قَالَ لِمَنْ حَوْلَهُۥٓ أَلَا تَسْتَمِعُونَ 25
Translations
[Pharaoh] said to those around him, "Do you not hear?"
Transliteration
Qala liman hawlahu ala tastami'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
Pharaoh, upon hearing Moses's message, turned to his courtiers and officials surrounding him, asking them rhetorically, "Are you not listening?" This demonstrates Pharaoh's attempt to dismiss or ridicule Moses's claim before his court, seeking validation from his circle. According to Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, this reflects Pharaoh's arrogance and his strategy to sway his people against Moses by making his message seem unworthy of serious consideration.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Moses's confrontation with Pharaoh in Egypt. The surah documents Moses presenting his message of monotheism to Pharaoh, and this particular moment shows Pharaoh's defensive and dismissive response. It illustrates the psychological tactics of oppressive rulers who rely on their entourage's support to maintain power and resist divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, the theme relates to Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:67) where disbelievers are described as turning away from signs. The broader theme of arrogant leadership appears in Sahih Bukhari's accounts of how tyrants historically rejected prophets' messages.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that those in power often use their influence and supporters to dismiss inconvenient truths rather than engage with them sincerely. We should be cautious of leaders who ridicule dissenting voices and seek validation from their circle rather than seeking objective truth.