Surah Ash-Shu'ara — Verse 49

Word Meanings:

• Āmantum lahu – You have believed in him.
• Ādhana – I permit or allow.
• Kabīrukum – Your chief or leader.
• Min khilāf – From opposite sides (i.e., cutting the right hand with the left foot, or vice versa).
• Uṣallibannakum – I will crucify you.

Explanation of the Verse:

Pharaoh, in a state of fury and disbelief, turned to the magicians who had just proclaimed their faith in Moses and said: "Have you believed in him before I have given you permission?!" He was astonished that they would make such a monumental decision without his approval, as if his authority outweighed the truth they had just witnessed.

Then, in a desperate attempt to discredit Moses and undermine the miracle they had seen, Pharaoh claimed: "Indeed, he is your chief who taught you magic." He tried to convince them—and those around—that this was all a pre-arranged plot between Moses and the magicians, and that Moses was merely their master who had trained them in the art of sorcery. This was a blatant lie, for the magicians had never met Moses before that day, and their sudden faith was a genuine response to the undeniable truth of his miracle.

Pharaoh then threatened them with a terrifying punishment: "You will surely come to know what I will do to you! I will cut off your hands and your feet from opposite sides, and I will crucify you all together." He meant to sever the right hand with the left foot, or the left hand with the right foot, and then hang them on the trunks of palm trees as a public spectacle of terror.

Yet, despite this horrific threat, the magicians remained steadfast in their newfound faith. Their hearts had been illuminated by the light of truth, and no threat of torture or death could shake their conviction. This is a powerful lesson for every believer: when truth becomes clear, it must be embraced with courage and sincerity, regardless of the cost. The magicians, who had spent their lives mastering deception, recognized the ultimate truth in an instant—and they were willing to sacrifice everything for it.

This scene reminds us that the love of Allah and the certainty of faith can transform even the most hardened hearts. The very people who once opposed the truth became its most devoted champions. Their story is an eternal testament that no tyrant, no matter how powerful, can extinguish the light of faith once it has been ignited in a sincere heart. And indeed, their reward with Allah is far greater than any worldly punishment Pharaoh could inflict.