Quran Quote  :  It is these who hasten to do good works and vie in so doing with one another. - 23:61

Quran-10:90 Surah Yunus English Translation,Transliteration and Tafsir(Tafseer).

۞وَجَٰوَزۡنَا بِبَنِيٓ إِسۡرَـٰٓءِيلَ ٱلۡبَحۡرَ فَأَتۡبَعَهُمۡ فِرۡعَوۡنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ بَغۡيٗا وَعَدۡوًاۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَدۡرَكَهُ ٱلۡغَرَقُ قَالَ ءَامَنتُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِيٓ ءَامَنَتۡ بِهِۦ بَنُوٓاْ إِسۡرَـٰٓءِيلَ وَأَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ

Transliteration:( Wa jaawaznaa bi Baneee Israaa'eelal bahra fa atba'ahum Fir'awnu wa junooduhoo baghyanw wa 'adwaa; hattaaa izaaa adrakahul gharaqu qaala aamantu annahoo laaa ilaaha illal lazeee aamanat bihee Banooo Israaa'eela wa ana minal muslimeen )

90. And We led the Children of Israel across the sea [239]. Then Pharaoh and his armies pursued them with aggression and enmity until drowning overtook him [241]. He said, "I believe that there is no deity except the one whom the Children of Israel believe in [242], and I am among the Muslims [243]." (Kanzul Imaan Translation)

(90) And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, "I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims." (Saheen International Translation)

Surah Yunus Ayat 90 Tafsir (Commentry)



  • Tafseer-e-Naeemi (Ahmad Yaar Khan)
  • Ibn Kathir
  • Ala-Madudi
  • Shaheen International

239. By sea is meant the Red Sea, and the wisdom getting them across
was that punishment should not descend on Egypt as it was inhabited by a
Prophet From this we learn that the work of the pious servants of Allah
Almighty is indeed work of Allah Almighty Here Hazrat Moosa (on whom be
peace) was taken by the Israelites, yet Allah Almighty says We took him.
Thus objection against them is objection against Allah Almighty.
240. By followed is meant when the people of the Pharoah got up in the
morning they found that no Israelite has come for work. Then when they
saw Israelite quarters it was empty because these people had left Egypt
under the cover of night.

Seeing the people of Pharoah set out in pursuit of them on their swift
horses following their tracks. Outwardly they were going to overpower the
Israelite, but infact were going to be overpowered by Allah Almighty.
241. By this is meant water had come up to their faces and choked them
like the reins. (Tafseer Roohul Bayaan)
242. From this we learn follow that religion which is practised by the pious
servants. Only that Tauheed unity of Allah is acceptable which is accepted
and taught by the pious servants because they are the proof of Tauheed
and recognition of the Path of Truth.
243. The Pharoah declared his faith in three ways when he said:
1. I believe there is no true deity.
2. I believe in the God of Israelites.
3. I am a Muslim. but it was not accepted, because that faith is not
acceptable which is declared at the time of seeing the punishment, or the
angels of punishment
 

Ibn-Kathir

90. And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Fir`awn with his hosts followed them in oppression and enmity, till when drowning overtook him, he (Fira`wn) said: “I believe that none has the right to be worshipped but He in Whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am one of the Muslims.” 91. Now (you believe) while you refused to believe before and you were one of the mischief-makers. 92. So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you! And verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Ayat.


The Children of Israel were saved and Fir`awn’s People drowned

Allah tells us how He caused Fir`awn and his soldiers to drown. The Children of Israel left Egypt in the company of Musa. It was said that there were six hundred thousand soldiers, plus offspring. They borrowed a lot of ornaments from the Coptics and took that with them. Fir`awn became very angry with them. So he sent heralds to all the cities to send their soldiers. He embarked, following behind them, filled with great pride and with massive armies. Allah wanted this to happen for He had a plan for them. No one that had any authority or power remained behind in Fir`awn’s kingdom. They were all together and caught the Children of Israel at sunrise.

﴿فَلَمَّا تَرَآءَا الْجَمْعَانِ قَالَ أَصْحَـبُ مُوسَى إِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُونَ ﴾

(And when the two hosts met each other, the companions of Musa said: “We are sure to be overtaken.”) (26:61) They said that because when they got to the seashore Fir`awn was behind them. The two groups met face to face. The people with Musa kept asking, “How can we be saved today” Musa replied, “I have been commanded to come this way.” Musa said:

﴿كَلاَّ إِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ﴾

(Nay, verily, with me is my Lord. He will guide me.) (26:62) It had been so difficult, but it suddenly became easy. Allah commanded him to strike the ocean with his staff. He did and the sea was cleft asunder, each part stood like a mighty mountain. The sea was split into twelve paths, each route for each Israelite tribe. Allah then commanded the wind and the path was dry for them.

