Surah Ash-Shu'ara 26:39
سُورَةُ الشُّعَرَاءِ · Meccan · Verse 39 of 227
وَقِيلَ لِلنَّاسِ هَلْ أَنتُم مُّجْتَمِعُونَ
Translation
and the people were asked, "Are you all coming?
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
The verse, "وَقِيلَ لِلنَّاسِ هَلْ أَنتُم مُّجْتَمِعُونَ" (And it was said to the people, "Are you gathering?"), takes us back to the dramatic confrontation between Musa (peace be upon him) and Pharaoh's sorcerers. It captures a moment of intense public persuasion, orchestrated by Pharaoh and his regime. The plain meaning tells us that people were urged to gather, hoping that the sorcerers would win against Musa.
The Unseen Voice
The opening phrase, "وَقِيلَ" (wa qīla), translates to "and it was said" in the passive voice. This choice of wording, as Ibn Ashur notes, means the specific speakers are not named. It wasn't just one person delivering the message, but likely a widespread call by Pharaoh's officials to "النَّاسِ" (an-nās), the general populace of the city. This widespread, unnamed calling suggests the immense pressure and propaganda being exerted to ensure everyone attended this crucial event. The absence of a named caller highlights the collective effort to sway public opinion.
A Question That Demands Action
The heart of this verse lies in the rhetorical question, "هَلْ أَنتُم مُّجْتَمِعُونَ" (hal antum mujtamiʿūn), which means, "Are you gathering?" On the surface, it sounds like a simple inquiry. However, scholars like al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur explain that this is not a true question seeking information. Instead, it is an "استحثاث" (istihthaath), an urgent call or a strong encouragement to hasten.
Imagine a parent asking a child who is dawdling, "Are you going to get ready?" The parent isn't truly asking if the child *intends* to get ready, but is subtly yet firmly urging them to move quickly. In the same way, Pharaoh's regime wasn't asking if people *wanted* to gather. They were implying that gathering was the expected, obvious, and necessary action, making those who heard it feel compelled to hurry. This rhetorical device created a sense of expectation and implied conformity, pushing the people to witness the spectacle where they hoped Musa's message would be discredited.
Why the Urgency?
The underlying purpose of this urgent call, as the plain meaning and al-Razi indicate, was to assemble a massive crowd. This was not merely for attendance, but for a calculated political and religious show. Pharaoh and his court wanted the people to witness what they hoped would be a decisive defeat for Musa, reinforcing their own authority and the established beliefs. By gathering everyone, they aimed to publicly validate the sorcerers and ensure no one would follow Musa's message. The very wording of the verse, a question that functions as an urgent command, reveals the manipulative tactics used to control the masses and sway their loyalties.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ash-Shu'ara 26:39 is discussed in 3 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
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