SURAH AL-QASAS

The Narrative

(Maccie, Surah # 28, Verses 88)

28:1 Ta, Seen, Meem.

28:2 These are the verses of the clear Book.

PROPHET MUSA (FROM CHILDHOOD) 

28:3 We narrate to you ˹O Prophet˺ part of the story of Moses and Pharaoh in truth for people who believe.

28:4 Verily, Fir'aun exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening (oppressing) a group (i.e. Children of Israel) among them, killing their sons, and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the Mufsidun.

28:5 And We wished to do a favor to those who were weak (and oppressed) in the land, and to make them leaders and to make them the inheritors

28:6 And establish them in the land and show Pharaoh and [his minister] Haman and their soldiers through them that which they had feared.

28:7 We inspired the mother of Moses: “Nurse him, but when you fear for him, put him then into the river, and do not fear or grieve. We will certainly return him to you, and make him one of the messengers.”

28:8 And the family of Pharaoh picked him up [out of the river] so that he would become to them an enemy and a [cause of] grief. Indeed, Pharaoh and Haman and their soldiers were sinners.

28:9 Pharaoh’s wife said ˹to him˺, “˹This baby is˺ a source of joy for me and you. Do not kill him. Perhaps he may be useful to us or we may adopt him as a son.” They were unaware ˹of what was to come˺.

28:10 And the heart of Moses’ mother ached so much that she almost gave away his identity, had We not strengthened her heart in order for her to have faith ˹in Allah’s promise˺.

28:11 And she said to his sister, “Keep track of him!” So she watched him from a distance, while they were unaware.

28:12 And We had caused him to refuse all wet-nurses at first, so his sister suggested, “Shall I direct you to a family who will bring him up for you and take good care of him?

28:13 This is how We returned him to his mother so that her heart would be put at ease, and not grieve, and that she would know that Allah’s promise is ˹always˺ true. But most people do not know.

28:14 And when he reached full strength and maturity, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. This is how We reward the good-doers.

28:15 One day˺ he entered the city unnoticed by its people. There he found two men fighting: one of his own people (from the Children of Israel), and the other of his enemies. The man from his people called to him for help against his foe(enemy). So Moses punched him, causing his death. Moses cried, “This is from Shaitan’s handiwork. verily, he is a plain misleading enemy."

28:16 He pleaded, “My Lord! I have definitely wronged myself, so forgive me.” So He forgave him, ˹for˺ He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

28:17 Moses pledged, “My Lord! For all Your favors upon me, I will never side with the wicked.”

28:18 And so Moses became fearful, watching out in the city, when suddenly the one who sought his help the day before cried out to him again for help. Moses rebuked him, “Indeed, you are clearly a trouble-maker.”

28:19 And when he wanted to strike the one who was an enemy to both of them, he said, "O Moses, do you intend to kill me as you killed someone yesterday?You only want to be a tyrant in the land. You do not intend to make peace!”

28:20 And there came a man, rushing from the farthest end of the city. He said, “O Moses! The chiefs are actually conspiring against you to put you to death, so leave ˹the city˺. I really advise you ˹to do so˺.”

28:21 So Moses left the city in a state of fear and caution, praying,"My Lord, save me from the wrongdoing people."

28:22 And as he made his way towards Midian, he said, “I trust my Lord will guide me to the right way.”

28:23 When he arrived at the well of Midian, he found a group of people watering ˹their herds˺. Apart from them, he noticed two women holding back ˹their herd˺. He asked ˹them˺, “What is the problem?” They replied, “We cannot water ˹our animals˺ until the ˹other˺ shepherds are done, for our father is a very old man.”

28:24 So he watered (their flocks) for them, then he turned back to shade, and said: 

رَبِّ إِنِّى لِمَآ أَنزَلْتَ إِلَىَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَقِيرٌۭ

"My Lord! Truly, I am in need of whatever good that You bestow on me!"

28:25 Then one of the two women came to him, walking bashfully. She said, “My father is inviting you so he may reward you for watering ˹our animals˺ for us.” When Moses came to him and told him his whole story, the old man said, “Have no fear! You are ˹now˺ safe from the wrongdoing people.”

28:26 One of the two daughters suggested, “O my dear father! Hire him. The best man for employment is definitely the strong and trustworthy ˹one˺.”

28:27 The old man proposed, “I wish to marry one of these two daughters of mine to you, provided that you stay in my service for eight years. If you complete ten, it will be ˹a favor˺ from you, but I do not wish to make it difficult for you. Allah willing, you will find me an agreeable man.”

28:28 Moses responded, “˹Then˺ it is ˹settled˺ between you and I. Whichever term I fulfill, there will be no ˹further˺ obligation on me. And Allah is a Witness to what we say.”

