In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

[وَقَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنُ ٱئۡتُونِى بِكُلِّ سَـٰحِرٍ عَلِيمٍ۬ -And Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “Bring to me every well-versed sorcerer]; meaning: ”Everyone who is proficient in magic; magicians who can perform different types of magic and are at different levels of proficiency in their field”.  So when the magicians arrived to defeat Moosaa and Haaroon, Allaah says that Moosaa said to them: [أَلۡقُواْ مَآ أَنتُم مُّلۡقُونَ-Cast down what you want to cast!]; Moosaa said this to them because he did not care about what they were going to do first, for he was certain that he will defeat them and nullify their falsehood (by the aid of Allaah).  So after they threw their ropes, which appeared as serpents in the eyes of the people, Allaah says that Moosaa said to them:

مَا جِئۡتُم بِهِ ٱلسِّحۡرُ‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَيُبۡطِلُهُ ۥۤ‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُصۡلِحُ عَمَلَ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ

“What you have brought is sorcery, Allah will surely make it of no effect. Verily, Allah does not set right the work of Al-Mufsidun (the evil-doers, corrupts, etc.); meaning: Indeed, you want to aid falsehood against truth and Allaah will nullify your actions.

This will also be the case with every corrupter- the one who uses tricks, devices plots and evil plans- for indeed his deeds will be of no effect. And even if he has weapons to aid him pursue his goal at a particular time period, however the end result will be nothing for him and Allaah will make the truth apparent. As for those who do righteous deeds for the sake of Allaah -deeds that are based on the beneficial ways and are based on what Allaah has commanded- then indeed Allaah will bless their deeds, make them bear righteous end results and make them remain  (as a source of good for themselves & an example for others to follow).

So when Moosaa threw his staff, it became a real serpent and swallowed all the ropes that were thrown by the magicians and made to look like serpents in the eyes of the people, and thus their magic was nullified and their falsehood obliterated.

Allaah [The Most High] says: [وَيُحِقُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡحَقَّ بِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ وَلَوۡ ڪَرِهَ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمُونَ – And Allah will establish and make apparent the truth by His Words, however much the Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) may hate it].

After the magicians witnessed the truth, they prostrated (in repentance to Allaah); so Fir’awn threatened them – that he will crucify them, and cut their hands and legs, but they gave no concern to Fir’awn’s threats; rather they remained steadfast upon their Eemaan. As for Fir’awn and his chiefs, then not a single one of them believed, rather they persisted upon transgression, and this is why Allaah [The Most High] says:

فَمَآ ءَامَنَ لِمُوسَىٰٓ إِلَّا ذُرِّيَّةٌ۬ مِّن قَوۡمِهِۦ عَلَىٰ خَوۡفٍ۬ مِّن فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِمۡ أَن يَفۡتِنَهُمۡ‌ۚ وَإِنَّ فِرۡعَوۡنَ لَعَالٍ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَمِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡرِفِينَ

But none believed in Musa (Moses) except the offspring of his people, because of the fear of Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his chiefs, lest they should persecute them; and verily, Fir’aun (Pharaoh) was arrogant tyrant on the earth, he was indeed one of the Musrifun (polytheists, sinners and transgressors, those who give up the truth and follow the evil, and commit all kinds of great sins).

[فَمَآ ءَامَنَ لِمُوسَىٰٓ إِلَّا ذُرِّيَّةٌ۬ – But none believed in Musa (Moses) except the offspring of his people]; Meaning: The youth amongst Bani Israa’eel, who exercised patience due to the Eemaan that was firmly established in their hearts, whilst being in a state of fear because Fir’awn had complete authority and power in the land, so it is expected that he will seek to punish them, for he was an extreme transgressor.

And the wisdom -and Allaah knows best- behind the fact that only the offspring of Moosaa’s people believed in Moosaa, is because the offspring- the youth- are more likely to accept the truth and quicker to submit to it, as opposed to the old people and those similar to them – those who were brought up in a religion of disbelief, for indeed due to the corrupt creed that is established in their hearts, they are the ones most likely not to accept the truth.

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[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah)]

Note: there is an error in the video – the shaykh says “5000 riyals” not “50000 riyals”

Giving preference (to others) in actions of gaining closeness – meaning: That the issue, if it is referring to gaining closeness to Allaah, The Glorified and Exalted, then giving preference to your brother (in Islaam) in that act is Makrooh (Disliked).