﴿فَاضْرِبْ لَهُمْ طَرِيقاً فِى الْبَحْرِ يَبَساً لاَّ تَخَافُ دَرَكاً وَلاَ تَخْشَى﴾

(And strike a dry path for them in the sea, fearing neither to be overtaken ﴿by Fir`awn﴾ nor being afraid (of drowning in the sea).)(20:77) The water in between the paths appeared as windows and every tribe was able to see the other so they would not think that others were destroyed. The Children of Israel crossed the sea. When the last one crossed, Fir`awn and his soldiers had arrived at the edge of the other shore. They were one hundred thousand black horses in addition to horsemen of other colors. When Fir`awn saw the sea he was frightened. He wanted to turn back, but it was too late. Allah’s decree prevailed and the prayer of Musa was answered. Jibril came on a war stallion. He passed by Fir`awn’s horse. Jibril’s horse whinnied at Fir`awn’s and then Jibril rushed into the sea, and Fir`awn did the same behind him. Fir`awn no longer had any control over matters. He wanted to sound strong before his chiefs, so he said: “The Children of Israel do not have more right in the sea.” So they rushed into the sea. Mika’il was behind their army pushing them all to join. When they all were in the sea and the first of them was about to emerge on the other side, Allah, the All-Powerful, commanded the sea to strand them. The sea closed over them and none was saved. The waves took them up and down. The waves accumulated above Fir`awn and he was overwhelmed by the stupors of death. While in this state, he said:

﴿ءَامَنتُ أَنَّهُ لا إِلِـهَ إِلاَّ الَّذِى ءَامَنَتْ بِهِ بَنواْ إِسْرَءِيلَ وَأَنَاْ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ﴾

(I believe that none has the right to be worshipped but He (Allah) in Whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am one of the Muslims.) He believed at a time when he couldn’t benefit from his faith.

﴿فَلَمَّا رَأَوْاْ بَأْسَنَا قَالُواْ ءَامَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ وَكَـفَرْنَا بِمَا كُنَّا بِهِ مُشْرِكِينَ – فَلَمْ يَكُ يَنفَعُهُمْ إِيمَـنُهُمْ لَمَّا رَأَوْاْ بَأْسَنَا سُنَّةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِى قَدْ خَلَتْ فِى عِبَادِهِ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْكَـفِرُونَ ﴾

(So when they saw Our punishment, they said: “We believe in Allah Alone and reject (all) that we used to associate with Him as (His) partners.” Then their faith could not avail them when they saw Our punishment. (Like) this has been the way of Allah in dealing with His servants. And there the disbelievers lost utterly (when Our torment covered them).)(40:84-85) Therefore Allah said, as a response to Fir`awn,

﴿ءَالَنَ وَقَدْ عَصَيْتَ قَبْلُ﴾

(Now (you believe) while you refused to believe before) do you say that just now when you have disobeyed Allah before that.

﴿وَكُنتَ مِنَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ﴾

(And you were one of the mischief-makers.) You were among the makers of mischief on the earth who misled the people.

﴿وَجَعَلْنَـهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيـمَةِ لاَ يُنصَرُونَ ﴾

(and We made them leaders inviting to the Fire: and on the Day of Resurrection, they will not be helped.) (28:41) These facts about Fir`awn and his status at that time were among the secrets of the Unseen that Allah revealed to His Messenger, Muhammad . Similarly Abu Dawud At-Tayalisi recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that Allah’s Messenger said;

«قَالَ لِي جِبْرِيلُ: لَوْ رَأَيْتَنِي وَأَنَا آخِذٌ مِنْ حَالِ الْبَحْرِ فَأَدُسُّهُ فِي فَمِ فِرْعَونَ مَخَافَةَ أَنْ تُدْرِكَهُ الرَّحْمَة»

(Jibril said to me, “If you could have seen me while I was taking black mud from the sea and placing into the mouth of Fir`awn out of fear that the mercy would reach him.”) Abu `Isa At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Jarir also recorded it. At-Tirmidhi said, “Hasan Gharib Sahih.” About Allah’s statement,

﴿فَالْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ ءَايَةً﴾

(So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you!) Ibn `Abbas and others from among the Salaf have said: “Some of the Children of Israel doubted the death of Fir`awn so Allah commanded the sea to throw his body — whole, without a soul — with his known armor plate. The body was thrown to a high place on the land so that the Children of Israel could confirm his death and destruction.” That is why Allah said,

﴿فَالْيَوْمَ نُنَجّيكَ﴾

(“So this day We shall deliver your..”) meaning that We will put your body on a high place on the earth. Mujahid said,

﴿بِبَدَنِكَ﴾

(your (dead) body) means, `your physical body. ”

﴿لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ ءَايَةً﴾

(that you may be a sign to those who come after you!) meaning, so that might be a proof of your death and destruction for the Children of Israel. That also stood as a proof that Allah is All-Powerful, in Whose control are all the creatures. Nothing can bear His anger. Fir`awn and his people were destroyed on the day of `Ashura’, as recorded by Al-Bukhari, Ibn `Abbas said, “When the Prophet arrived at Al-Madinah, the Jews fasted the day of `Ashura’. So he asked,

«مَا هَذَا الْيَومُ الَّذِي تَصُومُونَهُ؟»

(What is this day that you are fasting) They responded `This is the day in which Musa was victorious over Fir`awn.’ So the Prophet said,

«أَنْتُمْ أَحَقُّ بِمُوسَى مِنْهُمْ فَصُومُوه»

(You have more right to Musa than they, so fast it.)

(10:90) And We led the Children of Israel across the sea. Then Pharaoh and his hosts pursued them in iniquity and transgression until Pharaoh cried out while he was drowning: ‘I believe that there is no god but Allah in Whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am also one of those who submit to Allah.[91]

Ala-Maududi

(10:90) And We led the Children of Israel across the sea. Then Pharaoh and his hosts pursued them in iniquity and transgression until Pharaoh cried out while he was drowning: ‘I believe that there is no god but Allah in Whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am also one of those who submit to Allah.[91]


91. The Bible does not mention this happening but the Talmud says explicitly that when he was drowning he said: Who is like Thee, O Lord, among the gods?

(90) And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, "I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims."

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