Surah Hud Notes (96-101)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

The Story of Musa and Fir`awn

(96) And indeed We sent Musa (Moses) with Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and a manifest authority;

(97) To Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and his chiefs, but they followed the command of Fir'aun (Pharaoh), and the command of Fir'aun (Pharaoh) was no right guide.

In these verses Allah informs of His sending Musa with His signs and clear proofs to Fir'awn, the king of the Coptic people, and his chiefs.

(but they followed the command of Fir`awn.) This means that they followed his path, way and methodology in transgression.

(and the command of Fir`awn was no right guide.) This means there was no right guidance in it. It was only ignorance, misguidance, disbelief and stubbornness. Just as they followed him in this life and he was their leader and chief, likewise he will lead them to the Hellfire on the Day of Resurrection. He will lead them directly to it and they will drink from springs of destruction. Fir`awn will have a great share in that awful punishment.

(98) He will go ahead of his people on the Day of Resurrection, and will lead them into the Fire, and evil indeed is the place to which they are led.

(He will go ahead of his people on the Day of Resurrection, and will lead them into the Fire, and evil indeed is the place to which they are led.) This will be the condition of those who were followed. They will have a great share of the punishment on the Day of Resurrection. 

(99) They were pursued by a curse in this (deceiving life of this world) and (so they will be pursued by a curse) on the Day of Resurrection. How bad is the curse (in this world) pursued by another curse (in the Hereafter).

(They were pursued by a curse in this (deceiving life of this world) and (so they will be pursued by a curse) on the Day of Resurrection. ) meaning, `We have made them to be followed by something more than the punishment of the Fire and that is their being cursed in this life.'

(and on the Day of Resurrection, evil is the gift granted.) Mujahid said, "Another curse will be added to them on the Day of Resurrection, so these are two curses.'' `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said,

(evil indeed is the gift granted.) "The curse of this life and the Hereafter.

The Lesson taken from the Destroyed Towns

(100) These are some of the news of the (population of) towns which We relate unto you (O Muhammad SAW); of them, some are standing, and some have been (already) reaped.

When Allah mentioned the story of the Prophets and what happened with them and their nations -- how He destroyed the disbelievers and saved the believers -- He goes on to say,

(That is some of the news of the (population of ) towns) meaning, news of them

(which We relate unto you; of them, some are (still) standing,) This means still remaining.

(and some have been (already) reaped.) This means totally destroyed.

(101) We wronged them not, but they wronged themselves. So their aliha (gods), other than Allah, whom they invoked, profited them naught when there came the Command of your Lord, nor did they add aught (to their lot) but destruction.

(We wronged them not,) This means, "When We destroyed them.''

(but they wronged themselves.) their rejecting their Messengers and disbelieving in them.

(So their gods, profited them ﴿not﴾...) This is referring to their idols that they used to worship and invoke.

(other than Allah naught) the idols did not benefit them, nor did they save them when Allah's com- mand came for their destruction.

(nor did they add aught to them but destruction.) Mujahid, Qatadah and others said, "This means loss. Because the reason for their destruction and their ruin was that they followed those false gods. Therefore, they were losers in this life and the Hereafter.''