the Lectures of Nekounam, May His Sacred Secret Be Blessed (Session 1444)
The luminous verses of the Holy Quran, like guiding lamps, unveil the path of truth before human eyes. Among these, the narrative of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) encounter with Pharaoh and his magicians, serves as a transparent mirror reflecting the confrontation between truth and falsehood. This treatise, relying on the verses from the Surahs l Imrn and H, undertakes a deep and comprehensive examination of this event. By a profound consideration of the concepts of magic, sorcery, and miracle, it reveals the divine truth against human deception. Its purpose is to illuminate the semantic layers of these verses for the readers through eloquent expression and an organised structure, so that the latent lessons may, like a radiant gem, dwell within their hearts and minds.
The Holy Quran, in verse 76 of Surah l Imrn, refers to the reaction of Pharaohs people against the miracles of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), which they named "clear sorcery". This accusation, like a dagger in the body of truth, is an endeavour to deny the divine mission.
The accusation of sorcery against divine miracles has been a common approach among opponents of the prophets. This charge stems from Pharaohs people's inability to comprehend the transcendent truth of the miracle and, from a psychological perspective, indicates resistance to accepting the truth.
Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), in response to this accusation, emphasises with firmness and wisdom the falsehood of sorcery compared to divine truth, stating: "When the truth came to you, do you say: 'Is this magic?' Whereas the magicians will not succeed" (l Imrn: 77). This reply, like a blazing torch, illuminates the boundary between divine truth and human deception. A miracle is a sign transcending natural laws and is revealed for the guidance of humanity, whereas sorcery, like a deceptive mirage, merely misleads the minds.
From a philosophical viewpoint, a miracle acts as a divine key that unlocks the locks of ignorance and denial, while sorcery, relying on visual and psychological techniques, creates only a deceptive appearance. This distinction is also clear in verse 116 of Surah Al-Arf, where the ropes and staffs of the magicians appeared to the spectators to be moving: فَإِذَا حِبَالُهُمْ وَعِصِيُّهُمْ يُخَيَّلُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ سِحْرِهِمْ أَنَّهَا تَسْعَىٰ (Translation: "So when their ropes and staffs were thrown, by their magic they appeared to move.")
Pharaoh, confronting the miracles of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), commanded the summoning of skilled and knowledgeable magicians (سَاحِرٍ عَلِيمٍ): وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ ائْتُونِي بِكُلِّ سَاحِرٍ عَلِيمٍ (l Imrn: 79). These magicians, unlike false claimants, possessed real expertise and did not rely on deceit and fraud.
The knowledgeable magician, by virtue of his knowledge and skill, is distinguished from counterfeit magicians. This distinction points to the difference between genuine ability and superficial deception, manifesting differently across societies through various tools and methods.
These magicians, employing advanced techniques, attempted to imitate the divine miracles; however, the Holy Quran emphasises that even their high skill was unsuccessful before divine truth: وَلَا يُفْلِحُ السَّاحِرُ حَيْثُ أَتَىٰ ( H: 69; Translation: "And the magician will not succeed wherever he comes"). From a sociological perspective, the difference between knowledgeable and unknowledgeable magicians relates to the level of awareness and religious literacy of societies. In some communities, unknowledgeable magicians exploit public ignorance for fraud, whereas knowledgeable magicians rely on genuine skills to display power.
The competition between magic and miracle is depicted as a battle between two champions in an arena. The miracle, as the antithesis of magic, invalidates it: مَا جِئْتُمْ بِهِ السِّحْرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَيُبْطِلُهُ (Ynus: 81; Translation: "What you have brought is magic, and Allah will surely invalidate it").
The miracle, as a divine force, shatters magic and reveals the truth. This confrontation, akin to the dance of light and darkness, manifests the supremacy of truth over falsehood.
This confrontation, philosophically, resembles the Hegelian dialectic, in which magic (thesis) faces miracle (antithesis), and divine truth (synthesis) prevails. This process is sometimes gradual, as the Quran states: إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَيُبْطِلُهُ (Ynus: 81), indicating divine patience in revealing the truth. Some magicians eventually believed in the truth: فَأُلْقِيَ السَّحَرَةُ سُجَّدًا قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِرَبِّ هَارُونَ وَمُوسَىٰ ( H: 70; Translation: "Then the magicians fell down in prostration, saying, 'We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.'").
Sorcery and magic are two distinct concepts within this narrative. Sorcery is associated with incantations, recitations, and nocturnal vigils, whereas magic resembles martial power and dominance. Both, however, are as powerless as a candle before the sun when confronted with divine miracles.
Sorcery, relying on incantations and recitations, deceives perception, while magic is a display of authority and power. Nevertheless, neither withstands the divine miracle.
From a lexical perspective, "سِحْرٌ" in the Holy Quran signifies deception and manipulation of perception: وَاتَّبَعُوا مَا تَتْلُو الشَّيَاطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَانَ (Baqarah: 102; Translation: "And they followed what the devils recited during Solomons reign"). Magic, however, refers to a display of power and authority, like a champion exhibiting his strength in the arena. Nonetheless, the Holy Quran deems both unsuccessful against miracles: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُصْلِحُ عَمَلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ (Ynus: 81; Translation: "Indeed, Allah does not amend the work of corrupters").
Magicians who serve corruption and deceit are doomed to failure: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُصْلِحُ عَمَلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ (Ynus: 81). This failure stems from their opposition to divine truth.
When sorcery and magic are employed for deception and oppression, they exemplify the deeds of corrupters, which Allah does not amend. This highlights the importance of pure intention in every action.
From an ethical perspective, sorcery and magic lead to corruption when used for oppression and deceit. The Holy Quran praises magicians who came to faith as gems amidst darkness ( H: 70). This indicates divine mercy and the possibility of guidance even for the misguided.
