MOSES TOO, COMES TO THE FIELD

  The sorcerers united to stand firmly against Moses, in order to win the combat.

      At the beginning, they showed some sort of a politeness or ethical conduct by respecting Moses, and saying to him:ِ

      ``Will you cast your staff, or you want us to be the first to throw down?''

      Some commentators have thought that their polite and ethical behaviour with Moses, paved the way for their final prosperity and salvation.

      In the glorious name of Pharaoh, they threw their rods and ropes in which they had stored some chemical materials such as mercury; and when exposed to the heat of sunshine, they showed some physical reaction and movement.

      In fact, after a lot of inculcations, and impressing by frequent repetitions of certain words and phrases; their strings and sticks were thrown and seemed to move about like snakes!

      Their magic seemed so real, and existent as snakes of various sizes and colours, that a great outcry of happiness and excitement burst out among the Egyptian crowd; followed by the exclamations of; ``Long live Pharaoh!''

      Seeing that scenery, Moses conceived some sort of a fear in himself, and mysterious anxiety creeped over his mind! But soon after he came to himself and remembered that the All-mighty God was with him, Who sees and hears everything. So his faith in God gave him the necessary confidence:ِ

      ``We said to Moses; Don't be afraid that you have the upper hand, and cast down that which is in your right hand, that will swallow all their fabrication....''

      Falsehood may flaunt and display itself boastfully across a race course with truth, but it cannot win in the presence of truth, and finally will vanish in contempt.

      Here, we should know that magic is unlawful and a major sin in the sight of Islam. It has been strictly forbidden, because in many cases it serves to mislead people. Of course, there are some exceptions in it, as in the case with any other act; such as using it to prove the falsehood of false prophets. The trickery and deception of a sorcerer will soon be disclosed, and the sorcerers will never prosper, and they will not succeed to fulfil their evil purposes.

MAGIC AND MAGICIAN

      A remarkable quotation from the Book, named, ``THE GOLDEN BOUGH'' written by Sir James Frazer; has been cited in the International Encyclopedia as follows, which may give our dear reader some good information about magic and magician:ِ

      Magic is irrational practices believed to influence man's relation to his environment, both human and non human. Magic is often contrasted with religion, and it is physical rather than spiritual in nature. Magic does not depend on supernatural assistance as religion does. Magic is believed to compel a desired result, where as in religion a higher power is asked for help.

      Medieval magic involved belief in a spiritual agency, like Devil or Jinns. Magic incantations often contain references to ancestors. In ancient Babylon, religion sacrifices was believed to be compelling in effect.

      Sir James Frazer's theory of the origin of magic, and its functions, held that magic was primitive man's science, because of its materialistic and mechanical conceptions. But science represents a body of method and theory which primitive man lacks.

      It can also be pointed out that, non literate people do not confuse magic with whatever empirical knowledge through experiences they do possess. That is to say; spells, rites, and incantations, may be considered necessary condition for success, but they are not sufficient conditions. For example, in gardening, spells are used in the belief that, they are needed to make plants grow, but they do not replace planting and weeding.

      Belief in the effectiveness of magic in carrying out harmful actions, and also following positive aims, is found in many illiterate societies, and by no means unknown in literate cultures.

      Magic is in fact the guile of magician, that may work for a number of reasons; like the MEANS USED. As an instance poisons are themselves effective, but are understood in magical terms. Magic may be used along with empirically productive actions, such as the work of gardening that makes plants grow, but the credit is given to spells.

      Coincidence too, accounts for the apparent power of some magic. Magic does have a psychological effect. The belief that he is helped by a spell, may enable a man to perform a difficult feat and notable deed.

      Black magic which is also called sorcery, is the hostile and harmful action, as carried out by professional practitioners to separate a woman from a man, or to replace a hatred for love in two hearts. Techniques of sorcery vary widely, including the use of spells and various objects and substances.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE