SURAH (40) MU'MIN (AYA 21 to 40)

SECTION 3

The disbelievers of Moses

The people of who disbelieved Moses---Moses called a great lying sorcerer

أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوا هُمْ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَآثَارًا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَا كَانَ لَهُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ وَاقٍ {40:21}

[Q40:21] Awalam yaseeroo fil ardi fa yanzuroo kaifa kaana 'aaqibatul lazeena kaanoo min qablihim; kaanoo hum ashadda minhum quwwatanw wa aasaaran fil ardi fa akhazahumuL Laahu bizunoobihim wa maa kaana lahum minaL Laahi minw waaq. 
[Q40:21] Have they not travelled in the earth and seen how was the end of those who were before them? Mightier than these were they in strength-- and in fortifications in the land, but ALLAH (SWT) destroyed them for their sins; and there was not for them any defender against ALLAH (SWT).

[Q40:21] Tidakkah mereka telah berjalan dan mengembara di muka bumi, dengan itu tidakkah mereka memerhatikan bagaimana kesudahan orang-orang yang terdahulu dari mereka? Orang-orang itu adalah orang-orang yang lebih dari mereka tentang kekuatan tenaga dan tentang kesan-kesan usaha pembangunan di muka bumi. Maka sekalipun demikian, ALLAH (SwT) binasakan mereka dengan sebab dosa-dosa mereka dan tiadalah bagi mereka sesiapapun yang dapat menyelamatkan mereka dari azab ALLAH (SwT). 

Refer to the commentary of Rum 30:9 and Fatir 35:44.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:21) Have they not journeyed in the land that they might observe the end of those who came before them? They were even greater in strength than they and left behind more splendid traces in the land. Then Allah seized them because of their sins and they had none who could protect them from Allah.

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانَتْ تَأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَكَفَرُوا فَأَخَذَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ قَوِيٌّ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ {40:22}

[Q40:22] Zaalika bi annahum kaanat taateehim Rusuluhum bilbaiyinaati fakafaroo fa akhazahumuL Laah; innahoo qawiyyun shadeedul 'iqaab. 
[Q40:22] That was because there came to them their messengers with clear arguments, but they rejected (them), therefore ALLAH (SWT) destroyed them; surely He is Strong, Severe in retribution.

[Q40:22] (Kebinasaan mereka) yang demikian ialah kerana mereka sentiasa didatangi Rasul-rasul yang diutuskan kepada mereka dengan membawa keterangan-keterangan (hukum-hukum dan mukjizat) yang jelas nyata, maka mereka kufur ingkar, lalu ALLAH (SwT) menyeksa mereka, sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) adalah Maha Kuat lagi Maha berat azab seksaNya.  

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:22) They came to this end because their Messengers would come to them with Clear Signs *34 and yet they would refuse to believe. So Allah seized them. He is indeed Strong, Terrible in Retribution.

*34 Bayyinat means three things: (1) The clear signs which pointed to the Messengers' being appointed by Allah; (2) the convincing arguments which were a clear proof of their teachings being based on the Truth; and (3) the clear guidance and instructions about the problems and affairs of life which could enable every reasonable person to see that such pure teachings could not be given by an impostor.

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ بِآيَاتِنَا وَسُلْطَانٍ مُبِينٍ {40:23}

[Q40:23] Wa laqad arsalnaa Moosaa bi Aayaatinaa wa sultaanim mubeen, 
[Q40:23] And certainly We sent Musa with Our communications and clear authority,

[Q40:23] Dan demi sesungguhnya! Kami telah mengutuskan Nabi Musa membawa ayat-ayat Kami dan bukti (mukjizat) yang jelas nyata

THESE VERSES REFER TO MUSA.

See commentary of Ta Ha 20:9 to 98 and other references mentioned therein.

VERSE 24:

Refer to Qasas 28:6, 38, 39, 76 to 81; Ankabut 29:39.

The three types of disbelievers were united in opposition to the true mission of Musa.

VERSE 25:

Refer to Baqarah 2:49; Araf 7:127; Qasas 28:4,

VERSE 27:

Refer to Ta Ha 20:49 to 55.

VERSE 28:

Refer to Qasas 28:20 for the "mumin ali Firawn."

Verses 28 to 44 contain his advice to Firawn and his people.

VERSE 34:

This verse refers to prophet Yusuf. Refer to Surah Yusuf.

Prophet Yusuf introduced many reforms in the larger interest of the common people, BUT the privileged class did not like his policies and in order to stop their continuation, after his death, they announced that no prophet would come after him.

VERSE 36 and 37:

See the commentary of Qasas 28:38.

VERSE 39:

In this verse the mumin ali Firawn gives answer to Firawn's claim in verse 36 and 37.

VERSE 43:

Compare this verse with An-am 6:82 and 83.

VERSES 44 and 45:

He refers to the plot Firawn made to kill him, BUT he was saved, as the verse 45 shows.

The Firawn of the time of Musa, and his people, suffered many calamities in this world (Araf 7:130 to 136).

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:23) Verily We sent Moses *35 with Our Signs and a clear authority *37

*35 For the other details of the story of the Prophet Moses, see AIBaqarah: 49-61; An-Nisa: 164; AI-Ma'idah: 20-26; AI-A'raf: 103-162; Yunus: 7,5-92: Hud 17, 96-97, 110; Introduction to Surah Yusuf; Ibrahim: 5-8; Bani Isra'il: 101-104; AI-Kahf: 60-82; Maryam: 51-53; Ta Ha: 9-98; AI-Mu'minun: 45-49; Ash Shu'ara': 10-68; An-Naml: 7-14; Introduction to Surah AI-Qasas and AI-Qasas: 3-44; AI Ahzab; 69; As-Saff: 114-122 and the E.N.'s thereof.
*37 "A clear authority of appointment": With such clear Signs as left no doubt that he had been sent by Allah, and he had Allah. Lord of the worlds' power at his back. Front a careful study of the details of the Prophet Moses' story, as given in the Qur'an, it becomes obvious as to what were those Signs which are being described here as 'a clear authority of his appointment" as a Prophet by .Allah. In the first place, even this was strange that a person who, a few years earlier, had fled the country after killing a tnan of Pharaoh's nation and whose warrants of arrest had been issued, should make a sudden appearance directly in the fill-packed coup of Pharaoh, with a staff in hand, and should boldly and fearlessly address the king and his nobles and demand that they should acknowledge him as the representative of Allah, Lord of the worlds, and should act according to what he says, and none dares to lay iris hands on him whereas the nation to which Moses belonged, had been so suppressed under slavery that if he had been apprehended inunediately on the charge of murder, no one would have voiced even a protest, not to speak of rising in rebellion. This shows that Pharaoh and his courtiers had been awe-inspired just at the appearance of the Prophet Moses, even before they witnessed the miracles of the staff and the shining hand, and they had realized in the very beginning that he had some greater power behind him, Then each of the wonderful miracles that he performed, one after the other, was enough to bring about the conviction that it was not a manifestation of magic but of Divine Power. After all, what power of magic could cause a staff to change into a serpent? Or cause a whole country to suffer from famine? Or cause different sorts of disasters to strike vast areas of the land on a sudden notice by Moses and be removed on a notice by him? That is why according to the Qur'an, Pharaoh and all the responsible people of his kingdom had been convinced in their hearts, whether they might be refusing to profess with the tongue, that Moses had indeed been appointed a Prophet by AIlah. (For details, see Al-A'raf: 106-117; Ta Ha: 56 78; Ash-Shu'ara': 30-51; An-Naml: 10-13). 

إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامَانَ وَقَارُونَ فَقَالُوا سَاحِرٌ كَذَّابٌ {40:24}

[Q40:24] Ilaa Fir'awna wa Haamaana qa Qaaroona faqaaloo saahirun kazzaab. 
[Q40:24] To Firon and Haman and Qaroun, but they said: A lying magician.

[Q40:24] Kepada Firaun dan Haman serta Qarun; maka mereka (menuduhnya dengan) berkata: Dia seorang ahli sihir, lagi pendusta! 

Refer to Qasas 28:6, 38, 39, 76 to 81; Ankabut 29:39. The three types of disbelievers were united in opposition to the true mission of Musa.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:24) to Pharaoh and Haman *36 and Korah. They said: “(He is) a sorcerer, an utter liar.” *38

*38 The truth": the miracles and signs by which the Prophet Moses proved that he was a Messenger sent by Allah and the strong arguments by which he showed that he was wholly in the right. 
*36 For a reply to the critics' objections about Haman, see E.N. 8 of AlQasas above.

فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ مِنْ عِنْدِنَا قَالُوا اقْتُلُوا أَبْنَاءَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ وَاسْتَحْيُوا نِسَاءَهُمْ ۚ وَمَا كَيْدُ الْكَافِرِينَ إِلَّا فِي ضَلَالٍ{40:25}

[Q40:25] Falamuna jaaa'ahum bil haqqi min 'indinaa qaaluq tulooo abnaaa'al lazeena aamanoo ma'ahoo wastahyoo nisaaa'ahum; wa maa kaidul kaafireena illaa fee dalaal.
[Q40:25] So when he brought to them the truth from Us, they said: Slay the sons of those who believe with him and keep their women alive; and the struggle of the unbelievers will only come to a state of perdition.

[Q40:25] Setelah Nabi Musa datang kepada mereka dengan membawa kebenaran dari sisi Kami, mereka berkata (dengan marahnya): Bunuhlah anak-anak lelaki orang-orang yang beriman yang mengikutnya dan biarkan hidup anak-anak perempuan mereka. (Tetapi usaha) dan tipu daya orang-orang kafir itu hanya menyebabkan mereka tenggelam dalam kesesatan dan kebinasaan sahaja. 

Refer to Baqarah 2:49; Araf: 127; Qasas 28:4,

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:25) When Moses brought them the Truth from Us they said: “Kill the sons of all the believers who have joined him, but spare the women.” *39 The guile of the unbelievers always ends in vain. *40

*39 As already mentioned in AI-A'raf: 127 above, Pharaoh's courtiers had said to him: `Will you leave Moses and his people free to spread disorder in the land?" And he himself had said: `I will have their sons slain and let their daughters live." This verse states that this order was at last issued from Pharaoh's court. It was, in fact, meant to so terrify the Prophet Moses himself and his supporters and followers that they should abandon him out of fear. 
*40 Another meaning of this sentence can be: "Whatever the disbelievers had plotted, was aimed at deviation, tyranny and antagonism to the truth. That is, even after being convinced of the truth in their heaps, they continued to show stubbornness and did not hesitate to adopt any mean device whatever in order to defeat and frustrate the Truth. 

وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ ذَرُونِي أَقْتُلْ مُوسَىٰ وَلْيَدْعُ رَبَّهُ ۖ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ يُبَدِّلَ دِينَكُمْ أَوْ أَنْ يُظْهِرَ فِي الْأَرْضِ الْفَسَادَ {40:26}

[Q40:26] Wa qaala Fir'awnu zarooneee aqtul Moosaa walyad'u Rabbahoo inneee akhaafu ai yubaddila deenakum aw ai yuzhira fil ardil fasaad. 
[Q40:26] And Firon said: Let me alone that I may slay Musa and let him call upon his Lord; surely I fear that he will change your religion or that he will make mischief to appear in the land.

[Q40:26] Dan berkatalah Firaun (kepada orang-orangnya): Biarkanlah aku membunuh Musa, dan biarlah dia memohon kepada Tuhannya (meminta pertolongan)! Sesungguhnya aku bimbang dia akan menukar agama kamu atau dia menimbulkan kerosakan di muka bumi. 

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:26) One day *41 Pharaoh said: “Let me go and kill Moses; *42 then let him invoke his Lord. I fear that he will change your religion or cause disruption in the land.” *43

*41 The event which is being related here is a very important event of the Israelite history, which the Israelites themselves have totally forgotten. Both the Bible and the Talmud are without it, and no mention of it is found in the other Israelite traditions either. Only through the Qur'an has the world come to know that during the conflict between Pharaoh and the Prophet Moses this event had taken place at some time. Anybody who reads this story, provided that he has not been blinded by prejudice against Islam and the Qur'an, cannot but realize that from the viewpoint of the invitation to the Truth this story is very valuable, and this thing by itself also is in no way against reason that a person from among the nobles of the kingdom of Pharaoh himself might have quietly believed in his heart, having been influenced by the personality of the Prophet Moses, his preaching and the wonderful miracles shown by him, and might not have been able to restrain himself when he saw that Pharaoh was planning to kill him. But the way the Western orientalists, in spite of their tall claims to knowledge ard research, try to repudiate the self-evident truths of the Qur'an, on account of prejudice, can be judged from this that the author of the article "Musa" in the Encyclopaedia of Islam writes in respect of this story:
"The Kuranic story of a believer at the court of Pharaoh who wants to save Musa is not quite clear (xl, 28). Ought we to compare Jethro in the Haggada who advises clemency at Pharaoh's court?"
In other words, these so-called researchers have one thing settled with them: they must find fault with everything that the Qur'an presents. Now, if they do not find any ground for criticising a statement of it, they should at least say this much out of mischief that the story is not entirely clear, and also should incidentally create this doubt in the reader's mind that the Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) might have heard from somewhere the story of Jethro mentioned in the Haggada taking place even before the birth of Prophet Moses, and inserted it here in this form. This is the type of literary research" which these people have adopted with regard to Islam and the Qur'an and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace).
*42 In this sentence Pharaoh tries to give the impression as if some people were restraining him from killing the Prophet Moses. Had they not stood in his way he would have killed him long ago, whereas in fact there was no external power to restrain him; it was the fear of his own heart which was preventing him from laying his hands on the Messenger of Allah. 
*43 That is, "I fear a revolution from him, and even if he is unable to bring it about, there is at least the danger that he will cause mischief to appear in the country by his activities. Therefore, even if he doesn't commit a crime punishable with death, he should be put to death only for the sake of the maintenance of public order. As for this whether there is a real danger to the public order from him, the king's satisfaction in this regard is enough. If his majesty is convinced that he is dangerous, it should be declared that he is really dangerous and punishable with death."
Here, the meaning of "changing the religion" also should be understood well on account of which Pharaoh wanted to put the Prophet Moses to death. Din here implies the system of government, and what Pharaoh meant to say was this: "I fear that he will change your king." (Ruh al-Ma'ani, vol. XXIV, p. 56). In other words, the din of the land was the religious, political, cultural and economic system that was prevalent in Egypt on the basis of Pharaoh's and his family's sovereignty, and Pharaoh was afraid that Moses' message would change that very din. But like the cunning and deceitful rulers of every age he also did not say that he feared being deposed from his position of authority and, therefore, he wanted to kill Moses, but he presented the case like this: "O people, the danger is for you, not for me; for if Moses' movement succeeded your din would change. I am not worried for myself: I am worried for your sake as to what would become of you when you have been deprived of the protection of my authority. Therefore, the wicked man who poses such a danger should be put to death, for he is an enemy of the state. " 

وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ إِنِّي عُذْتُ بِرَبِّي وَرَبِّكُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ مُتَكَبِّرٍ لَا يُؤْمِنُ بِيَوْمِ الْحِسَابِ {40:27}

[Q40:27] Wa qaala Moosaaaa innee 'uztu bi Rabbee wa Rabbikum min kulli mutakabbiril laayu'minu bi Yawmil Hisaab. 
[Q40:27] And Musa said: Surely I take refuge with my Lord and-- your Lord from every proud one who does not believe in the day of reckoning.

[Q40:27] Dan (setelah mendengar ancaman itu) Nabi Musa berkata: Sesungguhnya aku berlindung kepada ALLAH (SwT) Tuhanku dan Tuhan kamu dari (angkara) tiap-tiap orang yang sombong takbur, yang tidak beriman kepada hari hitungan amal!  

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:27) Moses said: “I have taken refuge with my Lord and your Lord from everyone who waxes arrogant and does not believe in the Day of Reckoning.” *44

*44 Here, there are two equal probabilities and there is no ground for preferring one to the other. The first probability is that the Prophet Moses might himself be present in the court at the time and Pharaoh might have expressed his intention to kill him in his presence, and the Prophet might have given this direct answer there and then, addressing him and his courtiers. The other probability is that Pharaoh might have expressed this intention in the absence of Moses in a meeting with the responsible people of his government and a report of this conversation might have been conveyed to the Prophet by some of the believers, whereupon he might have said these words in some gathering of his followers. Whatever be the case, it is apparent from the words that the threat of Pharaoh could not cause any state of fear in Moses' heart and with trust in Allah he flung his threat back at Pharaoh. The context in which this event has been related in the Qur'an by itself shows that the same also was the reply from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) to those wicked people who, being fearless of the Day of Reckoning, were devising plots to kill him. 

SECTION 4

The Believer in ALLAH (SWT) among Pharaoh’s people

The exhortation for the Believer from among the people of Moses who concealed his faith---The open defiance of Pharaoh.

وَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مُؤْمِنٌ مِنْ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَكْتُمُ إِيمَانَهُ أَتَقْتُلُونَ رَجُلًا أَنْ يَقُولَ رَبِّيَ اللَّهُ وَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ يَكُ كَاذِبًا فَعَلَيْهِ كَذِبُهُ ۖ وَإِنْ يَكُ صَادِقًا يُصِبْكُمْ بَعْضُ الَّذِي يَعِدُكُمْ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ كَذَّابٌ {40:28}

[Q40:28] Wa qaala rajulum mu'minum min Aali Fir'awna yaktumu eemaanahooo ataqtuloona rajulan ai yaqoola Rabbi yaL Laahu wa qad jaaa'akum bil haiyinaati mir Rabbikum wa iny yaku kaaziban fa'alaihi kazi buhoo wa iny yaku saadiqany yasibkum ba'dul lazee ya'idukum innaL Laaha laa yahdee man huwa musrifun kaazaab. 
[Q40:28] And a believing man of Firon's people who hid his faith said: What! Will you slay a man because he says: My Lord is ALLAH (SWT), and indeed he has brought to you clear arguments from your Lord? And if he be a liar, on him will be his lie, and if he be truthful, there will befall you some of that which he threatens you (with); surely ALLAH (SWT) does not guide him who is extravagant, a liar: 

[Q40:28] Dan (pada saat itu) berkatalah pula seorang lelaki yang beriman dari orang-orang Firaun yang menyembunyikan imannya: Patutkah kamu membunuh seorang lelaki kerana dia menegaskan: Tuhanku ialah ALLAH (SwT)? Sedang dia telah datang kepada kamu membawa keterangan-keterangan dari Tuhan kamu? Kalau dia seorang yang berdusta maka dialah yang akan menanggung dosa dustanya itu dan kalau dia seorang yang benar nescaya kamu akan ditimpa oleh sebahagian dari (azab) yang dijanjikannya kepada kamu. Sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) tidak memberi hidayat petunjuk kepada orang yang melampaui batas, lagi pendusta. 

