When Allah sent Musa AS to Firaun, a tyrant who used to cause terror during his time, he refused to heed Musa AS’s message. Even when the signs of Allah were apparent, he was still adamant and refused to accept Musa AS’s message. He even went as far as asking Musa AS in Surah Ash-Shu’ara verse 23:

وَمَا رَبُّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

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

He didn’t ask these questions as someone who is concerned, but as someone who wanted to challenge Musa AS, because he believes he is god and there can’t be another god!

He challenged the existence of Allah! Allah whose power and might supersedes all things, and everything between heaven and the earth is subject to him and functions by His permission.

Musa AS responded to Firaun by telling him One of Allah’s signs is His creation of heaven and earth and what is between them (jinns, angels, etc). And if you are of those who reason, you’ll surely know this is the creation of Allah alone.

قَالَ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ ۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ

“He is˺ the Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything in between, if only you had sure faith.”

This response is a befitting one for those who do not believe that there is no God or for those who think God used to exist and has died. The idea that God doesn’t exist goes against sound reasoning as truly Allah exists. Allah created the first human being Adam AS and the rest of us without any one’s help.

Firaun mocked Musa AS’s response as he did not have a logical response other than that. This is what often leads to arguments when debates ensue with those who do not believe. This is because they keep raising unreasonable and illogical points that defeat sound reasoning.

Firaun then turned to the people after realizing the weight of Musa AS’s response and said:

أَلَا تَسْتَمِعُونَ.

“Did you hear what he said?”

This is to further make a mockery of Musa AS. And although Firaun could see but failed to accept the truth, he didn’t want Musa AS to win the people over. Musa AS made it known to Firaun that he himself who thinks so highly of himself was also created by Allah. We should always remember that regardless of our position in life, we are still subject to Allah.

Musa عليه السلام responded:

 رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

“He is˺ your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.”

Firaun again, could not find a befitting and better response to Musa عليه السلام, he then resorted to vulgar words and faced the people saying:

إِنَّ رَسُولَكُمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ لَمَجْنُونٌۭ

“the one who you called the Messenger of Allah, is he not a mad man?”

Musa only went further by saying:

رَبُّ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

He is˺ the Lord of the east and west, and everything in between, if only you had any sense.”

Firaun then tells Musa AS:

لَئِنِ ٱتَّخَذْتَ إِلَـٰهًا غَيْرِى لَأَجْعَلَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْمَسْجُونِينَ

“If you take any other god besides me, I will certainly have you imprisoned.”

His (Firaun) belief was that anyone who can jail people as he wishes is indeed powerful.

This can be seen today where people are constantly in a show of power no matter how little. And they say words like “do you know who I am?” Or threatening people with police arrest. This does not however place you in high esteem with Allah, rather those who obey and fear him in private or public regardless of their position in life are those Allah has placed in high esteem.

Musa AS then asked him:

قَالَ أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكَ بِشَىْءٍ مُّبِينٍ

“Even if I bring you something manifest (and convincing).”

قَالَ فَأْتِ بِهِۦٓ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ

Firaun said: “Bring it forth then, if you are of the truthful!”

فَأَلْقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ ثُعْبَانٌ مُّبِينٌ

Hearing this, Musa threw down his staff, and thereupon it changed into veritable serpent.

وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُۥ فَإِذَا هِىَ بَيْضَآءُ لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ

Then he drew forth his hand and it became shining bright for the spectators. [Ash-Shu’ara 26: 24 – 33]

The jail threat however did not stop Musa AS from continuing his message as directed by Allah. This should teach the rest of us that sticking with Allah no matter how bad the situation may get, is always what is best.