369 Page Notes

26 Surah Ash-Shuara (continued)

Page 369 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 369 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 369 of the Quran covers Surah As-Shu'ara (26:40–60). This pivotal passage details the dramatic climax of Prophet Musa's confrontation with Pharaoh’s magicians, the magicians' sudden conversion to Islam after recognizing the divine nature of Musa's miracle, Pharaoh’s furious threats of torture, and Allah’s subsequent command to Musa to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt by night, pursued closely by Pharaoh’s massive army.

The Sunnah and Hadith literature offer profound commentary on these specific verses, highlighting the virtues of the magicians, the nature of Pharaoh's tyranny, and the exact timing and historical remembrance of the escape.

1. Hadiths Related to Verses 46–51: The Prostration and Martyrdom of the Magicians

When Musa's staff swallows the illusions of the magicians, the truth becomes instantly clear to them:

"So the magicians fell down in prostration. They said, 'We believe in the Lord of the worlds, The Lord of Musa and Harun.'" (Quran, 26:46–48)

The Firmness of Faith and the Virtues of Pharaoh’s Court Believers

Pharaoh threatens them with horrific mutilation and death ("I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all"). The magicians respond with absolute certainty: "No harm. Indeed, to our Lord we will return."

The Sunnah highly praises those from Pharaoh's circle who chose immediate martyrdom over relinquishing their newfound faith. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) specifically encountered the beautiful fragrance of these martyrs during his Night Journey (Al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj).

• The Hadith: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "On the night when I was taken on the Night Journey, a beautiful fragrance came to me. I said: 'O Jibril, what is this beautiful fragrance?' He said: 'This is the fragrance of the hairdresser of Pharaoh's daughter and her children.' ... [Jibril narrated how she stood up to Pharaoh's tyranny and was thrown into a vat of boiling oil along with her children for her faith, alongside the ultimate sacrifice of the magicians.]"

• Citation: Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 2821; Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 36, Hadith 4160. Classified as Sahih (authentic) by Ahmad Shakir and Al-Albani.

2. Hadiths Related to Verses 52–53: The Command to Flee by Night

Following the public defiance of the magicians, the situation becomes untenable for the believers:

"And We inspired to Musa, 'Travel by night with My servants; indeed, you will be pursued.' Then Pharaoh sent among the cities gatherers..." (Quran, 26:52–53)

The Absolute Trust (Tawakkul) in Divine Rescue

The Sunnah emphasizes that Musa leading his people directly toward a geographical dead end (the Red Sea) under divine command is the ultimate manifestation of Tawakkul. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) invoked this exact same narrative of absolute reliance on Allah during moments of extreme isolation, most notably when he and Abu Bakr were hiding in the Cave of Thawr during the Hijrah.

• The Hadith: Abu Bakr narrated: "I saw the feet of the polytheists above our heads while we were in the cave. I said, 'O Messenger of Allah! If one of them should look down at his feet, he would see us.' He said, 'O Abu Bakr, what do you think of two, the third of whom is Allah?'" (A direct parallel to Musa's unwavering trust when trapped by Pharaoh's army).

• Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 65, Hadith 4663; Sahih Muslim, Book 44, Hadith 1.

3. Hadiths Related to Verses 54–60: The Pursuit at Sunrise and the Day of Ashura

Pharaoh mobilizes his entire military apparatus to crush the fleeing Israelites, catching up to them at dawn:

"So they pursued them at sunrise." (Quran, 26:60)

The Historical Commemoration of this Exact Day

The Sunnah provides the exact date of this massive historical event. The morning pursuit, the splitting of the sea, and the subsequent drowning of Pharaoh occurred on the 10th of Muharram (The Day of Ashura). The Prophet (ﷺ) codified the remembrance of this exact Quranic passage into the yearly ritual of fasting.

• The Hadith: Ibn Abbas narrated: "When the Prophet (ﷺ) arrived at Medina, he found the Jews fasting on the day of 'Ashura'. They were asked about it and they said: 'This is the day on which Allah granted victory to Musa and the Children of Israel over Pharaoh. We fast on this day out of reverence for it.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'We are closer to Musa than you,' and he commanded that the fast be observed."

• Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 65, Hadith 4680 (Specifically categorized under the Tafsir of Surah As-Shu'ara); Sahih Muslim, Book 13, Hadith 154.

Summary of References for Page 369

• The Fragrance and Honor of Pharaoh's Defiers (Reflecting 26:46-49): Musnad Ahmad (2821) / Sunan Ibn Majah (4160)

• The Paradigm of Musa’s Tawakkul in Flight (Reflecting 26:52-62): Sahih al-Bukhari (4663) / Sahih Muslim (44:1)

• The Direct Date and Victory of the Pursuit (Reflecting 26:60): Sahih al-Bukhari (4680 - Tafsir of Surah As-Shu'ara)