Tafseer Ibn Kathir of YUNUS [75]

75. Then after them We sent Musa and Harun to Fir`awn and his chiefs with Our Ayat. But they behaved arrogantly and were a people who were criminals. 76. So when came to them the truth from Us, they said: ”This is indeed clear magic.'' 77. Musa said: ”Say you (this) about the truth when it has come to you Is this magic But the magicians will never be successful.'' 78. They said: ”Have you come to us to turn us away from that we found our fathers following, and that you two may have greatness in the land We are not going to believe you two!'' Allah said:

(Then after them We sent ) meaning ofter these Messengers,

(Musa and Harun to Fir`awn and his chiefs,) meaning his people

(with Our Ayat.) meaning; `Our proofs and evidences.'

(But they behaved arrogantly, and were a people who were criminals.) meaning they were too arrogant to follow the truth and submit to it, and they were criminals.

(So, when came to them the truth from us, they said: ”This is indeed clear magic.'') They were as if they gave an oath that what they had said was the truth. But they knew that what they were saying was a mere lie. As Allah said:

(And they belied them wrongfully and arrogantly, though they themselves were convinced thereof. )(27:14) Musa criticized them saying:

(”Say you (this) about the truth when it has come to you Is this magic But the magicians will never be successful.'' They said: ”Have you come to us to turn us away...)

(from that we found our fathers following) their religion.

(and that you two may have...)

(greatness) means grandeur and leadership

(...in the land, We are not going to believe you two!'')