As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 20, Tâ-Hâ, Verses 55-76. These verses continue the story of Prophet Moses’ struggle against the Pharaoh of Egypt. It details how Pharaoh did not believe in Moses’ miracles, the confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh’s magicians and then Pharaoh’s conversation with his magicians after they had witnessed the miracles of Moses.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.We have created you from the earth, into it We shall return you and from it We shall bring you back to life once again.[55] We showed Pharaoh (Fir‘aun) all kinds of Our Signs, but he denied them and gave no heed.[56] He said: “Have you come to drive us out of our land with your magic, O’ Moses?[57] Well, we will confront you with magic to match yours! Let us fix a day when both of us should meet, neither we nor you shall fail to keep it, in a place where both shall have even chances.”[58] Moses replied: “Let it be the Day of Festival and let the people be assembled before noon.”[59] 20:[55-59]
Pharaoh then withdrew, concerted his plan and came back.[60] Moses addressed them saying: “Woe to you for this challenge! Do not forge a lie against Allah by calling it a magic, lest He destroy you by a scourge; for whosoever forges a lie will indeed be disappointed.”[61] Hearing this, they debated their case among themselves, whispering to one another.[62] Finally they said: “These two (Moses and Aaron) are certainly expert magicians who intend to drive you out from your land with their magic and to do away with your best traditions.[63] Therefore, muster up all devices and face them with a united front.” Finally when the day of confrontation came, Pharaoh said: “Whoever comes out victorious this day shall prevail.”[64] 20:[60-64]
The magicians said: “O Moses! Will you throw down first or shall we?”[65] Moses replied: “Go ahead, throw down first.” Suddenly it appeared to Moses as if their cords and staffs were moving about because of their magic,[66] and Moses conceived fear within himself.”[67] We said: “Do not be afraid! You will surely come out on top.[68] Throw that which is in your right hand. It will swallow up all that they have produced. What they have produced is nothing but a magician’s trick, and a magician will never succeed against a miracle no matter how skillful he may be.”[69] 20:[65-69]
When the magicians saw the serpent of Moses swallowing all their display, being professionals they knew that it was not magic, so the magicians humbled themselves by prostrating and said: “We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.”[70] Pharaoh said: “How do you dare to believe in Him without my permission? Surely, he must be your master, who taught you witchcraft. Well, I will cut off your hands and feet on alternate sides and crucify you on trunks of palm-trees; then you will know which one of us can give a more terrible and more lasting punishment.”[71] The magicians replied: “We can never prefer you over the miracle which we have witnessed and Him Who has created us. Therefore, do whatever you will; you can only punish us in this worldly life.[72] As for us, we have believed in our Lord so that He may forgive us our sins and the magic you have forced us to practice. Allah’s reward is better and His punishment is more lasting than yours (Pharaoh).”[73] 20:[70-73]
Surely, he who will come to his Lord as a sinner shall be consigned to hell – wherein he shall neither die nor live.[74] While he who will come to Him as a believer and has done good deeds shall have the highest ranks[75] – gardens of eternity, beneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever; such is the reward of those who purify themselves from evil.[76] 20:[74-76]
Ameen.
This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.
Thank you and be well.