The Story of Musa (AS), Pharaoh, and the Sorcerers: A Qur’anic Account
Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (Hafizahullah)❖ Question:
What is the story of the sorcerers, magic, Pharaoh, and Musa (AS)?❖ Answer:
Allah ﷻ says:﴿قَالَ أَجِئْتَنَا لِتُخْرِجَنَا مِنْ أَرْضِنَا بِسِحْرِكَ يَا مُوسَىٰ ﴾ [طه: 57]
"He (Pharaoh) said: ‘Have you come to drive us out of our land with your sorcery, O Musa?’"
Allah ﷻ informs us that when Musa (AS) showed Pharaoh a great sign — his staff turning into a mighty serpent, and his hand becoming radiant like the sun when drawn out — Pharaoh said: “This is nothing but sorcery with which you want to bewitch us. Your aim is to rule over the people, but this will not succeed.”
Allah ﷻ further says:
﴿فَلَنَأْتِيَنَّكَ بِسِحْرٍ مِّثْلِهِ فَاجْعَلْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكَ مَوْعِدًا لَّا نُخْلِفُهُ نَحْنُ وَلَا أَنتَ مَكَانًا سُوًى ﴾ [طه: 58]
"So we too shall surely bring you sorcery like it. Appoint for us a meeting — a time and place which neither we nor you will fail."
Meaning: “O Musa, we also have sorcery like yours, so do not be arrogant. Appoint a specific day and place where we will confront your magic.”
Musa (AS) then said that the appointment would be Yawm al-Zinah (the Day of Festival).
Allah ﷻ also relates:
﴿قَالُوا إِنْ هَٰذَانِ لَسَاحِرَانِ يُرِيدَانِ أَن يُخْرِجَاكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُم بِسِحْرِهِمَا وَيَذْهَبَا بِطَرِيقَتِكُمُ الْمُثْلَىٰ ﴾ [طه: 63]
"They said: ‘Indeed, these two are sorcerers who want to drive you out of your land with their sorcery and abolish your best way (of life).’"
Thus, the sorcerers said among themselves: “You know well that this man and his brother — Musa (AS) and Harun (AS) — are skilled magicians, fully acquainted with the craft. Their intention today is to overpower you and your people, rule over the masses, fight against Pharaoh and his armies, and ultimately expel you from your land.”
The statement وَيَذْهَبَا بِطَرِيقَتِكُمُ الْمُثْلَىٰ means: “They want to destroy your finest religion and way of life.”
