Surah al-A`raf (The Elevated Places) 7 : 116

Overview (Verses 113 - 116)

Squaring Up to Sorcery and Falsehood

The Qur’ānic account skips over all the measures taken by Pharaoh and his aides in gathering all the sorcerers from every corner of the kingdom. The curtain falls after the first scene to be raised again with the contest progressing in full view in order to show this history as if it is happening now, in front of us. This is a characteristic of the inimitable style of the Qur’ān.

“The sorcerers came to Pharaoh and said: ‘Surely there will be a handsome reward for us if it is we who prevail.’ Answered [Pharaoh]: ‘Yes; and you will certainly be among those who are close to me.’” (Verses 113-114) They are mere professionals. To them, both sorcery and priesthood are professions. Their ultimate aim in carrying on with both vocations is to enjoy a handsome financial reward. Being in the service of rulers and overpowering tyranny is the task undertaken by professional clergy. Whenever the general situation in a country or a community moves away from pure submission to God, acknowledging all sovereignty to Him alone, and whenever a form of false, arbitrary authority replaces God’s law, those exercising such an authority find themselves in need of such professional clergy. The false authority is always ready to remunerate such clergy for their services. It is a deal which serves the mutual interests of both parties; the clergy acknowledge that false authority in the name of religion, and those exercising power provide them with wages and give them high positions.

Pharaoh assured them that they would be paid for their services, and promised them positions in the circle closest to him to increase the temptation and to encourage them to make their best efforts. Neither Pharaoh nor the sorcerers realized that the situation did not call for any professional expertise, skill or deception. They were placing themselves in confrontation with a miracle given by God who has power over all things, and a message revealed by Him. No sorcerer or tyrant can stand up to these.

Pharaoh’s sorcerers were reassured that they would have a generous reward, and they looked forward to be in positions close to Pharaoh. They came ready for the match, and began by an open challenge to Moses. Little did they realize that God was storing for them something far better than their promised wages: “They said: Moses! Either you shall throw [first], or we shall be the first to throw?’ He answered: ‘You throw [first].’” (Verses 115-116) It is a clearly apparent challenge. As they gave Moses the choice, they demonstrated their confidence that they would triumph. But we also see Moses unperturbed by the challenge, full of confidence as he answered: “You throw first.” That short answer reveals how completely assured Moses was. We often find the Qur’ān using a single word to impart such rich connotations.

But then the sūrah delivers a surprise. Indeed, Moses himself was surprised as he found himself face to face with very skilful sorcery that strikes awe in people’s hearts: “And when they threw [their staff], they cast a spell upon people’s eyes and struck them with awe, making a display of great sorcery.” (Verse 116)

It is sufficient for us that the Qur’ān describes their work as “great sorcery” to imagine how skilful they truly were. It is also enough that we should know that they could “cast a spell upon people’s eyes”, in order to be able to imagine the nature of the situation. Indeed, the Qur’ān uses here a very vivid term to describe that the sorcerers were able to create a very real feeling of fear among all beholders. We also learn from another Qur’ānic statement that Moses himself felt fear creeping into his heart.