Back to Egypt

Moosaa (Moses), may Allah exalt his mention, left Madyan with his family and travelled through the desert until he reached Mount Sinai. There, he discovered that he had lost his way. He sought Allah's direction and was shown the right course. At nightfall, they reached Mount Toor. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, noticed a fire in the distance. "I shall fetch a firebrand to warm us," he said to his wife.

As he neared the fire, he heard a sonorous voice calling him, with (what means): "…‘O Moosaa! Indeed I am your Lord’…" [Quran: 20:11-12] Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, was bewildered and looked around. He again heard the strange voice, saying (what means): "And what is that in your right hand, O Moosaa?" [Quran: 20:17] Shivering, he answered with (what means): "...‘It is my staff; I lean upon it, and I bring down leaves for my sheep and I have therein other uses." [Quran: 20:18] This question was asked so that Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, would focus his attention on the staff and to prepare him for the miracle which was to happen. This was the beginning of Moosaa’s mission as a prophet.

The same voice commanded him with (what means): "Throw it [i.e., the staff] down!..." [Quran: 20:19] He did so, and at once the staff became a wriggling snake. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, turned to run, but the voice again addressed him (what means): "…‘Seize it and fear not; We will return it to its former condition.’" [Quran: 20:19] The snake changed back into his staff. Moosaa’s fear subsided and was replaced by peace, for he realised that he was witnessing the truth.

Next, Allah commanded him to thrust his hand into his robe at the armpit. When he pulled it out, the hand had a brilliant shine. He, therefore, had two signs from his Lord. Allah then commanded Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, with what means: "Go to Pharaoh [Pharaoh]. Indeed, he has transgressed [i.e., tyrannised]."[Quran: 20:24]

However, Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, feared that he would be arrested by Pharaoh, so he turned to Allah saying: "My Lord! I have killed a man among them and I fear that they will kill me." Allah assured him of his safety and set his heart at rest.

Almighty Allah narrated this event in the Quranic verses (which mean): "And has the story of Moosaa reached you? When he saw a fire and said to his family: ‘Stay here; indeed, I have perceived a fire; perhaps I can bring you a torch or find at the fire some guidance.’ And when he came to it, he was called: ‘O Moosaa! Indeed, I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. Indeed, you are in the sacred valley of Tuwa. And I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed [to you].’”[Quran: 20:9-13] and the verses (which mean): "‘Go to Pharaoh. Indeed he has transgressed [i.e., tyrannised].’ [Moosaa] said: ‘My Lord! Expand [i.e., relax] for me my breast. And ease for me my task. And untie the knot from my tongue. That they may understand my speech. And appoint for me a minister [i.e., assistant] from my family – Haaroon [Aaron], my brother. Increase through him my strength. And let him share my task. That we may exalt You much. Indeed, You are of us ever Seeing.’ [Allah] said: ‘You have been granted your request, O Moosaa.’” [Quran: 20:24-36]

Moosaa and His Brother Haaroon Debate with Pharaoh

Moosaa and Haaroon, may Allah exalt their mention, went together to Pharaoh and delivered their message. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, spoke to him about Allah, His mercy and His Paradise, and about the obligations of monotheism and His worship.

Pharaoh listened to Moosaa’s speech with disdain. He thought that Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, was mad because he dared to question his 'supreme' position. Then he raised his hand and asked: "What do you want?"

Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, replied: "I want you to send the children of Israel with us."

Pharaoh asked: "Why should I send them, as they are my slaves?"

Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, replied: "They are the slaves of Allah, Lord of the Worlds."

Fir’awm then inquired sarcastically if his name was Moosaa, to which Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, answered in the affirmative.

Pharaoh said: "Are you not the Moosaa whom we picked up from the Nile as a helpless baby? Are you not the Moosaa whom we reared in this palace, who ate and drank from our provisions and on whom we showered wealth with charity? Are you not the Moosaa who is a fugitive, the killer of an Egyptian man? It is said that killing is an act of disbelief. Therefore, you were a disbeliever when you killed. You are a fugitive from justice and you come to speak to me! What were you talking about O Moosaa? I forgot."

Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, knew that Pharaoh’s mentioning of his past, his upbringing, and his receiving Pharaoh’s charity was Pharaoh’s way of threatening him. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, ignored his sarcasm and explained that he was not a disbeliever when he killed the Egyptian, he only went astray and Allah, the Almighty, had not yet given him the revelation at that time. He made Pharaoh understand that he fled from Egypt because he was afraid of their revenge upon him, even though the killing was an accident. He informed him that Allah had granted him forgiveness and made him one of the messengers.

