Then We revealed to Moses: “Set forth with My servants by night, for you will be pursued.”
Pharaoh sent heralds to all cities, (saying): “These are but a small band, and most certainly they have enraged us; but we are all united, and well prepared.”
Thus We drove them out of their gardens, springs, treasures and honorable positions.
And We bequeathed it all to the children of Israel.
And so they (i.e. Pharaoh’s army) pursued them at sunrise. (The Poets: Al-Shu’ara: 26: 52-60)
These verses come immediately after the scene of the sorcerers submitting to the truth as they saw the miraculous sign given to Moses in their encounter with him. They had been employed by Pharaoh to try to disprove his message, but they felt they could not but submit to the truth that touched their hearts. Pharaoh threatened them with great torture, cutting of limbs and crucifixion, but they remained steadfast and told him that his worst tactics would never succeed in diverting them from the path of the truth they have discovered.
Then there is a gap in the story as the surah tells of the instructions given to Moses as related in the passage above. During this gap certain events took place but are omitted here. Moses and the Israelites lived for a period in Egypt during which the signs mentioned in Surah 7, The Heights, took place. It was later that God instructed Moses to leave Egypt with his people. All these events are omitted here so that the historical account serves the theme of the surah better, putting its message most clearly.
What we know, then, is that God revealed to His messenger, Moses, to leave with his people, starting their flight by night after taking all preparations and planning their departure well. God also told Moses that Pharaoh and his host would chase them. He further commanded him to lead his people to the seafront, most probably to the point where the Gulf of Suez stretches into the lake’s area. Pharaoh soon learned of the night flight of the children of Israel and he immediately ordered full mobilization, sending heralds and officials to other cities to enlist recruits, hoping to chase Moses and his people and undermine their efforts. Little did he realize that the plan he wanted to foil was God’s own plan!
Pharaoh’s agents went at full speed, recruiting people and enlisting soldiers. Yet he realized that such mobilization could give an impression of how worried he was, and that he recognized that Moses and his followers represented serious danger. Otherwise, why would he, a king and a deity, need to start full mobilization to counter their threat? Hence, he felt that he needed to assure his people that there was little danger: “These are but a small band!” This begs the question: Why raise all this fuss, then? Why give them so much importance and mobilize such a large force? Hence, he has to justify his action: “Most certainly they have enraged us.” They have perpetrated certain actions and made some infuriating comments and statements. However, “we are all united, and well prepared.” We realize how they are plotting against us, and we are in full control of the situation to ensure that they can do us no harm. This is just an example showing how falsehood always finds itself at a loss when it encounters the people of faith.
Before showing us the last scene of this encounter, the surah gives us an account of the ultimate consequences of leading Pharaoh and his people out of their riches and property, and shows us that the previously persecuted children of Israel were able to enjoy all that: “Thus We drove them out of their gardens, springs, treasures and honorable positions. And We bequeathed it all to the children of Israel.”
It is not known in history that the children of Israel returned to Egypt after they had departed, aiming for the Holy Land. Nor is it known that they inherited the kingdom of Egypt, Pharaoh’s treasure and seat of power. Hence, commentators on the Qur’an explain this Qur’anic statement by saying that they inherited something similar, which means that they inherited the types enjoyed by Pharaoh and his chiefs.
After this intervening statement we are treated to the final, decisive scene: “And so they (i.e. Pharaoh’s army) pursued them at sunrise. When the two hosts came in sight of each other, the followers of Moses said: ‘We shall certainly be overtaken.’ He replied: ‘No indeed! My Lord is with me and He will guide me.’ And We revealed to Moses: ‘Strike the sea with your staff.’ So it divided, and each part was like a massive mountain. And We caused the others to draw near, and We saved Moses and all who were with him, while We caused the others to drown. Indeed, there is in this a sure sign; yet most of them will not believe. And indeed it is your Lord who is the Mighty One, the Merciful.” (Verses 60-68)
So, Moses marched with his people at night, in accordance with God’s plan. In the morning, Pharaoh and his soldiers began their chase in order to put Pharaoh’s scheme into effect. We then see the climax approaching, and the battle about to flare up. Moses and his people find themselves close to the sea, without any boats that they could use to cross. They could not cross it on foot. And they had no arms to defend themselves. Pharaoh and his army were approaching, with his soldiers fully equipped, confident of their victory and intent on showing no mercy. All indications suggest a final tragedy for the small group with Moses: There was no escape, for the sea was ahead and the enemy to the rear. Hence they cried out: “We shall certainly be overtaken.”
We will see what happened to Pharaoh and how the believers were saved next week, God willing.
