and the earth and whatever is between them, if you have certainty” [al-Shuʿarāʾ: 23–24].

They said: When he asked him about the essence, and the One being asked about has no essence, he turned instead to something that could suitably serve as an answer.

Although their view is mistaken, it is closer to the truth than answering a question about essence with something that does not accord with reality.

Their view is mistaken because Pharaoh did not question Moses as someone seeking to learn the essence of the One being asked about, such that he should receive the answer appropriate to a genuine questioner, as people have explained when discussing how to answer the question “What is it?”

Rather, this was a question expressing denial, negation, and rejection of the One being asked about, for Pharaoh openly denied the Creator. Thus he said:

“I know of no god for you other than myself” [al-Qasas: 38].

And he said:

“I am your most high lord” [al-Nāziʿāt: 24].

And he said:

“O Hāmān, build me a lofty tower so that I may reach the pathways—the pathways of the heavens—and look upon the God of Moses, though I certainly think he is a liar” [Ghāfir: 36–37].

His words expressed rejection, negation, and denial of the One designated by “the Lord of all worlds.” Thus he said:

“What is the Lord of all worlds?” [al-Shuʿarāʾ: 23].

It is as though someone were to claim against another person, “This is your child,” or “This is your partner in the property,” or “He gave you this money,” and the like, and that person were to reply, “Who is my child? Who is my partner? Who gave me anything?” He says this by way of denial and rejection, not to seek information or understanding.

If he is denying the truth, he is answered with what establishes the case against him. He is told: “This is the one whom your wife, so-and-so, bore,” or “The one with whom you jointly purchased such-and-such property,” or “He is