Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Qasas Verse 48

Mufti Taqi Usmani

But when the Truth came to them from Us, they said, “Why has he (the messenger) not been given (a book) similar to what Mūsā had been given?” Is it not that they denied what Mūsā had been given before? They said, “Both (Qur’ān and Torah) are works of magic that support each other.” And they said, “We disbelieve each one of them.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, “If only he was given the like of what Moses had been given.”[[ The pagans of Mecca demanded that the Quran should have been revealed all at once like the Torah, and the Prophet (ﷺ) should have had some tangible signs like the staff of Moses. ]] Did they not deny what had been given to Moses earlier? They claimed, “Both ˹Scriptures˺ are works of magic, supporting each other!”[[ Some Meccan pagans approached some Jewish authorities to inquire about the Prophet’s message and they were told that there are references of him in the Torah. So the pagans immediately rejected both the Torah and the Quran as two works of magic. ]] Adding, “We truly deny both.”

Ruwwad Translation Center

But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, “If only he was given the like of what was given to Moses before.” Did they not reject what was given to Moses before? They say, “Both [revelations] are works of magic, supporting each other”, adding, “We truly reject both of them.”

A. J. Arberry

Yet when the truth came to them 'from Ourselves, they said, 'Why has he not been given the like' of that Moses was given?' But they, did they not disbelieve also in what Moses was given aforetime? They said, 'A pair of sorceries mutually supporting each other.' They said, 'We disbelieve both.'

Abdul Haleem

Even now that Our truth has come to them, they say, ‘Why has he not been given signs like those given to Moses?’ Did they not also deny the truth that was given to Moses before? They say, ‘Two kinds of sor-cery, helping each other,’ and, ‘We refuse to accept either of them.’

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Yet when the truth is come unto them from before Us, they say: wherefore hast he not been vouchsafed the like of that which was given unto Musa? Disbelieved they not in that which was given unto Musa aforetime? They say; two magics supporting each other. And they say: verily in all such things we are disbelievers.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

But (now), when the Truth has come to them from Ourselves, they say, "Why are not (Signs) sent to him, like those which were sent to Moses?" Do they not then reject (the Signs) which were formerly sent to Moses? They say; "Two kinds of sorcery, each assisting the other!" And they say; "For us, we reject all (such things)!"

Abul Ala Maududi

But when the Truth reached them from Us, they said: "Why was he not given that which was given to Moses?" But did they not reject before what had been given to Moses? They said: "Both are magic, each supporting the other!" And they said: "We deny each of these."

Ahmed Ali

But when the truth came to them from Us, they said: "Why is he not given the like of what was given to Moses?" Did they not disbelieve before in what was given to Moses? They said: "Both are imposters one like the other," and added: "We do not believe in either."

Ahmed Raza Khan

So when the Truth* from Us came to them, they said, “Why has he not been given what was given to Moosa?” Had they not disbelieved in what was earlier given to Moosa? They said, “They are two magicians, who support each other”; and said, “We disbelieve in both of them.” (* Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him).

Ali Quli Qarai

But when there came to them the truth from Us, they said, ‘Why has he not been given the like of what Moses was given?’ Did they not disbelieve what Moses was given before, and said, ‘Two magicians abetting each other,’ and said, ‘Indeed we disbelieve both of them’?

Ali Ünal

And yet, now that the truth has come to them from Us (through a Messenger), still they say (by way of an excuse for their denial of it), "Why has he not been granted the like of what Moses was granted (all at once)?" Did they not preject previously belief refuse to believe in what had been granted to Moses? They said: "Both are sorcery, each supporting the other." They also said: "In each we are unbelievers."

Amatul Rahman Omar

But now that the truth has come to them from Us they say, `Why has he (- this Messenger) not been given the like of that which was given to Moses?´ Did the people (- the disbelievers) not reject before this that which was given to Moses? They say, `They (- Moses and Muhammad) are both frauds who support each other.´ They also say, `We reject (the claim of) each one of them.´

English Literal

So when the truth came to them from at Us, they said: "If only (he) was given/brought to equal/similar (to) what was given/brought (to) Moses." Did they not disbelieve with what was given/brought (to) Moses from before? They said: "Two magicians/sorcerers, they (B) cooperated (with)/backed each other." And they said: "That we are with all/each disbelieving."

Faridul Haque

So when the Truth * from Us came to them, they said, “Why has he not been given what was given to Moosa?” Had they not disbelieved in what was earlier given to Moosa? They said, “They are two magicians, who support each other”; and said, “We disbelieve in both of them.” (* Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him).

