So they cast down their ropes and staffs, saying, “By Pharaoh’s might, we shall surely be the victors.” (44)
Then Moses cast down his staff, and behold, it began swallowing up what they had fabricated. (45)
Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration. (46) They said, “We believe in the Lord of all worlds, (47) the Lord of Moses and Aaron.” (48)
He said, “Have you believed in him before I gave you permission? He is surely your chief, the one who taught you magic. You shall certainly come to know! I shall surely cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I shall surely crucify you all.” (49)
They said, “No harm; indeed, to our Lord we shall return. (50) We hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, since we were the first of the believers”—that is, among the people of their time. (51)
And We revealed to Moses: “Set forth by night with My servants; you will surely be pursued.” (52) That is, Pharaoh and his people would pursue them in order to prevent them from leaving Egypt.
It is related from Ibn Jurayj that he said: Allah Most High revealed to Moses: “Gather the Children of Israel, placing every four households in one house. Then slaughter lambs and smear their blood upon your doors, for I shall command the angels not to enter any house whose door bears blood. And I shall command them to kill the firstborn of Pharaoh’s household, among their people and their livestock. Then bake unleavened bread, for it will be quicker for you. Then set forth by night with My servants until you reach the sea, where My command will come to you.”
So he did so. When morning came, Pharaoh said, “This is the work of Moses and his people: they have killed our firstborn among our people and taken our wealth.” So he sent after them one million five hundred thousand crowned kings, each king accompanied by a thousand men. Pharaoh himself set out upon the great throne. (1)