Surah Ta Ha (Ta Ha) 20 : 74

Explanatory Note

The sorcerers who came to believe in God were inspired by their faith to adopt an attitude that looked down on Pharaoh and his power. Pharaoh had originally threatened them, saying that his punishment was more severe and longer lasting. Their reply provides an image of one who comes on the Day of Judgement to meet his Lord, being fully laden with sin. The punishment such a person receives is indeed the longer lasting and more painful, because such a person “shall be consigned to hell, where he shall neither die nor live.” (Verse 74) He does not enjoy the termination of pain that a dead person normally has, nor is he living so as to enjoy life’s pleasures. He simply receives a painful punishment that leads to neither life nor death. On the opposite side the highest ranks are shown. These are the gardens of bliss, irrigated by running waters. Such is “the recompense of those who keep themselves pure,” purging themselves of all sin.

This confrontation is recorded in the history of mankind as a declaration of man’s freedom, after throwing away the shackles of this worldly life, its powers, worries and aspirations. No human heart can adopt such a confrontational attitude unless it believes in God and relies on His support.