(10–68) “And recall when your Lord called Moses, ‘Go to the wrongdoing people’” through to the end of the account, where He says: “Surely in that is a sign, yet most of them were not believers. And indeed, your Lord is truly the Almighty, the Most Merciful.”
The Exalted Creator recounts the story of Moses repeatedly in the Quran as He does no other story, because it contains profound wisdom and lessons, as well as the account of his dealings with wrongdoers and believers. He was the bearer of the great revealed law and of the Torah, the finest of books after the Quran. Thus He says: Remember the noble state of Moses when Allah called him, spoke to him, made him a prophet, and sent him forth, saying: “Go to the wrongdoing people,” who acted arrogantly in the land, exalted themselves over its inhabitants, and whose leader claimed lordship.
“The people of Pharaoh—will they not fear Allah?” That is, say to them gently and graciously, “Will you not fear Allah?” He created you and provided for you, so abandon the unbelief you presently follow.
Moses—peace be upon him—then presented his excuse to his Lord, explained his concern, and sought His help in bearing this heavy burden: “He said, ‘My Lord, I fear that they will reject me. My breast will tighten and my tongue will not speak freely.’”
He therefore said: “My Lord, expand my breast for me, ease my task for me, untie the knot from my tongue so that they may understand my words, and appoint for me a minister from my family—Aaron, my brother.” “So send for Aaron.” Allah granted his request and made his brother Aaron a prophet just as He had made Moses a prophet. “Send him with me as a helper,” meaning one who would assist me in my mission, so that they might believe me.
“They hold a charge against me”—namely, the killing of the Egyptian—“so I fear that they will kill me.”
“He said, ‘No.’” That is, they will not be able to kill you, for We shall grant you both authority so that, by Our signs, they will not be able to reach you. You and those who follow you will prevail. This is why Pharaoh was unable to kill Moses despite his extreme hostility toward him, his denunciation of his judgment as foolish, and his declaration that he and his people were misguided. “Go, then, both of you with Our signs,” which indicate ⦗590⦘ your truthfulness and the soundness of what you have brought. “Indeed, We are with you, listening”—We shall protect you both and watch over you.
“Go to Pharaoh and say, ‘We are messengers from the Lord of all worlds.’” That is, we have been sent to you so that you may believe in Him and in us, submit to worshipping Him, and acknowledge His oneness.
“Let the Children of Israel go with us.” Cease tormenting them and release your hold upon them so that they may worship their Lord and uphold their religion.
When they came to Pharaoh and told him what Allah had commanded them to say, Pharaoh neither believed nor relented. Instead, he began disputing with Moses and “said, ‘Did we not raise you among us as a child?’” That is, did we not favor you and take care of you from the time you were an infant in your cradle, continuing to do so?
“And you remained among us for years of your life, then committed that deed of yours.” This was Moses’s killing of the Egyptian when the man from his own people sought his help against the man from among his enemies: “Moses struck him with his fist, killing him”—to the end of the verse.
“And you were one of the unbelievers.” That is, at that time your way was our way and your path was our path in unbelief. Pharaoh thus admitted his own unbelief without realizing it.