Surah Yunus (10) — Ayah 78

(Ayah 78) {قَالُوْۤا اَجِئْتَنَا …: } Pharaoh and his companions, due to their polytheistic beliefs, would also boast of religious superiority, and because of their control over the government of the land of Egypt, having become the owners of all resources, they were politically the greatest as well. Therefore, they leveled these two accusations. It appears that every reform movement, whether old or new, faces the same accusation from all Pharaohs of the time: that the purpose of these people is not reform, but rather to end our religious leadership and political superiority and to establish their own rule, just as the chiefs of the people of Noah (peace be upon him) also said that this person merely wants to gain superiority over you. It is stated: «{يُرِيْدُ اَنْ يَّتَفَضَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ }» [ المؤمنون : ۲۴ ] "He wants to gain superiority over you." Whereas the Prophets and reformers come solely for reform; if the rulers accept Islam and themselves undertake the duty of reform, then their government is not interfered with. For example, in this era, Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab (may Allah have mercy on him) spread the call of Tawheed and Sunnah through Ibn Saud, but did not seek government for himself, nor did any of his descendants have this desire or make such an effort. Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) encouraged the rulers of his time to perform Jihad and supported them, driving away the Tatars, but did not seek or accept any position for himself. That is why Heraclius said to his people that if you want your government to remain, then accept Islam, but they turned out to be unfortunate, and Heraclius too, out of greed for their kingship, was deprived of faith. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) kept the chiefs of the tribes who became Muslim and the kings of various regions who accepted Islam, such as Thumamah bin Uthal (may Allah be pleased with him), in their positions. In the end, Pharaoh's companions said with utmost brazenness that we will never believe in you both.

78. 1. These are other arguments of the deniers, which they present when they are unable to respond with evidence. One is that you want to turn us away from the path of our forefathers; the second is that we have attained honor and leadership, and you want to take it from us and seize it for yourself, so we will never believe in you. That is, insistence on following the forefathers and the desire for worldly status kept them from believing. After this, the same story follows that Pharaoh summoned expert magicians, and there was a confrontation between Prophet Musa (علیہ السلام) and the magicians, as mentioned in Surah Al-A'raf, and some details of it will also come in Surah Ta-Ha.

They said: "Have you come to us to turn us away from the way we found our forefathers upon, so that you two may have greatness in the land? We are not going to believe in you [91]."

[91] From the response of Pharaoh and his courtiers, it is also evident that they knew well that Sayyiduna Musa and Harun (peace be upon them) were not magicians. A magician is considered a lowly creature in society. How could he ever attain greatness? And if they had acknowledged the truth, they would have had to relinquish all their positions. Therefore, they gave the same answer that people who are defeated by argument and are stubborn usually give: "You have come to turn us away from the religion of our forefathers, but we will never fall for your deception."