Question:
They say that the Pharaoh whom Allah drowned is currently present among the antiquities (mummified/on display), and people now visit him—meaning for a certain fee—in the museum. I think the name written under his statue is Ramesses II. They claim that this is the one whom Allah drowned in the sea and whom Allah made a lesson for those after him, citing the verse: “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].
Answer:
The ones “who came after him” were the Children of Israel. This is because Pharaoh had terrified the Children of Israel, disturbed their peace, and struck fear into their hearts. If they had not seen his dead body with their own eyes, they would have imagined all sorts of possibilities; they might have said, “Perhaps he survived.” So, when they saw him with their own eyes with absolute certainty, they were assured of it.
Do you really think Pharaoh’s body would remain intact while the Children of Israel inherited his land, only for them to turn him into a museum exhibit? I am not just telling you what people say—I am asking you logically: is this even possible? If they had gotten hold of his body, they would have torn it piece by piece. Therefore, all of this is a lie.
But unfortunately, Muslim countries have now started celebrating or taking pride in Pharaoh—proudly claiming that he is the Pharaoh of Moses, peace and blessings be upon him. In some ways, the only similarity to this is the Christians’ pride in the cross upon which Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, was supposedly crucified after being killed. If the Christians had any sense, they would break the cross whenever they saw it [out of hatred for what it represents]. However, it is sheer ignorance.
The important thing is to believe that this man is not the Pharaoh of Moses, but rather just one of the Pharaohs, or a handmade statue. We ask Allah to protect us from Pharaoh, his people, and his path, and to guide our companions to that which contains goodness and righteousness.