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.
Related Ayahs
قَدِ ٱفْتَرَيْنَا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا إِنْ عُدْنَا فِى مِلَّتِكُم بَعْدَ إِذْ نَجَّىٰنَا ٱللَّهُ مِنْهَا ۚ وَمَا يَكُونُ لَنَآ أَن نَّعُودَ فِيهَآ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّنَا ۚ وَسِعَ رَبُّنَا كُلَّ شَىْءٍ عِلْمًا ۚ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا ٱفْتَحْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ قَوْمِنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْفَـٰتِحِينَ
We would have invented against Allāh a lie if we returned to your religion after Allāh had saved us from it. And it is not for us to return to it except that Allāh, our Lord, should will. Our Lord has encompassed all things in knowledge. Upon Allāh we have relied. Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who give decision."
فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَنجَيْنَـٰهُ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُۥ فِى ٱلْفُلْكِ وَأَغْرَقْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا عَمِينَ
But they denied him, so We saved him and those who were with him in the ship. And We drowned those who denied Our signs. Indeed, they were a blind people.
قَالَ قَدْ وَقَعَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ رِجْسٌ وَغَضَبٌ ۖ أَتُجَـٰدِلُونَنِى فِىٓ أَسْمَآءٍ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّا نَزَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَـٰنٍ ۚ فَٱنتَظِرُوٓا۟ إِنِّى مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُنتَظِرِينَ
[Hūd] said, "Already have defilement and anger fallen upon you from your Lord. Do you dispute with me concerning [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers, for which Allāh has not sent down any authority? Then wait; indeed, I am with you among those who wait."
لَهُم مِّن جَهَنَّمَ مِهَادٌ وَمِن فَوْقِهِمْ غَوَاشٍ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
They will have from Hell a bed and over them coverings [of fire]. And thus do We recompense the wrongdoers.