THE GREAT CONTEST

 FAJR REMINDER: THE GREAT CONTEST

By: Umm Affān

Rabī' Al-Awwal 27, 1448 (9-September-2026)

Prophet Mūsā and his brother Hārūn (‘Alayhimā Salām) went to meet Fir’aun and his chiefs. They first admonished him and called him to the truth. However, rather than accepting the Message of Allāh, Fir’aun responded with stubbornness, arrogance, and false arguments. He engaged Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) in a lengthy debate, attempting to reject and undermine the truth that had been brought to him.

After Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) answered his questions, he showed Fir’aun and his chiefs the clear miracles and overwhelming proofs that Allāh had given him. These signs confirmed the truth of his Message: that Allāh is One and that His Commandments must be followed. Fir’aun and his chiefs witnessed these signs with their own eyes and recognized that they were indeed from Allāh. Yet, despite the clarity of what they saw, they still chose denial and rejection because of their evil, arrogance, and refusal to submit to the truth. Allāh (ﷻ) says:

فَأَرَاهُ الْآيَةَ الْكُبْرَىٰ ۝ فَكَذَّبَ وَعَصَىٰ

“Then (Mūsā) showed him the great sign (miracles). But (Fir’aun) belied and disobeyed.” [Sūrah An-Nāzi‘āt (79): 20-21]

After witnessing the proof that Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) brought, Fir’aun and his chiefs attempted to dismiss it by calling it magic. Allāh (ﷻ) informs:

فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُم مُّوسَىٰ بِآيَاتِنَا بَيِّنَاتٍ قَالُوا مَا هَٰذَا إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّفْتَرًى وَمَا سَمِعْنَا بِهَٰذَا فِي آبَائِنَا الْأَوَّلِينَ

“Then when Musa came to them with Our Clear Āyāt (proofs, evidence, signs, etc.), they said: ‘This is nothing but invented magic. Never did we hear of this among our fathers of old.’” [Sūrah Al-Qasas (28): 36]

Allāh (ﷻ) also informs:

قَالَ أَجِئْتَنَا لِتُخْرِجَنَا مِنْ أَرْضِنَا بِسِحْرِكَ يَا مُوسَىٰ ۝ فَلَنَأْتِيَنَّكَ بِسِحْرٍ مِّثْلِهِ فَاجْعَلْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكَ مَوْعِدًا لَّا نُخْلِفُهُ نَحْنُ وَلَا أَنتَ مَكَانًا سُوًى

“He (Fir‘aun) said: ‘Have you come to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Mūsā? Then verily, we can produce magic the like thereof; so appoint a meeting between us and you, which neither we nor you shall fail to keep, in an open wide place where both shall have a just and equal chance (and beholders could witness the competition).’” [Sūrah Ṭa-Ha (20): 57-58]

Subḥānallāh! This was how Fir’aun challenged Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) to a competition. Fir’aun and his chiefs believed that what Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) had brought was merely magic. They imagined that he had come to bewitch the people, overpower them, and ultimately take control of their land. Allāh (ﷻ) informs:

قَالُوا أَجِئْتَنَا لِتَلْفِتَنَا عَمَّا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا وَتَكُونَ لَكُمَا الْكِبْرِيَاءُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا نَحْنُ لَكُمَا بِمُؤْمِنِينَ

“They said: ‘Have you come to us to turn us away from that (Faith) we found our fathers following (i.e. Shirk), and that you two may have greatness in the land? We are not going to believe you two!’” [Sūrah Yūnus (10): 78]

Thus, Fir’aun challenged Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) to a contest. They chose the day of their great celebration—a day they observed as a holiday and on which the people would gather in large numbers for festivities. Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) agreed to meet them on that day so that the people could witness the Power of Allāh, Who does whatever He wills. It was an opportunity for the people to see the miracles granted to Allāh’s Prophet and to clearly distinguish between the truth of Divine Signs and the falsehood of magic.

Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) also advised them to gather the people when the sun had risen, during the bright part of the day, so that the contest would take place in clear and open view. Indeed, the work of Allāh’s Prophets and Messengers is always apparent; it is never dependent upon concealment or deception.

Furthermore, they chose an open and level place where all the people could stand on equal ground and have a clear view of the event. Once these arrangements had been made, Fir’aun began gathering magicians from throughout the cities of his kingdom. Everyone known to possess knowledge or skill in magic was summoned, for magic was widespread and highly practiced at that time. Allāh (ﷻ) says:

وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ ائْتُونِي بِكُلِّ سَاحِرٍ عَلِيمٍ

“And Fir‘aun said: ‘Bring to me every well-versed sorcerer.’” [Sūrah Yūnus (10): 79]

The stage was now set for a great confrontation between Truth and Falsehood. And indeed, Truth shall always prevail over falsehood, no matter how powerful, widespread, or impressive falsehood may initially appear.

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to keep our feet firm upon the truth and make us victorious over the Ẓālimūn. Aameen.