He^-SWT also created you from the same soil wherefrom He^-SWT grows fruits, vegetables and grain. By processing those through different stages He^-SWT creates the sperm where from He^-SWT fashions the human body. He^-SWT then returns the human body to this soil once again scattering all its components. Whether a body is cremated or buried or eaten away by the animals, it eventually reverts to the basic unit of matter, except those whom Allaah^-SWT wishes to preserve. And He^-SWT is so Powerful that He^-SWT will again fashion these scattered particles into a human body and quicken it. Together with these explanations, and beautiful words of advice abounding in wisdom, all the miracles given to Prophet Musa^-AS were also manifested to the Pharaoh. However, he belied and blatantly refused to accept the truth. But the miracles were too extraordinary to be ignored and the Pharaoh could not dare order the arrest or execution of the Prophets^-AS. He did acknowledge the superiority of what he called as magic and said that through it Prophet Musa^-AS intended to snatch his kingdom from him.

Miracle And Magic

This was the second illogical argument which the Pharaoh put forth only for face saving. First he had inquired about the fate of those who had died earlier and now after witnessing all the miracles manifested to invite him to Allaah^-SWT he began to confuse the issue saying that it was plain magic. The fact is that magic aims at acquiring only worldly gains and fame while a miracle is manifested for upholding the truth.

It was an era of perfection in magic in Egypt and the Pharaoh had many accomplished magicians. He announced to contest the Prophets^-AS and claimed that his magicians will also manifest by their magical powers a presentation similar to what the Prophets^-AS had done as a miracle. He asked the Prophets^-AS to fix the time and venue where the contest would take place so that they may have no excuse to be absent. He demanded that the Prophets-^ASmust be present at the appointed time and place. He and his magicians would for sure be present as they had called the contest.

So Prophet Musa^-AS suggested that it be held on a day of one of their festivals so that maximum people can witness it, while the time would be mid morning. The Pharaoh accepted and summoned all the magicians. All the necessary arrangements were made and he moved with them, on schedule. Prophet Musa^-AS told the magicians that he did not intend to display an art, nor was it a magic contest, rather his duty was to invite the people to Allaah^-SWT .So they must not stand in its way. Besides, calling the miracles a magic tantamounted to fabricating a lie over Allah^-SWT, for they are endowed by Him^-SWT to His^-SWT chosen people, whereas magic is only an art which can be learnt even by evil-doers and non believers. He feared that by refuting the miracles, they would invoke His^-SWT Wrath and may perish like those who belied Allaah^-SWT before them.

Facts must Be Logically Presented in Sermon

This sermon jolted the magicians, for it was backed by logic and historical evidence which could not be denied. So they got together for secret consultations whether to contest or to withdraw. They also arrived at the same conclusion that the two were definitely magicians, but of extremely high calibre, who were intending to seize control over the country through their magic to enforce their ancestral religion. Therefore, the best course of action was to put together all the magical forces they had at their command and collectively encounter the two, for it was no longer an individual contest but had become a national cause. And the victorious that day would gain control and state power once for all. So putting together all their experience and knowledge and having agreed on a common agenda they stepped into the arena. Yet in their hearts the superiority and greatness of Prophets Musa^-AS and Harun^-AS had taken root.

Greatness Of Prophets^-AS When Acknowledged Leads To Guidance

The magicians failed to appreciate the Prophethood and the miracles yet they did acknowledge that the two were indeed great people, even though they took them only as magicians. Out of respect they asked Prophet Musa^-AS if he preferred to display his part first or were they allowed to begin with their performance. Prophet Musa^-AS permitted them to open the contest and display their craft. So they cast down the cords and staves they had brought along.

Magic cannot Change The Actuality

The power of their magical spell made the spectators see their instruments as serpents wiggling and creeping all over the place. These indeed were ropes and staves but under the influence of magic appeared as snakes and serpents, without transforming in essence. This was such a spectacular display that even Prophet Musa^-AS was taken aback though he concealed it from his opponents.

