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
۞ لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٌ ۖ وَلَا يَرْهَقُ وُجُوهَهُمْ قَتَرٌ وَلَا ذِلَّةٌ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
For them who have done good is the best [reward] - and extra. No darkness will cover their faces, nor humiliation. Those are companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.
قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ
Say, "Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allāh will not succeed."
وَلَقَدْ بَوَّأْنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ مُبَوَّأَ صِدْقٍ وَرَزَقْنَـٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ فَمَا ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْعِلْمُ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَقْضِى بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
And We had certainly settled the Children of Israel in an agreeable settlement and provided them with good things. And they did not differ until [after] knowledge had come to them. Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.
وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَأَخِيهِ أَن تَبَوَّءَا لِقَوْمِكُمَا بِمِصْرَ بُيُوتًا وَٱجْعَلُوا۟ بُيُوتَكُمْ قِبْلَةً وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
And We inspired to Moses and his brother, "Settle your people in Egypt in houses and make your houses [facing the] qiblah and establish prayer and give good tidings to the believers."