368 Page Notes

26 Surah Ash-Shuara (continued)

Page 368 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 368 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 368 of the Quran covers Surah As-Shu'ara (26:20–39). This section continues the dialogue between Prophet Musa (Moses) and Pharaoh. It details Musa explaining his past mistake (the accidental killing of the Egyptian), his reception of prophethood, the demonstration of his two primary miracles (the staff turning into a serpent and his hand shining white), and Pharaoh’s reaction—accusing Musa of magic and calling for a gathering of the kingdom's best magicians.

The Sunnah and Hadith literature expand on the themes, physical descriptions, and theological implications found in these specific verses.

1. Hadiths Related to Verses 20–22: Musa's Past Mistake and Pharaoh’s Upbringing

In these verses, Pharaoh reproaches Musa for his past and for fleeing Egypt, to which Musa responds:

"I did it then, while I was of those astray. So I fled from you when I feared you, and my Lord granted me wisdom and prophet-hood and appointed me of the messengers." (Quran, 26:20–21)

Intercession and Accountability on the Day of Judgment

In the famous, lengthy Hadith of Intercession (Shafa'ah), the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) describes how humanity will go from prophet to prophet on the Day of Judgment seeking help. When they approach Musa, the exact incident referenced in verse 20 is brought up by Musa himself as the reason he feels too abashed before Allah to intercede.

• The Hadith: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "...They will go to Musa and say, 'O Musa! You are the Messenger of Allah... Intercede for us with your Lord.' Musa will say, 'My Lord is angry today as He has never been angry before... and I killed a person whom I had not been commanded to kill. Myself! Myself! Myself! Go to someone else; go to Jesus...'"

• Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith 1; Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 377.

2. Hadiths Related to Verses 32–33: The Miracles of the Staff and the White Hand

When Pharaoh demands a sign, Musa demonstrates his miracles:

"So [Musa] threw his staff, and suddenly it was a serpent manifest. And he drew out his hand, and behold, it was white all who looked." (Quran, 26:32–33)

The Nature of Prophets' Miracles

The Sunnah contextualizes why Musa was given these specific, highly visual miracles. In the era of Musa, sorcery, illusion, and optical mastery were the pinnacles of human prestige. Allah gave Musa undeniable physical realities that bypassed mere illusion.

• The Hadith: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Every Prophet was given miracles because of which people believed, but what I have been given is Divine Inspiration which Allah has revealed to me. So I hope that my followers will outnumber the followers of the other Prophets on the Day of Resurrection."

• Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 66, Hadith 14; Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 283.

The Appearance of Musa's Hand and Body

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) provided a description of Musa's physical build that aligns with the Quranic depiction of a powerful man capable of wielding a massive staff and exhibiting intense physical signs.

• The Hadith: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I saw Musa on the night of my Ascension... He was a well-built man with straight hair, looking like one of the men of the Shanu'ah tribe." (The Shanu'ah were an Arab tribe known for their tall, powerful, and athletic builds).

• Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith 53.

3. Hadiths Related to Verses 34–39: Pharaoh's Council and the Status of Magicians

Pharaoh tells his ministers that Musa is merely a "learned magician" and plans a public festival to defeat him:

"They said, 'Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers who will bring you every learned, skilled magician.'" (Quran, 26:36–37)

The Gravity of Magic (Sihr) in the Sunnah

Because Pharaoh attempted to use magic to combat divine truth, the Sunnah heavily emphasizes the extreme spiritual danger and sinfulness of magic (Sihr). The Prophet (ﷺ) categorized it among the destructive sins, directly linking it to the arrogance demonstrated by Pharaoh's court.

• The Hadith: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Avoid the seven destructive sins." The people asked, "O Messenger of Allah! What are they?" He said, "Associating partners with Allah (Shirk), magic (Sihr), killing a soul whom Allah has forbidden except by right, consuming riba (interest), consuming the property of an orphan, fleeing from the battlefield, and slandering chaste, innocent believing women."

• Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 86, Hadith 24; Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 171.

Summary of References for Page 368

• Musa's Reflection on the Slain Egyptian (Reflecting 26:20): Sahih al-Bukhari (60:1) / Sahih Muslim (1:377)

• Context of Musa's Miracles vs. Other Prophets (Reflecting 26:32-33): Sahih al-Bukhari (66:14) / Sahih Muslim (1:283)

• Physicality of Musa wielding the Staff (Reflecting 26:32): Sahih al-Bukhari (60:53)

• Islamic Ruling on the Magic Pharaoh Summoned (Reflecting 26:34-37): Sahih al-Bukhari (86:24) / Sahih Muslim (1:171)