The Holy Quran, like a luminous lamp, guides humanity towards truth and knowledge. The verses of this divine book, with profound and wise expressions, elucidate the position of mankind, the grandeur of creation, and the confrontation between human and divine powers. Among these, verse 79 of Surah Al-Imran, which refers to Pharaohs command to gather knowledgeable magicians, opens a window for reflection on the nature of magic, miracles, and the greatness of historical figures who have played pivotal roles in divine verses. This treatise, by delving deeply into this verse and related passages, and inspired by the lectures of religious scholars, examines these concepts and elucidates the hidden truth in these verses for readers with clear and weighty discourse. The goal is not merely the scientific and precise explanation of the verses but also the cultivation of a perspective that recognises the grandeur of Gods servants within the system of creation and refrains from belittling them.
Magic, in the Quranic and historical culture, is not merely an apparent deception but a specialised discipline requiring knowledge, skill, and capability. The Holy Quran, in a clear verse, mentions Pharaohs request to gather knowledgeable magicians:
And Pharaoh said, Bring to me every knowledgeable magician. (Surah Al-Imran, Verse 79)
This verse, situated in Surah Al-Imran (verse 79), indicates Pharaohs understanding of the distinction between skilled magicians and those who falsely claim magic through trickery and deceit. The term magician alm (knowledgeable magician) means someone endowed with elevated knowledge and skill, distinguished from fraudulent and deceitful magicians. In ancient Egypt, magicians employed advanced visual and psychological techniques to produce astonishing effects, as indicated in verse 116 of Surah Al-Arf:
Then their ropes and staffs were made to appear to him by their magic as if they were moving. (Surah Al-Arf, Verse 116)
This verse demonstrates that magic, although a human skill, remains a deception limited to sensory illusion. The knowledgeable magician, akin to a professional athlete who attains a high rank through practice and skill, does not require cheating or exploitation. This distinction, from a sociological viewpoint, refers to differences in religious literacy and public awareness. Unskilled magicians exploit the ignorance of people to commit fraud, whereas the knowledgeable magician possesses genuine capability.
Magic, as a specialised field, can be compared to sporting skills such as boxing or wrestling. Just as a professional athlete, like Muhammad Ali, achieves a high status through practice and ability, the knowledgeable magician is also distinguished by his knowledge and skill. The lecture refers to an experience of meeting Muhammad Ali, who, with unmatched grandeur, stood like a steadfast mountain even against other athletes. This metaphor introduces magic as a discipline requiring effort, practice, and capability, not the cheating that is observed among some modern athletes who resort to performance-enhancing substances to compensate for their weaknesses.
The knowledgeable magician, like an athlete relying on his own abilities in the arena, has no need for trickery. This comparison not only rescues magic from ignominy but introduces it as a legitimate discipline within the framework of human knowledge, provided it is not in service of oppression and deceit.
Magic, as a human expertise, is not only recognised in the Holy Quran but, by emphasising the distinction between knowledgeable magicians and fraudsters, is introduced as a field requiring knowledge and skill. Pharaohs request to gather knowledgeable magicians demonstrated his awareness of this difference and his pursuit of the most capable individuals to confront the divine miracle. This section, employing sporting analogies, underscored the importance of recognising skill and capability in any discipline, including magic.
A miracle is a divine sign that transcends natural laws and manifests under Gods supervision through the prophets. The Holy Quran, in a clear verse, points to the superiority of the miracle over magic:
And cast what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted. Indeed, what they have crafted is but the trick of a magician, and the magician will not succeed wherever he is. (Surah Taha, Verse 69)
This verse clearly shows that magic, although a human skill, fails before the divine miracle. Unlike magic, which is limited to sensory deception, a miracle is a sign that reveals divine truth. Prophets, such as Moses (peace be upon him), attained this power through connection with divine truth and with Gods sincerity and guidance. This power is not the result of simplicity or ignorance but a divine speciality of high ranks.
The lecture points out that the general perception of prophets is sometimes erroneous, considering them simple and unskilled. However, prophets, endowed with knowledge, sincerity, and divine guidance, reached a position surpassing magicians and even the most capable humans. This position is like a light radiating from the sun of truth, extinguishing the darkness of magic within itself.
The difference between magic and miracle is like that between shadow and light. Magic, although a human skill, is confined to material and apparent matters, whereas the miracle, connected to divine truth, transcends natural laws. In the story of Moses (peace be upon him), his staff, which turned into a serpent, swallowed the magicians magic and manifested the superiority of the miracle. This event not only demonstrated divine power but also displayed the incapacity of magic in face of truth.
Philosophically, a miracle is a sign presented to guide humanity and prove the legitimacy of the prophets. Magic, although it can be astonishing, is ultimately limited to trickery and cannot contend with divine truth. This distinction is also affirmed in verse 81 of Surah Taha:
Indeed, what they have crafted is but the trick of a magician. (Surah Taha, Verse 81)
This verse introduces magic as a human trick incapable of competing with the divine miracle.
The miracle, as a divine sign, is not only distinct from magic but also demonstrates its superiority. Prophets, by connecting to divine truth, possessed a power beyond human skills. This section, emphasising the Quranic verses and metaphors, highlighted the grandeur of the miracle and the exalted position of the prophets, showing that magic, although a human skill, ultimately fails before divine truth.
Pharaoh, in the Holy Quran, is introduced not only as a tyrannical ruler but also as a magnificent figure claiming divinity:
He said, I am your most exalted lord. (Surah An-Naziat, Verse 24)
This verse reflects Pharaohs claim to divinity, which historically stems from ancient Egyptian culture, where pharaohs were considered divine-human beings. The lecture emphasises that Pharaoh, contrary to the common perception of him as a lowly character, possessed power, understanding, and grandeur distinguishing him from ordinary rulers. He was
