“They said, ‘We have been harmed.’” Ibn Abbas said: When the magicians believed, six hundred thousand of the Children of Israel followed Moses. They—that is, Moses’ people—said, “We have been harmed before you came to us,” with the message, through the killing of our sons, “and after you came to us,” through the resumption of the killing against us.

It was also said that this means Pharaoh used to compel them to labor until midday before Moses came; but when Moses came, he compelled them to work the entire day without wages. Al-Kalbi related that they used to make bricks for him with straw supplied by Pharaoh; but when Moses came, he forced them to make them with straw from their own supply.

Moses said, “Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy,” Pharaoh, “and make you successors in the land,” that is, cause you to dwell in the land of Egypt after them, “then see how you act.” Allah fulfilled this by drowning Pharaoh and making them successors to their homes and wealth; yet they worshipped the calf.

Allah Most High says: “And We certainly afflicted Pharaoh’s people with years,” that is, with drought and famine. The Arabs say, “The year struck them,” meaning the drought and severity of the year. It was also said that “years” means famine year after year. “And a shortage of fruits,” and crops, through calamities and blights. Qatadah said: The years of drought affected the people of the desert, while the shortage of fruits affected the inhabitants of the towns, “so that they might take heed,” that is, be admonished. This is because hardship softens hearts and turns them toward what is with Allah Most High.