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How can the statement of Pharaoh's close associates: "and leave you and your gods" be reconciled with Pharaoh's statement: "I have not known for you any god other than me"?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Firstly: Did Pharaoh worship false gods? Yes, many scholars have mentioned that Pharaoh worshipped false gods, among them the cow or a jewel he wore around his neck, or that he secretly worshipped a god, or angels.

Secondly: Reconciling Pharaoh's statement: ("I do not know of any god for you other than me") with the fact that he worshipped gods: There are several scholarly opinions on this matter: 1. That his statement: ("I do not know of any god for you other than me") was specific to his people, and he did not say: "I do not know of any god other than me." 2. That he legislated for his people to worship him only, while he himself worshipped angels. Ibn Ashour pointed out that the Pharaohs considered themselves sons of the gods and believed that divinity had resided in them. 3. That Pharaoh was a polytheist despite his claim of divinity, and the verse: ("and leave you and your gods") indicates that he had gods. Ibn Taymiyyah pointed out that Pharaoh demeaned his people and claimed that he was their supreme lord, but he secretly worshipped gods. Every arrogant person must be a polytheist; either they worship other than Allah or they worship themselves.

In conclusion: Pharaoh demeaned his people and claimed that he was their supreme god, but he was a polytheist who worshipped other false gods.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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