26. Shuara · verses 36–43

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?"

فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ قَالُواْ لِفِرۡعَوۡنَ أَئِنَّ لَنَا لَأَجۡرًا إِن كُنَّا نَحۡنُ ٱلۡغَٰلِبِينَ

Falamma jaa alssaharatu qaloo lifirAAawna ainna lana laajran in kunna nahnu alghalibeena

So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Pharaoh: "Of course - shall we have a (suitable) reward if we win?

قَالَ نَعَمۡ وَإِنَّكُمۡ إِذٗا لَّمِنَ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبِينَ

Qala naAAam wainnakum ithan lamina almuqarrabeena

He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)."

قَالَ لَهُم مُّوسَىٰٓ أَلۡقُواْ مَآ أَنتُم مُّلۡقُونَ

Qala lahum moosa alqoo ma antum mulqoona

Moses said to them: "Throw ye - that which ye are about to throw!"