Ruku Viewer

We have created you from this earth and We will return you into it and then will bring you forth out of it once again.

We showed all (kinds of) Our Signs to Pharaoh, but he went on treating them as falsehood and refused to believe.

He said, "O Moses, have you come to drive us out of our land by the power of your sorcery?

Well, we will also bring as strong a sorcery as yours. So settle with us when and where should the encounter take place; then neither should we back out of this agreement nor you. Come out in the open field."

Moses replied, "Let the encounter take place on the Day of the Feast, and the people assemble after the rising of the sun."

Pharaoh then withdrew and gathered together all his devices, and came to the encounter.

(On the very occasion) Moses warned (his adversaries), saying, "O unfortunate people, do not invent falsehoods in regard to Allah: otherwise He will destroy you by a scourge: for whoso invented a falsehood, perished."

Hearing this, a difference of opinion arose among them concerning the issue, and they began to hold secret consultations.

At last some of them decided the issue, saying, "These two are no more than sorcerers. Their object is to drive you out of your homeland by the power of their sorcery, and bring to an end your ideal way of life.

Therefore muster up all your devices and come into the field with a united front. You should realize that whoso comes out victorious today, he will win (the battle of ideology)."

The magicians said, "O Moses, will you cast down (your things) or shall we cast down first?"

Moses replied, "No, cast down (yours)." Suddenly it so appeared to Moses that their cords and staffs were running about by the power of their magic,

and Moses' heart was filled with fear.

We said, "Don't fear for you will come out victorious.

Cast down what is in your hand, and it will swallow up all their sham creation; for they are mere tricks of a magician; and a magician can never succeed, howsoever skilled he may be."

Accordingly, at the end of the encounter, all the magicians were cast down to prostration and they cried out, "We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses."

Pharaoh said, "Have you believed in him before I gave you permission? Obviously, he is your master who has taught you sorcery. Well, now I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides46 and crucify you on the trunks of palm-trees then you shall know whose punishment is more terrible and tasting (mine or that of Moses)."

The magicians replied, "By Him Who has created us, we can never prefer you (to the Truth) after we have seen clear Signs.49 Therefore you may do your worst, for at the most you can pass judgment concerning this worldly life.

We have believed in our Lord so that He may pardon our errors, and forgive us the sin of sorcery which you forced us to practice. Allah is Best and Eternal."

In fact, for the one who comes before his Lord as a criminal, there shall be Hell, wherein he shall neither live nor die.

As for the one, who comes before Him as a Believer, who has done good deeds, all such people will have the highest ranks for them. T

hey will dwell for ever in the evergreen Gardens beneath which canals flow. Such is the reward of the one who adopts purity.