Surah ash-Shu`ara' (The Poets ) 26 : 60

Overview (Verses 60 - 68)

The Drowning of Pharaoh’s Army

After this interpolation 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. We then see the climax approaching, and the battle about to commence. Moses and his people find themselves close to the sea, without any boats which they could use to cross. They could not cross on foot, and they lacked the means 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 suggested 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.” (Verse 61) It was a time of great stress about to reach its pinnacle. To those believers with Moses it looked as if in just a few minutes they would certainly be overtaken. They were certain that Pharaoh would indiscriminately deal death and that there would be no escape. But Moses, who had received God’s revelations, does not entertain any such doubt. He has complete trust in God, believing that His help will be forthcoming. He is certain that God will save them, although he does not know how.

Nevertheless, it is certain and God will guide him. Hence, his reply: “No indeed! My Lord is with me and He will guide me.” (Verse 62) We note the emphasis in his reply: No indeed.’ We will not be overtaken and we will not suffer any persecution, because God will guide me and this is certain. At the last moment, a bright ray of hope is clearly seen against the long dark night of stress and despair, as the route ahead opens at a point no one has ever thought of: “And We revealed to Moses: Strike the sea with your staff.” (Verse 63) The sūrah does not give us further details so as to say that he complied with the order and struck the sea with his staff. All this is clearly understood.

The sūrah only gives us the result of his action: “So it divided, and each part was like a massive mountain.” (Verse 63) So the miracle was there for all to see. What people describe as impossible became a reality before their own eyes. People only think of natural laws according to what is familiar to them, but natural laws are created by God and He is able to make them operate in accordance with His will, at any moment of His choosing. A miracle was enacted and the Children of Israel looked on. In between the waters of the sea, a passageway of dry land opened for them. The water stood still on both sides of the passage like great mountains, and the Israelites rushed to cross over.

Pharaoh and his army stood there, overwhelmed at this miraculous event. After a long while, of watching in utter amazement, Pharaoh ordered his soldiers to chase them along the same route. Thus, God’s will was done. As the Israelites were coming out at the other end, Pharaoh and his host were walking in between the two great bodies of water, drawing ever nearer to their deaths: “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.” (Verses 64-66) This was a great sign for mankind, one which has remained the subject of much discussion by countless generations. Do many people believe in it? The answer comes from none other than God: “Indeed, there is in this a sure sign; yet most of them will not believe.” (Verse 67) Miraculous signs do not necessarily lead to people’s acceptance of the truth, even though they may forcibly submit to them. Faith is generated in people’s hearts as divine guidance touches them. “And indeed it is your Lord who is the Mighty One, the Merciful.” (Verse 68) This is the usual comment in this sūrah after mentioning God’s signs and people’s rejection of His messages.