Page 102 - The importance of conscience in the Qur'an

100 The Importance of Conscience in the Qur'an

important thing to him. At that point, Allah revealed to His
messenger Prophet Musa, 'Go to Pharaoh. He has
overstepped the bounds.' (Surah Ta Ha: 24), and He sent
him to Pharaoh as a warner.
Pharaoh's growing haughty and his resulting transgression
are told in the following verses:
'Go to Pharaoh; he has overstepped the
bounds. But speak to him with gentle words so
that hopefully he will pay heed or show some
fear.' They (Musa and Harun) said, 'Our Lord,
we are afraid that he might persecute us or
overstep the bounds.' He said, 'Have no fear. I
will be with you, All-Hearing and All-Seeing.'
(Surah Ta Ha: 43-46)
Thus Pharaoh was invited to the right way personally by
the messenger of Allah. However, instead of reforming him, this
increased his rage and transgression. The underlying reason for
such rage was his arrogance because of the political and military
power he wielded and his fear of losing his position. In the
Qur'an, Pharaoh's admiration for himself and derision for
Allah's messenger are described:
Pharaoh called to his people, saying, 'My peo-
ple, does the kingdom of Egypt not belong to
me? Do not all these rivers flow under my
control? Do you not then see? Am I not better
than this man who is contemptible and can
scarcely make anything clear? (Surat az-
Zukhruf: 51-52)
An important psychological tactic lies behind this speech.
First, he asks his people some questions that would make them
acknowledge his power. The statement 'Does the kingdom of