Lesson 7: Miracles of Musa

After Musa was threatened by Pharaoh, he decided that this was the correct time to show Pharaoh the signs that he had been given by Allaah to show Pharaoh so that he may believe. These signs were two: that his staff would turn to a great serpent, and that his hand would become white and illuminated.

But Pharaoh, when he saw these two signs, began claiming that Musa was simply a magician, and that these miracles were nothing more than magic and trickery.

And this is false and they were indeed signs of Allaah, not sorcery. Because magic, or sorcery, is not allowed in Islam and it expels someone from Islam. And Allaah sends His Prophets and Messengers with extraordinary miracles and signs to prove to the people that they've been sent by Allaah. So how can we tell the difference between a magician and a prophet who came with miracles?

The Difference between Magic and Prophetic Miracles

Firstly, these miracles are outside and beyond the capabilities of men and jinn, so they are not able to be replicated by anyone from mankind or the Jinn. But magic on the other hand, is from the handiwork of the jinn and the men, who contact the jinn.

Secondly, miracles are two types:

1. Miracles that are time-bound and they aren't miracles in later times due to advancements in technology and these are the miracles where Allaah uses means within His creation to bring about this feat. For example, a person hearing very far away, this is possible in today's world through mobile phones.

2. Miracles that are not time-bound - they are miracles in every time. And they are miracles wherein Allaah changes properties of aspects of His creation. For example, the fire being cold for Prophet Ibrahim when Allaah created fire as hot.

So these miracles that are not time-bound are miracles that are not able to be reproduced except by a prophet so this will distinguish them from a magician.

Thirdly, miracles are not the only way to know a prophet. We may know that this is a prophet due to his character and righteousness, they are noble and stay away from the sins. Also, we might know them through prophecies wherein they inform us about matters of the unseen and matters that will happen in the future. Also, another sign is that they are victorious in their endeavours as Allaah wouldn't aid a liar. So these are all signs that we can know a prophet and therefore, we can distinguish a prophet that has miracles and signs and a magician who has mere magic.

Fourthly, magic is something that is known by the people and it is known that the magician must do certain acts to unlock this magic. And it is known that you can learn magic and the means by which you can learn it. However, prophetic miracles are unknown and they are something that we can't learn and practice.

Magic is that whose ways and means are subtle and hidden like someone who goes insane without any clear reason.

Musa Challenges Pharaoh

After Pharaoh rejected the signs, Musa challenged Pharaoh to replicate what he came with to prove to him that these were indeed signs and not magic. And he challenged him to do it in the early morning during one of their festivals in front of all the people, which is from the wisdoms in giving Da’wah as he chose a time when there would be many onlookers that would see Musa be victorious.

Then on the morning of the festival, Pharaoh came back with the magicians for the meeting to accept the challenge of Musa. Egypt in that time had many magicians that were skilled in magic. So the people that were present said, "Perhaps, if these magicians will be victorious then we shall certainly follow them.". So Musa came and admonished the magicians and warned them from carrying out their magic, threatening them with Allaah's punishment which would befall them if they were to go ahead. And the magicians began debating with each other; some of them said that this is the speech of a prophet and he is not a magician, and some of them argued saying that he is a magician. But Pharaoh forced the group who started to think that he was indeed a prophet to continue facing Musa while both groups told the people that Musa and his brother were magicians who wanted to remove them from their land, following the commands of Pharaoh. And this is similar to the doubts of the modern-day disbelievers who claim the Muslims want to conquer and expel them from their lands.

The Challenge Begins

Thus the challenge began, and Musa told the magicians to throw their sticks first, which appeared to move fast due to the magic and the power of the jinn. So Musa felt some fear from this, as he was from mankind after all, but Allaah commanded him to not fear as he was coming with true signs and not measly tricks. After he heard the commands of Allaah, Musa said "What you have brought is sorcery, Allah will surely make it of no effect. Verily, Allah does not set right the work of Al-Mufsidun (the evil-doers, corrupts, etc.)." [Surah Yunus, verse 61] and he threw his staff which became a huge serpent, swallowing up all the sticks and ropes of the magicians very quickly.

This caused the people to look on in amazement and shock, and they couldn't understand what was happening, but the magicians understood and realised that this was certainly not a magician but a prophet of Allaah. So they fell down in prostration saying, "We believe in the Lord of Harun (Aaron) and Musa (Moses)." [Surah Ta-Ha, verse 70]

The Magicians Embrace Islam

However, Pharaoh did not accept this, out of arrogance, and he became angry at the magicians for believing in him, claiming that Musa was the one who taught all the magicians their magic - which was a clear lie from Pharaoh as Musa came from the land of Madyan. He then threatened them by saying that he would crucify them and cut off their hands and feet to scare them back into believing in him, but the magicians were unintimidated by Pharaoh, saying that they believe in Allaah who rules over their hereafter, the One who will forgive them for their sins, from which was their magic that was forced upon them by Pharaoh. And they refuted Pharaoh who said that he was greater in punishment and more lasting by saying that Allaah was in fact, better and everlasting.

And the scholars of exegesis explained that the former magicians were shown their position in Paradise so as to divert their attention from the incoming punishment of Pharaoh and keep them steadfast upon their belief.

Key Lessons

Magic - and it’s incompatibility with Islam, it’s blameworthiness and the differences between it and the miracles brought by the prophets. We also learnt its definition and some of its signs, and we learnt that the magician is not a Muslim.

Signs of Prophethood - there are many signs of prophethood that a prophet may come with other than miracles. From them is that the people know this man to be a trustworthy, pious man with good morals and manners before he claimed prophethood. Also, the fact that Allaah aids this man is proof that he is a prophet because Allaah will not give a liar victory, rather He will humiliate him in front of the people. Also, if he comes with prophecies or knows things that would not be known by the people of the time then this is another proof.

The virtue of as-Sabr (patience) - a major theme in the story of Musa is the virtue of as-sabr (patience) and at-tawakkul (trust and reliance upon Allaah). Here we see that the former magicians had patience upon their religion when they became Muslims and were threatened by Pharaoh with death. They trusted in Allaah that He would reward them in the Hereafter for their struggle. As well as this, Musa had patience when dealing with Pharaoh and he kept trying to prove to him that he was a prophet even though he was clearly stubborn and arrogant and didn’t want the truth.

Summary of Lesson

Prophet Musa shows Pharaoh two clear miracles that were given to him by Allaah. After Pharaoh accuses him of practicing magic, Musa challenges him to replicate them on the day of the festival. Pharaoh gathers his magicians who are not able to replicate what he came with and they become Muslims. They are then threatened by Pharaoh with death but they remain firm and steadfast.