وَنادىٰ فِرعَونُ في قَومِهِ قالَ يا قَومِ أَلَيسَ لي مُلكُ مِصرَ وَهٰذِهِ الأَنهارُ تَجري مِن تَحتي ۖ أَفَلا تُبصِرونَ
And Pharaoh proclaimed amongst his people. He said: ‘O my people! Does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me and these rivers that run at my feet? Do you not perceive?
EXEGESIS
Nādā (proclaimed) typically denotes an address to a large public gathering. Its use here suggests that Pharaoh summoned all his advisors and chiefs and made the aforementioned statements to them directly. Alternatively, it may indicate that Pharaoh commanded his heralds to disseminate his message throughout Egypt – an interpretation more consistent with Pharaoh’s established practice as depicted elsewhere in the Quran (see 26:53-55). Exegetes who favour this latter view argue that the apparent meaning of the verse – that Pharaoh addressed all his people – would only be feasible if he dispatched messengers across Egypt to promulgate his words. Some among the exegetes have accepted both interpretations, proposing that Pharaoh called out to the chiefs of the Copts in their assembly, raising his voice among them so that they in turn would convey his message to all the Copts.
Anhār (rivers) in the plural form points to different canals and rivulets branching off from the Nile, running in Pharaoh’s palace and throughout the city. It is said that these canals stretched up to 360 kilometres, and irrigated their agricultural lands.
Tajrī min taḥtī (flows beneath me) may mean that small branches of the Nile literally passed under Pharaoh’s palace and the whole city. Alternatively, it may mean that ‘the River Nile and all its canals and tributaries are under my command, and its distribution to the farms and settlements is done according to the directives I impose’.
Do you not perceive? is rhetorical. It is a form of confirmation intended to assert their acknowledgment.
EXPOSITION
In light of the previous verses, some exegetes suggest that perhaps the clarity of Prophet Moses’ (a) argument, his miracles, and the removal of calamities from the people due to his supplications, had begun to have an impact on the conscience of the disbelievers, who were now beginning to doubt in Pharaoh’s lordship. It was perhaps in such circumstances that Pharaoh came forward, attempting to beguile the people once again and renew their faith in him.
And Pharaoh proclaimed amongst his people: some exegetes suggest that the use of the term proclaimed (nādā) suggests that it was made in a moment of anger and agitation, and that Pharaoh was unable to control himself, as is also evident from his choice of words. It is possible that the reason for this speech was to conceal his feeling of defeat in the face of Prophet Moses (a), as he was compelled to ask Prophet Moses (a) to pray for the removal of punishment from them. Alternatively, he may have intended to mislead them and prevent them from believing in Prophet Moses (a) and his message. Thus, fear and weakness are clearly apparent in his words.
O my people! Does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me and these rivers that run at my feet?: by addressing them as my people he attempted to stir within them a sense of pride and tribal loyalty.
Pharaoh began by comparing his social status with that of Prophet Moses (a). He claimed to have authority over the whole of Egypt whilst Prophet Moses (a) apparently only had a wooden staff and coarse woollen clothes. Thus, Pharaoh exalted corrupt and heretical values, making wealth, status, and prestige the measures of truth, just as the idolaters of Mecca did in their stance against the Prophet Muhammad (s), as discussed in verse 31.
He first boasted about his control over the River Nile and its canals. It has been said that river-based civilisations are more inclined to order and stability than others because their survival depends on the proper distribution of water. The context here seems to hint at this, as Pharaoh subtly implies that the message of Prophet Moses (a) threatens the system that regulates the distribution of water. But why did Pharaoh specifically emphasise the Nile River and its canals? This is because all of Egypt’s civilisation, wealth, strength, and development drew its energy from the Nile. Therefore, Pharaoh used it as a symbol to boast and show off against Prophet Moses (a).
In addition to that, his intent was to instil fear and terror among his people (the Copts). By mentioning his absolute sovereignty and also referencing his control over the source of the Copts’ livelihood, it can be inferred that Pharaoh was emphasising his power and authority over them. This declaration was not only a sign of his profound haughtiness but also of his ignorance, for he was oblivious to the fact that God could withdraw those blessings at any moment. Have they not regarded how many a generation We have destroyed before them whom We had granted power in the land in respects that We did not grant you, and We sent abundant rains for them from the sky and made streams run for them? Then We destroyed them for their sins, and brought forth another generation after them (6:6).
Do you not perceive?: why did Pharaoh not say: ‘Do you not understand?’ or: ‘Do you not reflect?’ Because he was calling them to observe the obvious. If he had called them to think, they would have realised that he was merely an ordinary human like them, who had dominated them through their ignorance. If they had used reason, they would have understood that the kingdom of Egypt belongs to Allah and then to those who build and cultivate it. Pharaoh deserved the severest punishment from them for exploiting them financially and ruling over them politically without any authority from them and without any mandate from Allah. So how could he demand a reward from them and boast over them when he had tyrannised them and plundered their wealth?
REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE
Some exegetes have said that Pharaoh had built for himself a grand, elevated throne, under which a tributary of the Nile flowed. It has been attributed to Qatādah that Pharaoh owned some gardens and orchards in which the Nile flowed through, and that is what he was referring to when he said these rivers that run at my feet. Al-Ḍaḥḥāk interpreted rivers as referring to the leaders and tyrant generals, and ‘flowing beneath him’ was that they followed his command and acted according to his orders. This interpretation is farfetched, as is the interpretation that sees the rivers as representing wealth or horses.
It is reported that ʿAbd-Allāh ibn Ṭāhir (circa. 798-844/5) was appointed to govern Egypt. When he approached it and set his eyes upon it, he said: ‘This is the village over which Pharaoh boasted, saying: “Isn’t the dominion of Egypt mine,”? By Allah, it is less significant to me than to even enter it.’ And so he turned his horse around.
[1] Amthal, 16/71.
[2] Amthal, 16/71; Tabrisi.J, 4/71; Munyah, 25/220.
[3] Mudarrisi, 12/492.
[4] Muhit, 9/381.
[5] Amthal, 16/71.
[6] Mudarrisi, 12/492.
[7] Mizan, 18/110.
[8] Amthal, 16/72; Alusi, 13/89.
[9] Ibn Ashur, 25/269.
[10] Amthal, 16/71; Tabrisi, 9/78; Mudarrisi, 12/491.
[11] Hadi, 3/234.
[12] Mudarrisi, 12/492.
[13] Amthal, 16/71.
[14] Mudarrisi, 12/492.
[15] Amthal, 16/71.
[16] Rahnama, 17/74.
[17] Nasr, p. 2178.
[18] Mudarrisi, 12/493.
[19] Alusi, 13/89.
[20] Alusi, 13/89.