Allah tells us that if people were to be punished before proof was established against them, they would use the excuse that no Messenger came to them, but when the truth did come to them through Muhammad, in their stubbornness, disbelief, ignorance and misguided thinking, they said:

Meaning - and Allah knows best - many signs like the staff, the hand, the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, the blood, the destruction of crops and fruits - which made things difficult for the enemies of Allah - and the parting of the sea, the clouds (following the Children of Israel in the wilderness and) shading them, the manna and quails, and other clear signs and definitive proof, miracles which Allah wrought at the hands of Musa as evidence and proof against Fir'awn and his chiefs and the Children of Israel. But all of this had no effect on Fir'awn and his chiefs; on the contrary, they denied Musa and his brother Harun, as Allah tells us:

{Have you come to us to turn us away from what we found our fathers following, and that you two may have greatness in the land? We are not going to believe you two!} (10:78)

{So they denied them both and became of those who were destroyed.} (23:48)

The Rebellious do not believe in Miracles

Allah says here:

Did not mankind disbelieve in those mighty signs which were given to Musa?

cooperating or working one with the other.

meaning, “we disbelieve in each of them.' Because of the close relationship between Musa and Harun, mention of one includes the other.

False Accusation that Musa and Harun (peace be upon them both) practiced Magic

Mujahid bin Jabr said, “The Jews told Quraysh to say this to Muhammad then Allah said: 'Did they not disbelieve in that which was given to Musa of old? They say: Two kinds of magic, each helping the other!' This refers to Musa and Harun, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them both,

{each helping the other} i.e., working together and supporting one another.” This was also the view of Sa'id bin Jubayr and Abu Razin that the phrase “two kinds of magic” referred to Musa and Harun. This is a good suggestion. And Allah knows best.

The Response to this False Accusation

down to His Prophets, there is no Book more perfect, more eloquent or more noble than the Book which He revealed to Muhammad, which is the Qur'an. Next to it in status and greatness is the Book which Allah revealed to Musa bin 'Imran, which is the Book concerning which Allah says:

{Verily, We did send down the Tawrah, therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah's will, judged for the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests, for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's Book, and they were witnesses thereto} (5:44).

The Injil was revealed as a continuation and complement of the Tawrah and to permit some of the things that had been forbidden to the Children of Israel. Allah says:

meaning, 'in your efforts to refute the truth with false arguments.'

{But if they answer you not,} means, 'if they do not respond to what you tell them, and do not follow the truth,'

means, with no basis or evidence.

means, with no guidance taken from the Book of Allah.

Mujahid said: “We have explained the Word to them.” As-Suddi said something similar. Qatadah said: “Allah is saying, “He has told them what He did in the past and what He will do in the future.' ”

{in order that they may remember.} Mujahid and others said:

{We have conveyed the Word} means, to Quraysh.