قَالَ ءَامَنتُمْ لَهُۥ قَبْلَ أَنْ ءَاذَنَ لَكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكَبِيرُكُمُ ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱلسِّحْرَ ۖ فَلَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُم مِّنْ خِلَـٰفٍ وَلَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ فِى جُذُوعِ ٱلنَّخْلِ وَلَتَعْلَمُنَّ أَيُّنَآ أَشَدُّ عَذَابًا وَأَبْقَىٰ 71
Translations
[Pharaoh] said, "You believed him [i.e., Moses] before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and you will surely know which of us is more severe in [giving] punishment and more enduring."
Transliteration
Qala amanatum lahu qabla an aathana lakum innahu lakabeerukum alladhee allamakumu assihra falaqattiane aidiyakum waarjulakum min khilaf walasallibannakum fee judhooʿi annakhil walataʿlamunna ayyuna ashaddu adhaban wabqa
Tafsir (Explanation)
Pharaoh angrily confronts the magicians after they believed in Moses, accusing them of conspiring with him without his permission and threatening them with severe punishment—cutting off their limbs alternately and crucifying them on palm trunks. This ayah illustrates Pharaoh's tyrannical response to the magicians' sudden belief, driven by rage at what he perceived as betrayal and rebellion against his authority. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Pharaoh's threats reveal his desperation and loss of rational control after witnessing the clear miracle of Moses's staff.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Taha describing the confrontation between Prophet Moses and Pharaoh at the court. The context is the moment when Pharaoh commanded his magicians to compete with Moses; after witnessing the miracle, the magicians prostrated and believed in the God of Moses and Aaron. Pharaoh's response, recorded in this verse, demonstrates the typical reaction of oppressive rulers when faced with the truth—escalating to violence and threats.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly addresses this verse, Surah Al-Anfal 8:30 and related ahadith discuss how disbelievers plot against the believers, and the Prophet's teachings on patience during persecution (as in Sahih Muslim) relate thematically to the magicians' steadfastness despite Pharaoh's threats.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that when truth becomes undeniable, oppressors often resort to violence and threats rather than accept defeat—a pattern repeated throughout history. Believers must remain steadfast in their conviction even when facing severe punishment, trusting in God's ultimate justice and protection.