وَأُلْقِىَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ سَـٰجِدِينَ 120
Translations
And the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allāh].
Transliteration
Wa-alqā as-saḥaratu sājidīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the moment when the magicians of Pharaoh, after witnessing the miracle of Prophet Musa's staff transforming into a serpent, immediately prostrated in submission to Allah. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, their prostration was an act of sincere belief, as they recognized the divine sign and abandoned their disbelief instantly. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that their immediate submission demonstrates the power of clear evidence to overcome even deeply held falsehood, and their prostration symbolized their complete surrender to the truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Musa's confrontation with Pharaoh and his magicians at the court of Egypt (7:103-126). The broader context describes how Pharaoh challenged Musa to a magical contest, expecting his magicians to overcome him. When they witnessed the miraculous transformation of Musa's staff into a living serpent that consumed their magical ropes and sticks, they recognized it as a divine sign rather than magic, leading to their immediate belief.
Related Hadiths
While no single hadith directly addresses this ayah, Surah Al-A'raf 7:121 continues the narrative: the magicians declared 'We have believed in the Lord of Musa and Harun.' This is referenced in Islamic scholarship alongside discussions of sincere repentance and immediate response to divine truth found in various hadith collections.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that when confronted with undeniable truth, sincere hearts respond immediately by submitting to Allah, regardless of previous attachments to falsehood. It reminds us that clear evidence and divine signs have the power to transform even those deeply entrenched in disbelief, inspiring hope for guidance and redemption.