Surah Ghāfir

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

[Surah Ghāfir (40): Verse 37]

“The ways into the heavens, so that I may look upon the God of Moses, though I certainly think him a liar.” Thus the evil of Pharaoh’s deeds was made appealing to him, and he was barred from the path. Pharaoh’s plotting was doomed to ruin. (37)

The reciters of Kufa read wa-sudda (“and he was barred”) in the passive, following the construction of zuyyina (“was made appealing”). The remaining reciters read wa-sadda, with a short a on the sād. This admits two meanings:

First: he turned away, in which case the verb is intransitive.

Second: he barred and prevented others, in which case it is transitive. The two readings are like two verses: they do not contradict one another.

As for the hardening of the heart, it is mentioned in the words of the Most High, 10:88, 89:

“Moses said, ‘Our Lord, You have given Pharaoh and his chiefs splendour and wealth in the life of this world, our Lord, that they may lead others astray from Your way. Our Lord, destroy their wealth and harden their hearts, so that they will not believe until they see the painful punishment.’ He said, ‘Your prayer has been answered, so both of you remain steadfast.’”

This hardening of the heart means barring and preventing. Hence Ibn ‘Abbās said: