Heroic Stands by Shiekh Abu Nizhar Ash Shaami: The Magicians of Fir'awn - Heroism of returning to truth

Our lives are a collection of stands taken. These stands are what will decide our status and value before Allah (swt) on the Day of Judgement. Heroic stands, which changed the course of history, produced events, and greatly influenced all who witnessed them or heard of them. Heroic stands, which we mention while living at a time when most stands, we see are those of humiliation and shame. Heroic stands, we mention them whose heroes are mentioned in the Quran, and the pages of the Seerah and our Ummah's past and recent history are overflowing with them. Heroic stands, which we mention in order to take lessons from. We mention them in order to receive flames of glory, optimism, and expecting good from Allah (swt), and to prove that our Ummah, by the permission of Allah (swt), is capable of bringing back the dignified stands which will fill the world with justice and light after it was filled with injustice and tyranny.

If admitting to the truth is a virtue then sacrificing for the sake of the truth is heroic. Especially when this stand means that one relinquishes convictions, interests and loyalties which he held his entire life. In today's story, there isn't just one hero. There is rather a group of heroes. They all made the same heroic stand: The Magicians of Fir'awn. They were akin to media outlets that promote his lies, cover up his tyranny, and debate his opponents on his behalf. They are his assistants and supporters whose role is to mold public opinion in favour of Fir'awn. When Fir'awn was defeated in front of Sayyiduna Musa (as) and saw the miracles of the hand and staff, he felt that his throne was being shaken. Pharaoh then sent among the city's gatherers.

Where are the deceivers? Where are the professionals in playing with people's minds? Where are the magicians who are adept at hiding things and hiding facts? The magicians were gathered. What were the magicians seeking in return for their fabrications? The magicians came to Pharaoh and said, "Indeed for us is a reward if we are the predominant." He said, "Yes, and [moreover], you will be among those made near [to me]." 'You will be appointed to important positions in the state and will be backed by the head of state.'"

The confrontation occurred. The magicians threw forth their deceptions and they tricked the eyes of the people as usual and convinced the people that their ropes are moving. Even Musa (as) felt some fear from what he (as) saw of their falsehood. So, Allah (swt) reinforced him: Allah (swt) said,

[قُلْنَا لَا تَخَفْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْأَعْلَىٰ]

"Fear not. Indeed, it is you who are superior." [Surah Taha: Aya 68]

[وَأَلْقِ مَا فِي يَمِينِكَ تَلْقَفْ مَا صَنَعُوا ۖ إِنَّمَا صَنَعُوا كَيْدُ سَاحِرٍ ۖ وَلَا يُفْلِحُ السَّاحِرُ حَيْثُ أَتَىٰ]

"And throw what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted." [Surah Taha: Aya 69]

The magicians saw the real (snake) which consumed their illusions and defeated the ruler they serve. What was their stance after defeat? Herein, my brothers and sisters is the heroism. Perhaps all the magicians knew that opposing Fir'awn does not just mean death, but it means cutting their hands, feet, and being crucified on the trunks of palm trees. Despite all this, their heroic stand came forth: "So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree for this worldly life." The magicians fell down in prostration. They said, "We have believed in the Lord of Harun and Musa."

My brothers, we say to the assistants of the tyrants today: O assistants of the tyrants, whether journalists, security apparatus, evil scholars and others... you may not be worse than the magicians of Fir'awn were before they believed, so, will you not be like them after they believed? My brother and sister, learn that no matter how much a person sinks into falsehood and sells himself to the devil, he can turn the situation upside down in one sincere moment and return quickly to the truth. This is, by Allah (swt), heroic. We learn that no matter how much falsehood has been imprinted and how much public opinion has been misled, in one heroic stand, the people will change, and they follow the Du'aat just like the stance of Banu Isra'eel changed and they followed Sayyiduna Musa (as) after seeing the stance of the magicians.

O Muslims, the West and their assistants today play with magic before our eyes and throw forth their ideas before us thus making us imagine, because of their magic, that their civilization is correct, good and brings happiness to people. They threw in front of us the ideas of utilitarianism, freedom, democracy, secularism and so on, intimidating people with them. They brought a great lie. The Ummah stood and felt fear within her due to the strength of this falsehood and forgot that she is carrying a miracle which is, by Allah (swt), greater than the miracles and staff of Musa (as) and more lethal to the ropes and deceptions of Kufr.

Therefore, O Muslim, fear not. Indeed, you are superior. Throw what is in your right hand. Put forward the Quran as an alternative to all this falsehood. It will, by Allah (swt), swallow up what they crafted. And we will, by the permission of Allah (swt), witness the day in which all the magicians fall down in prostration, in submission, and in subordination to the rule of Allah (swt), the Lord of the worlds.

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