Said he, “Have you come to us to drive us out of our land with your sorcery, O Mūsā?

We will, then, bring to you a similar sorcery. So, make an appointment between you and us for an even place, not to be backed out, neither by us nor by you.”

He (Mūsā) said, “Your appointment is the festival day, and the people should be assembled at forenoon.”

So, Pharaoh turned back, and put his plot together, then came.

Mūsā said to them, “Pity on you, do not fabricate a lie against Allah, lest He should destroy you with a punishment. And loser is he who fabricates a lie.”

Then, they disputed among themselves in their matter, and kept their talk secret.

Said they, “Certainly, these two are sorcerers who wish to drive you out from your land, and do away with your excellent way of life.

So, make your plot firm and come forth in one row. Successful today is the one who prevails.”

They said, “O Mūsā, either you throw (first), or shall we be first to throw?”

He said, “Rather, you throw.” Then, suddenly their ropes and sticks seemed to him, due to their magic, as if they were running.

So, Mūsā concealed some fear in his heart.

We said, “Do not be scared. Certainly, you are to be the upper most.

And throw what is in your right hand, and it will devour what they have concocted. What they have concocted is but a sleight of a magician. And the magician does not succeed wherever he comes from.”

So, the magicians were led (by the truth) to fall in prostration. They said, “We have (now) believed in the Lord of Hārūn and Mūsā.”