لَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُم مِّنْ خِلَـٰفٍ ثُمَّ لَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ 124
Translations
I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides; then I will surely crucify you all."
Transliteration
La-uqatti'anna aydiyakum wa-arjulakum min khilaf thumma la-usallibannakum ajma'in
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records Pharaoh's threat of severe punishment against the magicians who believed in Moses and Allah. The phrase 'cut off your hands and feet from opposite sides' refers to amputation of the right hand and left foot (or vice versa) as a form of brutal execution, followed by crucifixion. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this represents Pharaoh's arrogant desperation when confronted with the truth, and the magicians' steadfastness in faith despite this terrifying threat demonstrates their sincere belief and willingness to sacrifice everything for Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Moses and Pharaoh in Meccan Surah Al-A'raf, specifically recounting the famous contest between Moses and Pharaoh's magicians. The context shows Pharaoh's response after his magicians witnessed the miracle of the staff becoming a serpent and consequently believed in Allah, rejecting Pharaoh's false claims to divinity.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly quotes this ayah's consequence, Sahih Muslim contains hadiths about the magicians' eventual acceptance of faith and their readiness for martyrdom, exemplifying the principle mentioned in Surah Al-'Ankabut (29:10) regarding trials and steadfastness.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith in Allah empowers believers to face even the most terrifying threats with courage and resolve. For modern readers, it illustrates that material power and physical threats are ultimately insignificant against sincere conviction in divine truth, encouraging steadfastness in faith regardless of worldly consequences.