And when the decree was: 'Delay their matter and send as they said,' they gathered whom they found among them. He referred to his saying: 'And the magicians came to Pharaoh.' And when the listener was eager for their news, he said in response to him, beginning anew: 'They said,' meaning: to Pharaoh when they came before him, securing for their own benefit, making it clear to him that they were the victorious ones, with no obstacle for them from that except their lack of fairness. They directed the speech in the reading of the congregation in the manner of inquiry, out of respect for him in seeking honor: 'Is there for us a reward?' [Ash-Shu'ara: 41] And they emphasized their request to bring forth the promise in the state of denial: 'If we are the victorious ones,' meaning: specifically. And whoever informed intended to inquire; and they are: Nafi', Ibn Kathir, and Hafs from Asim.