Hamid S. Aziz

Otherwise, if a disaster should befall them for what their hands have sent before, they should say, "Our Lord! Why did Thou not send to us a messenger that we might have followed Thy revelations and been of the believers?"

Hilali & Khan

But when the truth (i.e. Muhammad SAW with his Message) has come to them from Us, they say: "Why is he not given the like of what was given to Musa (Moses)? Did they not disbelieve in that which was given to Musa (Moses) of old? They say: "Two kinds of magic [the Taurat (Torah) and the Quran] each helping the other!" And they say: "Verily! In both we are disbelievers."

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And thou wast not at the side of the mountain when We called, but a mercy from thy Lord that thou mayest warn a people to whom no warner came before thee, that they may be mindful.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

But (now) when the truth has come to them from Us, they say: Why is he not given the like of what was given to Musa? What! did they not disbelieve in what Musa was given before? They say: Two magicians backing up each other; and they say: Surely we are unbelievers in all.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

But when there came unto them the Truth from Our presence, they said: Why is he not given the like of what was given unto Moses? Did they not disbelieve in that which was given unto Moses of old? They say: Two magics that support each other; and they say: Lo! in both we are disbelievers.

Muhammad Sarwar

When the Truth from Us came to them they said, "Would that he, (Muhammad), had received what was given to Moses (by his Lord)." Did not they reject what Moses had brought to them saying, "These two, Moses and Aaron, are two magicians who support each other. We do not have any faith in them."

Qaribullah & Darwish

So when the truth (Prophet Muhammad) came to them from Us, they said: 'Why is he not given the like of that which was given to Moses' But did they not also disbelieve in that which Moses was given before! They say (about Moses and Aaron): 'Two sorcerers supporting one another' And they said: 'We disbelieve both'

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

But when the truth has come to them from Us, they say: "Why is he not given the like of what was given to Musa Did they not disbelieve in that which was given to Musa of old" They say: "Two kinds of magic, each helping the other!" And they say: "Verily, in both we are disbelievers."

Wahiduddin Khan

But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, "Why has he not been given the like of what Moses was given?" But did they not reject what Moses was given before? They said, "Both [Moses and Muhammad] are kinds of sorcery, each assisting the other." And they add, "We reject both of them."

Talal Itani

But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, “If only he was given the like of what was given to Moses.” Did they not disbelieve in what was given to Moses in the past? They said, “Two works of magic backing one another.” And they said, “We are disbelieving in both.”

Tafsir jalalayn

But when the truth, namely, Muhammad (s), came to them from Us, they said, `Why has he not been given the like of what Moses was given?', in the way of signs, such as the glowing hand, the staff and others, or [by having] the Book revealed all at once. God, exalted be He, says; And did they not disbelieve in what was given to Moses before?; [before] when, they said, regarding him and Muhammad (s), `Two sorcerers (shirn; a variant reading has sihrn, `two sorceries', namely [what they said regarding] the Qur'n and the Torah) abetting each other.' And they said, `We indeed disbelieve in both', the two prophets and the two Scriptures [of Moses and Muhammad].

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The stubborn Response of the Disbelievers

Allah tells;

فَلَمَّا جَاءهُمُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ عِندِنَا قَالُوا

But when the truth has come to them from Us, they say;

Allah tells us that if people were to be punished before proof was established against them, they would use the excuse that no Messenger came to them, but when the truth did come to them through Muhammad, in their stubbornness, disbelief, ignorance and misguided thinking, they said;

لَوْلَا أُوتِيَ مِثْلَ مَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَى

Why is he not given the like of what was given to Musa,

Meaning -- and Allah knows best -- many signs like the staff, the hand, the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, the blood, the destruction of crops and fruits -- which made things difficult for the enemies of Allah -- and the parting of the sea, the clouds (following the Children of Israel in the wilderness and) shading them, the manna and quails, and other clear signs and definitive proof, miracles which Allah wrought at the hands of Musa as evidence and proof against Fir`awn and his chiefs and the Children of Israel. But all of this had no effect on Fir`awn and his chiefs; on the contrary, they denied Musa and his brother Harun, as Allah tells us;

أَجِيْتَنَا لِتَلْفِتَنَا عَمَّا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ ءابَاءَنَا وَتَكُونَ لَكُمَا الْكِبْرِيَأءُ فِى الاٌّرْضِ وَمَا نَحْنُ لَكُمَا بِمُوْمِنِينَ

Have you come to us to turn us away from what we found our fathers following, and that you two may have greatness in the land We are not going to believe you two! (10;78)

فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَكَانُواْ مِنَ الْمُهْلَكِينَ

So they denied them both and became of those who were destroyed. (23;48)
The Rebellious do not believe in Miracles

Allah says here;

أَوَلَمْ يَكْفُرُوا بِمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَى مِن قَبْلُ

Did they not disbelieve in that which was given to Musa of old!

