How many were Pharaoh's sorcerers before the staff of Musa (Moses), peace be upon him?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Scholars have differed regarding the number of sorcerers Pharaoh gathered to confront Moses, peace be upon him. Ibn Kathir and Al-Suyuti mentioned various opinions, ranging from seventy men to eighty thousand sorcerers, with other opinions cited such as seventy thousand, thirty-odd thousand, nineteen thousand, fifteen thousand, and twelve thousand. These numbers are mostly derived from Isra'iliyyat (Judeo-Christian traditions), and knowing this number does not entail a legal ruling. It is more appropriate to disregard these narrations and busy oneself with the texts of the two revelations (Qur'an and ).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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