Because this contradicts the racing (to good deeds) that we mentioned to you the proofs for (earlier) and hastening towards good and mutually competing.

So for example, there is a gap in the first row (for prayer) or a place further forward behind the Imam and you and your Muslim brother are standing

so you say to him “Go ahead” and he says to you “No, you go ahead”, you say (again) “Go ahead”, so the likes of this is not appropriate because it is disliked.
Rather what is appropriate is hastening to achieving this act of drawing close (to Allaah) and that is the virtue of being in the first row.

(Another) example; a man comes and he is in need of an extra 5000* Riyaal in order to remove his poverty. And you are capable (of helping him) and likewise your Muslim brother is capable (of helping him)
so you say to him (your capable, Muslim brother), “Help him, I’m giving you the opportunity, go ahead and help him.” and he says “No, you go ahead”
(and all of this is said) from the angle of love (for one’s brother). Meaning that each person puts forward his brother, then the likes of this is also disliked, and is not appropriate. Because in this area (what is expected) is hastening and competing in actions of good.
Likewise from the angle of reading – reading (some aspect of) knowledge upon the scholars – and taking the opportunities to obtain acts of obedience and striving and what is similar to this.
So these matters are known as good deeds i.e. acts of obedience . So giving preference to others in acts of obedience, i.e. those good deeds, is not appropriate, (rather it is) disliked because – as we have mentioned – it contradicts the command with hastening, racing and mutually competing in goodness.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allaah [The Most High] says: [وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ  – And indeed We did send Musa (Moses) with Our Ayat (i.e. proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations)]; Aayaat which clearly showed that what Moosaa (alayhis-salaam) brought was truth- those Aayaat which Allaah [The Most High] showed Fir’awn, his chiefs and his people, such as the miracles Moosaa [alayhis-salaam] was allowed to perform with his stick- which turned into a serpent-; and the locusts and lice which Allaah [The Most High] sent as a punishment to Fir’awn and his people etc

[وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِۦ فَقَالَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ  – And indeed We did send Musa (Moses) with Our Ayat (i.e. proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations), to Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his chiefs (inviting them to Allah’s Religion of Islam) He said: “Verily, I am a Messenger of the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)]; Meaning: Moosaa [Alayhis-Salaam] called them to single out Allaah [The Most high] in worship and forbade them from worshipping others besides Allaah.

Then Allaah [The Most High] said: [فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنۡہَا يَضۡحَكُونَ  –  But when he (Moosaa) came to them with Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) behold! They laughed at them]; Meaning: They rejected those signs and mocked at them due to transgression and arrogance, and not because those signs were insignificant and unclear. And this is why Allaah [The Most High] says: [وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِىَ أَڪۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَا‌ۖ  – And not an Ayah (sign, etc.) We showed them but it was greater than its fellow]; Meaning: The signs that came last were greater than the previous ones. [وَأَخَذۡنَـٰهُم بِٱلۡعَذَابِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ – and We seized them with torment, in order that they might turn [from their polytheism to Allah’s Religion (Islamic Monotheism)].

However, whenever punishment came to them, Allaah [The Most High] says that they said: [يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ  -O you sorcerer!]; Meaning: O Moosaa! The sorcerer. They addressed him in such a manner either to falsely accuse him; or it might have been a praise – the manner in which they addressed those whom they considered to be from their scholars, their magicians. [ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهۡتَدُونَ -Invoke your Lord for us according to what He has covenanted with you. Verily, We shall guide ourselves (aright)]; Meaning: Invoke your Lord on our behalf because your Lord has given you a high status and other special favours, so that this hardship is removed from us and we shall become rightly guided thereafter.

Then Allaah [The Most High] said: [فَلَمَّا كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ -But when We removed the torment from them, behold! They broke their covenant]; Meaning: They did not fulfil their promise; rather they were treacherous and persisted upon disbelief.  This behaviour of theirs is similar to what Allaah [The Most High] says about them in Surah Al-Araaf:

فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلطُّوفَانَ وَٱلۡجَرَادَ وَٱلۡقُمَّلَ وَٱلضَّفَادِعَ وَٱلدَّمَ ءَايَـٰتٍ۬ مُّفَصَّلَـٰتٍ۬ فَٱسۡتَڪۡبَرُواْ وَكَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا مُّجۡرِمِينَ (١٣٣) وَلَمَّا وَقَعَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلرِّجۡزُ قَالُواْ يَـٰمُوسَى ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ‌ۖ لَٮِٕن كَشَفۡتَ عَنَّا ٱلرِّجۡزَ لَنُؤۡمِنَنَّ لَكَ وَلَنُرۡسِلَنَّ مَعَكَ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ (١٣٤) فَلَمَّا ڪَشَفۡنَا عَنۡہُمُ ٱلرِّجۡزَ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ هُم بَـٰلِغُوهُ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ

So We sent on them: the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, and the blood: (as a succession of) manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.). And when the punishment fell on them they said: “O Musa (Moses)! Invoke your Lord for us because of His Promise to you. If you will remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Israel go with you.” But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term, which they had to reach, behold! They broke their word!

Then Allaah says [The Most High] says:

وَنَادَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنُ فِى قَوۡمِهِۦ قَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ أَلَيۡسَ لِى مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِىٓ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ

[And Fir’aun (Pharaoh) proclaimed among his people, saying: “O my people! Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me. See you not then?]; Meaning: Fir’awn proclaimed – whilst exalting his falsehood, deceived by his Kingdom, transgressing all bounds due to his wealth and armies- that he is the king of Egypt; the judge in all the affairs in Egypt and the one whose castle is surrounded by rivers and springs, which everyone can see.

Then Allaah [The Most High] says that Firawn said: [أَمۡ أَنَا۟ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ مَهِينٌ۬ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ – Am I not better than this one [Musa (Moses)], who is Mahin [has no honour nor any respect, and is weak and despicable] and can scarcely express himself clearly?]

May Allaah [The Most High] disfigure Fir’awn, for indeed he intended Moosaa [alayhis-salaam] by this description, even though Moosaa [alayhis-salaam] is one whom Allaah [The Most High] spoke to directly and one given high status by Allaah [The Most High]; however Fir’awn thought that he is honoured and Moosaa [alayhis-salaam] is dishonoured and disgraced. He also proclaimed that in addition to this, Moosaa [alayhis-salaam] cannot even speak clearly because he is not eloquent! However, Firawn’s insult against Moosaa [alayhis-salaam] -that Moosaa cannot even  express himself- is not something blameworthy at all. That is because Moosaa [alayhis-salaam] was able to convey the message, even though he used encounter some difficulty when speaking.

Then Allaah [The Most High] says that Firawn said: [فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِىَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٌ۬ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَ – Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him?]

Then Allaah [The Most High] says: [فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ – Thus he [Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] befooled and misled his people, and they obeyed him. Verily, they were ever a people who were Fasiqun(rebellious, disobedient to Allah)]; Meaning: Fir’awn deceived them through those doubts, which were portrayed as something true. He deceived his people and his chiefs through words that neither carry any reality nor were such words a means by way of which truth could be distinguished from falsehood. And those words cannot deceive, except the possessors of feeble intellects. Fir’awn did not possess any proofs, rather he only stated that he was the king of Egypt  (at the time) and that the rivers flow beneath him? He did  not produce any proof to nullify the message brought by Moosaa [alayhis-salaam], even though Moosaa [alayhis-salaam] had few followers; found it hard to express himself clearly and did not possess the riches that Firawn possessed. However, the fact of the matter is that Fir’awn’s chiefs had no common sense, so they followed whatever he said -whether truth or falsehood. And because they were rebellious sinners, Fir’awn beautified shirk and evil for them.

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[An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah)]

 In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allaah [The Most High] says in Surah Al-Qasas Ayah 38 that Fir’awn said:

[يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلۡمَلَأُ مَا عَلِمۡتُ لَڪُم مِّنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيۡرِى  – O chiefs! I know not that you have an ilah (a god) other than me].

