Transliteration:( Fa asri bi'ibaadee lailan innakum muttaba'oon )
"Take My devotees away by the night, for surely, you shall be followed [23]."
This verse records Allah’s direct command to Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt during the night. The instruction to depart under the cover of darkness served a divine strategy: it would allow Pharaoh’s army to pursue them by daylight, ultimately leading to their destruction in the Red Sea.
Historical narration indicates that this event took place on a Tuesday night, the 10th of Muharram—a night now commemorated as Ashura, due to its historical and spiritual significance.
By commanding night travel, Allah ensured that His plan of deliverance and punishment would unfold precisely: the Israelites would be saved, and Pharaoh and his forces would be drowned in a manner that served as an eternal sign of Allah’s justice.
This verse shows how Allah’s planning is perfect—every detail, including the timing of the journey, was arranged to fulfill both mercy for the oppressed and retribution for the tyrants.
The tafsir of Surah Ad-Dukhan verse 23 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Dukhan ayat 17 which provides the complete commentary from verse 17 through 33.
(44:23) (He was told): “Set out with My servants by night[21] for you will certainly be pursued.[22]
21. With my servants: With all those people who have believed, including both the Israelites and the Egyptian Copts who had become Muslims since the time of the Prophet Joseph till that of the Prophet Moses (peace be upon them), and those also who had been influenced by the signs shown by Moses (peace be upon him) and His preaching and accepted Islam from among the Egyptians. For explanation, see (Surah Yousuf, ayat 99) note 68.
22. This was the initial command given to the prophet Moses (peace be upon him) for the migration. For explanation, see (Surah TaHa, Ayat 77); (Surah Ash-Shuara, Ayat 52-68) and the corresponding E.Ns.
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