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:28) Then a man endowed with faith, from Pharaoh’s folk, who had kept his faith hidden, said: “Do you kill a person simply because he says: ‘My Lord is Allah’ even though he brought to you clear Signs from your Lord? *45 If he is a liar, his lying will recoil upon him; *46 but if he is truthful, you will be smitten with some of the awesome consequences of which he warns you. Allah does not guide to the Right Way any who exceeds the limits and is an utter liar. *47

*45 That is, "He has shown such manifest Signs to you as have made it absolutely clear that he is a Messenger sent by your Lord." The Believer, from among the people of Pharaoh, was obviously referring to the Signs the details of which have already been given in AI-A'raf: 107-117,130-133; Bani Isra'il: 101-102; Ta Ha: 56-73; Ash-Shu'ara': 30-51; An-Naml:10-13). 
*46 That is, "If in spite of such manifest Signs as he has shown you, you regard him as a liar, you should leave him alone, for the alternative probability, and a very strong probability too, is that he is truthful, and therefore you may involve yourselves in God's torment by laying your hands on him. Therefore, even if you think that he is a liar, you should leave him to himself. For if he is lying, in the name of Allah, Allah Himself will take him to task." Similar words had the Prophet Moses himself said to Pharaoh before this: "If you do not believe in me, do not harm me." (Ad-Dukhan: 21)
Here one should keep in mind that the Believer of the people of Pharaoh had not openly disclosed in the beginning that he had affirmed faith in the Prophet Moses, but he spoke as if he also belonged to Pharaoh's side, and was only wishing his people well. But when Pharaoh and his courtiers did not seem to see reason and continued to behave stubbornly, he at last disclosed the secret of his faith, as becomes obvious from his speech in vv. 38-44. 
*47 This sentence can have two meanings and probably the Believer had intentionally employed it, because he did not yet want to express his belief openly. Its one meaning is: "One and the same person cannot combine righteousness and lying and falsehood. You can clearly see that Moses is a man of very sublime and pure character. Therefore, how can you believe that, on the one hand, he should be such a liar as to lay a baseless claim to prophethood in the name of Allah, and on the other, Allah should bless him with such high morals?" The other meaning is: "If you arc bent upon taking the life of Moses (peace be upon him) by transgressing all limits and will execute your evil designs by bringing false accusations against him, you should remember that Allah will never show you the way to success."

يَا قَوْمِ لَكُمُ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ ظَاهِرِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَمَنْ يَنْصُرُنَا مِنْ بَأْسِ اللَّهِ إِنْ جَاءَنَا ۚ قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ مَا أُرِيكُمْ إِلَّا مَا أَرَىٰ وَمَا أَهْدِيكُمْ إِلَّا سَبِيلَ الرَّشَادِ {40:29}

[Q40:29] Yaa qawmi lakumul mulkul yawma zaahireena fil ardi famai yansurunaa mim baasiL Laahi in jaaa'anaa; qaala Fir'awnu maaa ureekum illaa maaa araa wa maaa ahdeekum illaa sabeelar Rashaad.
[Q40:29] O my people! Yours is the kingdom this day, being masters in the land, but who will help us against the punishment of ALLAH (SWT) if it come to us? Firon said: I do not show you aught but that which I see (myself), and I do not make you follow any but the right way.

[Q40:29] Wahai kaumku! Pada hari ini kepunyaan kamulah kuasa memerintah dengan bermaharajalela di muka bumi (Mesir dan sekitarnya; tetapi kiranya keadaan bertukar) maka siapakah yang akan membela kita dari azab ALLAH (SwT) kalau azab itu datang menimpa kita? Firaun berkata: Aku tidak mengesyorkan kepada kamu melainkan dengan apa yang aku pandang (elok dijalankan) dan aku tidak menunjukkan kepada kamu melainkan jalan yang benar.  

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:29) My people, today the kingdom is yours, and you are supreme in the land. But if Allah’s chastisement were to come upon you, who will come to our help?” *48 Pharaoh said: “I only counsel what I consider right; I only direct you to the Path of Rectitude.” *49

*48 That is, "Why are you being ungrateful to Allah for His blessing of granting you domination in the land and are inviting His scourge to visit you?" 
*49 From this answer of Pharaoh it appears that he had not yet found out that thenoble of his court had become a Believer in his heart. That is why he did not show any displeasure at what he said, but made clear that he was not inclined to change his opinion even after hearing what he had to say.

