Firawn
فرعون
Ruler · Quranic figure · Adversary
Pharaoh — the ruler of Egypt who enslaved Bani Israel, rejected Musa's message, and drowned pursuing them.
Overview
Firawn (Pharaoh) is the ruler of Egypt in the time of Musa. The Quran describes him as exalting himself in the land, dividing its people into factions and oppressing one group of them — Bani Israel — by killing their sons (28:4). He claimed lordship for himself (79:24) and the kingdom of Egypt (43:51), and threatened Musa with prison for worshipping any god other than him (26:29).
The Quran uses "Firawn" as a title and never identifies this ruler with a specific king of Egyptian history; identifications proposed by later writers are not Quranic claims. He and his forces were drowned while pursuing Bani Israel (2:50, 26:66), and his body was preserved as a sign (10:92).
Graph
Key connections
What do these labels mean?
Every connection on this page says what it rests on. The label tells you how directly the source supports it.
- Direct textual — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
- The source states this outright.
Select a connection to see the source it rests on.
- Firawnفرعون
Sources
Quran references
Selected passages. Firawn is linked to 70 ayat in total.
Yunus 10:92
AboutDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.فَٱلْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ ءَايَةًۭ ۚ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ عَنْ ءَايَٰتِنَا لَغَٰفِلُونَ
So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless
Ash-Shu'ara 26:29
AboutDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.قَالَ لَئِنِ ٱتَّخَذْتَ إِلَٰهًا غَيْرِى لَأَجْعَلَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْمَسْجُونِينَ
[Pharaoh] said, "If you take a god other than me, I will surely place you among those imprisoned."
Al-Qasas 28:4
NamesDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعًۭا يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَآئِفَةًۭ مِّنْهُمْ يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ وَيَسْتَحْىِۦ نِسَآءَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a sector among them, slaughtering their [newborn] sons and keeping their females alive. Indeed, he was of the corrupters.
Az-Zukhruf 43:51
NamesDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.وَنَادَىٰ فِرْعَوْنُ فِى قَوْمِهِۦ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ أَلَيْسَ لِى مُلْكُ مِصْرَ وَهَٰذِهِ ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِىٓ ۖ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ
And Pharaoh called out among his people; he said, "O my people, does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me, and these rivers flowing beneath me; then do you not see?
An-Nazi'at 79:24
AboutDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.فَقَالَ أَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ
And said, "I am your most exalted lord."
Across the Quran
- Al-A'raf9
- Ghafir8
- Ash-Shu'ara7
- Al-Qasas7
- Yunus6
- Ta-Ha5
- Al-Baqarah2
- Al-Anfal2
- Al-Isra2
- Az-Zukhruf2
- Ad-Dukhan2
- Al-Muzzammil2
- An-Nazi'at2
- Ali 'Imran1
Counts include curated links and automatic matches on the Arabic word form.
Related
People
Musa
موسىopposed
Moses — the prophet sent to Pharaoh and to Bani Israel, whose story the Quran tells in more detail than any other.
Musa
موسىreceived the messenger
Moses — the prophet sent to Pharaoh and to Bani Israel, whose story the Quran tells in more detail than any other.
Harun
هارونreceived the messenger
Aaron — brother of Musa, made a prophet to support him before Pharaoh and among Bani Israel.
Related
Groups
Bani Israel
بنو إسرائيلopposed
The Children of Israel — descendants of Yaqub, delivered from Pharaoh through Musa and addressed at length in the Quran.
People of Firawn
آل فرعونleader of
Āl Firʿawn — Pharaoh's household and followers, drowned with him and warned of a severe punishment.
Related
Events
Musa and Firawn
موسى وفرعونparticipated in
Musa and Harun deliver Allah's message to Pharaoh, face his magicians, and endure his threats and the plagues that follow.
Exodus of Bani Israel
خروج بني إسرائيلparticipated in
Musa leads Bani Israel out of Egypt by night; the sea is parted for them and closes over Pharaoh and his army.
Related
Places
Egypt
مصرruler of
Misr — the land ruled by Pharaoh in the story of Musa and the country where Yusuf rose to authority.
Related
Concepts
Oppression
الظلمexemplifies
Zulm — wrongdoing and tyranny, placing things out of their right place; Pharaoh is the Quran's archetype of the oppressor.
Names of Allah
Divine Names
Names that occur in the passages linked to this page are separated from names associated with it thematically.
Occurring in linked passages
Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.- Al-Alimالعليم
7:109 · 10:79
Provenance
Relationships
What do these labels mean?
Every connection on this page says what it rests on. The label tells you how directly the source supports it.
- Direct textual — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
- The source states this outright.
Every edge in the graph, with the evidence behind it.
FirawnopposedMusaDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.3 src
Pharaoh rejected the message Musa brought and threatened him with imprisonment.
Evidence
- Quran Ash-Shu'ara 26:29Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
قَالَ لَئِنِ ٱتَّخَذْتَ إِلَٰهًا غَيْرِى لَأَجْعَلَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْمَسْجُونِينَ
“[Pharaoh] said, "If you take a god other than me, I will surely place you among those imprisoned."”
Pharaoh threatens Musa with prison for worshipping another god.
Open ayah 26:29 → - Quran Ta-Ha 20:56Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
وَلَقَدْ أَرَيْنَٰهُ ءَايَٰتِنَا كُلَّهَا فَكَذَّبَ وَأَبَىٰ
“And We certainly showed Pharaoh Our signs - all of them - but he denied and refused.”
