They said, meaning the magicians, after considering and reflecting on what Pharaoh had made them perceive, as a way of learning from him and drawing closer to him by what would turn the people away from Musa and Harun, blessings and peace be upon them, and discourage them from following them even if they were to prevail. For it is undeniable that a magician can overcome another magician: "Indeed, these are two magicians," meaning Musa and Harun. It was also read as 'hadhani' with the alif, according to the dialect of those who make the alif of the dual obligatory in every case. Abu Hayyan said: This is a dialect of some Arab tribes: Banu al-Harith ibn Kab, some of Kinana, Khath'am, and Zubaid, and Banu al-Anbar, Banu al-Hujaym, Murad, and 'Udhra.

"They are two magicians," there is no doubt about that from either of them. "They intend," meaning by what they say of the claim to prophethood and other things, "to drive you out, O people, from your land," this land which you have become accustomed to, and it is your homeland, succeeding your ancestors, "by their magic," which they have shown you and other than it.

[And when every party was rejoicing in what they had, they said:] "And let them go by your way," this magical way in which you have labored to establish, and in which your ancestors spent their lives until its matter reached its peak, and by your religion which is the basis of your existence, "the best," meaning the one which is the best of paths, so that they may be preferred by what they show of it to the people, and turn the faces of the people towards it away from you, and what you have of sustenance and greatness among the specific and the general, and other than that of interests will be nullified.