Ash-Shu'ara 26:38 فجمع السحرة لميقات يوم معلوم ٣٨

34. Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 35. who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 36. They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 37. to mobilise all skilled magicians." 38. So the magicians were brought together on a particular day at a set time 39. and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 40. We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 41. When the magicians came forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 42. He said: "Yes, you will then become those near-stationed to me." 43. Moses said to them: "Throw down whatever you wish to throw." 44. Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 45. Thereafter, Moses threw down his rod and behold, it went about swallowing up all the false devices they had contrived. 46. Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 47. saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 48. the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 49. Pharaoh said: "You accepted the word of Moses even before I granted you the leave to do so. Surely he is your chief who has taught you magic. Soon shall you come to know. I shall cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and shall crucify all of you." 50. They said: "We do not care, for we are bound to return to our Lord, 51. and we surely expect that Our Lord will forgive us our sins for we are the first ones to believe."

- A. Maududi (Tafhim commentary)