“But when Our clear Signs came to them, they said: ‘This is plain magic.’ They denied those signs out of iniquity and arrogance although their hearts were convinced of their truth. So see how evil was the end of those mischief-makers.”
(Al Qur’ān – 27:13-14)
As mentioned in other ayaat of the Qur’ān, whenever a calamity hit Egypt in accordance with the prophesy of Prophet Moses, Pharaoh would say: “O Moses, pray for us to your Lord on the strength of the prophethood He has bestowed upon you. Surely, if you remove this scourge from us, we will truly believe in you” (al-A‘rāf 7:134). But as soon as the calamity was removed, Pharaoh would break his promise (al-A‘rāf 7:135; and al-Zukhruf 43:49-50).
These were clearly miracles for it is inconceivable that a whole country could be plagued with storms, locusts, frogs and weevils simply by magic. The manner in which Moses foretold these calamitous plagues and the way in which they were removed in response to his prayers made it abundantly clear to everyone that these took place for no other reason than that the Lord of the universe willed them to take place.
“Moses replied: You know well that no one but the Lord of the heavens and the earth has sent these as eye-opening proofs. I truly think, O Pharaoh, that you are indeed doomed” (BanīIsrā’īl 17:102). However, behind Pharaoh’s and his chiefs’ denial was this: “They said: Shall we put faith in two mortals like ourselves when their people are slaves to us?” (al-Mu’minūn 23:47).