Surah Ynus, like a brilliant gem within the treasury of the Holy Qur'an, encompasses profound and meaningful verses narrating the confrontation between Moses, peace be upon him, and the magicians of Pharaoh. These verses, with eloquent and deep expression, depict the supremacy of Divine Truth over human deceit and the failure of corrupters and extravagants. This treatise, relying on the verses of this Surah and other related passages, elucidates concepts such as Divine power, human responsibility regarding their deeds, and the necessity to avoid extravagance in the time and minds of others. The aim is to clarify, through a profound and coherent perspective, the lessons of these verses for contemporary humanity, opening a path toward awareness and salvation.
Sorcery, as a human art requiring knowledge and skill, is introduced in the Holy Qur'an as a form of deception accompanied by manipulation of perception. Although this capability initially appears astonishing, it becomes powerless and nullified before the Divine miracle, which manifests the boundless power of God. In the story of Pharaohs magicians, this confrontation is clearly illustrated.
Then when they cast, Moses said, What you have brought is sorcery; indeed, Allah will nullify it. Indeed, Allah does not amend the work of corrupters.
(Qur'an, Surah Al-Arf, 7:116)
Moses, peace be upon him, confronts the magicians with confidence and authority, challenging their sorcery and declaring that God will nullify their trickery. This verse not only emphasises the nullity of sorcery but also shows that God does not bring the work of corrupters to fruition. Sorcery, no matter how intricate a skill it may be, before Divine will is like a breeze succumbing to the storm of truth.
The Holy Qur'an, in a clear and resonant expression, proclaims the supremacy of Divine truth over all human deceit. This reality is explicitly stated in another verse from Surah Ynus:
And Allah establishes the truth by His words, even if the criminals dislike it.
(Qur'an, Surah Ynus, 10:82)
This verse, like a radiant torch, demonstrates that Divine will overcomes every resistance. Even if criminals, oppressors, or magicians stand with all their might against the truth, God accomplishes His purpose. This message offers hope to all those who stand against oppression and corruption; for truth is like the sun that no dark cloud can permanently obscure.
The first part of this treatise, focusing on the confrontation between sorcery and miracle, demonstrated that human abilities, although remarkable, are powerless against Divine will. Sorcery, as a symbol of human skill, is nullified before Divine miracles, and God establishes the truth by His words. This lesson invites humanity to humility before Divine power and to avoid abusing their capabilities.
Pharaoh, in the Holy Qur'an, is introduced as the embodiment of arrogance, tyranny, and extravagance. By abusing his power, he not only harmed the people but also wasted their lives, religion, and livelihood.
And indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land, and indeed, he was of the extravagant.
(Qur'an, Surah Ynus, 10:83)
Pharaoh, with his arrogance and extravagance in human and spiritual resources of society, became an archetype of corrupters whose work comes to no successful end. Like an autocratic king whose crown is forged from deceit and oppression, he collapsed before Divine will. This verse serves as a warning to all rulers and powers that extravagance in authority leads to ruin and misery.
The Holy Qur'an explicitly states that God does not amend the work of corrupters. This principle applies not only to Pharaoh but to every individual or regime that engages in corruption and extravagance.
Indeed, Allah does not amend the work of corrupters.
(Qur'an, Surah Al-Arf, 7:116)
This verse, like a clear mirror, shows that corruption and extravagance, even if apparently successful in the short term, ultimately lead to failure. Corruptors are like those who rush towards a precipice in the darkness of night, unaware that the dawn of truth will expose them.
This section, by examining the character of Pharaoh and the Qur'anic principle of the failure of corrupters, demonstrated that extravagance and corruption, whether in the form of abuse of power or deceit of the people, lead to destruction. God, by establishing the truth, nullifies the work of corrupters, and this lesson warns all those who seek power and domination.
Among the people of Moses, peace be upon him, only a group of youth, referred to in the Qur'an as descendants, believed in him. This group, despite fear of Pharaoh and his chiefs, opened their hearts to the light of truth.
