قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ ءَامَنتُم بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَنْ ءَاذَنَ لَكُمْ ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَمَكْرٌ مَّكَرْتُمُوهُ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ لِتُخْرِجُوا۟ مِنْهَآ أَهْلَهَا ۖ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ 123
Translations
Said Pharaoh, "You believed in him before I gave you permission. Indeed, this is a conspiracy which you conspired in the city to expel therefrom its people. But you are going to know.
Transliteration
Qala fir'awnu aamantu bihi qabla an aathana lakum inna hatha lamakrun makartumuh fil-madinati litukhrijoo minha ahlaha fasawfa ta'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Pharaoh accuses the magicians of conspiring together and believing in Musa before his permission, interpreting their conversion as a coordinated plot to overthrow his government and expel him from Egypt. Ibn Kathir notes that Pharaoh's response reveals his paranoia and refusal to acknowledge the miraculous nature of Musa's staff, instead attributing the magicians' belief to earthly conspiracy. This ayah demonstrates Pharaoh's characteristic arrogance and his inability to accept truth when it contradicts his authority.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the narrative of Musa and Pharaoh during the confrontation at Pharaoh's court, where the magicians witnessed the miracle of Musa's staff swallowing their ropes and staffs. The broader context illustrates Pharaoh's progressive rejection of signs and his tyrannical response to those who believe. This is part of the Meccan revelation addressing the obstinacy of disbelievers.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this ayah, Sahih Bukhari contains hadiths about the story of Musa that contextualize Pharaoh's rejection of truth. The Quran itself (26:49) parallels this incident, noting the magicians' steadfast belief despite Pharaoh's threats.
Themes
Key Lesson
When people reject truth, they often resort to accusations and conspiracy theories rather than acknowledging reality; the believer's conviction in divine truth remains unshaken regardless of worldly consequences or threats from those in power. This teaches us that steadfast faith in Allah supersedes fear of human authority.
Related Ayahs
فَلَنَسْـَٔلَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَنَسْـَٔلَنَّ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
Then We will surely question those to whom [a message] was sent, and We will surely question the messengers.
ثُمَّ بَدَّلْنَا مَكَانَ ٱلسَّيِّئَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةَ حَتَّىٰ عَفَوا۟ وَّقَالُوا۟ قَدْ مَسَّ ءَابَآءَنَا ٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَٱلسَّرَّآءُ فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Then We exchanged in place of the bad [condition], good, until they increased [and prospered] and said, "Our fathers [also] were touched with hardship and ease." So We seized them suddenly while they did not perceive.
وَقَاسَمَهُمَآ إِنِّى لَكُمَا لَمِنَ ٱلنَّـٰصِحِينَ
And he swore [by Allāh] to them, "Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors."
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ ٱلْعِجْلَ سَيَنَالُهُمْ غَضَبٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَذِلَّةٌ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُفْتَرِينَ
Indeed, those who took the calf [for worship] will obtain anger from their Lord and humiliation in the life of this world, and thus do We recompense the inventors [of falsehood].