Tafsir of Yunus 10:90

[Linguistic Analysis] Al-Hasan read it as jawwazna (جوزنا), derived from ajaza al-makan (to pass a place), jawwazahu, and jawazah. It is not from jawwaza (to permit/allow) as used in the verse of Al-A‘sha: "And when we passed by the ropes of a tribe..."

If it were from that root, the correct phrasing would have been jawwazna bani isra'il fi al-bahr (We permitted the Children of Israel in the sea), similar to the saying: "As the gatekeeper permitted the entry."

[Exegesis]

• "So he pursued them" (fa-atba‘ahum): Meaning he caught up with them. It is said: "I followed him (tabi‘tuhu) until I caught up with him (atba‘tuhu)."
• Al-Hasan read it as wa-‘adu (and they transgressed).
• It is read annahu (that he...) with a fatha (vowel 'a'), implying the omission of the 'ya' which serves as the connector for the word iman (belief).
• It is also read innahu (verily, he...) with a kasra (vowel 'i'), as a new sentence (isti'naf) replacing the verb amantu (I have believed).

[Commentary on Pharaoh] The wretched one repeated the same meaning three times in three different expressions, out of an intense desire to be accepted. Yet, it was not accepted from him because he missed his window of opportunity. He said it only when he no longer had any choice left. A single declaration would have sufficed had it been made while he still had the power of choice and while the obligation of faith remained.

"Is it now [that you believe], while you had disobeyed before and were of the corrupters? So today We will save you in your body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless."