In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent

Thereupon Pharaoh withdrew and put together the artful scheme which he would pursue; and then turned up (for the appointment).

Moses said to them: “Woe betide you! Invent no falsehood against God, lest He afflict you with most grievous suffering. He who contrives such a lie is sure to come to grief.” So they debated among themselves as to what to do; but they kept their counsel secret. They said: “These two are surely sorcerers intent on driving you away from your land by their sorcery, and on doing away with your exemplary way of life. Hence, decide on the scheme you will pursue, and then come forward in one single body. For, indeed, he who prevails today shall prosper indeed.”

Said (the sorcerers): “Moses! Either you throw (your staff first), or we shall be the first to throw.” He answered: “You may throw first.” And by virtue of their sorcery, their ropes and staffs seemed to him to be moving rapidly.

And in his heart Moses became apprehensive. But We said (to him): “Have no fear! It is you who shall certainly prevail.”

 (Ta Ha: 20: 60-68)

Everything was ready for the confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh’s sorcerers. Moses accepted Pharaoh’s challenge, and set the best time and day for the confrontation: midmorning on a day of festival, so that the maximum number of people would attend and be able to see the match in full view. Up to that point, Pharaoh was busy putting his scheme together, preparing the best sorcerers in a country where religion was based on the priests’ skill in magic, and promising them rich reward if they end up victorious.

Before the start, Moses felt that he should give them all an honest and sincere advice. Thus, he warned them against false fabrications against God, hoping that they may accept God’s guidance and abandon sorcery, which is no more than a falsehood. “Moses said to them: Woe betide you! Invent no falsehood against God, lest He afflict you with most grievous suffering. He who contrives such a lie is sure to come to grief.”

A sincere piece of advice could touch the hearts of those to whom it is addressed. This might have been the case, for some of the sorcerers were touched by Moses’ sincere words and began to have second thoughts. Those who were keen to go through with this showdown began to argue with them in whispers, fearing that Moses could overhear them. “So they debated among themselves as to what to do; but they kept their counsel secret.”

Some of them tried to encourage the others, warning those who showed some reluctance against a gloomy future under Moses and Aaron. They described the two prophets as being driven by a desire for power, hoping to rule Egypt and change the faith of its people. To forestall their schemes, they needed to demonstrate their unity and confront them as one body, without any hesitation. That was the day of outright and decisive confrontation, and the winner will take all. “They said: These two are surely sorcerers intent on driving you away from your land by their sorcery, and on doing away with your exemplary way of life. Hence, decide on the scheme you will pursue, and then come forward in one single body. For, indeed, he who prevails today shall prosper indeed.”

One sincere word motivated by faith falls like a powerful explosive in the camp of falsehood, shaking their hearts and weakening their ranks. They are no longer sure of their own ability, and they entertain doubt in their own beliefs. Hence the doubters need all this encouragement. They are reminded that Moses and Aaron are merely two men, while they, the sorcerers, have a much superior numerical strength, and backed by Pharaoh, his kingdom, wealth and army. But they forget that Moses and Aaron are supported by God who hears all and sees all.

Perhaps this gives us an explanation of the attitude of Pharaoh and his arrogant tyranny, as well as the attitude of the sorcerers who enjoyed his support. To start with, who are those two men, Moses and Aaron, to be given such importance, with Pharaoh himself putting a challenge to them and accepting their own challenge. What is their position which compels him to put together a deceitful strategy, mustering in the process a large force of skillful sorcerers, who were the best in his land, and bringing all the people to witness the confrontation? How come that he himself comes along and sits with his full entourage to see the confrontation? How is it that Pharaoh is prepared to listen to Moses’ argument, which denies him all the privileges he claims for himself, when Moses is no more than an Israelite whose people are continually persecuted under his own rule? That was all due to the dignity God has imparted to Moses and Aaron which inspired awe among all those who listened to them. Moreover, God was with them, listening and seeing all that was taking place.

It was also that awe-inspiring dignity that made one word of Moses sufficient to cause much confusion among the sorcerers, requiring them to hold secret council, magnifying the dangers and motivating one another to remain firm, steady and united.

After all this, they came forward, giving Moses the choice: “Said (the sorcerers): Moses! Either you throw (your staff first), or we shall be the first to throw.” This is a challenge aiming to show a united, powerful front and a commendable degree of fairness.

Hence, his answer was to accept the challenge: “You may throw first.” He allowed them to start and produce whatever they wanted so that he could have the final say. And what was the result? They apparently produced a magnificent piece of magic, taking the whole multitude by surprise and affecting even Moses.

“By virtue of their sorcery, their ropes and staffs seemed to him to be moving rapidly. And in his heart Moses became apprehensive.” The Qur’anic expression suggests a truly mighty magic, which filled the whole stage. Moses himself feels fear creeping into his heart, even though God is with him hearing and seeing everything as it takes place. Needless to say, Moses would not have entertained any feeling of fear unless the whole thing was so awesome that he became for a moment oblivious to the fact that he was much stronger. Hence, he needed a reminder that he relies on a much superior power: “But We said (to him): Have no fear! It is you who shall certainly prevail.”

We will pick up the next scene in this extraordinary confrontation next week, God willing.