وَقَالَ الَّذِي آمَنَ يَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِثْلَ يَوْمِ الْأَحْزَابِ {40:30}

[Q40:30] Wa qaalal lazee aamana yaa qawmi inneee akhaafu 'alaikum misla yawmil Ahzaab;
[Q40:30] And he who believed said: O my people! Surely I fear for you the like of what befell the parties:

[Q40:30] Dan berkatalah pula orang yang beriman itu: Wahai kaumku! Sesungguhnya aku bimbang kamu akan ditimpa (kebinasaan) sebagaimana yang telah menimpa kaum-kaum yang bergabung (menentang Rasul-rasulnya)! 

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:30) He who had faith said: “My people, I fear that you will confront a day like that which overtook many parties before you,

مِثْلَ دَأْبِ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَعَادٍ وَثَمُودَ وَالَّذِينَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ ۚ وَمَا اللَّهُ يُرِيدُ ظُلْمًا لِلْعِبَادِ {40:31}

[Q40:31] Misla daabi qawmi Noohinw wa 'aadinw wa Samooda wallazeena mim ba'dihim; wa maL Laahu yureedu zulmal lil'ibaad. 
[Q40:31] The like of what befell the people of Nuh and Ad and Samood and those after them, and ALLAH (SWT) does not desire injustice for (His) servants;

[Q40:31] (Iaitu) seperti keadaan kaum Nabi Nuh dan Aad (kaum Nabi Hud) dan Thamud (kaum Nabi Soleh), serta orang-orang yang datang kemudian daripada mereka (seperti kaum Nabi Lut) dan (ingatlah) ALLAH (SwT) tidak menghendaki berbuat kezaliman kepada hamba-hambaNya.  

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:31) like the day that overtook the people of Noah and Ad and Thamud, and those who came after them. Allah does not wish to subject His servants to any injustice. *50

*50 That is, "AIlah has no enmity with His servants that He should destroy them without any reason: He sends calamities upon them only when they have transgressed all limits, and sending the torment then is the very demand of justice. " 

وَيَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَوْمَ التَّنَادِ {40:32}

[Q40:32] Wa yaa qawmi inneee akhaafu 'alaikum yawmat tanaad, 
[Q40:32] And, O my people! I fear for you the day of calling out,

[Q40:32] Dan wahai kaumku! Sesungguhnya aku bimbang kamu akan ditimpa azab seksa hari (kiamat) yang padanya masing-masing menjerit-jerit memanggil (memohon pertolongan), 

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:32) My people, I fear that you will encounter a day when there will be much wailing and you will cry out to one another for help,

يَوْمَ تُوَلُّونَ مُدْبِرِينَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ عَاصِمٍ ۗ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ {40:33}

[Q40:33] Yawma tuwalloona mud bireena maa lakum minaL Laahi min 'aasim; wa mai yudliliL Laahu famaa lahoo min haad. 
[Q40:33] The day on which you will turn back retreating; there shall be no savior for you from ALLAH (SWT), and whomsoever ALLAH (SWT) causes to err, there is no guide for him:

[Q40:33] (Iaitu) hari kamu berpaling undur melarikan diri; padahal semasa itu tidak ada sesiapapun yang dapat menyelamatkan kamu dari azab ALLAH (SwT) dan (ingatlah) sesiapa yang disesatkan ALLAH (SwT) (disebabkan pilihannya yang salah), maka tiada sesiapapun yang dapat memberi hidayat petunjuk kepadanya.  

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:33) the day when you will turn around to retreat, there will be none to protect you from Allah. He whom Allah lets go astray, none will be able to show him the Right Way.

وَلَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ يُوسُفُ مِنْ قَبْلُ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَمَا زِلْتُمْ فِي شَكٍّ مِمَّا جَاءَكُمْ بِهِ ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا هَلَكَ قُلْتُمْ لَنْ يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ رَسُولًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ اللَّهُ مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ مُرْتَابٌ {40:34}

[Q40:34] Wa laqad jaaa'akum Yoosufu min qablu bil baiyinaati famaa ziltum fee shakkim mimaa jaaa'akum bihee hattaaa izaa halaka qultum lai yab asaL Laahu mim ba'dihee Rasoolaa; kazaalika yudilluL Laahu man huwa Musrifum murtaab, 
[Q40:34] And certainly Yusuf came to you before with clear arguments, but you ever remained in doubt as to what he brought; until when he died, you said: ALLAH (SWT) will never raise a messenger after him. Thus does ALLAH (SWT) cause him to err who is extravagant a doubter? 

[Q40:34] Dan demi sesungguhnya! Nabi Yusuf telah datang kepada kamu dahulu dengan membawa keterangan-keterangan (yang membuktikan kerasulannya), maka kamu tetap juga dalam keraguan mengenai apa yang disampaikannya kepada kamu sehingga apabila dia mati, kamu berkata: ALLAH (SwT) tidak akan mengutuskan lagi Rasul sesudahnya; demikianlah ALLAH (SwT) menyesatkan sesiapa yang melampau kederhakaannya, lagi yang ragu-ragu kepercayaannya (terhadap balasan Tuhannya);  

This verse refers to PROPHET YUSUF. Refer to Surah Yusuf.

