Ghafir: (27)

(And Moses said, when he heard what the accursed one had initiated regarding the discourse of killing him: "Indeed, I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant one who does not believe in the Day of Account.")

He said this—peace be upon him—addressing his people, according to the view of more than one scholar. This is because, since the previous statement of Pharaoh was an address to his people for the purpose of consultation and deliberation, and not in the presence of Moses—peace be upon him—the apparent meaning is that Moses—peace be upon him—also addressed his people, not Pharaoh and those present with him. This is supported by the words of the Almighty in Al-A’raf regarding this very story: ("And Moses said to his people, 'Seek help...'") and by His words here: ("...and your Lord"), for Pharaoh and those with him did not believe in the Lordship of the Almighty. The fact that He is their Lord in reality does not negate the effectiveness of this support, as support revolves around what is apparent.

The speech begins with "Indeed" (Inna) for emphasis and to alert [the listeners] that the confirmed means for repelling evil is seeking refuge in Allah—the Exalted. The name "Lord" (al-Rabb) was specified because what is sought is protection and nurturing. He attributed [the Lord] to himself and to them to urge them to agree with him in seeking refuge in Him—Glorified be He—and to turn completely toward Him with their souls, for the convergence of souls brings about the drawing forth of an answer; this is the wisdom behind the legitimacy of congregational worship.

"From every" (min kulli) carries the meaning of: from the evil of every [arrogant one]. By "arrogance" (mutakabbir), he intended haughtiness against submitting to the truth, which is the ugliest form of arrogance and the most indicative of baseness and ignobility, and of excessive tyranny and injustice. He conjoined with it the lack of belief in the Day of Recompense so that it might be even more indicative. Thus, whoever combines arrogance, denial of recompense, and lack of concern for the consequence has completed the causes of cruelty and boldness toward Allah—the Exalted—and His servants, leaving no grave sin uncommitted.

He chose "from every" rather than "from him" to pursue a path of allusion, as this speech occurred in their presence; thus, they would not "wear the skin of a leopard" (become enraged/defensive) if it were presented to them. This is alongside the indication it provides of the reason for seeking refuge, and the observance of the right of the accursed one’s nurturing of him—peace be upon him—to a certain extent.

Abu ‘Amr, Hamzah, and Al-Kisa’i read it as ‘attu (عتّ), by merging the dhal into the ta’ after transforming it into a ta’.