Was Firawn Saved or Did He Drown?
Brief description of the dubiety
Based on many verses of the Holy Quran, such as Surah al-Isra, verse 103; Surah al-Qasas, verse 40; Surah al-Dhariyat, verse 40; Surah al-Shuara, verses 63-66; and Surah al-Zukhruf, verses 54-56 when narrating the story of Prophet Musa, Allah mentions how He drowned Firawn and his army in the sea. On the other hand, verse 92 of Surah Yunus says that Firawn was ‘saved’ from the sea.
Detailed description of the dubiety
Contradictory Verses
Verses that indicate that Firawn was drowned
In verse 103 of Surah al-Isra, it has been revealed: “He desired to exterminate them from the land, so We drowned him and all of those who were with him.” This verse specifies that Firawn and his army were destroyed by being drowned in the sea. Likewise, there are other verses also present that indicate this same meaning, for example in Surah al-Qasas, verse 40 where Allah says: “So We seized him and his hosts and threw them into the sea. So, observe how the fate of the wrongdoers was!”
Similarly in Surah al-Dhariyat, verse 40 it says: “So, We seized him and his hosts, and cast them into the sea, while he was blameworthy.” In Surah al-Shuara, verses 63-66 Allah says: “Thereupon We revealed to Musa: ‘Strike the sea with your staff!’ Whereupon it parted, and each part was as if it were a great mountain. There, We brought the others near, and We delivered Musa and all of those who were with him. Then We drowned the rest.”
Finally in Surah al-Zukhruf, verses 54-56 we read: “Thus, did he mislead his people and they obeyed him. Indeed, they were a transgressing lot. So, when they aroused Our wrath, We took vengeance on them and drowned them all. Thus, We made them the vanguard and an example for posterity.”
Verses that indicate that Firawn was saved
In verses 90-92 of Surah Yunus, it has been revealed: “We carried the Children of Israel across the sea, where Firawn and his troops pursued them, out of defiance and aggression. When overtaken by drowning, he called out, ‘I believe that there is no god except Him in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am one of those who submit [to Him]!’ [He was told,] ‘What! Now? When you have been disobedient before this and were among the agents of corruption?! So today We shall deliver your body so that you may be a sign for those who come after you.’ Indeed, many of the people are oblivious to Our signs.” This verse expresses that Firawn was ‘saved,’ and the word ‘deliver’ is compatible with the meaning of someone who is in good health.
Summary
According to some of the few verses in the Holy Quran that have been mentioned above, when Prophet Musa took his people across the sea with his miracle, Firawn and his army entered the sea and Allah drowned them. On the other hand, in verse in Surah Yunus, it appears to state that Firawn was saved from destruction.
A summarized response
With due attention to the word ‘body’ in verse 92 of Surah Yunus, that which was saved was the lifeless corpse of Firawn, not Firawn himself. Based on this, there is no contradiction present between the verses that mention the drowning of Firawn and the verses that are indicative of the saving of his lifeless body from the water.
A detailed response
Saving the body of Firawn, not his life
The answer to this issue becomes clear with due attention to the wording of the verse itself. The Holy Quran does not use the term «نُنَجِّيكَ»(meaning ‘So today We shall deliver’) on its own such that an incompatibility between the verses is construed; on the contrary, in verse 92 of Surah Yunus, the phrase «بِبَدَنِكَ» (meaning ‘your body’) is preceded by «نُنَجِّيكَ» and so the verse says: «نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ» which means: “So today We shall deliver your body.” The phrase «بِبَدَنِكَ» being brought after «نُنَجِّيكَ» shows that Firawn himself was not saved, but his body and corpse alone was drawn from the water. Therefore, that which was saved was the body of Firawn, not Firawn himself, and therefore no contradiction exists with his drowning and destruction. [1] [2]
In order to fully understand this issue, we must answer two other questions that could arise in one’s mind:
1. The word ‘deliver’ is usually used for someone who is in good health and safety. So why has the word ‘deliver’ been used to describe drawing the lifeless corpse of Firawn out of the water?
2. What was the purpose for Allah to draw Firawn’s dead body out of the water, and not just destroy it?
To answer the first question, it must be mentioned that as has been explained in the beginning of the verse that when Firawn saw his life coming to an end, he acknowledged belief in the God of Prophet Musa due to his distress and wanted his God to save him. However, Allah did not accept his artificial belief and due to this being a form of mockery, Allah also ridiculed him back by using the term ‘deliver’ in His answer to Firawn’s request to save him – but not by saving Firawn himself, rather by making him a promise to save the lifeless corpse of Firawn. So, with due attention to the context of these words, the usage of the terminology ‘deliver’ by Allah in the verse: “So today We shall deliver your body” actually has an aspect of making fun to it. [3]
However, the answer to the second question can be understood from the verse itself – because straight after outlining the issue of saving Firawn’s corpse, the verse says: “So that you may be a sign for those who come after you.” The preservation of Firawn’s corpse is considered a sign and serves as a reminder from Allah, that firstly, the people of Firawn used to think that he was their lord and master, and due to this, he will never be destroyed. Secondly, the fact that he wore chainmail, iron and heavy clothing meant that he would sink to the depths of the sea; however, this did not occur and instead Allah ‘saved’ his body. Therefore, Firawn’s corpse not sinking and being ‘delivered’ is a sign from the signs of Allah from both aspects. ((Ibid., Page 306)
Common example
A fisherman falls into the sea and the people try to save him, but they cannot and he drowns. A reporter accounts the event in this way: “A fisherman fell into the sea due to a loss of balance and they were unable to save him, so he drowned.” He continues: “We put in our total effort and managed to save his body.” These two sentences are not in contradiction with one another because in one account it indicates the drowning of the fisherman, and in the second sentence, it states that his body was saved.