Prophet Yusuf introduced many reforms in the larger interest of the common people, BUT the privileged class did not like his policies AND IN ORDER to stop their continuation, after his death, they announced that no prophet would come after him.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:34) Verily Joseph came to you with Clear Signs before, yet you continued to doubt his Message. Thereafter when he died, you said: ‘Allah shall send no Messenger after him.’” *51 Thus Allah leads astray those who transgress the limits and are given to much doubting;

*51 That is, "Your deviation, and then your stubbornness, is such that before Moses (peace be upon him) there came in your land the Prophet Joseph about whom you yourselves admit that he was a man of the highest morals, and you also admit that by giving the right interpretation of the king's dream he saved you from the dreadful effects of the seven-year-long famine, which had struck Egypt in his time; and your entire nation also acknowledges that Egypt has never witnessed a period of greater justice and prosperity than the period of his rule. But in spite of knowing and recognizing all his merits and high qualities you did not believe in him during his life time, and when he died, you said: "Never will the like of him came again!" That is, you recognized his excellences only for an excuse to deny every prophet who came after him. This means that you would not accept guidance in any case." 

الَّذِينَ يُجَادِلُونَ فِي آيَاتِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ سُلْطَانٍ أَتَاهُمْ ۖ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَعِنْدَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَطْبَعُ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ قَلْبِ مُتَكَبِّرٍ جَبَّارٍ {40:35}

[Q40:35] Allazeena yujaadiloona feee AaayaatiL Laahi bighairi sultaanin ataahum kabura maqtan 'indaL Laahi wa 'indal lazeena aamanoo; kazaalika yatha'uL Laahu 'alaa kulli qalbi mutakabbirin jabbaar. 
[Q40:35] Those who dispute concerning the communications of ALLAH (SWT) without any authority that He has given them; greatly hated is it by ALLAH (SWT) and by-those who believe. Thus does ALLAH (SWT) set a seal over the heart of every proud, haughty one?

[Q40:35] (Iaitu) orang-orang yang membantah mengenai maksud ayat-ayat ALLAH (SwT) dengan tidak ada sebarang bukti yang sampai kepada mereka (dari pihak yang diakui benarnya). (Bantahan yang demikian) besar kebenciannya dan kemurkaannya di sisi hukum ALLAH (SwT) dan di sisi bawaan orang-orang yang beriman. Demikianlah ALLAH (SwT) meteraikan atas hati tiap-tiap orang yang sombong takbur, lagi bermaharajalela pencerobohannya! 

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:35) those *52 who contend regarding Allah’s Signs without any evidence that might have come to them. *53 That is exceedingly loathsome to Allah and to those that believe. Thus does Allah seal the heart of everyone who is proud and high-handed. *54

*52 It so appears that the next few sentences are an addition by Allah and an explanation of the words of the Believer of the people of Pharaoh. 
*53 That is, "Allah allows only those people to go astray who possess the following three qualities: (1) They transgress all limits in their evildoing and then develop such a taste for it that they do not feel inclined to accept any invitation to reform their morals (2) their permanent attitude in respect of the Prophets is characterised by doubt and suspicion. The Prophets of God may bring any clear Signs before them, yet they doubt their Prophethood as well as view with suspicion those truths which they present with regard to Tauhid and the Hereafter; and 131 they try to resist the Revelations of the Book of Allah with crooked arguments instead of considering them rationally, and these objections are neither based on any sound reason nor on the authority of a revealed Book, but from the beginning to the end their only basis is obstinacy and stubbornness. When a group of the people develops these three evils, Allah hurls it into the deep pit of Hell-fire wherefrom no power can then rescue them.
*54 That is, 'The seal is not set on the heart of anybody without a reason. This seal of curse is set only on the heart of the one who is filled with arrogance and spirit of violence and tyranny." 

وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ يَا هَامَانُ ابْنِ لِي صَرْحًا لَعَلِّي أَبْلُغُ الْأَسْبَابَ {40:36}

[Q40:36] Wa qaala Fir'awnu yaa Haamaanub-ni lee sarhal la'alleee ablughul asbaab
[Q40:36] And Firon said: O Haman! Build for me a tower that I may attain the means of access,

[Q40:36] Dan Firaun pula berkata: Hai Haman! Binalah untukku sebuah bangunan yang tinggi, semoga aku sampai ke jalan-jalan (yang aku hendak menujunya) 

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:36) Pharaoh said: “Haman, build for me a lofty tower that I may scale the highways –

أَسْبَابَ السَّمَاوَاتِ فَأَطَّلِعَ إِلَىٰ إِلَٰهِ مُوسَىٰ وَإِنِّي لَأَظُنُّهُ كَاذِبًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ وَصُدَّ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ ۚ وَمَا كَيْدُ فِرْعَوْنَ إِلَّا فِي تَبَابٍ {40:37}

[Q40:37] Asbaabas samaawaati faattali'a ilaaa ilaahi Moosaa wa innee la azunnuhoo kaazibaa; wa kazaalika zuyyina li-Fir'awna sooo'u 'amalihee wa sudda 'anis sabeel; wa maa kaidu Fir'awna illaa fee tabaab. 
[Q40:37] The means of access to the heavens, then reach the ALLAH (SWT) of Musa, and I surely think him to be a liar. And thus the evil of his deed was made fairseeming to Firon, and he was turned away from the way; and the struggle of Firon was not (to end) in aught but destruction.

