VAIN THREATS (VERSES NO. 123 - 126)

      When the sorcerers recognized the truth, and were sure that the signs displayed by Moses were from God; they sincerely repented and prostrated themselves to celebrate the praise of God - the Lord of all the worlds - the Lord of Moses and Aaron, as they said.

      This was heard as an explosion or thunder bolt is heard, and widely spread among the commonalty; that the magicians have surrendered to Moses!

      Pharaoh who had by now felt the great shock given to his throne of dictatorship was perplexed and in utmost embarrassment said to the sorcerer:

      ``Did you really believe him without my permission?!''

      As far as Pharaoh thought of himself, no one had the right of worshipping any god other than Pharaoh or whom he wills. They even had not the permission to think or to talk any other way that the king- god did not admit!!

      This is the creed of all the dictators throughout ages, and Pharaoh was not an exception. He therefore threatened the repentant sinners with the extreme punishment for treason and apostasy.

      First of all he accused them of some charges interesting to the commonalty, in order to agitate common people against Moses and his religion- he said:

      ``This is certainly a plot that you have plotted in the city in order to expel its citizens, Moses being your leader and teaching master in this case!''

      Then he threatened the magicians with cutting off their hands and feet alternately, combined with a painful death on the cross!

      Then Pharaoh's astonishment and perplexity increased to maximum, when the sorcerers remained firm and steadfast in their new belief! Ignoring Pharaoh and his threat, they prayed to God for patience and constancy, and also for a death with submission to God:

      ``Our Lord! Grant us patience and let us die in submission to you!''

      No man has ever jumped a progress from such a low stage, to that high rank and position, that the said sorcerers did!

      Their amazing constancy and firmness was due to the fact that their belief was supported by knowledge and awareness. They were the best and the most skillful of sorcerers, and they knew well what a magic was, and could differentiate it from miracle, easily and with surety. They also knew that if they would win the contest, they would have the golden medal, with the greatest of rewards. In spite of all that when truth revealed to them they preferred to leave falsehood with all its glitter and glister, and die as truthful! When Allah guides and speeds, no devil can hinder or interpose.