The story of the Prophet Musa (Moses) and the magicians of Pharaoh - in the Quran

The story of the Prophet Musa (Moses) and the magicians of Pharaoh is mentioned in several chapters of the Quran, including Surah Al-A'raf, Surah Yunus, and Surah Ta-Ha. According to the Quranic account, Pharaoh and his people were threatened by the message of Musa and sought to discredit him in front of the masses. To prove that Musa's miracles were just tricks, Pharaoh summoned his most skilled magicians to compete with Musa.

On the day of the competition, Musa threw his staff and it turned into a serpent, which frightened the magicians. However, they quickly regained their composure and used their own magical powers to turn their staffs into serpents as well. But then Musa's serpent devoured all of the magicians' serpents, leaving the magicians amazed and realizing the truth of Musa's message. Many of them converted to Musa's religion, but Pharaoh punished them harshly for doing so.

Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, oppressed the Children of Israel and enslaved them. God sent Prophet Musa to free the Israelites and guide them to the path of righteousness. When Musa and his brother Harun came to Pharaoh and asked him to release the Israelites, Pharaoh rejected their demand and challenged Musa to prove his prophethood by performing a miracle.

Musa threw his staff on the ground, and it turned into a serpent, which swallowed the serpents of the magicians who were called by Pharaoh to challenge Musa. The magicians, who had previously impressed Pharaoh with their magic, recognized that Musa's miracle was from God and submitted to him, declaring their belief in God.

However, Pharaoh remained stubborn and refused to accept Musa's message, continuing to oppress the Israelites. He threatened to punish the magicians for their belief in Musa, but they were steadfast in their faith and refused to renounce it. God honored the magicians for their faith and made them a model for all people to follow.

Musa continued to challenge Pharaoh, and God sent a series of plagues to punish Pharaoh and his people for their disobedience. Eventually, Pharaoh and his army were destroyed when they pursued Musa and the Israelites as they were escaping across the Red Sea.

The story of Musa and the magicians in the Quran emphasizes the power of God and the importance of faith in God's guidance. It also highlights the consequences of oppression and disobedience and the need for individuals to stand up for their beliefs, even in the face of persecution.

Chapter 20, Verses 57-73:

[20:57] And We said to Musa (Moses), "Throw down your staff." And when he saw it moving like a snake, he turned and fled and did not return. We said, "O Musa, do not be afraid. Indeed, you are of those who are secure."

[20:58] "Put your hand inside your garment at the side of your chest; it will come out white without disease - another sign," that We may show you [some] of Our greater signs.

[20:59] "Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed."

[20:60] [Musa] said, "My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance]"

[20:61] "And ease for me my task."

[20:62] "And untie the knot from my tongue."

[20:63] "That they may understand my speech."

[20:64] "And appoint for me a minister from my family."

[20:65] "Aaron, my brother."

[20:66] "Increase through him my strength."

[20:67] "And let him share my task."

[20:68] "That we may exalt You much."

[20:69] "And remember You much."

[20:70] "Indeed, You are of us ever Seeing."

[20:71] [Allah] said, "You have been granted your request, O Musa."

[20:72] "And We had already conferred favor upon you another time,"

[20:73] "When We inspired to your mother what We inspired,"

The story of the Prophet Musa and the magicians of Pharaoh is a significant event in Islamic history, which is mentioned in several chapters of the Quran. The story revolves around Musa's confrontation with Pharaoh, who had enslaved and oppressed the Israelites in Egypt. Musa was sent by God to free the Israelites and guide them to the right path.

Pharaoh initially refused to believe in Musa's message, and challenged him to prove his prophethood by performing a miracle. In response, Musa threw down his staff, which turned into a snake and swallowed the snakes of the magicians that Pharaoh had summoned to challenge Musa. The magicians recognized that Musa's miracle was from God, and they believed in him, despite Pharaoh's threats.

Despite several warnings and divine punishments, Pharaoh remained stubborn and continued to oppress the Israelites. Ultimately, Pharaoh and his army were destroyed when they pursued Musa and the Israelites as they were escaping across the Red Sea.

The story highlights the power of God and the importance of faith in God's guidance. It also emphasizes the consequences of oppression and disobedience, and the need for individuals to stand up for their beliefs, even in the face of persecution.