Just look at what Fir’awn said! He did not say: “You do not have a god besides me”, rather he said: “I know not that you have a god other than me’’. This is because they considered him to be a virtuous scholar and that whatever he said has to be the truth, and whatever he commands has to be followed. And after he made this statement, he then tried to prove that what he has stated is true. Allaah [The Most High] said that Fir’awn said to Haamaan:

[فَأَوۡقِدۡ لِى يَـٰهَـٰمَـٰنُ عَلَى ٱلطِّينِ فَٱجۡعَل لِّى صَرۡحً۬ا لَّعَلِّىٓ أَطَّلِعُ إِلَىٰٓ إِلَـٰهِ مُوسَىٰ وَإِنِّى لَأَظُنُّهُ ۥ مِنَ ٱلۡكَـٰذِبِينَ – so kindle for me (a fire), O Haman, to bake (bricks out of) clay, and set up for me a Sarhan (a lofty tower, or palace, etc.) in order that I may look at (or look for) the Ilah (God) of Musa (Moses); and verily, I think that he [Musa (Moses)] is one of the liars]; Meaning: We think that Moosaa is lying, but we are going to ascertain the affair and prove that he is a liar.

Look at Fir’awn’s extreme sinful boldness! He belied Moosaa [alayhis-salaam], claimed that he was a God, claimed that he is not aware of a true object of worship and asked Haamaan to build him a tower in order that he can see the god of Moosaa! These claims were nothing else but propaganda; however what is really amazing is the affair of those chiefs who considered themselves as the elders of the Kingdom, for how did they allow Fir’awn to play about with their intellects and deceive them? Indeed, that was due to their extremely sinful behaviour, which corrupted their religion and then their intellects. We ask Allaah to keep us firm upon Eemaan and that our hearts do not become deviated after we have been guided.

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[An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah)]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allaah [The Most High] says in Surah Ash-Shu’araa Aayaat 23-29:

[قَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنُ وَمَا رَبُّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ- Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “And what is the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)?]; [ قَالَ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَآ‌ۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ – Musa (Moses) said: “Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, if you seek to be convinced with certainty];

[قَالَ لِمَنۡ حَوۡلَهُ ۥۤ أَلَا تَسۡتَمِعُونَ   – Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said to those around: “Do you not hear (what he (Moosaa) says)?]; [قَالَ رَبُّكُمۡ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآٮِٕكُمُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ  – Musa (Moses) said: “Your Lord and the Lord of your ancient fathers!]; [قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَكُمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُرۡسِلَ إِلَيۡكُمۡ لَمَجۡنُونٌ۬  – Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “Verily, your Messenger who has been sent to you is a madman!]; [قَالَ رَبُّ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَآ‌ۖ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ   – Musa (Moses) said: “Lord of the east and the west, and all that is between them, if you did but understand!]; [قَالَ لَٮِٕنِ ٱتَّخَذۡتَ إِلَـٰهًا غَيۡرِى لَأَجۡعَلَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمَسۡجُونِينَ    – Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “If you choose an ilah (god) other than me, I will certainly put you among the prisoners].

So after Fir’awn had no proofs to offer and was completely unable to offer anything that would nullify the proofs of his opponent, he utilised his authority in the land to threaten Moosaa [alayhis- salaam]. He -May Allaah disfigure him- thought that he could misguide Moosaa [alayhis-salaam] by threatening him- that Moosaa cannot worship a god besides him, for if Moosaa [alayhis-salaam] does not choose him as his god, then indeed Moosaa has affirmed that he and his followers are upon clear-sightedness in the affairs of their religion.

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[An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah)]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Question: The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: ‘‘When Ramadhaan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of hell fire are shut and the devils are chained”; does this mean that the one who dies in the month of Ramadhaan will enter Paradise?

Answer: The affair is not so; rather the meaning of this is that the gates of paradise are opened as an encouragement for the performers of (good) deeds so that they are facilitated with entry. And the gates of the hell fire are shut so that the people of Eemaan are kept away from disobedience, (and) so that they do not (enter) these gates. And the meaning of this (statement of the messenger) is not that the one who dies in Ramadhaan is going to enter paradise without reckoning; rather those who will enter Paradise without reckoning are those whom the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) described in his saying: ‘’They are those who neither seek Ruqya nor do they believe in good bad or good omens (from birds etc.), nor do they get themselves branded (Cauterised); but they place their trust (only) in their Lord”, alongside fulfilling that which Allaah has obligated upon them to (perform) of righteous actions. [Source: Fiqhul Ibaadaat of Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) Page: 231]