Verse Meaning

According to classical commentators like Imam al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, Quran 10:77 captures Prophet Musa's immediate and astonished rebuttal to Pharaoh and his court. When presented with the clear truth (al-haqq) of divine signs, they instantly labeled it as magic. Musa's response is a powerful two-part challenge. First, he questions their very perception: 'Do you say this about the truth when it has come to you? Is this magic?' As Imam Al-Sa'di explains, this is an appeal to reason, urging them to simply look at the nature of the signs, which bear no resemblance to the deceptions of sorcery. The second part of his statement, 'magicians will not succeed (wa la yuflihu al-sahirun),' establishes a profound and universal principle. It declares that falsehood, trickery, and deception may have a momentary effect, but they will never achieve true, lasting success or prosperity (falah). This statement served as both a rebuke to his accusers and a prophecy of their ultimate failure, asserting that the divine truth he brought would inevitably triumph over their magical arts.