In Our signs and a clear authority, there are two aspects: that it is meant that these signs contain a clear authority for Musa regarding the truth of his prophethood, and that the clear authority refers to the staff, as it astonished them. And what is the matter of Fir'aun with guidance is a way of belittling his followers, as they supported him in his command, which is a clear misguidance that is not hidden from anyone who has the slightest grasp of reason. This is because he claimed divinity while being a human like them, and he openly committed oppression and injustice, and evil that only comes from a rebellious devil. Such a person is far removed from divinity in essence and actions. Yet they followed him and submitted to his claim, and they continued in his obedience. The matter of guidance is that which contains guidance: that is, what is in his command is nothing but explicit error and clear misguidance. Indeed, only the wise follow one who guides them and leads them, not one who misleads and entices them. It indicates that they witnessed the signs and the clear authority in the matter of Musa, peace be upon him, and they knew that he had guidance and truth, yet they turned away from following him to follow one whose matter contains no guidance at all, leading his people. Just as he was a leader for them in misguidance, so he leads them to the Fire while they follow him. It is permissible that by saying, 'And what is the matter of Fir'aun with guidance,' it means that his command is not good in outcome. His saying, 'leading his people,' serves as an explanation for that, meaning: how could the matter of one whose outcome is like this be guiding? Guidance is used in everything that is praiseworthy and accepted, just as misguidance is used in everything that is condemned and disapproved. It is said: he led him, meaning he advanced him. From it: the advance of a man, as it is said: he led him meaning he advanced him. From it is the advance of the army. And to advance means to move forward. From it is the advance of the eye. If you say: why was it not said, 'he leads his people to bring them in'? And why was the past tense used? I say: because the past tense indicates a matter that is established and certain, as if it were said: he leads them to bring them to the Fire without a doubt. And the 'ward' is that which is brought. And the 'mawrud' is that which they have brought. It is likened to the forerunner who advances the ones coming to the water. And his followers are likened to those coming, and then it was said: what a bad place to which they are led, the Fire, because the 'ward' is intended to quench thirst and cool the hearts, and the Fire is its opposite. And they are followed in this world by a curse, meaning they are cursed in this world, and they are cursed in the Hereafter. What a bad support they have received. That is: what a bad assistance they have received. This is because the curse in this world is a support for punishment and an extension of it, and it has been supported by the curse in the Hereafter. It is said: what a bad gift that is given.