Tazkirul Quran, Qur’an 28:39–43
The Story (Al-Qasas)
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
English text; the translator is not named in the archive’s data.
Translation
(39) He and his hosts behaved arrogantly in the land without any justification—thinking that they would not be recalled to Us— (40) so We seized him and his hosts and cast them into the sea. Consider the fate of the wrongdoers. (41) We had made them leaders, but they called people to the Fire; and on the Day of Judgement they will not be helped. (42) We have caused a curse to follow them in this world and, on the Day of Judgement, they will be among the wretched. (43) After We had destroyed the earlier generations, We gave Moses the Book to give men insight, and as guidance and a blessing for people, so that they might take heed.
Commentary
(a) Moses’ mission was to bring about a godly revolution in the human individual. His aim was that man should develop fear of God. This was aimed at all individuals, including the individual who occupied the throne of the country.
It is common for one who attains to power and authority to develop a false sense of pride. This was equally true of Pharaoh. Moses warned Pharaoh that if he conducted himself arrogantly, he would be seized upon by God. But Pharaoh refused to accept his advice. The result was that he was drowned.