prophets and the inevitable fate of those who reject Allah's signs.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this specific ayah, Surah Ash-Shu'ara's narrative parallels hadiths discussing the Red Sea crossing found in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) described the miraculous parting of the sea and drowning of Pharaoh's army as signs of Allah's power.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Allah's justice is inevitable—those who persistently reject truth and pursue believers with hostility will ultimately face consequences, while the faithful are divinely protected. It encourages believers to trust in Allah's timing and methods of salvation, even when facing seemingly overwhelming opposition.
Related Ayahs
أَفَأَمِنتُمْ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمْ جَانِبَ ٱلْبَرِّ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَاصِبًا ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُوا۟ لَكُمْ وَكِيلًا
Then do you feel secure that [instead] He will not cause a part of the land to swallow you or send against you a storm of stones? Then you would not find for yourselves an advocate.
يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
He causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night, and He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ
And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allāh wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.
إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ يُبْدِئُ وَيُعِيدُ
Indeed, it is He who originates [creation] and repeats.