164 Page Notes

07 Surah Al-Araf (continued)

Page 164 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

7:105

7:106

7:107

7:108

7:109

7:110

7:111

7:112

7:113

7:114

7:115

7:116

7:117

7:118

7:119

7:120

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 164 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 164 of the Quran covers Surah Al-A'raf (The Heights), verses 105 through 120.

This page documents the dramatic, historical showdown inside the court of Pharaoh (Fir'awn). Prophet Musa (Moses) presents his credentials as a Messenger of God, demanding the liberation of the Children of Israel. To prove his claim, he manifests two massive physical miracles: his wooden staff transforming into a living serpent, and his hand glowing with a brilliant white light. Pharaoh's council dismisses this as mere sorcery, summoning the empire’s elite magicians for a public duel—a duel that ends with the magicians instantly falling into prostration as they recognize the undeniable truth of Musa's signs.

The Sunnah and authentic Hadiths provide rich context regarding the nature of Musa's physical characteristics, the reality behind the sorcery used by Pharaoh's court, and the immense reward of prostration.

1. The Physical Description of Prophet Musa and His Miracles

“So [Moses] threw his staff, and suddenly it was a serpent, manifest. And he drew out his hand; thereupon it was white for the observers.”

— Surah Al-A'raf (7:107-108)

When Musa pulled his hand from his cloak, it shone with a miraculous, supernatural white light that was completely distinct from any skin disease or blemish. The Sunnah pairs this miracle with clear, vivid physical descriptions of what Musa actually looked like.

Prophetic Description of Musa’s Appearance

The Prophet Muhammad saw Musa during the Night Journey (Al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj) and described his physical build, matching the rugged, athletic image of a prophet who traveled the deserts of Madyan and confronted empires.

• Hadith: Abdullah bin Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
  "I saw Moses, Jesus, and Abraham. Moses was of a powerful, athletic build, with a brown complexion and straight hair, looking like a man from the Shanu'ah tribe."
  (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3438 / Sahih Muslim, Hadith 168)

2. Pharaoh’s Scribes and the Reality of Magic (Sihr)

“The eminent among the people of Pharaoh said, 'Indeed, this is a learned magician. He wants to drive you out of your land...' They said, 'Send among the cities gatherers who will bring you every learned magician.'”

— Surah Al-A'raf (7:109-112)

Pharaoh's court weaponized state-sponsored magic to manipulate public perception and maintain political power. While the magicians relied on trickery and illusion to deceive the eyes of the crowd, the Sunnah heavily addresses the reality of magic, firmly classifying it as a major destructive sin.

Magic Listed Among the Seven Destructive Sins

Because magic relies on shifting people's perception of reality and calling upon unseen dark forces, the Sunnah severely bans its practice in any form.

• Hadith: Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said:
  "Avoid the seven destructive sins." The companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what are they?" He replied: "Associating partners with Allah, practicing magic (Sihr), killing a soul unjustly, consuming riba (interest), consuming the wealth of an orphan, fleeing from the battlefield, and slandering chaste, innocent believing women."
  (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2766 / Sahih Muslim, Hadith 89)

3. The Sudden Prostration of the Magicians

“And the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. They said, 'We believe in the Lord of the worlds, the Lord of Moses and Aaron.'”

— Surah Al-A'raf (7:120)

The magicians were masters of illusion; they knew exactly where human trickery ended and where a real, cosmic creative act began. The moment they saw Musa’s staff physically consume their illusions, they realized it was a true divine miracle. They bypassed all political fear of Pharaoh and instantly fell face-first into prostration (Sujud).

The Status of Coming Closer to God Through Sujud

The instant spiritual transformation of the magicians—moving from corrupt sorcerers to saintly believers through a single, profound prostration—highlights the immense spiritual power of Sujud highlighted throughout the Sunnah.

• Hadith: Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
  "The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is in prostration (Sujud), so increase your supplications while in it."
  (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 482)

• Hadith: Thauban, the freed slave of the Prophet, asked him about an action that would enter him into Paradise. The Prophet told him:
  "Make frequent prostrations before Allah, for you will not perform a single prostration to Allah except that He raises you a degree in status because of it, and wipes away a sin from you."
  (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 488)