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A group of these monists—who have deviated concerning Allah’s names and signs—claimed that Pharaoh was a believer and would not enter the Fire. They claimed that nothing in the Quran indicates that he will be punished; rather, it contains passages denying this, such as His words:

“Admit Pharaoh’s people into the severest punishment.”

They said: “Only his people were admitted, not Pharaoh himself.” And His words:

“He will lead his people on the Day of Resurrection and bring them into the Fire.”

They said: “He merely brought them into it; he did not enter it himself.” They also said: “Moreover, he believed that there is no god except the One in whom the Children of Israel believed, and Gabriel’s putting mud into his mouth does not negate the faith in his heart.”

This assertion constitutes disbelief, and its falsity is self-evident in the religion of Islam. To my knowledge, no one among those who pray toward the qiblah had advanced it before Ibn ‘Arabī—not even any Jew or Christian. Rather, the adherents of all religions unanimously affirm Pharaoh’s disbelief. This is so clear to scholars and ordinary people alike that it needs no proof, for no one has rivalled Pharaoh in disbelief in Allah and in claiming lordship and divinity for himself. For this reason, Allah has repeated his story in several places in the Quran, for these narratives are but parables