Surah ash-Shu`ara' (The Poets ) 26 : 23

Overview (Verses 23 - 28)

The Challenge Continues

At this point, Pharaoh stops this line of argument and asks Moses for the central point of his claims, but his questioning carries overtones of ridicule and derision aimed at none other than God Himself. “Pharaoh said: And what is that ‘Lord of all the worlds?’” (Verse 23) How arrogant and insolent! He is saying: what is this Lord of the worlds about whom you describe yourself as His messenger? Such a question can only mean a denial of the very point it relates to, and a ridicule of the statement and the person making it. He considers the whole situation impossible and unworthy of discussion. Moses’ reply points to God’s Lordship over the entire visible universe and all that there is in it: “[Moses] answered: He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if you want to be sure.” (Verse 24) Thus, his answer refutes Pharaoh’s denial, rendering it worthless. He tells him that God is the Lord of the entire universe which neither Pharaoh’s power nor his knowledge can ever reach. The utmost that Pharaoh can boast of is that he is a deity over the people of the Nile Valley and its overall lord. But then this is a tiny little particle when compared to the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. We discern in Moses’ answer his dismissal of Pharaoh’s claims as vain boasts, turning his attention to the vast universe, inviting him to contemplate its size and the One who is Lord over it all. That is certainly the Lord of all the worlds. He concludes his answer with a comment inviting the people to work for the achievement of certainty: “If you want to be sure.” Pharaoh turns to those around him, expressing amazement at this response. Or maybe he wanted them not to be influenced by it. This is typical of all tyrants who fear that simple words of truth might influence the hearts and minds of the masses: “[Pharaoh] said to those around him: Do you hear?” (Verse 25) Do you hear this singular statement which was never uttered by anyone we know? Moses replies by stressing another attribute of God, the Lord of all creatures: “[Moses] said: He is your Lord as well as the Lord of your forefathers of old.” (Verse 26) This answer is directed at Pharaoh, his status and claims even more. He tells him that God, the Lord of all the worlds, is also his Lord, while Pharaoh is nothing more than one of His servants. He is certainly not a deity as he claims. His people are also subject to God, their true Lord, while Pharaoh has no lordship over them. Indeed God is the Lord of their forefathers of old, which means that the hereditary aspect on which Pharaoh’s claims rely is false. None other than God has ever been Lord of the worlds.

This hit hard at Pharaoh and he could not remain silent when his elders and nobles were listening. Hence, he derisively states that his adversary is mad: “[Pharaoh] said: Indeed, the messenger who has been sent to you is, of a certainty, a madman.” (Verse 27) His derision is directed at the very issue of bearing God’s message so as to turn people away from it. He charges Moses with madness in order to nullify the effect of his statement that questions the very basis of Pharaoh’s political and religious position, as it aims to remind people of their Lord, the Lord of their forefathers. Nothing of Pharaoh’s derision could weaken Moses and his resolve. Therefore, he continues to state the truth that hits hard at all tyrants: “[Moses] went on: He is indeed the Lord of the east and the west and of all that is between them, if you would but use your reason.” (Verse 28) The Arabic words mashriq and maghrib, used for east and west, also denote the processes of planets and stars rising and setting. These are two great scenes which we see every day, but our minds seldom reflect on them because of over familiarity. These two processes are great indeed, and neither Pharaoh nor any tyrant can claim to have any control over them. Who does, then, control them, setting them in a perfect order and timing that ensures their continuity without fail or deviation? Moses’ answer shakes dormant hearts and awakens sleeping souls. In this way, he calls on people to reflect and contemplate, “if you would but use your reason.”