Tafseer Ibn Kathir of AL QASHASH [48]

48. 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.'' 49. Say: ”Then bring a Book from Allah, which is a better guide than these two, that I may follow it, if you are truthful.'' 50. But if they answer you not, then know that they only follow their own lusts. And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah Verily, Allah guides not the people who are wrongdoers. 51. And indeed now We have conveyed the Word to them, in order that they may remember. 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:

(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:

(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)

(So they denied them both and became of those who were destroyed.) (23:48)   Allah says here:

(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

(They say: ”Two kinds of magic, each helping the other!'') cooperating or working one with the other.

(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.   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,

(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.  

(Two kinds of magic, each helping the other!) `Ali bin Abi Talhah and Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said that this refers to the Tawrah and the Qur'an, because Allah says next:

(Say: ”Then bring a Book from Allah, which is a better guide than these two that I may follow it.'') Allah often mentions the Tawrah and the Qur'an together, as in the Ayat:

(Say: ”Who then sent down the Book which Musa brought, a light and a guidance to mankind...) until:

(And this is a blessed Book which We have sent down.'') (6:91-92) And at the end of the same Surah, Allah says:

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

(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:

(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:

(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:

(Then bring a Book from Allah, which is a better guide than these two, that I may follow it, if you are truthful.) meaning, `in your efforts to refute the truth with false arguments.'

(But if they answer you not,) means, `if they do not respond to what you tell them, and do not follow the truth,'

(then know that they only follow their own lusts.) means, with no basis or evidence. p

(And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah) means, with no guidance taken from the Book of Allah.

(Verily, Allah guides not the people who are wrongdoers.)

(And indeed now We have conveyed the Word) Mujahid said: ”We have explained the Word to them.'' As-Suddi said something similar. Qatadah said: ”Allah is saying, `He has told them what He did in the past and what He will do in the future.'''

(in order that they may remember.) Mujahid and others said:

(We have conveyed the Word) means, to Quraysh.