Surah Ash-Shu'ara — Verse 66

Word Meanings:

• Aghraqna (أغرقنا): We drowned them, meaning We caused them to be submerged and perish in the water.
• Al-Akharin (الآخرين): The others — referring to Pharaoh, his army, and his people who pursued Moses and the Children of Israel.

Tafsir (Explanation):

After Allah, by His infinite power and mercy, parted the sea for Moses and his followers, allowing them to cross safely to the other shore, He then closed the waters upon Pharaoh and his forces. They had arrogantly pursued the believers, driven by hostility and disbelief, only to find themselves trapped in the very path that had been a means of salvation for the righteous. The sea, which had stood still in awe of Allah’s command, returned to its natural state and engulfed them entirely — drowning Pharaoh and his people, leaving not a single one of them alive. This was a decisive and complete punishment for their tyranny, their rejection of the truth, and their persecution of the Children of Israel. It was a sign of Allah’s justice: He saves whom He wills and destroys whom He wills, and no power on earth can resist His decree.

Reflection and Da'wah:

This verse carries a profound lesson for every soul: the fate of the oppressor is sealed, no matter how mighty they seem in this world. Pharaoh had armies, wealth, and unmatched authority, yet when Allah’s command came, none of that could protect him. In contrast, Moses and his people — who were weak and outnumbered — were saved because they placed their trust in Allah and followed His guidance. Dear reader, reflect on your own life: do you rely on your own strength, or do you turn to Allah, the Most Powerful, who controls the seas, the skies, and every heart? The same Allah who drowned Pharaoh is alive today, hearing your prayers and witnessing your deeds. Embrace faith, abandon arrogance, and know that victory belongs to those who submit to their Lord. The sea of this world may rise against you, but if you are with Allah, He will part it for you — and He will drown every obstacle that stands between you and His mercy. Let this verse be a reminder to repent before the waves of life overtake you, for Allah’s door of forgiveness is open until the moment of death, and His justice is swift for those who persist in wrongdoing.