[Q40:37] (Iaitu) ke pintu-pintu langit, supaya aku dapat melihat Tuhan Musa dan sesungguhnya aku percaya Musa itu seorang pendusta! Demikianlah diperhiaskan (oleh Syaitan) kepada Firaun akan perbuatannya yang buruk itu untuk dipandang baik, serta dia dihalangi dari jalan yang benar dan tipu daya Firaun itu tidak membawanya melainkan ke dalam kerugian dan kebinasaan.

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:37) the highways to the heavens – and have a look at the God of Moses, although I am certain that Moses is a liar.” *55 Thus Pharaoh’s evil deed was made to seem fair to him, and he was barred from the Right Path. Pharaoh’s guile only led him to his own perdition.

*55 Pharaoh addresses these words to Hamim, his minister, interposing in the speech of the Believer in a way as though he has no regard for what he was saying. Therefore, he turns away from him arrogantly and says to Haman, "Build me a high tower so that I may climb it to see where the God of whom this Moses speaks, lives." (For explanation, see AI-Qasas: 38 and E.N.'s thereof). 

SECTION 5

The false leaders and their followers shall contend each other

The followers of the false leaders shall contend with their leaders, in Hell---The call for help from the disbelievers sentenced to Hell shall be in vain.

وَقَالَ الَّذِي آمَنَ يَا قَوْمِ اتَّبِعُونِ أَهْدِكُمْ سَبِيلَ الرَّشَادِ {40:38}

[Q40:38] Wa qaalal lazeee aamana yaa qawmit tabi'ooni ahdikum sabeelar rashaad. 
[Q40:38] And he who believed said: O my people! Follow me, I will guide you to the right course;

[Q40:38] Dan berkatalah pula orang beriman itu: Wahai kaumku! Turutlah (nasihatku), aku akan menunjukkan kepada kamu jalan yang benar. 

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:38) The person endowed with faith said: “My people, follow me; I shall direct you to the Path of Rectitude.

يَا قَوْمِ إِنَّمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ وَإِنَّ الْآخِرَةَ هِيَ دَارُ الْقَرَارِ {40:39}

[Q40:39] Yaa qawmi innamaa haazihil hayaatud dunyaa mataa'unw wa innal Aakhirata hiya daarul qaraar. 
[Q40:39] O my people! This life of the world is only a (passing) enjoyment, and surely the hereafter is the abode to settle;

[Q40:39] Wahai kaumku! Sesungguhnya kehidupan dunia ini hanyalah kesenangan (untuk sementara waktu sahaja) dan sesungguhnya hari akhirat itulah sahaja negeri yang kekal.  

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:39) My people, the life of this world is ephemeral, *56 whereas the Hereafter, that is the permanent abode.

*56 That is, 'You are being forgetful of Allah on account of your pride in the transient wealth and prosperity of this world: this is your folly."

مَنْ عَمِلَ سَيِّئَةً فَلَا يُجْزَىٰ إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا ۖ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُولَٰئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ يُرْزَقُونَ فِيهَا بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ {40:40}

[Q40:40] Man 'amila saiyi'atan falaa yujzaaa illaa mislahaa wa man 'amila saaliham min zakarin aw unsaa wa huwa mu'minun fa ulaaa'ika yadkhuloonal Jannata yurzaqoona feehaa bighairi hisaab. 
[Q40:40] Whoever does an evil, he shall not be recompensed (with aught) but the like of it, and whoever does good, whether male or female, and he is a believer, these shall enter the garden, in which they shall be given sustenance without measure.

[Q40:40] Sesiapa yang mengerjakan sesuatu perbuatan jahat maka dia tidak dibalas melainkan dengan kejahatan yang sebanding dengannya dan sesiapa yang mengerjakan amal soleh dari lelaki atau perempuan sedang dia beriman, maka mereka itu akan masuk Syurga; mereka beroleh rezeki di dalam Syurga itu dengan tidak dihitung. 

(see commentary for verse 23)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(40:40) Whosoever does an evil deed will be requited only with the like of it; and whosoever acts righteously and has attained to faith – be he a male or a female – they shall enter Paradise and be provided sustenance beyond all reckoning.