Surah Al-A'raf — Verse 116

Word Meanings:

• "Saharoo a'yuna al-nas": They cast a spell upon the eyes of the people, causing them to see illusions rather than reality.
• "Istarhaboohum": They instilled intense fear and awe in their hearts through their display.
• "Sihr 'azeem": A mighty and powerful sorcery, remarkable in its craft and effect.

Tafsir (Explanation):

When Musa (peace be upon him) confronted the magicians of Pharaoh, he did not waver in his certainty. He said to them, "You cast first." So they threw down their ropes and staffs, and behold—through their cunning and illusion, they bewitched the eyes of the onlookers. The people saw what appeared to be serpents slithering and moving, though in truth it was mere trickery and deception. The magicians made the crowd believe their ropes and sticks had transformed into living creatures, and they struck terror into the hearts of the people with this grand spectacle. It was sorcery of immense skill and scale, designed to overwhelm the senses and crush the spirit of anyone who witnessed it.

Yet, dear reader, reflect on this scene: the forces of falsehood may gather all their might, dazzle the eyes, and shake the hearts—but their power is built on illusion, not truth. The believer’s strength lies not in what the eyes see, but in what the heart knows: that Allah’s promise is true, and His help is near. The magicians’ "great sorcery" was great only in its deception; it had no reality behind it. And as the story unfolds, we learn that when Musa threw his staff, the truth of Allah overwhelmed their falsehood in an instant, proving that no matter how mighty falsehood appears, it is always fragile before the light of divine truth.

Let this be a lesson for you: do not be intimidated by the grandeur of falsehood in this world—whether it be wealth, status, or spectacle. These are but illusions that fade. Place your trust in Allah, for His truth is the only reality that endures, and He never abandons those who rely on Him. The magicians’ trick was to terrify, but the believer’s refuge is to remember that Allah is the Almighty, the All-Powerful, and no sorcery, no scheme, and no force can stand against His will.