قَالُوا۟ لَن نُّؤْثِرَكَ عَلَىٰ مَا جَآءَنَا مِنَ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنَا ۖ فَٱقْضِ مَآ أَنتَ قَاضٍ ۖ إِنَّمَا تَقْضِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَآ 72
Translations
They said, "Never will we prefer you over what has come to us of clear proofs and [over] He who created us. So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree for this worldly life.
Transliteration
Qālū lan nu'thiraka alā mā jāʾanā mina al-bayyināti wa-alladhī fataranā fa-iqḍi mā anta qāḍin innama taqḍī hādhihi al-ḥayātu ad-dunyā
Tafsir (Explanation)
The magicians of Pharaoh respond to his threats by firmly declaring they will never abandon the clear signs (miracles) they witnessed and Allah who created them, even if it means facing death in this worldly life. They challenge Pharaoh to execute his threatened punishment, recognizing that his authority is limited to this temporal existence and cannot extend to the Hereafter. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this statement reflects the magicians' recognition of Allah's supremacy and their willingness to sacrifice worldly life for spiritual truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative in Surah Taha detailing the confrontation between Prophet Musa and Pharaoh, specifically the episode where the Egyptian magicians witness the miracle of the staff transforming into a serpent and themselves cast down their rods in prostration to Allah. The magicians' response here marks their dramatic conversion from serving Pharaoh to submitting to Allah, demonstrating the power of divine signs to transform hearts.
Related Hadiths
The spirit of this ayah aligns with Hadith Qudsi where Allah states the believer's willingness to sacrifice worldly possessions for faith. Also relevant is the hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah about preferring Allah's pleasure over worldly comfort: 'Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah at the expense of people's displeasure, Allah will be pleased with him.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true conviction means prioritizing obedience to Allah over fear of worldly consequences, and that no earthly ruler possesses authority over the eternal soul. It inspires Muslims to stand firm in faith regardless of persecution, recognizing that temporary suffering is insignificant compared to eternal accountability.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَآ أَصَابَهُمُ ٱلْقَرْحُ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
Those [believers] who responded to Allāh and the Messenger after injury had struck them. For those who did good among them and feared Allāh is a great reward -
وَلَقَدْ كُنتُمْ تَمَنَّوْنَ ٱلْمَوْتَ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تَلْقَوْهُ فَقَدْ رَأَيْتُمُوهُ وَأَنتُمْ تَنظُرُونَ
And you had certainly wished for death [i.e., martyrdom] before you encountered it, and you have [now] seen it [before you] while you were looking on.
وَلَئِن قُتِلْتُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْ مُتُّمْ لَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَحْمَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
And if you are killed in the cause of Allāh or die - then forgiveness from Allāh and mercy are better than whatever they accumulate [in this world].
۞ رَبِّ قَدْ ءَاتَيْتَنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِى مِن تَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ فَاطِرَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِىِّۦ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ تَوَفَّنِى مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِى بِٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous."