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More than one of the scholars of Tafsir said that Fir`awn set out with a huge group, a group containing the leaders and entire government of Egypt at that time, i.e., the decision-makers and influential figures, princes, ministers, nobles, leaders and soldiers.

(So, they pursued them at sunrise.) means, they caught up with the Children of Israel at sunrise.

(And when the two hosts saw each other,) means, each group saw the other. At that point,

(the companions of Musa said: “We are sure to be overtaken.”) This was because Fir`awn and his people caught up with them on the shores of the Red Sea, so the sea was ahead of them and Fir`awn and his troops were behind them. Hence they said:

(“We are sure to be overtaken.” (Musa) said: “Nay, verily with me is my Lord. He will guide me.”) meaning, `nothing of what you fear will happen to you, for Allah is the One Who commanded me to bring you here, and He does not go back on His promise.’ Harun (peace be upon him) was in the front, with Yusha` bin Nun and a believer from the family of Fir`awn, and Musa (peace be upon him) was in the rear. More than one of the scholars of Tafsir said that they stood there not knowing what to do, and Yusha` bin Nun or the believer from the family of Fir`awn said to Musa (peace be upon him) “O Prophet of Allah, is it here that your Lord commanded you to bring us” He said: “Yes.” Then Fir`awn and his troops drew near and were very close indeed. At that point Allah commanded his Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) to strike the sea with his staff, so he struck it, and it parted, by the will of Allah. Allah says:

(And it parted, and each separate part became like huge mountain.) meaning, like mighty mountains. This was the view of Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn `Abbas, Muhammad bin Ka`b, Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah and others. `Ata’ Al-Khurasani said, “It refers to a pass between two mountains.” Ibn `Abbas said, “The sea divided into twelve paths, one for each of the tribes.” As-Suddi added, “And in it there were windows through which they could see one another, and the water was erected like walls.” Allah sent the wind to the sea bed to make it solid like the land. Allah says:

(and strike a dry path for them in the sea, fearing neither to be overtaken nor being afraid) (20:77). And here He says:

(Then We brought near the others to that place.) Ibn `Abbas, `Ata’ Al-Khurasani, Qatadah and As-Suddi said:

(Then We brought near) means, “We brought Fir`awn and his troops near to the sea.”

(And We saved Musa and all those with him. Then We drowned the others.) meaning: `We saved Musa and the Children of Israel and whoever followed their religion, and none of them were destroyed, but Fir`awn and his troops were drowned and not one of them remained alive, but was destroyed.’ Then Allah says:

(Verily, in this is indeed a sign,) meaning, this story with its wonders and tales of aid to the believing servants of Allah is definitive proof and evidence of Allah’s wisdom.

(yet most of them are not believers. And verily your Lord, He is truly the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. ) The explanation of this phrase has already been discussed above.

Allah, the Exalted, informs that He commanded Musa to journey at night with the Children of Israel, when Fir`awn refused to release them and send them with Musa. He was to take them away from Fir`awn’s captivity. Allah expounds upon this in Surahs other than this noble Surah. Musa left with the Children of Israel, and when the people of Egypt awoke in the morning they found that not a single one of them remained in Egypt. Fir`awn became extremely furious. He sent callers into all of the cities to gather together his army from all of his lands and provinces. He said to them,

(Verily, these indeed are but a small band. And verily, they have done what has enraged us.) (26:54-55) Then when he gathered his army and organized his troops, he set out after them and they followed them at dawn when the sun began to rise.

(And when the two hosts saw each other) (26:61) This means that each person of the two parties was looking at the other party.

(The companions of Musa said: “We are sure to be overtaken.” (Musa) said: “Nay, verily, with me is my Lord. He will guide me.”) (26:61-62) Musa stopped with the Children of Israel and the sea was in front of them and Fir`awn was behind them. Then, at that moment, Allah revealed to Musa,

(And strike a dry path for them in the sea.) So Musa struck the sea with his stick and he said, “Split for me, by the leave of Allah.” Thus, it split, and each separate part of the water became like a huge mountain. Then, Allah sent a wind to the land of the sea and it burned the soil until it became dry like the ground that is on land. For this reason Allah said,

(and strike a dry path for them in the sea, fearing neither to be overtaken…) This means being caught by Fir`awn.

(nor being afraid.) meaning, “Do not be afraid of the sea drowning your people.” Then, Allah, the Exalted, said,

(Then Fir`awn pursued them with his hosts, but the sea (Al-Yamm) completely overwhelmed them) Al-Yamm means the sea.

(and covered them up.) meaning, covered them up with a thing that was well-familiar to them in such a situa- tion, as Allah states;

(And He destroyed the overthrown cities. So there covered them that which did cover.) (53:53-54) As Fir`awn pursued them into the sea, misled his people and did not lead them to the path of correct guidance, likewise, he will go ahead of his people on the Day of Resurrection, and will lead them in to the Hellfire. And evil indeed is the place to which they are led.