—they are exposed to it morning and evening.” The passage continues to His words:

“Those who were arrogant will say: ‘We are all in it. Allah has already judged between His servants.’”

Immediately after His words:

“Admit Pharaoh’s people to the severest punishment,”

He describes their disputing in the Fire, what the weak say to those who were arrogant, and the arrogant ones’ reply to the weak:

“We are all in it.”

It is well known that Pharaoh is the foremost of the arrogant. He was the one who treated his people as fools, and they obeyed him. No one displayed arrogance like Pharaoh’s, so this description and judgment apply to him more fully than to anyone else among his people.

(The second passage)—which is evidence against them, not in their favour—is the statement of the Most High, exalted is He:

“They followed Pharaoh’s command, but Pharaoh’s command was not rightly guided.”

“He will precede his people on the Day of Resurrection and lead them into the Fire. Wretched is the watering place to which they are led!”

The passage continues to His words:

“Wretched is the gift bestowed!”

He states that Pharaoh precedes his people; He does not say that he drives them from behind. He also states that Pharaoh leads them into the Fire. Clearly, when someone leading the way brings those following him into the Fire, he is the first to enter it. Otherwise, he would not be leading them from the front, but driving them from behind. This is further clarified by His words:

“They were pursued by a curse in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection.”

Thus, it is clear that both he and they enter the Fire, and that they are all cursed in this world and the Hereafter. How fitting it would be for someone who argues in Pharaoh’s defence to share this fate! For a person will be with those whom he loves:

“Those who disbelieve are allies of one another.”

Furthermore, Allah Most High says:

“Why was there no town that believed and benefited from its faith, except the people of Jonah when they believed?”

That is: Why did no people believe and benefit from their faith, except the people of Jonah?