Allah the Almighty revealed to us part of the dialogue between Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, and Pharaoh; He Says (what means):

"[Allah] Said: ‘Nay! Go both of you with Our signs; indeed, We are with you, listening. Go to Pharaoh and say: ‘We are the messengers of the Lord of the worlds. [Commanded to say]: ‘Send with us the Children of Israel.’’’ [Pharaoh] said: ‘Did we not raise you among us as a child, and you remained among us for years of your life? And then you did your deed which you did [i.e., the crime of killing a man], and you were of the ungrateful.’ [Moosaa] said: ‘I did it, then, while I was of those astray [i.e., ignorant]. So I fled from you when I feared you. Then my Lord granted me judgement [i.e., wisdom and prophethood] and appointed me [as one] of the messengers. And is this a favour of which you remind me – that you have enslaved the Children of Israel?’ Said Pharaoh: ‘And what is the Lord of the worlds?’ [Moosaa] said: ‘The Lord of the heavens and earth, and that between them, if you should be convinced.’ [Pharaoh] said to those around him: ‘Do you not hear?’ [Moosaa] said: ‘Your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers.’ [Pharaoh] said: ‘Indeed, your ‘messenger’ who has been sent to you is mad.’ [Moosaa] said: ‘Lord of the east and the west and that between them, if you were to reason.’ [Pharaoh] said: ‘If you take a god other than me, I will surely place you among those imprisoned.’ [Moosaa] said: ‘Even if I brought you something [i.e., proof] manifest?’ [Pharaoh] said: Then bring it, if you should be of the truthful.’" [Quran: 26:15-31]

The degree of the conflict expressed in this dialogue reached its apex; thus, the tone of dialogue changed. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, used a convincing intellectual argument against Pharaoh. However, Pharaoh escaped from the circle of dialogue based on logic and began a dialogue of another type, a type which Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, could not bear to follow, a dialogue of menace and threat. Pharaoh deliberately adopted the style of the absolute ruler. He asked Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, how he dared to worship Allah! Did he not know that Pharaoh was a god?

After declaring his divinity, Pharaoh asked Moosaa how he dared to worship another god. The punishment for this crime was imprisonment. It was not permitted for anyone to worship anyone other than Pharaoh. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, understood that the intellectual arguments did not succeed. The calm dialogue was converted from sarcasm to mentioning charity, then to scorn, then to the threat of imprisonment.

Allah Says (what means): "[Moosaa] said: ‘Even if I brought you something [i.e., proof] manifest?’ [Pharaoh] said: ‘Then bring it, if you should be of the truthful.’ So [Moosaa] threw his staff, and suddenly it was a serpent manifest. And he drew out his hand; thereupon it was white for the observers." [Quran: 26:30-33]

Pharaoh’s amazement turned to terror. Fearing that his rule was in danger, he addressed his advisors: "These are two wizards who will strip you of your best traditions and drive you out of the country with their magic.  What do you advice?" They counselled Pharaoh to detain Moosaa and his brother, may Allah exalt their mention, while they summoned the best magicians in the country. Then they too, could show their skills of magic and change sticks into serpents. In this way they sought to reduce the influence of Moosaa’s miracles on the masses.

Pharaoh detained Moosaa and Haaroon, may Allah exalt their mention. He dispatched couriers all over the land to enlist the best magicians. He offered each successful magician a big reward, including appointment as a royal courtier.

The Great Contest

On the customary festival day, which attracted citizens from all over the Egyptian empire, Pharaoh (Pharaoh) arranged for a public contest between Moosaa (Moses), may Allah exalt his mention, and the magicians. The people came in droves when they heard of the greatest contest ever between Pharaoh’s many magicians, and a single man who 'claimed to be a prophet'.

Everyone was eager and excited to watch this great contest. Before it began, Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, arose and addressed the magicians, saying (what means): "‘Woe to you! Do not invent a lie against Allah or He will exterminate you with a punishment; and he has failed who invents [such falsehood].’” [Quran: 20:61]

Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, had spoken sincerely and made the magicians think. But they were overwhelmed by their greed for money and glory. They hoped to impress the people with their magic and to expose Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, as a fraud and a cheat.

Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, asked the magicians to perform first. They threw their magical objects down on the ground. Their staffs and ropes took the forms of wriggling serpents while the crowd watched in amazement. Pharaoh and his men applauded loudly. Then, Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, threw his staff. It began to wriggle and became an enormous serpent. The people stood up, craning their necks for a better view. Pharaoh and his men sat silently as Moosaa's huge serpent swallowed all the snakes, one by one. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, bent to pick it up, and it became a staff in his hand.

The crowd rose like a great wave, shouting and screaming with excitement. A wonder like this had never been seen before! On witnessing the power of Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, the magicians prostrated themselves to Allah, declaring (what means): "…‘We believe in the Lord of Haaroon [Aaron] and Moosaa.’"[Quran: 20:70] Pharaoh was furious and began plotting his next move. He charged that the demonstration had been arranged secretly between Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, and the magicians. He demanded that the magicians confess to their scheme, threatening them with death. They refused to denounce Allah and stuck to their sincerity of their belief. No longer hiding his cruel nature, Pharaoh threatened to cut off their hands and feet and to crucify them on the trunks of palm trees as an example to his subjects.