So none believed in Moses except a progeny among his people, out of fear of Pharaoh and his chiefs lest they should persecute them.
(Qur'an, Surah Ynus, 10:83)
This verse, like a seed in fertile soil, signifies hope for the younger generation. Youth, with open minds and pure hearts, are prepared to accept the truth, even in conditions where fear and threat loom heavily over them. This acceptance is a sign that change and transformation take root in the hearts of new generations.
The elders of the nation, due to prejudice and fear of Pharaoh, resisted accepting the truth. This resistance was rooted in attachment to outdated traditions and fear of deception and punishment. The Holy Qur'an describes this state with eloquent expression:
Out of fear of Pharaoh and his chiefs lest they should persecute them.
(Qur'an, Surah Ynus, 10:83)
This fear acted like an invisible chain binding the hearts and minds of the elders. They were like trees rooted in barren soil, incapable of renewal and growth. This lesson warns all those whose prejudice and fear prevent the acceptance of truth in their hearts.
This section, focusing on the faith of the young generation and the resistance of the elders, showed that the open mind and pure heart of youth form a suitable ground for accepting truth, while prejudice and fear constitute major obstacles to guidance. This lesson invites humanity to openness to truth and avoidance of prejudice.
One of the profound lessons of these verses is the emphasis on human responsibility concerning their deeds, especially in the domain of teaching and guiding others. Extravagance in the time and mind of others is a great sin that holds one accountable before God.
The story of a teacher who instructs without preparation and study exemplifies this extravagance clearly. Such a person not only wastes students time but also endangers their minds and futures. This act is like planting corrupt seeds in fertile soil that leads not to growth but destruction.
The Holy Qur'an describes human deeds as a letter that is opened on the Day of Judgment:
So whoever does an atoms weight of good will see it.
(Qur'an, Surah Az-Zalzalah, 99:7)
This verse, like a mirror reflecting the truth of deeds, demonstrates that no action, however small, is hidden from God's sight. A human is like a writer who inscribes a page of their book of deeds with every word and act. This letter is placed in their shroud and is opened on the Day of Resurrection for accountability.
This section, by emphasizing human responsibility regarding deeds and education, demonstrated that extravagance in the time and mind of others is a grave sin that holds a person accountable before God. Human deeds are inscribed like a letter in ones shroud, and this lesson invites carefulness in speech and action.
Sorcery, as a human capability, can serve either good or evil. If employed in the path of good and justice, it is legitimate; however, its abuse, as in the story of Pharaohs magicians, leads to corruption and failure.
And the magician will not succeed wherever he is.
(Qur'an, Surah Ta-Ha, 20:69)
This verse, like a ringing warning bell, declares that a magician who pursues deception and corruption will not attain success. Capabilities are like double-edged swords; if used for good, they lead to happiness, and if for evil, to destruction.
Intention is like a spirit breathed into the body of deeds. A prophetic tradition clarifies this truth:
Verily, deeds are by intentions.
(Prophetic Hadith)
This hadith indicates that the legitimacy of every capability depends on its intention and application. Pharaohs magicians used their ability with the intention of deception and domination, and therefore, failed before Divine truth.
This section, by examining sorcery as a human capability, demonstrated that the legitimacy of any skill depends on its intention and application. The abuse of capabilities, whether sorcery or power, leads to failure and destruction, while their righteous use paves the way to happiness.
This treatise, relying on the verses of Surah Ynus and other related Qur'anic passages, expounded profound lessons from the story of the confrontation between Moses, peace be upon him, and Pharaohs magicians. Sorcery, as a symbol of human capability, is nullified before Divine miracles, and the work of corrupters, however powerful, does not come to fruition. Pharaoh, as a symbol of extravagance and corruption, despite apparent power, was condemned to destruction due to harming the people. The young generation, with open minds and pure hearts, forms a suitable ground for accepting truth, while prejudice and fear are obstacles to guidance. Human responsibility concerning
