Question:

Some people say regarding the statement of Allah Almighty: “So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you! ” [Yunus: 92], that this verse indicates Pharaoh’s corpse is still present in the pyramids. Some people visit and say, “We saw the corpse,” and even some scholars say this. Does this claim of theirs have any basis?

Answer:

They have absolutely no basis for this. Rather, those who want to take pride in Pharaonic antiquities—and what a miserable thing to take pride and rejoice in—are the ones saying that the Pharaoh of Moses is present in the pyramids. This is a lie and a statement that has no foundation.

​A man in the middle of the sea, experiencing punishment—how could anyone have dared to retrieve this body from the sea? Is that even possible?! And where were the tools, and where was the equipment to preserve him until someone could come, build the pyramids, and place him inside them? Where is any of this?! This is a lie and complete falsehood. But as I said: those who have become infatuated with antiquities to the point of madness are the ones who adopt such views.

Furthermore, my brothers, what pride is there for us in a body that Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, destroyed—a man who denied Allah and denied His Messenger? What pride do we have in this? There is no pride in this.

Rather, Allah delivered Pharaoh with his body because Pharaoh had terrorized and frightened the Children of Israel. You know that when a person is faced with someone they fear, their heart will not find peace until they see him destroyed and dead. Otherwise, Satan casts doubts into their heart, whispering, “Pharaoh survived, and Pharaoh will return to you, O Children of Israel, and do such-and-such to you.” Therefore, His statement, “to those who come after you” means: to the Children of Israel. And “to those who come after you” means: at that exact time.

​It is not far-fetched that there might be another recitation, though I do not recall it at the moment, as to whether there is a recitation: “to those who succeeded you”; meaning: those who succeeded you in your land. And those who succeeded him in his land were the Children of Israel at his time.

However, I am not certain about this verse, so do not rely on this being an official recitation as I do not remember; but “to those who come after you” means: from among the Children of Israel at that time.