فَغُلِبُوا۟ هُنَالِكَ وَٱنقَلَبُوا۟ صَـٰغِرِينَ 119
Translations
And they [i.e., Pharaoh and his people] were overcome right there and became debased.
Transliteration
Faghuliboo hunalika wanqalabu saghireen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the defeat of the Egyptian magicians at the hands of Prophet Musa (Moses) when his staff devoured their magical ropes and sticks. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the magicians were overwhelmed and humiliated at that very place, turning back in utter disgrace and shame. This moment marked the triumph of divine truth over deceptive falsehood, and the magicians' defeat became a sign of Allah's power and the authenticity of Musa's message.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Al-A'raf (Meccan period) recounting the confrontation between Prophet Musa and Pharaoh's court. The broader context describes how Musa was commanded to challenge Pharaoh's magicians, and when the contest took place, Allah caused Musa's miracle (the staff becoming a serpent) to overcome the magicians' illusions, leading to their humiliation and the believers' triumph.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Bukhari contains hadiths about the story of Musa and the magicians, emphasizing how witnessing this miracle led the magicians to believe in Allah and reject Pharaoh's false claims.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that truth ultimately prevails over deception, and those who oppose Allah's message and His messengers will inevitably face disgrace and defeat. For believers, it reinforces confidence that Allah's support for the righteous is certain, encouraging steadfastness in faith despite worldly opposition.