سُوْرَةُ الْاَعْرَافِ

Surah Al-A'raaf (7) — Ayah 115

The Heights · Meccan · Juz 9 · Page 164

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قَالُوا۟ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِمَّآ أَن تُلْقِىَ وَإِمَّآ أَن نَّكُونَ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُلْقِينَ ﴿115﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

They said: "O Mûsâ (Moses)! Either you throw (first), or shall we have the (first) throw?"

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

قَالُوا۟ qālū They said
يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ yāmūsā O Musa
إِمَّآ immā Whether
أَن an [that]
تُلْقِىَ tul'qiya you throw
وَإِمَّآ wa-immā or Whether
أَن an [that]
نَّكُونَ nakūna we will be
نَحْنُ naḥnu [we]
ٱلْمُلْقِينَ l-mul'qīna the ones to throw

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 116,115) ➊ The meaning of {وَ اسْتَرْهَبُوْهُمْ: ’’اَرْهَبَ يُرْهِبُ‘‘} is to frighten, to terrify. In {’’ وَ اسْتَرْهَبُوْهُمْ ‘‘}, due to the addition of more letters, the translation is "terrified greatly." The magicians, to make their dominance certain and to make the miracle of Musa (peace be upon him) appear insignificant before the people, asked whether he would present his miracle first or they should present their magical tools. Musa (peace be upon him), with even greater dignity and indifference, replied that they could present whatever they wished. Since in a contest, the one who goes first gains a certain advantage, he let them benefit from that advantage. Thus, they threw their staffs and ropes on the ground, and it appeared as if snakes were running everywhere on the ground. It is said: «{ فَاِذَا حِبَالُهُمْ وَ عِصِيُّهُمْ يُخَيَّلُ اِلَيْهِ مِنْ سِحْرِهِمْ اَنَّهَا تَسْعٰى }» [ طٰہٰ : ۶۶ ] "So suddenly their ropes and their staffs, it was cast into his mind because of their magic that they were running." Here too, it is said that "they bewitched the people's eyes and terrified them greatly, and they brought a great magic." In reality, that era was the peak of magic, in response to which Allah Almighty gave Musa (peace be upon him) such a miracle before which magic was powerless.

➋ {سَحَرُوْۤا اَعْيُنَ النَّاسِ:} From this, it is understood that magic does not change the reality of anything; it only appears differently to the eye, and its effect is merely on the imagination. Since the human body is subject to the mind, sometimes the harm or benefit of imagination also affects the body, as when Musa (peace be upon him) also felt fear upon seeing their magic. It is said: «{ فَاَوْجَسَ فِيْ نَفْسِهٖ خِيْفَةً مُّوْسٰى }» [ طٰہٰ : ۶۷ ] "So Musa felt a fear within his heart." And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also remained ill for some time due to the magic of Labid bin A'sam. Therefore, denying the effect of magic is not correct. Here too, Allah Almighty has called their magic very great.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

115. 1. The magicians gave this option because of their complete confidence in themselves. They were fully convinced that, compared to our magic, the miracle of Musa ؑ— which they considered merely a trick— had no significance, and even if Musa ؑ was given the opportunity to display his trick first, it would make no difference; in any case, we will provide a counter to his trick.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

115. (At the time of the contest) the magicians said, "O Moses! Will you throw [116] first, or shall we throw?"

[116] Since the magicians had been told that they were to compete with a great magician, out of respect and honor for Sayyiduna Musa ؑ, they asked Musa ؑ this question, as it was customary to do so at such contests.
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