ভূমিকা

When his Lord called to him in the holy valley of Tuwa: Go to Pharaoh, surely he has transgressed all bounds: And say to him: 'Wouldst thou that thou shouldst be purified (from sin) ?' 'And that I guide thee to thy Lord, so thou shouldst fear (Him) ?' Then did (Moses) show him The Great Sign. But (Pharaoh) rejected it and disobeyed (guidance) ; Further, he turned his back, striving hard (against Allah) . Then he collected (his men) and made a proclamation, And said: I am your Lord, Most High.

So Allah seized him for an exemplary punishment in the Hereafter and in this life. Surely in that is a lesson for him who fears (Allah) . Commentary: Pharaoh used to say: I am your Lord, Most High.

After a considerable description in the former verses about Resurrection and the rejection of the disbelievers, in the following verses the painful end of Pharaoh, one of the great arrogant blasphemers and rebels of history, is pointed out, to show Pagan Arabs that those who were stronger than them could not stand against Allah's wrath and punishment, and encourages the believers not to be afraid of the apparent strength of their enemies, because it is easy for Him to destroy them all.

Has the story of Moses reached you? It is interesting that it addresses the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and begins with a question to attract the attention of the listener in order to make him ready to hear this wonderful story. When his Lord called to him in the holy valley of Tuwa." 'Tuwa' may be the name of a sacred valley just below Mount Sinai, which was located in Sham (Damascus) between Madyan and Egypt, and where Moses, subsequently, received, in his heart, the first light of inspiration.

The term is also mentioned in Sura Ta-Ha No 20, verse 12 where Moses hears a voice say: Verily I am thy Lord!