( فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ ) (So We sent upon them): The punishments upon the Pharao and his people were sent in sequences:

( الطُّوفَانَ) (the flood): It is the deluges of water. It was said that the sky kept raining for seven consecutive days until water reached the collar bones, so that no one was able to sit down without drowning. The Pharao and his people then asked Prophet Moses (PBUH) to invoke Allah (swt) to stop this punishment. Indeed, Prophet Moses (PBUH) invoked Allah (swt) and the severe overflow of water was ended. Unquestionably, Allah (swt) is the One Who governs all matters. Water is a source of goodness, blessings, and growth, but when Allah (swt) wills it, then water becomes a means for punishment, such as in the story of the flood of Prophet Noah (PBUH).

( وَالْجَرَادَ) (and locusts): Large swarms of locusts used to enter their homes, shops, and markets. They asked Prophet Moses (PBUH) to invoke Allah (swt) to make it go away, but after the supplication was answered, they broke their promise.

( وَالْقُمَّلَ) (and lice): The lice mentioned here is not the one that affects a person’s head but rather a pest that infests grains. It afflicted their grain crops with disease.

( وَالضَّفَادِعَ) (and frogs): Whenever they opened a pot or a container, entered their gatherings or homes, they saw frogs. They could not bear to live under these conditions, so they again asked Prophet Moses (PBUH) to make a supplication to remove it.

( وَالدَّمَ ) (and blood): When one of them wanted to drink water, it would transform into blood.

All of these were clear signs of punishment and a reminder for them so that they would take heed. So, there were nine distinct signs:

The staff of the Prophet Moses (PBUH), his hand:

 وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ بَيْضَاءُ لِلنَّاظِرِينَ

(And he drew out his hand; thereupon it was white [with radiance] for the observers) (Al-A’raaf: 108)

As well as the affliction of years, decreased fruitfulness, the flood, locusts, lice, frogs, and blood.

( آيَاتٍ ) (signs): These were signs and indications of the true prophethood of Prophet Moses (PBUH) and the reality of what he (PBUH) called them to. They were clear signs that Prophet Moses (PBUH) brought to the people of Pharao.

( مُّفَصَّلَاتٍ ) (as distinct): The signs were presented distinctly. Some of the signs followed others subsequently, while others occurred in succession.