Fir'awn said unto the chiefs around him: verily this is a magician knowing. 34 Who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. Now what do you advise?" 35 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect- 36 “To bring to you every expert great magician.” 37 So the magicians were assembled at a stated time and place on an appointed day. 38 And it was said to the people, "Will you congregate 39 so that we may follow the magicians, if they be the winners." 40 "When the magicians came, they asked the Pharaoh, "Will there be any reward for us if we win?" 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Moses said to them, 'Cast you down what you will cast.' 43 So they cast their ropes and staffs, saying: 'By Pharaoh's might, we shall be the victors' 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 So the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 and the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (the Pharaoh): "You have come to believe in him before I gave you leave. He is surely your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon come to know: I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, and have every one of you crucified." 49 They said, "There is no harm. To our Lord we shall return. 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51