28:29 When Moses had completed the term and was traveling with his family, he spotted a fire on the side of Mount Ṭûr. He said to his family, “Stay here, ˹for˺ I have spotted a fire. Perhaps from there I can bring you some directions1 or a torch from the fire so you may warm yourselves.”

28:30 So when he reached it (the fire), he was called from the right side of the valley, in the blessed place from the tree: "O Musa! Verily! I am Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin.

28:31"And throw your stick!" But when he saw it moving as if it were a snake,he ran away without looking back. ˹Allah reassured him,˺ “O Moses! Draw near, and have no fear. You are perfectly secure.

28:32 Now put your hand through ˹the opening of˺ your collar, it will come out ˹shining˺ white, unblemished.1 And cross your arms tightly to calm your fears.2 These are two proofs from your Lord to Pharaoh and his chiefs. They have truly been rebellious people.”

28:33 Moses appealed, “My Lord! I have indeed killed a man from them, so I fear they may kill me.

28:34 And my brother Aaron is more eloquent in speech than I, so send him with me as a helper to support what I say, for I truly fear they may reject me.”

28:35 Allah said: "We will strengthen your arm through your brother, and give you both power, so they shall not be able to harm you, with Our Ayat, you two as well as those who follow you will be the victors."

28:36 But when Moses came to them with Our clear signs, they said ˹arrogantly˺, “This is nothing but invented magic ˹tricks˺. We have never heard of this (religion) in ˹the history of˺ our forefathers.”

28:37 Musa said: "My Lord knows best him who came with guidance from Him, and whose will be the happy end in the Hereafter. Verily, the Zalimun will not be successful."

28:38 Pharaoh declared, “O chiefs! I know of no other god for you but myself. So bake bricks out of clay for me, O  Hamân, and build a high tower so I may look at the God of Moses, although I am sure he is a liar.”

28:39 And so he and his soldiers behaved arrogantly in the land with no right, thinking they would never be returned to Us.

28:40 So We took him and his soldiers and threw them into the sea. So See then what was the end of the wrongdoers!

28:41 We made them leaders inviting ˹others˺ to the Fire. And on the Day of Judgment they will not be helped.

28:42 We caused a curse to follow them in this world. And on the Day of Judgment they will be among the outcasts.

28:43 Indeed, We gave Moses the Scripture—after destroying earlier nations—as an insight for the people, a guide, and mercy so perhaps they would be mindful.

28:44 And you, [O Muhammad], were not on the western side [of the mount] when We revealed to Moses the command, and you were not among the witnesses [to that].

28:45 But We created generations [after generations i.e. after Musa], and long were the ages that passed over them. And you (O Muhammad) were not a dweller among the people of  (Midian), reciting Our Verses to them. But it is We Who kept sending (Messengers).

28:46 And you were not at the side of Mount Ṭûr when We called out ˹to Moses˺. But ˹you have been sent˺ as a mercy from your Lord to warn a people to whom no warner has come before you, so perhaps they may be mindful.

28:47 Also so they would not say, if struck by an affliction for what their hands have done: “Our Lord! If only You had sent us a messenger, we would have followed Your revelations and become believers.”

28:48 But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, “If only he was given the like of what Moses had been given.” Did they not deny what had been given to Moses earlier? They claimed, “Both ˹Scriptures˺ are works of magic, supporting each other!” Adding, “We truly deny both.”

28:49 Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Bring then a scripture from Allah which is a better guide than these two so I may follow it, if your claim is true.”

28:50 So if they fail to respond to you, then know that they only follow their desires. And who could be more astray than those who follow their desires with no guidance from Allah? Surely Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

28:51 Indeed, We have [repeatedly] conveyed to them the Word ˹of Allah˺(Quran) to the people so they may be mindful.

28:52 Those to whom We gave the Scripture [i.e. the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), etc.] before it, - they believe in it (the Quran).

28:53 When it is recited to them, they declare, “We believe in it. This is definitely the truth from our Lord. We had already submitted  ˹even˺ before this.”

28:54 These will be given their reward twice over, because they are patient,responding to evil with good, and for donating from what We have provided for them

28:55 When they hear slanderous talk, they turn away from it, saying, “We are accountable for our deeds and you for yours. Peace ˹is our only response˺ to you! We want nothing to do with those who act ignorantly.”

28:56 You surely cannot guide whoever you like ˹O Prophet˺, but it is Allah Who guides whoever He wills, and He knows best who are ˹fit to be˺ guided.

28:57 They say ˹to the Prophet˺, “If we were to follow ˹true˺ guidance with you, we would certainly be snatched away from our land.” Have We not established for them a safe haven ˹in Mecca˺ to which fruits of all kinds are brought as a provision from Us? But most of them do not know ˹this favor˺.

28:58˹Imagine˺ how many societies We have destroyed that had been spoiled by their ˹comfortable˺ living! Those are their residences, never inhabited after them except passingly.1 And We ˹alone˺ were the Successor.

