other than Allah that enslaves him. He thus becomes a slave to that beloved object of desire—whether wealth, prestige, physical beauty, or something he takes as a deity besides Allah, such as the sun, the moon, the stars, idols, or the graves of prophets and righteous people; or angels and prophets whom he takes as lords; or anything else worshipped besides Allah. If he is a slave to something other than Allah, he associates partners with Allah. Every arrogant person associates partners with Allah. Thus Pharaoh was among the most arrogant of all creatures in refusing to worship Allah, and he associated partners with Him.

Allah Most High says:

“And We certainly sent Moses with Our signs and a clear authority to Pharaoh, Haman and Qārūn, but they said, ‘A magician and a liar.’”

Further on, He says:

“And Moses said, ‘Indeed, I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant person who does not believe in the Day of Account.’”

And further on:

“Thus does Allah seal the heart of every arrogant tyrant.”

Allah Most High also says:

“And Qārūn, Pharaoh and Haman—Moses had certainly come to them with clear proofs, but they were arrogant in the land, and they could not escape Us.”

Allah Most High says:

“Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and divided its people into factions, oppressing a group among them, slaughtering their sons and keeping their women alive. Indeed, he was one of the corrupters.”

There are many similar passages in the Quran.

Pharaoh is also described as associating partners with Allah in His words:

“And the chiefs among Pharaoh’s people said, ‘Will you leave Moses and his people to spread corruption in the land and abandon you and your gods?’”