قَالُوٓا۟ أَرْجِهْ وَأَخَاهُ وَأَرْسِلْ فِى ٱلْمَدَآئِنِ حَـٰشِرِينَ 111
Translations
They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers
Transliteration
Qāloo arjih wa-akhāhu wa-arsil fī al-madāʾini ḥāshirīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The magicians of Pharaoh's court respond to his command by requesting that Prophet Musa and his brother Harun be granted respite (postponement of the challenge), and that Pharaoh send summoners throughout the cities to gather people as witnesses. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the magicians sought delay to prepare themselves and gather the finest magicians from Egypt, believing they could overcome Musa's miraculous signs through their sorcery. This request reveals their arrogance and reliance on human skill rather than recognition of divine power.
Revelation Context
This verse occurs within the account of Musa's confrontation with Pharaoh in Surah Al-A'raf (Meccan period). The broader context depicts Pharaoh's escalating resistance to Musa's message despite witnessing clear signs; the magicians' request reflects the stubbornness of those who reject truth and place their confidence in worldly abilities and deception rather than submitting to divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly addresses this specific ayah, the broader theme relates to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against following sorcery and deceit, emphasizing that truth ultimately prevails over falsehood, as exemplified by Musa's staff overpowering the magicians' illusions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that those who reject divine guidance often resort to delaying tactics and gathering worldly support, yet these efforts are ultimately futile against the truth of Allah. Modern readers should recognize the futility of opposing divine will through human schemes and place their trust entirely in Allah's wisdom rather than in temporary, deceptive means.
Related Ayahs
۞ وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًا ۗ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ ۚ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
And to the ʿAad [We sent] their brother Hūd. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. Then will you not fear Him?"
قَالَ أَنظِرْنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
[Satan] said, "Reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected."
وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَـٰلِحًا ۗ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥ ۖ قَدْ جَآءَتْكُم بَيِّنَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ هَـٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ ءَايَةً ۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِىٓ أَرْضِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And to the Thamūd [We sent] their brother Ṣāliḥ. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. This is the she-camel of Allāh [sent] to you as a sign. So leave her to eat within Allāh's land and do not touch her with harm, lest there seize you a painful punishment.
۞ وَٱكْتُبْ لَنَا فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ عَذَابِىٓ أُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَنْ أَشَآءُ ۖ وَرَحْمَتِى وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ ۚ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
And decree for us in this world [that which is] good and [also] in the Hereafter; indeed, we have turned back to You." [Allāh] said, "My punishment - I afflict with it whom I will, but My mercy encompasses all things." So I will decree it [especially] for those who fear Me and give zakāh and those who believe in Our verses-