Tafsir of Ash-Shu`ara' 26:65-66

"And We saved Moses and those with him, all together."

[The Narrative of the Crossing]

It is narrated from ‘Ata’ ibn al-Sa’ib that Gabriel (peace be upon him) stood between the Children of Israel and the people of Pharaoh. He would say to the Children of Israel: "Let your last ones catch up with your first ones." Then he would turn to the Copts and say: "Slow down, let your last ones catch up."

When Moses reached the sea, the believer from the family of Pharaoh—who was walking before Moses—said to him: "Where have you been commanded to go? This is the sea before you, and the people of Pharaoh have overtaken you."

Moses replied: "I have been commanded to go toward the sea," though he did not know what to do. Then Allah (Exalted is He) revealed to him: "Strike the sea with your staff." He struck it, and it became twelve paths, one for each tribe.

It is also narrated that Joshua said: "O Interlocutor of Allah, where have you been commanded to go? Pharaoh has overtaken us and the sea is before us." Moses replied: "Here." Joshua waded into the water, and Moses struck the sea with his staff, and they entered.

It is narrated that at that moment, Moses said: "O You who existed before all things, who created all things, and who shall remain after all things."

[Geographical Context]

It is said that this sea is the Sea of Qulzum (the Red Sea). Others say it is a sea behind Egypt called Asaf.

{Indeed, in that is a sign}

What a sign! It is a sign beyond description, which the people witnessed with their own eyes, and the news of which spread among them.