Prophet Mūsā: Part 2 — The Calling and the Magicians Who Believed
Section 23 of 36 · Lives of the Prophets
A Serpent, Plain to See
قَالَ لَئِنِ ٱتَّخَذْتَ إِلَـٰهًا غَيْرِى لَأَجْعَلَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْمَسْجُونِينَ قَالَ أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكَ بِشَىْءٍ مُّبِينٍ قَالَ فَأْتِ بِهِۦٓ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ فَأَلْقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ ثُعْبَانٌ مُّبِينٌ وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُۥ فَإِذَا هِىَ بَيْضَآءُ لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ
“He (Pharaoh) said, “If you adopt a God other than me, I will certainly put you to prison.” He (Mūsā) said “Will you (do this) even if I bring to you something evident?” He said, “Then bring it, if you are truthful.” So, he threw down his staff, and in no time it was a serpent, clearly visible, and he drew out his hand, and right then it was a white light to the onlookers.” (26:29–33)
And now Firʿawn goes to the next step. He started with mockery, then accusation, and now threats. He said: if you take any god other than me, I will throw you in jail. Mūsā said: what if I bring you something clear — clear signs from Allah? Firʿawn told him: show me what you have. Mūsā threw his stick, and it turned into a serpent, plain to see. And he took out his hand from under his arm, and it was white for all of those around him.
قَالَ لِلْمَلَإِ حَوْلَهُۥٓ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَسَـٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
“He (Pharaoh) said to the chiefs around him “This man is certainly an expert sorcerer”.” (26:34)
Now Firʿawn said that Mūsā was a magician. He said to the chiefs around him: this is indeed a well-versed magician. Allah (swt) had given Mūsā the ayat, and Firʿawn refused to follow the signs he had seen with his own eyes, and accused Mūsā of being a sorcerer, a magician. Firʿawn announced that he would gather all of the magicians of Egypt and bring them to challenge Mūsā (peace be upon him).