"And We inspired to Moses and his brother, 'Settle your people in Egypt in houses and make your houses [facing the] Qiblah.'" Mujahid's interpretation: They were commanded to designate places of prayer within their homes, facing the Qiblah, where they could pray [in secret, when] Moses and those with him feared Pharaoh, so that they would not have to pray in the public churches.

"Our Lord, let them stray from Your way." This is an imprecation against them; he says: "Our Lord, cause them to stray from Your way." This was when the time for their punishment arrived [ ... ] upon them.