28:59 And never would your Lord have destroyed the cities until He had sent to their mother a messenger reciting to them Our verses. And We would not destroy the cities except while their people were wrongdoers.

28:60 Whatever ˹pleasure˺ you have been given is no more than ˹a fleeting˺ enjoyment and adornment of this worldly life. But what is with Allah is far better and more lasting. Will you not then understand?

28:61 Is he whom We have promised an excellent promise (Paradise), which he will find true, like him whom We have made to enjoy the luxuries of the life of (this) world, then on the Day of Resurrection, he will be among those brought up (to be punished in the Hell-fire)?

28:62˹Watch for˺ the Day He will call to them, “Where are those you claimed were My associate-gods?”

28:63 Those about whom the Word will have come true (to be punished) will say: "Our Lord! These are they whom we led astray. We led them astray, as we were astray ourselves. We declare our innocence (from them) before You. It was not us they worshipped."

28:64 It will be said ˹to the disbelievers˺, “Call upon your associate-gods ˹for help˺.” So they will call them, but will receive no response. And they will face the punishment, wishing they had been ˹rightly˺ guided!

28:65 And (remember) the Day (Allah) will call to them, and say: "What answer gave you to the Messengers?"

28:66 But the information will be unapparent to them that Day, so they will not [be able to] ask one another.

28:67 As for those who repent, believe, and do good ˹in this world˺, it is right to hope that they will be among the successful.

28:68 Your Lord creates and chooses whatever He wills—the choice is not theirs. Glorified and Exalted is Allah above what they associate ˹with Him˺!

28:69 And your Lord knows what their hearts conceal and what they reveal.

28:70 He is Allah. There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him. All praise belongs to Him in this life and the next. All authority is His. And to Him you will ˹all˺ be returned.

28:71 Say, "Have you considered: if Allah should make for you the night continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allah could bring you light? Then will you not hear?

28:72Say, "Have you considered: if Allah should make for you the day continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allah could bring you a night in which you may rest? Then will you not see?"

28:73 And out of His mercy He made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and [by day] seek from His bounty and [that] perhaps you will be grateful.

28:74 And ˹watch for˺ the Day He will call to them, “Where are those you claimed were My associate-gods?”

28:75 And We shall take out from every nation a witness, and We shall say: "Bring your proof." Then they shall know that the truth is with Allah (Alone), and the lies (false gods) which they invented will disappear from them.

TREASURE OF QAARUN

28:76 Verily, Qarun (Korah) was of Musa's (Moses) people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. When his people said to him: "Do not be glad. Verily! Allah likes not those who are glad (with ungratefulness to Allah's Favors).

28:77 Rather, seek the ˹reward˺ of the Hereafter by means of what Allah has granted you, without forgetting your share of this world. And be good ˹to others˺ as Allah has been good to you. Do not seek to spread corruption in the land, for Allah certainly does not like the corruptors.”

28:78 He replied, “I have been granted all this because of some knowledge I have.” Did he not know that Allah had already destroyed some from the generations before him who were far superior to him in power and greater in accumulating ˹wealth˺?  But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked.

28:79 Then he came out before his people in all his glamour. Those who desired the life of this world wished, “If only we could have something like what Korah has been given. He is truly a man of great fortune!”

28:80 But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: "Woe to you! The Reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain except those who are patient (in following the truth)."

28:81 Then We caused the earth to swallow him up, along with his home. There was no one to help him against Allah, nor could he even help himself.

28:82 And those who had desired his position the day before, began to say: "Know you not that it is Allah Who enlarges the provision or restricts it to whomsoever He pleases of His slaves. Had it not been that Allah was Gracious to us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us up (also)! Know you not that the disbelievers will never be successful.

28:83 That home of the Hereafter (i.e. Paradise), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqun

28:84 Whoever comes with a good deed will be rewarded with what is better. And whoever comes with an evil deed, then the evildoers will only be rewarded for what they used to do.

28:85 Most certainly, the One Who has ordained the Quran for you will ˹ultimately˺ bring you back home ˹to Mecca˺. Say, “My Lord knows best who has come with ˹true˺ guidance and who is clearly astray.”

28:86 You never expected this Book to be revealed to you, but ˹it came˺ only ˹as˺ a mercy from your Lord. So never side with the disbelievers ˹in their disbelief˺.

28:87 Do not let them turn you away from the revelations of Allah after they have been sent down to you. Rather, invite ˹all˺ to ˹the Way of˺ your Lord, and never be one of the polytheists.

28:88 And do not invoke any other god with Allah. There is no God ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him. Everything is bound to perish except He Himself. All authority belongs to Him. And to Him you will ˹all˺ be returned.

Online Sources: Citations

https://quran.com/1

https://corpus.quran.com/translation.jsp?chapter=1&verse=1

https://noblequran.com/