قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 121
Translations
They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds,
Transliteration
Qalu amanna bi-rabbi al-'alamin
Tafsir (Explanation)
The magicians of Pharaoh declare their belief in the Lord of all worlds immediately after witnessing Musa's miraculous staff transform into a serpent. This represents a decisive moment of faith where they recognize the divine signs and reject Pharaoh's false claims to divinity. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that their declaration, despite their fear of Pharaoh's punishment, demonstrates the overwhelming power of witnessing divine truth firsthand.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the account of Musa's confrontation with Pharaoh and his magicians (7:103-126). The magicians were summoned to counter Musa's miracle, but when they saw the staff miraculously become a serpent, they immediately recognized it as a sign from Allah rather than magic, leading to their spontaneous declaration of faith in Allah as the Lord of all worlds.
Related Hadiths
The incident relates thematically to hadith in Sahih Bukhari (Vol. 4, Book 55, Hadith 627) regarding the power of witnessing clear signs and the testimony of those who recognize truth. Additionally, the Quran itself references the magicians' belief in Surah Ta-Ha (20:70-71), showing the consistency of this historical account.
Themes
Key Lesson
Witnessing clear evidence of divine truth should lead to immediate and wholehearted acceptance, regardless of worldly consequences or social pressure. The magicians' swift declaration teaches believers that recognizing Allah's signs should override all other loyalties and fears.
Related Ayahs
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهَآ إِذْ يَتَنَـٰزَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ ۖ فَقَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ عَلَيْهِم بُنْيَـٰنًا ۖ رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًا
And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allāh is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they disputed among themselves about their affair and [then] said, "Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them." Said those who prevailed in the matter, "We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid."
۞ تِلْكَ ٱلرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۘ مِّنْهُم مَّن كَلَّمَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجَـٰتٍ ۚ وَءَاتَيْنَا عِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَأَيَّدْنَـٰهُ بِرُوحِ ٱلْقُدُسِ ۗ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا ٱقْتَتَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتُ وَلَـٰكِنِ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ ءَامَنَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن كَفَرَ ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا ٱقْتَتَلُوا۟ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ
Those messengers - some of them We caused to exceed others. Among them were those to whom Allāh spoke, and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs, and We supported him with the Pure Spirit [i.e., Gabriel]. If Allāh had willed, those [generations] succeeding them would not have fought each other after the clear proofs had come to them. But they differed, and some of them believed and some of them disbelieved. And if Allāh had willed, they would not have fought each other, but Allāh does what He intends.
ٱلنَّجْمُ ٱلثَّاقِبُ
It is the piercing star
رَبِّ مُوسَىٰ وَهَـٰرُونَ
The Lord of Moses and Aaron."