Interpretation of Qur'an (Surah Al-Baqarah: 49)
The verse "ููุฅูุฐู ููุฌููููููุงููู ู" refers to Allah's favor upon the Children of Israel by rescuing their forefathers and ancestors, considering their salvation a divine blessing upon future generations.
Pharaoh and his followers (ุขูู ููุฑูุนููููู) were oppressors of Bani Israel. Historical sources identify Pharaoh as Walid ibn Mus'ab ibn Rayyan, a ruler from the Coptic Amalekites, who reigned for over 400 years.
| Type of Oppression | Description |
|---|---|
| Severe Punishment (ุณููุกู ุงููุนูุฐูุงุจู) | Pharaoh inflicted the worst and harshest forms of torment. |
| Forced Labor (ููุณููู ููููููู ู) | Israelites were turned into slaves and subjected to forced labor. |
| Systematic Exploitation | Pharaoh categorized Israelites into various labor classes. |
| Class | Assigned Work |
|---|---|
| Builders | Constructing structures and buildings ๐ฐ |
| Farmers | Agriculture and irrigation ๐พ |
| Servants | Domestic work in Pharaohโs palace ๐ |
| Stone Masons | Carving pillars and structures from mountains ๐ชจ |
| Laborers | Transporting stones and bricks ๐ |
| Brick Makers | Manufacturing and baking bricks ๐ฅ |
| Blacksmiths & Carpenters | Metal and woodwork ๐จ |
| Taxpayers | Those unable to work paid heavy taxes ๐ฐ |
| Women | Spinning and weaving fabric ๐งถ |
Those who failed to meet their daily labor quota had their right hand chained to their neck for a month as punishment.
Pharaoh ordered the mass slaughter of newborn Israelite boys while sparing the girls. This command was based on a dream he had, where he saw a fire emerging from Jerusalem, burning all Copts while sparing Bani Israel.
| Source | Number of Children Killed |
|---|---|
| General Estimate | 12,000 infants |
| Wahb ibn Munabbih | 90,000 infants |
However, Egyptian officials warned Pharaoh that if all Israelite males were killed, labor shortages would arise. Thus, he devised a rotational killing strategy, allowing births one year and killing newborn males the next.