Page 52 - The Alliance of the Good

50
THE ALLIANCE OF THE GOOD

most threatening alliance of evil known in history was
established by Pharaoh and his immediate circle, of which
we mentioned in previous sections. Pharaoh threatened the
Prophet Moses (as) and his followers with torture and
execution. Pharaoh's cruelty is referred to in the verses that
follow:

Pharaoh said, 'Have you had belief in him before I
authorised you to do so? This is just some plot you have
concocted in the city to drive its people from it. I will
cut off your alternate hands and feet and then I will
crucify every one of you.' (Surat al-A'raf: 123-124)
From the Qur'an we learn that, apart from death,
believers were also threatened by the evil alliance with exile
and loss of their property:
They were very near to scaring you from the land with
the object of expelling you from it. But had they done so

they would only have remained there a short time after
you. (Surat al-Isra': 76)
Do not lie in wait on every pathway, threatening people,
barring those who believe from the Way of God,
desiring to make it crooked. Remember when you were
few and He increased your number: see the final fate of
the corrupters! (Surat al-A'raf: 86)
The ruling circle of those of his people who were
arrogant said, 'We will drive you out of our city,
Shu'ayb, you and those who believe along with you,
unless you return to our religion.' He (Shu'ayb) said,
'What, even though we detest it? (Surat al-A'raf: 88)
Disbelievers sometimes employ covert forms of threat.
The tone of their speech sounds as if they are concerned with