Surah Al-Qasas — Verse 36

Key Words and Phrases:

• Āyātin bayyinātin (بِآيَاتِنَا بَيِّنَاتٍ): Clear, evident signs and proofs that are self-evident and leave no room for doubt.
• Siḥrun muftaran (سِحْرٌ مُّفْتَرًى): Fabricated magic; sorcery that is falsely invented and concocted.
• Ābā’inā al-awwalīn (آبَائِنَا الْأَوَّلِينَ): Our forefathers of earlier generations; the ancestors who came before them.

Explanation of the Verse:

When Moses (peace be upon him) came to Pharaoh and his chiefs with Our clear, undeniable signs—miracles that testified to the truth of his message and proved that he was sent by Allah—they did not reflect or seek the truth. Instead, they stubbornly rejected him and said: "This is nothing but fabricated magic that Moses has invented and falsely attributed to God. We have never heard of such a call or such a message in the days of our forefathers who lived before us."

Their response was not based on evidence or reasoning, but on arrogance, blind following of tradition, and a refusal to accept the truth that challenged their power and status. They dismissed the clear miracles as mere trickery, and they rejected the message simply because it was new to them and not something their ancestors had followed.

This verse highlights a recurring pattern of the disbelievers throughout history: when the truth comes to them with clear proofs, they resort to accusations and cling to the ways of their forefathers, rather than using their intellect and opening their hearts to guidance.

A Da'wah Reflection:

How often do we reject something simply because it is unfamiliar or because "we never heard it from our elders"? The Quran challenges us to rise above blind imitation and to seek the truth with sincerity. The miracles of Moses were clear and undeniable, yet the arrogant refused to see. Let us be among those who, when the truth is presented with clarity, respond with humility and acceptance—not with pride and rejection. The door of guidance is open, and the signs of Allah are all around us; it is only the heart that is sealed with arrogance that cannot see. May Allah grant us hearts that are soft, minds that are open, and souls that yearn for His truth.