Q: A question regarding the historical details in the story of Nabi Musa (عليه السلام).
Some people mention that there were two different Fir'ouns during the lifetime of Nabi Musa (عليه السلام):
1. The first Fir'oun - the one who ordered the killing of the male children of Bani Israa'eel and who was the husband of Sayyidah Aasiyah (عليها السلام). This is the Fir'oun referred to in the verse:
فَالْتَقَطَهُ آلُ فِرْعَوْنَ لِيَكُونَ لَهُمْ عَدُوًّا وَحَزَنًا
(Surah Qasas)
They say this Fir'oun later passed away.
2. The second Fir'oun - his son, whom Nabi Musa (عليه السلام) later confronted; the Fir'oun who opposed him, crucified the magicians and was eventually drowned.
It is argued that the verse in Surah Shu'araa does not contradict this view:
أَلَمْ نُرَبِّكَ فِينَا وَلِيدًا وَلَبِثْتَ فِينَا مِنْ عُمُرِكَ سِنِينَ
because the second Fir'oun could simply be referring to the household and family of Fir'oun (i.e., both father and son).
The question is:
Do any classical Mufassireen confirm this view that there were two Fir'ouns during the story of Nabi Musa (عليه السلام)?
Or do the tafaaseer generally state that the Fir'oun mentioned throughout the entire narrative is the same individual?
A: The encounter of Moosa (alaihis salaam) was with one Firoun. But the title Firoun was for every leader of Egypt.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by: