Virtues Are A Strength

In the opening of Surah Taha, Allah acknowledges that upholding the principle of the deen and climbing the ladder of faith comes with distress and challenge. By mentioning distress, He highlights the deeply social aspect of faith — the strain that arises from external influences, feeling misjudged, or even bullied when standing firm in belief.

Allah reminds us that He is the One on the Throne — a Throne that signifies authority, process, and completeness. This alone teaches us that His knowledge and vision encompass not only what we reveal openly but also the sincerity within our hearts:

“He knows what is (apparently) before them and what is hidden from them.” (20:7)
This isn’t shared as if He is “catching” us in our faults, but rather that our sincere intentions and unspoken truths are fully known and noted by Him. Belief in His Oneness and Greatness isn’t merely conceptual; it invites us to reflect deeply on the meanings and context of His 99 Names, each name manifesting an aspect of His mercy, justice, knowledge, and power.

The chapter then draws us into the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) (peace be upon him), illustrating the real social challenge he faced with Pharaoh — the epitome of narcissistic oppression. Allah’s timing is perfect: He guided Moses to the fire right at the moment Pharaoh’s tyranny peaked, showing us that divine guidance isn’t bound by human measures of time.

Moses’ fears were human — fearing his speech wouldn’t convince Pharaoh, and fearing the immense responsibility of conveying Allah’s message. Through dua, he asked:

“O my Lord! Open for me my chest, ease my task for me, and loosen the knot from my tongue so they may understand my speech.” (20:25–28)
Allah granted this request and reinforced him by pairing him with his brother Harun (Aaron) to uphold the truth, integrity, and peace together — showing that sincere prayer, paired with effort, brings divine support.

The miracle of the staff turning into a serpent serves as a profound metaphor: a staff is usually a symbol of help and stability, yet Allah made it a snake, depicting how those who appear harmless — like Pharaoh — can in truth be agents of harm and deceit. This exposes the duality in narcissistic oppression: outward power hides inner corruption. Even as we face the scars of past or present narcissism, Allah teaches that ultimate reliance on Him brings justice, even for the narcissist, who is also a victim of his own delusion:

“And Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth in order that each person may be recompensed what he has earned; and they will not be wronged.” (45:22, Muhsin Khan)
Pharaoh’s ignorance fed his arrogance, leading to a catastrophic disbelief so severe it harmed his people. He misused his intelligence, ignoring truth until denial consumed him, highlighting the danger of ignoring divine warnings.

Yet Allah’s plan was already in motion long before Pharaoh’s downfall: when Moses was an infant, his mother was moved by divine inspiration to place him in the river. Though unimaginable to most, Allah “tied” her heart with patience and faith, giving her the strength to endure separation. Her sincerity and faith were central to why Allah chose Moses:

“So We restored you to your mother that she might cool her eyes and she should not grieve.” (20:40)
In this, Allah demonstrates that His wisdom often unfolds in ways beyond our understanding — what looks like abandonment may in fact be protection, and what seems like loss can become the very path of deliverance.

As a reminder of how divine justice continues across generations, Allah says:

“And (also) We destroyed the towns (population) around them. And We have shown (them) the (means of) turning (to Allah in repentance), but they did not turn (to Him).” (25:39, Muhsin Khan)
The Quran, as He reminds us, is easy and clear — even a hardened heart like Pharaoh’s was first given time, signs, and proof before the final consequence. His story is both real history and an enduring metaphor: we all face Pharaoh-like forces in society, yet reliance on Allah, supported by sincerity, patience, and prayer, is the path that brings peace and justice in ways only He knows.

Bism Illah Al Rahman Al Raheem 

21:30
Do not those who disbelieve see that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?

21:31
And We have placed on the earth firm mountains, lest it should shake with them, and We placed therein broad highways for them to pass through, that they may be guided.

21:32
And We have made the heaven a roof, safe and well guarded. Yet they turn away from its signs.

21:33
And He it is Who has created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each in an orbit floating.

21:34
And We granted not to any human being immortality before you (O Muhammad ﷺ): then if you die, would they live forever?

21:35
Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us you will be returned.

21:36
And when those who disbelieve (strong and powerful) see you (O Muhammad ﷺ), they only mock at you (saying): “Is this the one who talks (badly) about your gods?” While they disbelieve at the mention of the Most Beneficent (Allah).

21:37
Man is created of haste. I will show you My Ayat (signs) soon, so ask Me not to hasten (them).

21:38
And they say: "When will this promise (come to pass), if you are truthful?"

21:39
If only those who disbelieve knew (the time) when they will not be able to ward off the fire from their faces, nor from their backs, and they will not be helped!

21:40
Nay, it (the punishment) will come upon them all of a sudden and will perplex them, and they will have no power to avert it, nor will they get respite.

21:41
Indeed, (many) Messengers were mocked before you (O Muhammad ﷺ), but the scoffers were surrounded by that whereat they used to mock.

21:42
Say: "Who can guard and protect you in the night or in the day from (the punishment of) the Most Beneficent (Allah)?" Nay, but they turn away from the remembrance of their Lord.

21:43
Or have they aliha (gods) who can guard them from Us? They have no power to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us.

21:44
Nay, but We gave enjoyment to these and their fathers till the period grew long for them; see they not that We reduce the land from its outlying borders? Is it they then who will overcome?

21:45
Say (O Muhammad ﷺ): "I warn you only by the revelation (from Allah and not by my own), but the deaf will not hear the call (admonition) when they are warned."

21:46
And verily, if a breath of the Torment of your Lord touches them, they will surely cry: "Woe to us! Indeed we have been Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers)."

21:47
And We shall set up balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And Sufficient are We to take account.

21:48
And indeed We granted to Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) the criterion (the Torah) and a light and a reminder for Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

21:49
Those who fear their Lord without seeing Him, and they are afraid of the Hour.

21:50
And this is a blessed Reminder (the Qur'an) which We have sent down: will you then (dare to) deny it?

Surah Ṭā Hā
20:12–14

Indeed, I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. Indeed, you are in the sacred valley of Ṭuwā.
And I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed [to you].
Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.
 
20:22

And draw in your hand to your side; it will come out white without disease — another sign.
 
20:24–48

Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed."
[Moses] said, "My Lord, expand for me my breast.
And ease for me my task.
And untie the knot from my tongue.
That they may understand my speech.
And appoint for me a minister from my family.
Aaron, my brother.
Increase through him my strength.
And let him share my task.
That we may exalt You much.
And remember You much.
Indeed, You are ever seeing of us."
[Allah] said, "You have been granted your request, O Moses.
And We had already conferred favor upon you another time.
When We inspired to your mother what We inspired,
[Saying], 'Put him into the chest and cast it into the river, and the river will throw it onto the bank; there will take him an enemy to Me and an enemy to him.' And I bestowed upon you love from Me that you would be brought up under My eye.
[And We favored you] when your sister went and said, 'Shall I direct you to someone who will be responsible for him?' So We restored you to your mother that she might be content and not grieve. And you killed someone, but We saved you from retaliation and tried you with a [severe] trial. And you remained [some] years among the people of Madyan. Then you came [here] at the decreed time, O Moses.
And I produced you for Myself.
Go, you and your brother, with My signs and do not slacken in My remembrance.
Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed.
And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allah]."
They said, "Our Lord, indeed we are afraid that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress."
[Allah] said, "Fear not. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see.
So go to him and say, 'Indeed, we are messengers of your Lord, so send with us the Children of Israel and do not torment them. We have come to you with a sign from your Lord. And peace will be upon he who follows the guidance.
Indeed, it has been revealed to us that the punishment will be upon whoever denies and turns away.'"
 
20:52–53

[Moses] said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets."
[It is He] who has made for you the earth as a bed spread out and inserted therein for you roadways and sent down from the sky rain and produced thereby categories of various plants.
 
20:61

Moses said to them, "Woe to you! Do not invent a lie against Allah or He will exterminate you with a punishment; and he has failed who invents [such falsehood]."
 
20:62–64

So they disputed over their affair among themselves and concealed their private conversation.
They said, "Indeed, these are two magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic and do away with your most exemplary way.
So resolve upon your plan and then come [forward] in line. And he has succeeded today who overcomes."
 
20:68–76

Allah said, "Fear not. Indeed, it is you who are superior.
And throw what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted. What they have crafted is but the trick of a magician, and the magician will not succeed wherever he is."
So the magicians fell down in prostration. They said, "We have believed in the Lord of Aaron and Moses."
[Pharaoh] said, "You believed in him before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic. But you will surely know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and you will surely know which of us is more severe in [giving] punishment and more enduring."
They said, "Never will we prefer you over what has come to us of clear proofs and over He who created us. So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree for this worldly life.
Indeed, we have believed in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and what you compelled us to do of magic. And Allah is better and more enduring."
Indeed, whoever comes to his Lord as a criminal — indeed, for him is Hell; he will neither die therein nor live.
But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds — for those will be the highest degrees [in position]:
Gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of one who purifies himself.
 
20:80

O Children of Israel, We delivered you from your enemy, and We made an appointment with you at the right side of the mount, and We sent down to you manna and quails.