166 Page Notes

07 Surah Al-Araf (continued)

Page 166 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

7:131

7:132

7:133

7:134

7:135

7:136

7:137

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 166 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 166 of the Quran covers Surah Al-A'raf (The Heights), verses 131 through 137.

This page contains the iconic climax of the divine signs sent to break Pharaoh’s empire. When the Egyptians arrogantly dismiss Musa's miracles as mere magic, Allah unleashes a sequential onslaught of environmental plagues: the flood, locusts, lice, frogs, and water turning to blood. Each time a plague hits, they beg Musa to pray for its removal, promising freedom for the Children of Israel—only to break their word once the relief arrives. The page culminates in the catastrophic drowning of Pharaoh's army in the sea and the structural inheritance of the land by the oppressed believers.

The Sunnah and authentic Hadiths provide profound commentary on these specific plagues, the prohibition of killing certain animals involved, and the historical celebration of this victory.

1. The Divine Anatomy of the Plagues

“So We sent upon them the flood and locusts and lice and frogs and blood as distinct signs, but they were arrogant and were a criminal people.” — Surah Al-A'raf (7:133)

The plagues were sent as precise, targeted ecological disruptions. The Sunnah contains beautiful details and strict behavioral laws directly related to the creatures mentioned in this verse.

A. The Direct Prohibition of Killing Frogs

When Allah flooded Egypt with swarms of frogs, they infiltrated the homes, beds, and food vessels of Pharaoh's people. Yet, because these creatures were soldiers in a divine deployment, Islamic law honors them by protecting them from human malice.

• Hadith: Abdur-Rahman bin Uthman narrated that a physician asked the Prophet Muhammad about using frogs as an ingredient in medicine.
  The Messenger of Allah explicitly forbade the killing of frogs. (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 5269 / Sunan an-Nasa'i, Hadith 4355; graded Sahih)

• Hadith: Traditional commentary in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad adds that early scholars noted the frog's croaking was actually its unique way of glorifying Allah (Tasbih), making its protection a matter of respect for God's creation.

B. The Nature of the Locusts (Al-Jarad)

Locusts stripped the fields of Egypt bare, acting as an economic weapon. The Sunnah notes that locusts are unique in Islamic dietary law; they are one of the very few creatures permitted to be eaten even if found dead naturally, highlighting their distinct creation.

• Hadith: Abdullah bin Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
  "Two types of dead animals and two types of blood have been made lawful for us to consume. The two dead animals are fish and locusts, and the two types of blood are the liver and the spleen." (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3314 / Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 5723; graded Sahih)

2. Breaking Oaths and Divine Retribution

“But when We removed from them the affliction until a term which they were to reach, at once they broke their word. So We took retribution from them, and We drowned them in the sea because they denied Our signs and were heedless of them.” — Surah Al-A'raf (7:135-136)

Pharaoh's repeated cycle of lying to God and breaking treaties ultimately sealed his fate, leading to the drowning of his entire military apparatus in the sea.

A. The Prophet Muhammad's Annual Celebration of the Drowning

The drowning of Pharaoh's army is not just an ancient story; it is an active event on the Islamic calendar. When the Prophet migrated to Medina, he found that this exact victory was being actively commemorated.

• Hadith: Abdullah bin Abbas narrated: When the Messenger of Allah arrived in Medina, he found the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura (the 10th of Muharram). They were asked about it and replied, "This is the day on which Allah gave victory to Moses and the Children of Israel over Pharaoh. We fast on this day to honor it." The Prophet said:
  "We have more right to Moses than you do." So, the Prophet fasted on that day and commanded the Muslims to fast on it as well. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2004 / Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1130)

3. Inheriting the Earth After Oppression

“And We caused the people who had been oppressed to inherit the eastern regions of the land and the western ones, which We had blessed. And the good word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of what they had patiently endured...” — Surah Al-A'raf (7:137)

This verse cements a fundamental law of history: when an oppressed community responds to tyranny with Sabr (patient endurance), Allah vertically tears down the oppressors and hands the keys of the land to the vulnerable.

A. The Ultimate Fall of Every Tyrant

The Sunnah matches Verse 137 by asserting that no matter how long a tyrannical empire stays in power, their unchecked oppression (Zulm) eventually triggers a sudden, violent collapse.

• Hadith: Abu Musa al-Ash'ari narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
  "Indeed, Allah gives respite to a tyrant. But when He finally seizes him, He never lets him escape." The Prophet then recited from Surah Hud: "And such is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the cities while they are committing wrong. Indeed, His seizure is painful and severe." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4686 / Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2583)