Almighty Allah recounts this event in the following verses (which mean): 

“He [Pharaoh] said: ‘Have you come to us to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Moosaa? Then we will surely bring you magic like it, so make between us and you an appointment, which we will not fail to keep and neither will you, in a place assigned.’ [Moosaa] said: ‘Your appointment is on the day of the festival, when the people assemble at mid-morning.’ So Pharaoh went away, put together his plan, and then came [to Moosaa]. Moosaa said to them [i.e., the magicians summoned by Pharaoh]: ‘Woe to you! Do not invent a lie against Allah or He will exterminate you with a punishment; and he has failed who invents [such falsehood].’ So they disputed over their affair among themselves and concealed their private conversation. They said: ‘Indeed, these are two magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic and do away with your most exemplary way [i.e., religion or tradition]. So resolve upon your plan and then come [forward] in line. And he has succeeded today who overcomes.’ They said: ‘O Moosaa! Either you throw or we will be the first to throw.’ He said: ‘Rather, you throw.’ And suddenly, their ropes and staffs seemed to him from their magic that they were moving [like snakes]. And he sensed within himself apprehension, did Moosaa. We [i.e., Allah] said: ‘Fear not! Indeed, it is you who are superior. And throw what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted. What they have crafted is but the trick of a magician, and the magician will not succeed wherever he is.’ So the magicians fell down in prostration. They said: ‘We have believed in the Lord of Haaroon and Moosaa.’ [Pharaoh] said: ‘You have believed him [i.e., Moosaa] before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and you will surely know which of us is more severe in [giving] punishment and more enduring.’ They said: ‘Never will we prefer you over what has come to us of clear proofs and [over] He who created us. So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree for this worldly life. Indeed, we have believed in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and what you compelled us [to do] of magic. And Allah is better and more enduring.’ Indeed, whoever comes to his Lord as a criminal – indeed, for him is Hell; he will neither die therein nor live. But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds – for those will be the highest degrees [in position]: Gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of one who purifies himself.” [Quran: 20:57-76]

The magicians represented the elite of the Egyptian society. They were its scholars. They prostrated before righteousness, but the people abandoned them and left them to their fate. The path of righteousness was plain, but in spite of this, the people did nothing but stand by and watch. If every one of the Egyptians had stopped to pick up a piece of brick and had thrown it at Pharaoh, he would have fallen dead and the history of Egypt would have been changed. This obviously did not happen. None of the people moved. Each one stood motionless in his place. The people did nothing but watch, and they paid the price of this inactivity: they were drowned later as the price for the cowardice of one day.

Moosaa and Haaroon, may Allah exalt their mention, left, and Pharaoh returned to his palace. Pharaoh was completely stupefied when he faced the two miracles. When Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, went out of his presence, Pharaoh’s emotions changed from amazement and fear to violent rage. He quarrelled with his ministers and men, reviled them bitterly for no reason, and commanded them to get out of his presence. When he was left alone, he tried to think more calmly. He drank several cups of wine, but his anger did not abate.

Then he summoned all the ministers, leaders, and responsible men for a serious meeting. Pharaoh entered the meeting with a rigid face. It was obvious that he would never surrender easily. He had established a kingdom on the basis of his being a god worshipped by the Egyptian people. Now Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, came to destroy what he had built. Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, said that there was no Lord other than Allah in existence. This meant that Pharaoh was a liar.

Pharaoh opened the session by throwing a sudden question at Haamaan, his aide: "Am I a liar, O Haamaan?" Haamaan fell to his knees in amazement and asked: "Who dared to accuse Pharaoh of lying?" Pharaoh said: "Has he (Moosaa) not said that there is a Lord above the heaven?" Haamaan answered: "Moosaa is lying." Turning his face to the other side, Pharaoh asserted impatiently: "I know he is a liar." Then he looked towards Haamaan and cried (what means): "…‘O Haamaan! Construct for me a tower that I might reach the ways – the ways into the heavens – so that I may look at the deity of Moosaa; but indeed, I think he is a liar.’ And thus was made attractive to Pharaoh the evil of his deed, and he was averted from the [right] way. And the plan of Pharaoh was not except in ruin." [Quran: 40:36-37]

Pharaoh issued his royal command to erect a lofty tower to reach the heavens. Pharaoh’s command depended fundamentally upon Egyptian civilisation and its fondness for building what Pharaoh wanted. However, he ignored the rules of engineering. In spite of this, Haamaan assented (hypocritically), knowing that it was impossible to erect such a tower. He said that he would issue a command to build it immediately. "However, your majesty, let me object to Pharaoh for the first time. You will never find anyone in the heavens. There is no god but you."

Pharaoh listened to a settled fact. Then he declared in the famous meeting his historic line (which means): "…‘O eminent ones! I have not known you to have a god other than me’…" [Quran: 28:38]

Pharaoh was absorbed in his new problem. A series of serious meetings began in his palace. He summoned those responsible for the army, the police and, what we call today his director of intelligence. He also summoned the ministers, princes, and priests. He called whoever had a powerful effect on the direction of events.