Prophets^-AS too have Natural Instincts

By virtue of being human, Prophet Musa^-AS was also influenced by the awesomeness of the display. Instantly it was revealed to him that there was nothing to be afraid of, for neither would they defeat him nor could they impede Allah’s^-SWT Din; victory' would indeed be his. All he had to do was to east down his staff Prophet Musa^-AS complied with and it turned into such an enormous serpent which not only overwhelmed everything but also devoured all the snakes and serpents clearing the arena in a moment. This is because a wizard’s sorcery is but a deception while a miracle is a manifestation of Divine Omnipotence.

Difference between A Wizard and a Saint

Similarly Karamah is also an offshoot of the miracle. The craft of a wizard after so much effort is unravelled by the single glance of a truly devoted servant of Allaah^-SWT Wizards, sorcerers or the so called professors of today can never attain virtue. And those deprived themselves cannot be expected to benefit others.

Effects of a Miracle Vary according to State Of Qalb

When this amazing miracle was manifested the magicians knew that it was not magic. Had it been so, it would have rendered their spell ineffective, reverting the serpents back to ropes and staves, but no magic could turn the ropes to thin air. And the Prophet^-AS got hold of it after performance, and it turned into the same staff .The point to take note is that the same display was before the Pharaoh who was enraged while the magicians fell down prostrate. It was just because the magicians did enjoy respect for the Prophets^-AS in their hearts, even though not as Prophets^-AS but only as men of excellence. And the darkness of Pharaoh’s heart further increased because of his hostility. It must, therefore, be realized that even if one does not benefit from the Aulia’, he must have reverence for them.

Epitome of Faith and the Influence of Tawajjuh

The magicians not only fell down prostrate but also announced that they had become believers in the Rabb^-SWT of Prophets Musa^-AS and Harun^-AS ,the One Who^-SWT had sent the two with His^-SWT Message. The Commentators assert that during their Sajdah the magicians were shown a vision of the Akhirah, the Jannah and the Hell. Besides, the way they discussed Akhirah before the Pharaoh indicates tlhat because of the Prophet^-AS’s Tawajjuh, the Prophetic knowledge was transmitted directly into their hearts. The vision of the Akhirah gave them the courage to dauntless speak out to the Pharaoh. This indeed is the excellence, which ought to be sought in a Shaikh that in his company, a seeker is blessed with vision of the Akhirah, a strong faith and a heart receptive to the knowledge of Din.

The Pharaoh got furious on their declaration without his formal permission. He asserted that had there been any truth in the Prophets^-AS Message he would have himself accepted it and also allowed them to do so. He alleged that Prophet Musa^-AS  must have been their mentor it, sorcery and that they had deceived him, while in fact he himself was deceiving all who had witnessed the truth themselves. He announced their punishment that he would amputate their hands and feet alternately and crucify them on date palms, to make them realize whose punishment was severer and worth avoiding. They would also know as to who commanded more authority and was greater in power.

The magicians, turned believers, declared that in comparison to the vision they were blessed with and the knowledge that illuminated their hearts his words earned no significance for them whatsoever. They told the Pharaoh that while he claimed to be Rabb they now enjoyed the cognition of the real Rabb^-SWT   , their Creator, leaving no room for his authority. Nevertheless, he did wield a worldly and temporary authority and was thus free to do what pleased him. But they had realized that his decision would only affect their temporal life, whose end would present them in the Court of the Magnificent Rabb^-SWT , in Whom^-SWT they now believed. And it was their only wish that Allaah^-SWT may forgive their past follies especially their last mistake which they had committed under duress by contesting His^-SWT beloved Prophet^-AS. They also cautioned the Pharaoh that all goodness lay with Allah^-SWT, Who^-SWT lives forever, while he was mortal and void of any goodness. Moreover, he must also remember that anyone who returned to Him^-SWT defiant would be condemned to Hell by Him^-SWT where he would neither live nor die. They also reminded the Pharaoh that there was still time for him to reflect. Whoever becomes a believer and submits himself to the teachings of His^-SWT Prophets^-AS will be amply rewarded and will eternally reside in evergreen gardens with rivers flowing through. Whoever purifies his heart and grooms it with the light of faith will be rewarded likewise. Thus the people whom the rising sun had witnessed as the royal magicians, saw them as martyrs of Prophet Musa^-AS in the cause of Allah^-SWT , at dusk.