Question:
What was the agreement between the magicians and Pharaoh?
Answer:
Allah Almighty says:
لَعَلَّنَا نَتَّبِعُ السَّحَرَةَ إِن كَانُوا هُمُ الْغَالِبِينَ
“Perhaps we will be followers of them if they prevail.”
They did not say that they would follow the truth, whether it was from Musa (peace be upon him) or from the magicians, rather the subjects follow the religion of their king.
The Divine command is:
فَلَمَّا جَاءَ السَّحَرَةُ قَالُوا لِفِرْعَوْنَ أَئِنَّ لَنَا لَأَجْرًا إِن كُنَّا نَحْنُ الْغَالِبِينَ
“Then when the magicians came, they said to Pharaoh, ‘Is there indeed a reward for us if we are the predominant?'”
Meaning, when the magicians came to Pharaoh’s assembly, for which he had set up a curtain (tent), and he had gathered his servants, nobles, ministers, the great ones of his government, and the armies of his kingdom. Then the magicians stood before Pharaoh and demanded favor and closeness in case they prevailed, meaning this is the thing for which you have gathered us.
