King and a Magician Confronting the Call By Tareq Mustafa Hamida “There was a king among those who were before you” ... The curtain rises, presenting the reader or listener with a king. Those who opposed the prophets and advocates of monotheism were the leaders and chieftains because they enslaved, oppressed, and exploited people, consuming their rights. It was only natural that these individuals would be the first to carry, and indeed lead, the banner of war against religion. In the Qur’an , almost every story of a prophet involves the faithful confronting the elites—the leaders who are highly regarded by the people due to their status and wealth. This is evident in the stories of Noah, Hud, Salih, and Shuayb, peace be upon them. In the story of Moses, peace be upon him, Pharaoh and his elites lead the opposition against the call to monotheism. When we consider the phrase “among those who were before you,” it becomes clear that what the Prophet, peace be upon hi...