Tafsir of Al-A'raf 7:123-124

{ءامنتم به} (Did you believe in him): Read as a declarative statement, meaning: "You have committed this heinous act," as a rebuke and a reproach to them. It is also read as (أآمنتم) with an interrogative particle, meaning denial and incredulity.

{إن هاذا لمكر مكرتموه فى المدينة} (Indeed, this is a plot you have plotted in the city): This act of yours is a ruse you devised—you and Moses—in Egypt before coming out to this desert. You conspired to achieve a goal: to expel the Copts from the city and settle the Children of Israel in it. Pharaoh said this to deceive the people so they would not follow the sorcerers in their belief.

It is narrated that Moses (peace be upon him) said to the chief sorcerer: "Will you believe in me if I defeat you?" The sorcerer replied: "I will bring magic that no magic can defeat, and if you defeat me, I will surely believe in you." Pharaoh heard this, which is why he said:

{فسوف تعلمون} (You will surely know): A threat, summarized here and then detailed by his saying:

{لأقطعن} (I will surely cut off): Also read as (لأقطعن) with a light tashdid. The same applies to {ثم لأصلبنكم} (then I will surely crucify you).

{من خلاف} (from opposite sides): Meaning from each side, one limb from each. It is said that Pharaoh was the first to practice cross-cutting and crucifixion.

{قالوا إنآ إلى ربنا منقلبون * وما تنقم منآ إلا أن ءامنا بأايات ربنا لما جآءتنا ربنآ أفرغ علينا صبرا وتوفنا مسلمين}

(They said: "Indeed, we are to our Lord returning. And you do not resent us except because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You].")