قَالَ أَلْقُوا۟ ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَلْقَوْا۟ سَحَرُوٓا۟ أَعْيُنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَٱسْتَرْهَبُوهُمْ وَجَآءُو بِسِحْرٍ عَظِيمٍ 116
Translations
He said, "Throw," and when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people and struck terror into them, and they presented a great [feat of] magic.
Transliteration
Qāla alqū, falammā alqaw saharū aʿyuna an-nāsi wastarahbūhum wa-jāʾū bi-siḥrin ʿaẓīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
Pharaoh commanded his magicians to cast their ropes and staffs, and when they did so, they deceived the people's eyes through their sorcery and frightened them with their illusions and great magic. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse illustrates how the magicians created optical illusions that appeared real to the onlookers, yet were mere tricks without substance—contrasting sharply with the genuine miracle of Moses' staff that would follow. The phrase 'siḥr ʿaẓīm' (great magic) emphasizes the impressive nature of their deception to human perception, not its reality or power against divine truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Moses and Pharaoh in Surah Al-A'raf, a Meccan surah revealed to strengthen the Prophet Muhammad and believers during persecution. The context describes the confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh's magicians at the court, demonstrating how truth ultimately prevails over falsehood despite the apparent power of worldly deception.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said regarding magic: 'Whoever goes to a magician and believes in what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad' (narrated in various collections including those following the principles of Sahih Muslim). Additionally, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:102 discusses how magic is knowledge of falsehood taught by Satan.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that impressive appearances and widespread acceptance do not determine truth; deception, no matter how skillfully executed or popularly accepted, cannot stand against divine reality. For contemporary believers, it warns against being swayed by charismatic falsehood and encourages discernment between authentic spiritual guidance and mere illusion or manipulation.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكَ لَيَبْعَثَنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مَن يَسُومُهُمْ سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَسَرِيعُ ٱلْعِقَابِ ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And [mention] when your Lord declared that He would surely [continue to] send upon them until the Day of Resurrection those who would afflict them with the worst torment. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.
أَوَعَجِبْتُمْ أَن جَآءَكُمْ ذِكْرٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنكُمْ لِيُنذِرَكُمْ ۚ وَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَآءَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَزَادَكُمْ فِى ٱلْخَلْقِ بَصْۜطَةً ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ ءَالَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
Then do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man from among you, that he may warn you? And remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you in stature extensively. So remember the favors of Allāh that you might succeed."
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ٱلنَّبِىِّ ٱلْأُمِّىِّ ٱلَّذِى يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ وَٱتَّبِعُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allāh to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death." So believe in Allāh and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allāh and His words, and follow him that you may be guided.
وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَـٰحِهَا وَٱدْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا ۚ إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allāh is near to the doers of good.