The Experts Recognize The Truth
[20:70] The magicians fell prostrate, saying, “We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.”
[20:71] He said, “Did you believe in him without my permission? He must be your chief; the one who taught you magic. I will surely sever your hands and feet on alternate sides. I will crucify you on the palm trunks. You will find out which of us can inflict the worst retribution, and who outlasts whom.”
[20:72] They said, “We will not prefer you over the clear proofs that came to us, and over the One who created us. Therefore, issue whatever judgment you wish to issue. You can only rule in this lowly life.
[20:73] “We have believed in our Lord, that He may forgive us our sins, and the magic that you forced us to perform. GOD is far better and Everlasting.”
[20:74] Anyone who comes to his Lord guilty will incur Hell, wherein he never dies, nor stays alive.
[20:75] As for those who come to Him as believers who had led a righteous life, they attain the high ranks.
[20:76] The gardens of Eden, beneath which rivers flow, will be their abode forever. Such is the reward for those who purify themselves.
[20:77] We inspired Moses: “Lead My servants out, and strike for them a dry road across the sea. You shall not fear that you may get caught, nor shall you worry.”
[20:78] Pharaoh pursued them with his troops, but the sea overwhelmed them, as it was destined to overwhelm them.
[20:79] Thus, Pharaoh misled his people; he did not guide them.
[20:80] O Children of Israel, we delivered you from your enemy, summoned you to the right side of Mount Sinai, and we sent down to you manna and quails.
[20:81] Eat from the good things we provided for you, and do not transgress, lest you incur My wrath. Whoever incurs My wrath has fallen.
[20:82] I am surely Forgiving for those who repent, believe, lead a righteous life, and steadfastly remain guided.
Why is what stated by Pharaoh different in the two verses: 20:71 and 7:124?
[20:71] He said, “Did you believe in him without my permission? He must be your chief; the one who taught you magic. I will surely sever your hands and feet on alternate sides. I will crucify you on the palm trunks. You will find out which of us can inflict the worst retribution, and who outlasts whom.”
[7:123] Pharaoh said, “Did you believe in him without my permission? This must be a conspiracy you schemed in the city, in order to take its people away. You will surely find out. [7:124] “I will cut your hands and feet on alternate sides, then I will crucify you all.” [7:125] They said, “We will then return to our Lord.
What is the connection between the punishment that Pharaoh threatened the magicians in 20:71 versus the one from God in 5:33?
- When God institutes something it comes from righteousness, but when Pharaoh does it comes from wickedness. Similar to the Samarian and Moses.
- This was the way that capital punishment was doled out since the time of Pharaoh to Muhammad’s time.
- In 5:34 God gives a caveat for people to get out of capital punishment.
- This shows that just because God sets the laws we can abuse the laws when we apply them incorrectly.
[20:71] He said, “Did you believe in him without my permission? He must be your chief; the one who taught you magic. I will surely sever your hands and feet on alternate sides. I will crucify you on the palm trunks. You will find out which of us can inflict the worst retribution, and who outlasts whom.”
Capital Punishment: When is it Justified?
[5:33] The just retribution for those who fight GOD and His messenger, and commit horrendous crimes, is to be killed, or crucified, or to have their hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, or to be banished from the land. This is to humiliate them in this life, then they suffer a far worse retribution in the Hereafter. [5:34] Exempted are those who repent before you overcome them. You should know that GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful. [5:35] O you who believe, you shall reverence GOD and seek the ways and means to Him, and strive in His cause, that you may succeed.
[75:13] The human being will be informed, on that day, of everything he did to advance himself, and everything he did to regress himself. [75:14] The human being will be his own judge.
Interesting that the magicians automatically submit to God and have no fear of Pharaoh and they don’t complain or object in 20:72
According to 20:73 the magicians claim that they were forced to perform their magic. This is contrary to what they said earlier.
[7:112] “Let them summon every experienced magician.” [7:113] The magicians came to Pharaoh and said, “Do we get paid if we are the winners?” [7:114] He said, “Yes indeed; you will even become close to me.”
[26:39] The people were told: “Come one and all; let us gather together here. [26:40] “Maybe we will follow the magicians, if they are the winners.” [26:41] When the magicians came, they said to Pharaoh, “Do we get paid, if we are the winners?” [26:42] He said, “Yes indeed; you will even be close to me.”
20:74 describes Hell as a place wherein he never dies, nor stays alive:
[87:13] Wherein he never dies, nor stays alive.
Pharaoh thought what he was doing was good for his people. This shows the arrogance in his heart as seen in 20:79. Arrogance + Authority = Tyrant
Arrogance is certainty without truth, and is amplified when people with arrogance force their beliefs onto others.
[40:29] “O my people, today you have kingship and the upperhand. But who will help us against GOD’s judgment, should it come to us?” Pharaoh said, “You are to follow only what I see fit; I will guide you only in the right path.”
[40:35] They argue against GOD’s revelations, without any basis. This is a trait that is most abhorred by GOD and by those who believe. GOD thus seals the hearts of every arrogant tyrant.
[40:56] Surely, those who argue against GOD’s revelations without proof are exposing the arrogance that is hidden inside their chests, and they are not even aware of it. Therefore, seek refuge in GOD; He is the Hearer, the Seer.
[28:41] We made them imams who led their people to Hell. Furthermore, on the Day of Resurrection, they will have no help.
What is the significance of the “right side” when mentioned in 20:80?
[18:17] You could see the sun when it rose coming from the right side of their cave, and when it set, it shone on them from the left, as they slept in the hollow thereof. This is one of GOD’s portents.* Whomever GOD guides is the truly guided one, and whomever He sends astray, you will not find for him a guiding teacher.
[19:52] We called him from the right side of Mount Sinai. We brought him close, to confer with him.
[28:30] When he reached it, he was called from the edge of the right side of the valley, in the blessed spot where the burning bush was located: “O Moses, this is Me. GOD; Lord of the universe.
The Lower Heaven
[56:27] Those of the right side, will be on the right side.
[69:19] As for the one who receives his record with his right hand, he will say, “Come read my record.
[84:7] As for the one who receives his record in his right hand, [84:8] His reckoning will be easy.
Life’s ‘Left-Handed’ Amino Acids Still A Puzzle
Why did God use Moses’s staff to perform the miracle?
God uses tools to achieve things in this world without His direct presence needed to be involved e.g. messengers, angels, scriptures, etc.
Quran Talk Blog 