إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَـٰمَـٰنَ وَقَـٰرُونَ فَقَالُوا۟ سَـٰحِرٌ كَذَّابٌ 24
Translations
To Pharaoh, Hāmān and Qārūn, but they said, "[He is] a magician and a liar."
Transliteration
Ila Fir'awna wa Hamana wa Qarun fa qalū sāhirun kadhhāb
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the enemies of Prophet Musa—Pharaoh, Haman, and Qarun—responded to his message by accusing him of being a sorcerer and a liar, rejecting the clear signs he presented to them. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, their rejection stemmed from arrogance, disbelief, and their vested interests in maintaining power and wealth rather than any rational objection to the message. This response exemplifies how those consumed by worldly ambition and pride dismiss divine guidance regardless of its clarity.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ghafir, a Meccan chapter that recounts the stories of past nations and their rejection of prophets. It appears within the narrative of Musa's confrontation with Pharaoh's court, illustrating how different groups (political leader, vizier, and wealthy man) unified in their rejection of monotheism. The historical context emphasizes parallels between the Meccan polytheists' rejection of Prophet Muhammad and Pharaoh's court's rejection of Musa.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have faced similar accusations of being a sorcerer and liar from the Quraysh, just as Musa faced from Pharaoh's people. This demonstrates the recurring pattern of rejection faced by messengers throughout history.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that opposition to divine truth often comes not from genuine intellectual disagreement but from pride, vested interests, and spiritual blindness. Modern Muslims should recognize that staying steadfast in faith despite ridicule and false accusations is part of the prophetic tradition, and should respond with wisdom and patience rather than despair.
Related Ayahs
قَالُوٓا۟ أَوَلَمْ تَكُ تَأْتِيكُمْ رُسُلُكُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ ۖ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ ۚ قَالُوا۟ فَٱدْعُوا۟ ۗ وَمَا دُعَـٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ
They will say, "Did there not come to you your messengers with clear proofs?" They will say, "Yes." They will reply, "Then supplicate [yourselves], but the supplication of the disbelievers is not except in error [i.e., futility]."
رَفِيعُ ٱلدَّرَجَـٰتِ ذُو ٱلْعَرْشِ يُلْقِى ٱلرُّوحَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِۦ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ لِيُنذِرَ يَوْمَ ٱلتَّلَاقِ
[He is] the Exalted above [all] degrees, Owner of the Throne; He places the inspiration of His command [i.e., revelation] upon whom He wills of His servants to warn of the Day of Meeting.
ثُمَّ قِيلَ لَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تُشْرِكُونَ
Then it will be said to them, "Where is that which you used to associate [with Him in worship]
رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّـٰتِ عَدْنٍ ٱلَّتِى وَعَدتَّهُمْ وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ ءَابَآئِهِمْ وَأَزْوَٰجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Our Lord, and admit them to gardens of perpetual residence which You have promised them and whoever was righteous among their forefathers, their spouses and their offspring. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.