سُوْرَةُ طٰهٰ
Surah Taa-Haa (20) — Ayah 72
قَالُوا۟ لَن نُّؤْثِرَكَ عَلَىٰ مَا جَآءَنَا مِنَ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنَا ۖ فَٱقْضِ مَآ أَنتَ قَاضٍ ۖ إِنَّمَا تَقْضِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَآ ﴿72﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
They said: "We prefer you not over what have come to us of the clear signs and to Him (Allâh) Who created us. So decree whatever you desire to decree, for you can only decree (regarding) this life of the world.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالُوا۟
qālū
They said
لَن
lan
Never
نُّؤْثِرَكَ
nu'thiraka
we will prefer you
عَلَىٰ
ʿalā
over
مَا
mā
what
جَآءَنَا
jāanā
has come to us
مِنَ
mina
of
ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ
l-bayināti
the clear proofs
وَٱلَّذِى
wa-alladhī
and the One Who
فَطَرَنَا ۖ
faṭaranā
created us
فَٱقْضِ
fa-iq'ḍi
So decree
مَآ
mā
whatever
أَنتَ
anta
you
قَاضٍ ۖ
qāḍin
(are) decreeing
إِنَّمَا
innamā
Only
تَقْضِى
taqḍī
you can decree
هَـٰذِهِ
hādhihi
(for) this
ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ
l-ḥayata
life
ٱلدُّنْيَآ
l-dun'yā
(of) the world
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.
The magicians said, "We can never prefer you over the One Who created us, nor over the clear proofs that have come to us. So do whatever you wish to do. You can only decide about this worldly life [51]."
[51]
The Courage of Faith Shown by the Magicians:
Upon the announcement of this punishment, the magicians boldly said to Pharaoh: Think whatever you wish, we have only spoken that which our conscience has testified to. We have believed after full understanding and reflection. Therefore, now you may inflict whatever punishment you wish. At most, all you can do is kill us, and we no longer care about that. What we desire is that Allah the Exalted forgives our previous sins, especially the sin for which you compelled us and we stood against these prophets. It is said that when the magicians saw the appearance of Sayyiduna Musa ؑ and Sayyiduna Harun ؑ, they realized that these could not be magicians and that they should not compete against them, but out of fear of Pharaoh, they did so. This is the difference between faith and disbelief. These very magicians, before the contest, would not tire of saying "Yes, Your Majesty" before Pharaoh. In the event of victory, they were even pleading for rewards and honors from him, and Pharaoh was making such promises to them. But when they believed, they stood firm and spoke with such courage before that same tyrant king, and if he threatened them with crucifixion, they did not care in the least.
[51]
The Courage of Faith Shown by the Magicians:
Upon the announcement of this punishment, the magicians boldly said to Pharaoh: Think whatever you wish, we have only spoken that which our conscience has testified to. We have believed after full understanding and reflection. Therefore, now you may inflict whatever punishment you wish. At most, all you can do is kill us, and we no longer care about that. What we desire is that Allah the Exalted forgives our previous sins, especially the sin for which you compelled us and we stood against these prophets. It is said that when the magicians saw the appearance of Sayyiduna Musa ؑ and Sayyiduna Harun ؑ, they realized that these could not be magicians and that they should not compete against them, but out of fear of Pharaoh, they did so. This is the difference between faith and disbelief. These very magicians, before the contest, would not tire of saying "Yes, Your Majesty" before Pharaoh. In the event of victory, they were even pleading for rewards and honors from him, and Pharaoh was making such promises to them. But when they believed, they stood firm and spoke with such courage before that same tyrant king, and if he threatened them with crucifixion, they did not care in the least.