Pharaoh saw all the signs "but he denied and refused".
Open ayah 20:56 → - Quran An-Nazi'at 79:21Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
فَكَذَّبَ وَعَصَىٰ
“But Pharaoh denied and disobeyed.”
"But Pharaoh denied and disobeyed."
Open ayah 79:21 →
Firawnreceived the messengerMusaDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.2 src
Musa was commissioned at Tuwa to go to Pharaoh, and later sent together with Harun.
Evidence
- Quran Ta-Ha 20:24Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
ٱذْهَبْ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ طَغَىٰ
“Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed."”
"Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed."
Open ayah 20:24 → - Quran Ta-Ha 20:43Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
ٱذْهَبَآ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ طَغَىٰ
“Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed.”
"Go, both of you, to Pharaoh."
Open ayah 20:43 →
Firawnruler ofEgyptDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.1 src
Evidence
- Quran Az-Zukhruf 43:51Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
وَنَادَىٰ فِرْعَوْنُ فِى قَوْمِهِۦ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ أَلَيْسَ لِى مُلْكُ مِصْرَ وَهَٰذِهِ ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِىٓ ۖ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ
“And Pharaoh called out among his people; he said, "O my people, does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me, and these rivers flowing beneath me; then do you not see?”
"Does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me?"
Open ayah 43:51 →
Firawnparticipated inMusa and FirawnDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.1 src
Evidence
- Quran Ta-Ha 20:56Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
وَلَقَدْ أَرَيْنَٰهُ ءَايَٰتِنَا كُلَّهَا فَكَذَّبَ وَأَبَىٰ
“And We certainly showed Pharaoh Our signs - all of them - but he denied and refused.”
Open ayah 20:56 →
FirawnexemplifiesOppressionDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.2 src
The Quran describes Pharaoh's rule in the exact vocabulary of zulm and transgression.
Evidence
- Quran Al-Qasas 28:4Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعًۭا يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَآئِفَةًۭ مِّنْهُمْ يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ وَيَسْتَحْىِۦ نِسَآءَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
“Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a sector among them, slaughtering their [newborn] sons and keeping their females alive. Indeed, he was of the corrupters.”
"Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a sector among them."
Open ayah 28:4 → - Quran An-Nazi'at 79:24Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
فَقَالَ أَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ
“And said, "I am your most exalted lord."”
"I am your most exalted lord."
Open ayah 79:24 →
FirawnopposedBani IsraelDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.2 src
Evidence
- Quran Al-Qasas 28:4Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعًۭا يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَآئِفَةًۭ مِّنْهُمْ يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ وَيَسْتَحْىِۦ نِسَآءَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
“Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a sector among them, slaughtering their [newborn] sons and keeping their females alive. Indeed, he was of the corrupters.”
Open ayah 28:4 → - Quran Al-Baqarah 2:49Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
وَإِذْ نَجَّيْنَٰكُم مِّنْ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَسُومُونَكُمْ سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ يُذَبِّحُونَ أَبْنَآءَكُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيُونَ نِسَآءَكُمْ ۚ وَفِى ذَٰلِكُم بَلَآءٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ عَظِيمٌۭ
“And [recall] when We saved your forefathers from the people of Pharaoh, who afflicted you with the worst torment, slaughtering your [newborn] sons and keeping your females alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord.”
"We saved your forefathers from the people of Pharaoh, who afflicted you with the worst torment."
Open ayah 2:49 →
Firawnparticipated inExodus of Bani IsraelDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.2 src
Pharaoh pursued Bani Israel to the sea and was drowned.
Evidence
- Quran Al-Baqarah 2:50Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
وَإِذْ فَرَقْنَا بِكُمُ ٱلْبَحْرَ فَأَنجَيْنَٰكُمْ وَأَغْرَقْنَآ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَأَنتُمْ تَنظُرُونَ
“And [recall] when We parted the sea for you and saved you and drowned the people of Pharaoh while you were looking on.”
Open ayah 2:50 → - Quran Yunus 10:90Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
۞ وَجَٰوَزْنَا بِبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱلْبَحْرَ فَأَتْبَعَهُمْ فِرْعَوْنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ بَغْيًۭا وَعَدْوًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَدْرَكَهُ ٱلْغَرَقُ قَالَ ءَامَنتُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِىٓ ءَامَنَتْ بِهِۦ بَنُوٓا۟ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَأَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ
“And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, "I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims."”
Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity.
Open ayah 10:90 →
Firawnreceived the messengerHarunDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.1 src
Evidence
- Quran Ta-Ha 20:43Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
ٱذْهَبَآ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ طَغَىٰ
“Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed.”
Both brothers are addressed in the command.
Open ayah 20:43 →
Firawnleader ofPeople of FirawnDirect — Direct textual. The source states this outright.1 src
Evidence
- Quran Hud 11:97Direct — Direct textual. The source states this outright.
إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَإِي۟هِۦ فَٱتَّبَعُوٓا۟ أَمْرَ فِرْعَوْنَ ۖ وَمَآ أَمْرُ فِرْعَوْنَ بِرَشِيدٍۢ
“To Pharaoh and his establishment, but they followed the command of Pharaoh, and the command of Pharaoh was not [at all] discerning.”
"To Pharaoh and his establishment, but they followed the command of Pharaoh."
Open ayah 11:97 →
Further reading
Recommended resources
Curated external material. These are recommendations, not evidence for anything in the graph.
- Website
Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Surah Al-Qasas
Quran.com
Classical commentary on the surah covering Musa's infancy, his flight to Madyan and his call.