“Our Lord, pour patience upon us and let us die in submission to You.” That is, pour it down upon us. Al-Kalbi related that Pharaoh cut off their hands and feet and crucified them. Others said that he was unable to do so, in view of Allah Most High’s words: “They will not be able to reach either of you because of Our signs. You and those who follow you will prevail.” [Surah al-Qasas 28:35]

The chiefs among Pharaoh’s people said to him, “Will you leave Moses and his people to spread corruption in the land?” By corruption in the land, they meant their calling people to oppose Pharaoh in worshipping him, “and to abandon you and your gods?” That is, so that he may abandon you and your gods, neither worshipping you nor worshipping them.

Ibn Abbas said: Pharaoh had a cow that he worshipped, and whenever he saw a beautiful cow, he commanded them to worship it. This is why the Samaritan produced a calf for them. Al-Hasan said: He had hung a cross around his neck, which he worshipped. Al-Suddi said: Pharaoh had set up idols for his people and commanded them to worship them. He said to his people, “These are your gods, and I am their lord and your lord.” This is the meaning of his saying, “I am your Lord, the Most High.” [Surah al-Nazi‘at 79:24]

Ibn Mas‘ud, Ibn Abbas, al-Sha‘bi, and al-Dahhak recited it instead as wa-ilāhatika—“and your worship”—with a kasrah on the initial alif; that is, so that he may abandon your worship and not worship you. For Pharaoh was worshipped, but did not himself worship. It was also said that the gods meant the sun, which they worshipped. The poet said:

“We left al-La‘ba’ at evening, bound for Qasr,
And raced the sun before it could set.”

Pharaoh said, “We shall slaughter their sons.” The reciters of the Hijaz read it as sanaqtulu—“We shall kill”—without intensification, while the others read it as sanuqattilu, an intensive form denoting repeated killing. “And we shall spare their women,” that is, leave them alive. “For we are surely dominant over them,” meaning victorious over them.

Ibn Abbas said: Pharaoh had been repeatedly killing the sons of the Children of Israel in the year concerning which it had been said, “A child will be born who will bring an end to your kingdom.” He continued killing them until Moses came to them with the message, and what occurred occurred. Then Pharaoh said, “Resume killing them,” so they resumed killing them. The Children of Israel complained of this.

Moses said to his people, “Seek Allah’s help and be patient. The land belongs to Allah; He grants it as an inheritance to whichever of His servants He wills. The final outcome belongs to the God-fearing.” (128) They said, “We have been harmed before you came to us and after you came to us.” He said, “Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you successors in the land, then see how you act.” (129) “And We afflicted Pharaoh’s people with years of drought and a shortage of crops, so that they might take heed.” (130)

Moses said to his people, “Seek Allah’s help and be patient. The land belongs to Allah,” meaning the land of Egypt. “He grants it as an inheritance,” that is, He gives it, “to whichever of His servants He wills. The final outcome belongs to the God-fearing,” through victory and triumph. It was also said: happiness and martyrdom. And it was said: Paradise.