Did not mankind disbelieve in those mighty signs which were given to Musa!

قَالُوا سِحْرَانِ تَظَاهَرَا

They say;"Two kinds of magic, each helping the other!"

cooperating or working one with the other.

وَقَالُوا إِنَّا بِكُلٍّ كَافِرُونَ



And they say;"Verily, in both we are disbelievers."

meaning, `we disbelieve in each of them.' Because of the close relationship between Musa and Harun, mention of one includes the other.
False Accusation that Musa and Harun (peace be upon them both) practiced Magic

Mujahid bin Jabr said,

"The Jews told Quraysh to say this to Muhammad, then Allah said;

`Did they not disbelieve in that which was given to Musa of old! They say;Two kinds of magic, each helping the other!'

This refers to Musa and Harun, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them both,
تَظَاهَرَا
(each helping the other) i.e., working together and supporting one another."

This was also the view of Sa`id bin Jubayr and Abu Razin that the phrase "two kinds of magic" referred to Musa and Harun.

This is a good suggestion.

And Allah knows best.
The Response to this False Accusation

About the Ayah
سِحْرَانِ تَظَاهَرَا
(Two kinds of magic, each helping the other!) Ali bin Abi Talhah and Al-Awfi reported that Ibn Abbas said;

"this refers to the Tawrah and the Qur'an, because Allah says next;

قُلْ فَأْتُوا بِكِتَابٍ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ هُوَ أَهْدَى مِنْهُمَا أَتَّبِعْهُ
.

Then bring a Book from Allah, which is a better guide than these two, that I may follow it...

قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ الْكِتَابَ الَّذِي جَاء بِهِ مُوسَى نُورًا وَهُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ تَجْعَلُونَهُ قَرَاطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيرًا وَعُلِّمْتُم مَّا لَمْ تَعْلَمُواْ أَنتُمْ وَلَا ابَاوُكُمْ قُلِ اللّهُ ثُمَّ ذَرْهُمْ فِي خَوْضِهِمْ يَلْعَبُونَ


وَهَـذَا كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ

Say ;"Who then sent down the Book which Musa brought, a light and a guidance to mankind which you (the Jews) have made into (separate) paper sheets, disclosing (some of it) and concealing much. And you were taught that which neither you nor your fathers knew."

Say;"Allah (sent it down)."

Then leave them to play in their vain discussions.

And this is a blessed Book which We have sent down, (6;91-92)

And at the end of the same Surah, Allah says;

ثُمَّ ءاتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَـبَ تَمَامًا عَلَى الَّذِى أَحْسَنَ

Then, We gave Musa the Book, to complete (Our favor) upon those who would do right. (6;154)

وَهَـذَا كِتَـبٌ أَنزَلْنَـهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَاتَّقُواْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

And this is a blessed Book which We have sent down, so follow it and have Taqwa of Allah, that you may receive mercy. (6;155)

And the Jinn said;

إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا كِتَـباً أُنزِلَ مِن بَعْدِ مُوسَى مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ

Verily, we have heard a Book sent down after Musa, confirming what came before it. (46;30)

Waraqah bin Nawfal said,

"This is An-Namus, who came down to Musa."

And those who are possessed of insight know instinctively that among the many Books which He has sent down to His Prophets, there is no Book more perfect, more eloquent or more noble than the Book which He revealed to Muhammad, which is the Qur'an.

Next to it in status and greatness is the Book which Allah revealed to Musa bin Imran, which is the Book concerning which Allah says;

إِنَّأ أَنزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُواْ لِلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَالرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالاٌّحْبَارُ بِمَا اسْتُحْفِظُواْ مِن كِتَـبِ اللَّهِ وَكَانُواْ عَلَيْهِ شُهَدَاءَ

Verily, We did send down the Tawrah, therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah's will, judged for the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests, for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's Book, and they were witnesses thereto. (5;44)

The Injil was revealed as a continuation and complement of the Tawrah and to permit some of the things that had been forbidden to the Children of Israel.

Allah says;

قُلْ فَأْتُوا بِكِتَابٍ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ هُوَ أَهْدَى مِنْهُمَا أَتَّبِعْهُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