Qur’anic Account of Pharaoh, Musa (AS), and the Sorcerers
Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (Hafizahullah)
❖ Question:
What is the story of Pharaoh, Sayyiduna Musa (AS), magic, and the sorcerers?
❖ 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?’"
In this noble verse, Allah ﷻ informs about Pharaoh: When he saw the great sign, he said to Musa (AS): “This is nothing but sorcery by which you wish to overpower us.”
That great sign was when Musa (AS) threw his staff and it became a serpent, and when he placed his hand under his arm and it came out shining white without defect. Pharaoh claimed that Musa’s intent was to use sorcery to rule over the people and make them obedient to him — but declared that this aim would not succeed.
Allah ﷻ further mentions:
﴿فَلَنَأْتِيَنَّكَ بِسِحْرٍ مِّثْلِهِ فَاجْعَلْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكَ مَوْعِدًا لَّا نُخْلِفُهُ نَحْنُ وَلَا أَنتَ مَكَانًا سُوًى ﴾ [طه: 58]
"So we too will surely bring you sorcery like it; so set an appointment between us and you, which we shall not fail, neither we nor you, in a place evenly chosen."
Meaning: “O Musa, we also have sorcery like yours. Do not be arrogant over your sorcery. Appoint for us a fixed time and place where we can gather, and we will confront your sorcery with ours.”
Musa (AS) replied:
﴿مَوْعِدُكُمْ يَوْمُ الزِّينَةِ ﴾ [طه: 59]
"Your appointed time is the Day of Festival."
They then said:
﴿قَالُوا إِنْ هَٰذَانِ لَسَاحِرَانِ يُرِيدَانِ أَن يُخْرِجَاكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُم بِسِحْرِهِمَا وَيَذْهَبَا بِطَرِيقَتِكُمُ الْمُثْلَىٰ ﴾ [طه: 63]
"They said: ‘Indeed, these two are surely sorcerers who want to drive you out of your land with their sorcery, and to do away with your most exemplary way.’"
Thus, the sorcerers said among themselves: “You should know that this man and his brother (Musa and Harun) are skilled sorcerers, well-versed in magic. Today, their plan is to overcome you and your people, gain power, subdue the masses, and then fight against Pharaoh and his armies, expelling you from your land.”
This was their scheme and plotting.
