فَلَمَّآ أَلْقَوْا۟ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ مَا جِئْتُم بِهِ ٱلسِّحْرُ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَيُبْطِلُهُۥٓ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُصْلِحُ عَمَلَ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ 81
Translations
And when they had thrown, Moses said, "What you have brought is [only] magic. Indeed, Allāh will expose its worthlessness. Indeed, Allāh does not amend the work of corrupters.
Transliteration
Falamma alqaw qala Musa ma ji'tum bihi al-sihru inna Allah sayubtiluhu inna Allah la yuslihu amal al-mufsideen
Tafsir (Explanation)
When the magicians of Pharaoh cast their enchantments, Prophet Musa (Moses) declared that their sorcery was falsehood and that Allah would surely render it null and void. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah demonstrates Allah's absolute power over all creation and His protection of His prophets; the magic of the sorcerers, despite appearing impressive to onlookers, was ultimately powerless before divine truth. Al-Qurtubi notes that this verse establishes a fundamental principle: Allah does not allow the works of those who spread corruption (mufsidun) to prosper or endure.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative account of Prophet Musa's confrontation with Pharaoh and his magicians, likely revealed in Mecca to strengthen the Prophet Muhammad and believers facing opposition from Meccan disbelievers. The broader Surah Yunus (which is Meccan) emphasizes Allah's power and the certainty of His promises, using historical narratives of previous prophets to console the early Muslim community during persecution.
Related Hadiths
The confrontation between Musa and the magicians is referenced in various hadith collections regarding the superiority of divine truth over deception. While no specific hadith directly quotes this verse, the principle is supported by the general teachings on reliance upon Allah (tawakkul) found throughout Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that no matter how impressive or widespread falsehood and deception may appear, they are ultimately powerless before truth and divine will. In modern times, this offers reassurance that corruption, injustice, and untruth cannot permanently triumph, and that steadfast faith in Allah's plan provides protection against the schemes of those who work mischief.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا ظَنُّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ
And what will be the supposition of those who invent falsehood about Allāh on the Day of Resurrection? Indeed, Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the people, but most of them are not grateful.
وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُۥٓ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ وَإِن يُرِدْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَلَا رَآدَّ لِفَضْلِهِۦ ۚ يُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
And if Allāh should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him; and if He intends for you good, then there is no repeller of His bounty. He causes it to reach whom He wills of His servants. And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
Alif, Lām, Rā. These are the verses of the wise Book.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِنْ عِندِنَا قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَسِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ
So when there came to them the truth from Us, they said, "Indeed, this is obvious magic."