Taha Verse 60

Pharaoh then withdrew, orchestrated his scheme, then returned.

So Pharaoh went away and put together his scheme, then came forth.

Pharaoh then withdrew, and gathered his guile. Thereafter he came again,

Pharaoh withdrew and gathered his resources, then he returned.

Then Firawn turned away, devised his stratagem; thereafter he came.

So Pharaoh withdrew; He concerted his plan, and then came (back).

Pharaoh went back and concerted all his stratagem and returned for the encounter.

After this the Pharaoh withdrew and settled his stratagem, then came back.

So Firaun went away and gathered his schemes,* then came. (* 72000 magicians and their materials.)

Then Pharaoh withdrew [to consult privately], summoned up his guile, and then arrived [at the scene of the contest].

The Pharaoh then left, and he (set out to) mobilize all his devices, then presented himself (at the appointed meeting).

Pharaoh then withdrew and concerted his plan then came (at the appointed time and place for the contest).

So Pharaoh turned away, so he gathered/collected his plot/deceit then he came .

So Firaun went away and gathered his schemes,* then came. (* 72000 magicians and their materials.)

Moses said, "Let your appointment be for the day of the festival, and let the people assemble when the sun is high (noon)."

So Fir'aun (Pharaoh) withdrew, devised his plot and then came back.

(Moses) said: Your appointment is the day of the Festival, and let the people be gathered in the early forenoon.

So Firon turned his back and settled his plan, then came.

Then Pharaoh went and gathered his strength, then came (to the appointed tryst).

The Pharaoh returned to organize his plans and then attended the appointment.

So Pharaoh withdrew and gathered his guile, then returned,

So Fir`awn withdrew, devised his plot and then came back.

So Pharaoh withdrew, devised his stratagem and returned.

Pharaoh turned away, put together his plan, and then came back.

Then Pharaoh withdrew, retreated, and summoned up his guile, that is to say, those [human] elements of his guile from among the sorcerers, and then came, with them to the tryst.

The Meeting of the Two Parties, Musa's Propagation of the Message and the Magicians

Allah informs,

فَتَوَلَّى فِرْعَوْنُ فَجَمَعَ كَيْدَهُ ثُمَّ أَتَى



So Fir`awn withdrew, devised his plot and then came back.

Allah, the Exalted informs that when Fir`awn and Musa agreed to an appointed meeting at a specified place and time, Fir`awn began to gather some magicians from the cities of his kingdom. Every person who had any affiliation with magic at that time was summoned, and magic was very widespread and in demand at that time.

This is as Allah says,

وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ ايْتُونِى بِكُلِّ سَـحِرٍ عَلِيمٍ

And Fir`awn said;"Bring me every well-versed sorcerer." (10;79)

Then, the day came. It was the day when all of the people gathered, which was well-known, being the day of the festival.

Fir`awn was there sitting upon his throne surrounded by the elite officials of his kingdom. The subjects were all standing on his right and his left.

Then, Musa came forward leaning upon his stick accompanied by his brother Harun.

The magicians were standing in front of Fir`awn in rows and he was prodding them, inciting them and encouraging them to do their best on this day.

They wanted to please him and he was promising them and inspiring them. They said,

فَلَمَّا جَأءَ السَّحَرَةُ قَالُواْ لِفِرْعَوْنَ أَإِنَّ لَنَا لاّجْراً إِن كُنَّا نَحْنُ الْغَـلِبِينَ

قَالَ نَعَمْ وَإِنَّكُمْ إِذاً لَّمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ

Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners! He (Fir`awn) said;"Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." (26;41-42