Surah 7

Those were the towns whose story We relate unto you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم). And there came indeed to them their Messengers with clear proofs, but they were not such as to believe in that which they had rejected before. Thus Allâh does seal up the hearts of the disbelievers (from every kind of religious guidance).

And most of them We found not true to their covenant, but most of them We found indeed Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh).

Then after them We sent Mûsâ (Moses) with Our Signs to Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) and his chiefs, but they wrongfully rejected them. So see how was the end of the Mufsidûn (mischief-makers, corrupters).

And Mûsâ (Moses) said: "O Fir‘aun (Pharaoh)! Verily, I am a Messenger from the Lord of the ‘Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists).

"Proper it is for me that I say nothing concerning Allâh but the truth. Indeed I have come unto you from your Lord with a clear proof. So let the Children of Israel depart along with me."

[Fir‘aun (Pharaoh)] said: "If you have come with a sign, show it forth, if you are one of those who tell the truth."

Then [Mûsâ (Moses)] threw his stick and behold! it was a serpent, manifest!

And he drew out his hand, and behold! it was white (with radiance) for the beholders.

The chiefs of the people of Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) said: "This is indeed a well-versed sorcerer;

"He wants to get you out of your land, so what do you advise?"

They said: "Put him and his brother off (for a time), and send callers to the cities to collect -

"That they bring up to you all well-versed sorcerers."

And so the sorcerers came to Fir‘aun (Pharaoh). They said: "Indeed there will be a (good) reward for us if we are the victors."

He said: "Yes, and moreover you will (in that case) be of the nearest (to me)."

They said: "O Mûsâ (Moses)! Either you throw (first), or shall we have the (first) throw?"

He [Mûsâ (Moses)] said: "Throw you (first)." So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them, and they displayed a great magic.

And We revealed to Mûsâ (Moses) (saying): "Throw your stick," and behold! It swallowed up straight away all the falsehoods which they showed.

Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect.

So they were defeated there and returned disgraced.

And the sorcerers fell down prostrate.