315 Page Notes

20  Surah Taha (continued)

Page 315 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 315 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 315 of the Quran continues the confrontation between Prophet Musa (Moses) and Pharaoh in Surah Taha (Chapter 20), covering verses 52 through 64.

In this section, Musa answers Pharaoh's questions about past generations, asserting that all knowledge rests in a Record with Allah. Allah then details His cosmic signs—creating the earth as a bed, sending down rain, and bringing forth diverse vegetation. The narrative shifts back to Pharaoh, who rejects these signs, accuses Musa of practicing magic to expel the Egyptians from their land, and challenges him to a public duel. The page concludes with Pharaoh gathering his elite magicians and advisors, who secretly debate their strategy before steping forward to confront Musa on the day of the festival.

The authentic Hadiths and prophetic traditions connected to these verses clarify theological concepts regarding the divine decree, the reality of magic, and the historical timing of these events.

1. Hadith Context for Verses 52–53 (The Preserved Tablet and Creation)

When Pharaoh asks about the fate of previous generations, Musa replies in verse 52:

"He said, 'The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a Record (Kitab). My Lord neither errs nor forgets.'"

This is immediately followed by verse 53, which highlights the creation of pairs in vegetation:

"[It is He] who has made for you the earth as a bed and inserted therein for you ways and sent down water from the sky and produced thereby pairs of various plants."

The Hadith on the Writing of the Divine Decrees:

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explicitly detailed the nature of the "Record" (Kitab) mentioned in verse 52, which contains the absolute knowledge of all past, present, and future generations that Musa referenced to Pharaoh.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Allah ordained the divine decrees of the creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, and His Throne was upon the water."

Furthermore, regarding verse 53 and the creation of "pairs of various plants," the Sunnah underscores that everything in creation was brought forth in a calculated, pre-recorded balance, reinforcing Musa's argument that nothing is left to chance.

• Primary Citations:

  • Sahih Muslim, Book of Divine Decree (Kitab al-Qadar), Hadith 2653.

  • Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Chapters on Divine Decree, Hadith 2156.

2. Hadith Context for Verses 57–59 (The Festival Day Challenge)

Pharaoh accuses Musa of using sorcery to execute a political coup and challenges him to a duel. Musa sets the terms in verse 59:

"Musa said, 'Your appointment is the day of the festival (Yawm az-Zinah) and let the people be gathered at mid-forenoon (Duha).'"

The Sunnah of the Forenoon (Duha):

The timing selected by Musa was not arbitrary; he chose Duha (mid-forenoon, when the sun has clearly risen but before the intense midday heat) so the miracles of Allah would be completely visible to the naked eye, leaving no room for optical illusions.

In the Sunnah, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ highly emphasized the spiritual weight of this specific time of day, establishing the voluntary Duha prayer. The Prophet ﷺ taught:

"In the morning, charity is due on every joint of a person's body... and two rak'ahs prayed at the mid-forenoon (Duha) suffices for all of that."

Scholars of Tafsir note that Musa’s choice of this blessed time highlighted his absolute confidence in the clarity of truth over the shadows of falsehood.

• Primary Citations:

  • Sahih Muslim, Book of the Prayer of Travelers, Hadith 720.

  • Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Commentary on Surah Taha, Verse 59), drawing the linguistic and situational connection to the midday brightness.

3. Hadith Context for Verses 60–64 (The Reality of Sihr/Magic vs. Miracles)

Pharaoh’s magicians gather and secretly debate their strategy, warning one another in verse 63:

"They said, 'Indeed, these two are magicians who want to drive you out from your land by their magic and do away with your exemplary way.'"

The Prophet's Warning Against Magic:

The intense focus on magic (Sihr) on this page of Surah Taha reflects how ancient civilizations weaponized sorcery for political and social control. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ fiercely condemned magic, categorizing it as an act of disbelief and a destructive sin, while distinguishing it from the true divine miracles (Mu'jizat) granted to prophets like Musa.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Avoid the seven destructive sins." The companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what are they?" He replied, "Associating partners with Allah (Shirk), practicing magic (Sihr), killing a soul unjustly, consuming usury (Riba), consuming the wealth of an orphan, fleeing from the battlefield, and slandering chaste believing women."

This authentic tradition aligns with the moral lessons of Surah Taha: the magicians initially used their craft for worldly gain and power at Pharaoh's behest, representing the ultimate spiritual corruption before their ultimate repentance on the following page.

• Primary Citations:

  • Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Washings/Medical Treatment (Kitab At-Tibb), Hadith 5764.

  • Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith (Kitab al-Iman), Hadith 89.