The Defeat of the Magicians and Firown’s Evil 

The day of the festival dawned The day of the festival dawned. With his usual pomp and splendour, Firown was seated on his throne. All the ministers and courtiers were also seated according to rank and file. Thousands of people gathered to witness the great contest between Truth and Falsehood.   On one side the enormous groups of all the great and famous magicians were assembled with their equipment, ready. On the other side stood the messengers of Allaah Ta’ala and the prophets of Truth; Hazrat Moosa and Hazrat Haroon.

And the magicians came to Firown saying: “Surely there is a reward for us if we are successful!” (A’araaf-113) He(Firown) replied: “Yes! And indeed you will be of the favoured ones.” (A’araaf-114)

When the magicians were assured of their reward they turned to Hazrat Moosa. Moosa said to them: “Woe unto you! Do not fabricate a lie, against Allaah Ta’ala, lest He may destroy you with some punishment. Verily he who fabricates lies will be unsuccessful.” (Taahaa-61)

Act this scene out… think about what they might be feeling… The magicians then said: “Oh Moosa! Either you cast down (your staff) or we shall be the ones to cast.”  (A’araaf-115) He (Moosa)said: “You throw! Then they threw. They conjured an illusion over the eyes of the people and terrified them. They brought a mighty magic.“ (A’araaf-116)   And we revealed  unto Moosa: “Cast down your staff!” “And lo! It swallowed all that they had conjured.” (A’araaf-117) “Thus the truth prevailed and rendered all their actions futile.” (A’araaf-118) “And the magicians threw themselves down into prostration.” (A’araaf-120) They said: “We believe in the Sustainer of the worlds.” (A’araaf-121) “The Sustainer of Moosa and Haroon.” (A’araaf-122) Act this scene out… think about what they might be feeling…

Upon seeing the situation, Firown said: “Did you believe (in Moosa), before I gave you permission. Indeed he (Moosa) is your mentor, who has taught you magic. I will most certainly cut-off your hands and feet on the opposite sides, and I will hang you on the trunks of palm-trees. Then you will surely know which of us is more severe in torment and ever-lasting.” (Taahaa-71) Make a list of words you would use to describe firauns feelings… Do you relate to him in some way?

Do you think that these magicians had true faith?

 Therefore Firown’s tyrannical threats did not frighten the magicians in the least. They replied: “By no means shall we give you preference over that which has come to us of the clear proofs, and that Being who has created us. Command whatever you wish. You can only command in respect of the life of this world.” (Taahaa-72) “Indeed! We believe in our Sustainer, that He (Allaah Ta’ala) will forgive our faults, and that which you have compelled us to do in the way of magic. Allaah Ta’ala is the Best and the Eternal.” (Taahaa-73)        

In this contest between truth and falsehood, Firown and his noblemen left terribly defeated. They were disgraced in front of the entire nation. Allaah Ta’ala had fulfilled the promise made to Hazrat Moosa.     Apart from the magicians, a group of Israelite youngsters also became Muslims. “Due to fear of Firown and his chieftains none believed in Moosa save a group of his people,  Lest he (Firown) should persecute them.” (Yunus-83)

 Firown’s courtiers could not even bear this limited success. The chieftains of Firown’s people said: “Will thou leave Moosa and his people to make mischief in the land, and to forsake you and your deities.”   He (Firown) replied: “Soon  we will kill their sons and let their women live.” (A’araaf-127)        This was Firown’s second announcement!