26. Shuara · verses 34–40

قَالَ لِلۡمَلَإِ حَوۡلَهُۥٓ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسَٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٞ

Qala lilmalai hawlahu inna hatha lasahirun AAaleemun

(Pharaoh) said to the Chiefs around him: "This is indeed a sorcerer well-versed:

يُرِيدُ أَن يُخۡرِجَكُم مِّنۡ أَرۡضِكُم بِسِحۡرِهِۦ فَمَاذَا تَأۡمُرُونَ

Yureedu an yukhrijakum min ardikum bisihrihi famatha tamuroona

"His plan is to get you out of your land by his sorcery; then what is it ye counsel?"

قَالُوٓاْ أَرۡجِهۡ وَأَخَاهُ وَٱبۡعَثۡ فِي ٱلۡمَدَآئِنِ حَٰشِرِينَ

Qaloo arjih waakhahu waibAAath fee almadaini hashireena

They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect-

يَأۡتُوكَ بِكُلِّ سَحَّارٍ عَلِيمٖ

Yatooka bikulli sahharin AAaleemin

"And bring up to thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed."

فَجُمِعَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ لِمِيقَٰتِ يَوۡمٖ مَّعۡلُومٖ

FajumiAAa alssaharatu limeeqati yawmin maAAloomin

So the sorcerers were got together for the appointment of a day well-known,

وَقِيلَ لِلنَّاسِ هَلۡ أَنتُم مُّجۡتَمِعُونَ

Waqeela lilnnasi hal antum mujtamiAAoona

And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?-

لَعَلَّنَا نَتَّبِعُ ٱلسَّحَرَةَ إِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلۡغَٰلِبِينَ

LaAAallana nattabiAAu alssaharata in kanoo humu alghalibeena

"That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?"