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qāla ʾāmantum lahū qabla ʾan ʾādhana lakum ʾinnahū la-kabīrukumu lladhī ʿallamakumu s-siḥra fa-la-ʾuqaṭṭiʿanna ʾaydiyakum wa-ʾarjulakum min khilāfin wa-la-ʾuṣallibannakum fī judhūʿi n-nakhli wa-la-taʿlamunna ʾayyunā ʾashaddu ʿadhāban wa-ʾabqā
He said, ‘Did you believe in him before I should permit you? He is indeed your chief who has taught you magic! Surely, I will cut off your hands and feet from opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and you will know which of us can inflict a severer and more lasting punishment.’
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Ta Ha – Verse 71
71. “Said (Pharaoh): ‘Did you believe in him before I should give you permission? Verily he is the chief of you who has taught you sorcery, so I will certainly cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will certainly crucify you upon the trunks of palm-trees, and you shall certainly know which of us is more severe and more lasting in punishment’.”
Pharaoh had gathered all the skilful and expert persons in order to annihilate the truth, but they entirely were guided to uprightness by Moses (as). It is evident that that deed of the sorcerers was a sharp stroke over the entity of Pharaoh and his arrogant, egoistic, and tyrannical government, so that it quivered all the pillars of it. Therefore, he had no way save shouting angrily, threatening violently, and showing his might and honour apparently.
Then he addressed the sorcerers and behaved as follows:
This arrogant tyrant, not only claimed that he governed over the lives and bodies of people, but also he desired to say that their hearts were at his disposal and belonged to him; so that they should decide with his permission. Pharaoh did not suffice even to that, and at once he accused the sorcerers with an accusation, claming that they had plotted that plan from before, he said:
Undoubtedly Pharaoh knew and was certain that his saying was a lie, but it is known that the arrogant and unreasonable rulers usually do not care any false or accusation when they feel their illegitimate position is in danger. Moreover, he did not suffice only to that vice, either. He threatened the sorcerers to death with the most violent tone, when he said:
However, prophets work on the spirits of men, but the tyrannical rulers take vengeance by hurting on their bodies. They are neglectful that conventions and beliefs of people cannot be changed by torturing and killing them.