Al-Kashshaf on Ta-Ha 20:72

Surah Ta-Ha 20:72

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ﲡ ﲢ ﲣ ﲤ ﲥ ﲦ ﲧ ﲨ ﲩ ﲪ ﲫ ﲬ ﲭ ﲮ ﲯ ﲰ ﲱ ﲲ ﲳ ﲴ ﲵ

They said, "Never will we prefer you over what has come to us of clear proofs and [over] He who created us. So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree for this worldly life.

{And He who created us} This is a conjunction linked to "what has come to us," or it is an oath.

It is recited: "We will not prefer you over..." The explanation for this is that "life" (al-ḥayāh) in the famous reading is in the accusative case as an adverb of time (ẓarf). The scope of the adverb was expanded by treating it like a direct object, similar to saying "The day of Friday was fasted" (ṣīma yawmu al-jumʿah) instead of "I fasted on the day of Friday."

Historical Reports It is narrated that the sorcerers—meaning their leaders—were seventy-two: two were Copts, and the rest were from the Children of Israel. Pharaoh had forced them to learn sorcery.

It is also narrated that they said to Pharaoh: "Show us Moses while he is sleeping." He did so, and they found his staff guarding him. They said: "This is not the sorcery of a sorcerer, for if a sorcerer sleeps, his sorcery ceases." Yet, he insisted that they oppose him.

{He who purifies himself} Meaning: He who cleanses himself from the filth of sins. Ibn Abbas said: "It means [he who says] 'There is no god but God'."

It is said regarding these three verses: They are a narration of their speech. It is also said: They are a report from God, not in the form of a narration.

{And We had inspired to Moses, "Travel by night with My servants and strike for them a dry path through the sea; you will not fear being overtaken [by Pharaoh], nor will you be afraid [of drowning]."}

Tafsir of Ta-Ha 20:72-76

Al-Kashshaf

{And He who created us} This is a conjunction linked to "what has come to us," or it is an oath.

Historical Reports It is narrated that the sorcerers—meaning their leaders—were seventy-two: two were Copts, and the rest were from the Children of Israel. Pharaoh had forced them to learn sorcery.

{He who purifies himself} Meaning: He who cleanses himself from the filth of sins. Ibn Abbas said: "It means [he who says] 'There is no god but God'."

{And We had inspired to Moses, "Travel by night with My servants and strike for them a dry path through the sea; you will not fear being overtaken [by Pharaoh], nor will you be afraid [of drowning]."}

{So Pharaoh pursued them with his soldiers, and there covered them from the sea that which covered them.}

{And Pharaoh led his people astray and did not guide [them].}