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How the arrogant refuse to admit defeat

How the arrogant refuse to admit defeat
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April 23, 2021
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The debate between Musa (peace be on him) and Firaun features in different places in the Quran and is very interesting when it is collected together. It also appears in Surat Ash Shu’ara, which is a Makki surah with a few Madani verses.  

Allah Almighty commanded Musa (peace be on him) to got to Firaun who he was claiming he was the highest authority and the most powerful being in the world. Musa (peace be on him) was hesitant to approach him. He gives many reasons why going to Firaun is going to be a very difficult challenge. However, Allah Almighty tells him not to worry and that He will be with Him with his brother, Harun.

Pharaoh asked, “And what is ‘the Lord of all worlds’?”

Moses replied, “˹He is˺ the Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything in between, if only you had sure faith.” (26:23)

Moses added, “˹He is˺ your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.” (26:26)

Look at the response! Firaun is unable to accept the truth. He will lose face and be rejected by people  if he rejects the truth, so he casts doubt on the one who brought the message. Therefore, his method of attacking the truth is to call the Messenger mad.

Pharaoh said ˹mockingly˺, “Your messenger, who has been sent to you, must be insane.” (26:27)

The arrogant cannot accept defeat

It is the characteristic of arrogant people that they cannot accept defeat at all. They will go to any lengths to prove they are right.

We have seen this with Donald Trump who could not stomach defeat in the US elections. It is a reflection of their narcissism. Firaun is a clear example. Rather than admit he is wrong, he blames the others and says they are wrong. When it does not work, he resorts to violence. Just as Trump stormed the Capitol, Firaun uses the threat of violence when he could not defeat Musa (peace be on him) in debate:

Pharaoh threatened, “If you take any other god besides me, I will certainly have you imprisoned.” (26:29)

Portraying a twisted reality

Musa (peace be on him) then offers to bring proof, which is an embarrassment to Firaun, who cannot say that he will not believe anything Musa brings because he is trying to show that he is democratic.

Firaun is mocking and derisive. When he is defeated by Musa (peace be on him), he wants to kill everyone.

Firaun, the most tyrannical person but tries to portray himself as a democratic leader. He asks his men, ‘So what do you propose?’ Even though he gives the orders, he is appealing for sympathy and creates the impression that he needs their permission.

Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, “He is indeed a skilled magician, who seeks to drive you from your land by his magic. So what do you recommend? (26:35)

He makes it seem as if he wants the best for his nation, when he is purely self-interested and self-centred. It is akin to saying ‘I want democracy for America, I want to get the true result’ when the reality is that it is merely a power grab.

Appealing for public sympathy

Firaun paints the picture that Musa (peace be on him) is ruining their country, and it is up to them to do something.  He is getting the crowd on his side. He is the one who is the Lord, yet he puts it to them that they can choose what to do.

We see such a character in every community, in various shapes and sizes.

We ask Allah to protect us from arrogance and arrogant people. Ameen.

Shaykh Haytham Tamim – Ramadan day 12

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Shaykh Haytham Tamim is the founder and main teacher of the Utrujj Foundation. He has provided a leading vision for Islamic learning in the UK, which has influenced the way Islamic knowledge is disseminated. He has orchestrated the design and delivery of over 200 unique courses since Utrujj started in 2001. His extensive expertise spans over 30 years across the main Islamic jurisprudence schools of thought. He has studied with some of the foremost scholars in their expertise; he holds some of the highest Ijazahs (certificates) in Quran, Hadith (the Prophetic traditions) and Fiqh (Islamic rulings). His own gift for teaching was evident when he gave his first sermon to a large audience at the age of 17 and went on to serve as a senior lecturer of Islamic transactions and comparative jurisprudence at the Islamic University of Beirut (Shariah College). He has continued to teach; travelling around the UK, Europe and wider afield, and won the 2015 BISCA award (British Imams & Scholars Contributions & Achievements Awards) for Outstanding Contribution to Education and Teaching.

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