Al-Qasas 28:4
The Stories · Meccan · Juz 20 · Page 385
Divide and Rule
إِنَّ فِرۡعَوۡنَ عَلَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهۡلَهَا شِيَعࣰا يَسۡتَضۡعِفُ طَآئِفَةࣰ مِّنۡهُمۡ يُذَبِّحُ أَبۡنَآءَهُمۡ وَيَسۡتَحۡيِۦ نِسَآءَهُمۡۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ ٤
Lo! Pharaoh exalted himself in the earth and made its people castes. A tribe among them he oppressed, killing their sons and sparing their women. Lo! he was of those who work corruption.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and divided its people into factions, oppressing a group among them.
Insight
According to Elmalılı, the oppressed group were the Children of Israel; it is reported a soothsayer said a child born among them would end his rule.
Reflect
Don’t take part in oppression that divides people.
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›