فَغُلِبُوا۟ هُنَالِكَ وَٱنقَلَبُوا۟ صَـٰغِرِينَ 119
Translations
And they [i.e., Pharaoh and his people] were overcome right there and became debased.
Transliteration
Faghuliboo hunalika wanqalabu saghireen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the defeat of the Egyptian magicians at the hands of Prophet Musa (Moses) when his staff devoured their magical ropes and sticks. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the magicians were overwhelmed and humiliated at that very place, turning back in utter disgrace and shame. This moment marked the triumph of divine truth over deceptive falsehood, and the magicians' defeat became a sign of Allah's power and the authenticity of Musa's message.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Al-A'raf (Meccan period) recounting the confrontation between Prophet Musa and Pharaoh's court. The broader context describes how Musa was commanded to challenge Pharaoh's magicians, and when the contest took place, Allah caused Musa's miracle (the staff becoming a serpent) to overcome the magicians' illusions, leading to their humiliation and the believers' triumph.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Bukhari contains hadiths about the story of Musa and the magicians, emphasizing how witnessing this miracle led the magicians to believe in Allah and reject Pharaoh's false claims.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that truth ultimately prevails over deception, and those who oppose Allah's message and His messengers will inevitably face disgrace and defeat. For believers, it reinforces confidence that Allah's support for the righteous is certain, encouraging steadfastness in faith despite worldly opposition.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّهُمْ لَهُمُ ٱلْمَنصُورُونَ
[That] indeed, they would be those given victory
وَرَدَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِغَيْظِهِمْ لَمْ يَنَالُوا۟ خَيْرًا ۚ وَكَفَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلْقِتَالَ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ قَوِيًّا عَزِيزًا
And Allāh repelled those who disbelieved, in their rage, not having obtained any good. And sufficient was Allāh for the believers in battle, and ever is Allāh Powerful and Exalted in Might.
قَالَ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا ٱدْخُلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْبَابَ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمُوهُ فَإِنَّكُمْ غَـٰلِبُونَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوٓا۟ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Said two men from those who feared [to disobey] upon whom Allāh had bestowed favor, "Enter upon them through the gate, for when you have entered it, you will be predominant. And upon Allāh rely, if you should be believers."
بِنَصْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
In the victory of Allāh. He gives victory to whom He wills, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.