Surah 28 The Story - Al-Qisas, 88 verses (Makka)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
- Ta. Sin. Mim.
- These are Verses of the Book that makes (things)
clear.
- We rehearse to thee some of the story of Moses and
Pharaoh in Truth, for people who believe.
- Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke
up its people into sections, depressing a small group
among them: their sons he slew, but he kept alive their
females: for he was indeed a maker of mischief.
- And We wished to be Gracious to those who were
being depressed in the land, to make them leaders (in
Faith) and make them heirs,
- To establish a firm place for them in the land, and
to show Pharaoh, Haman, and their hosts, at their
hands, the very things against which they were taking
precautions.
- So We sent this inspiration to the mother of Moses:
"Suckle (thy child), but when thou hast fears about
him, cast him into the river, but fear not nor grieve:
for We shall restore him to thee, and We shall make him
one of Our apostles."
- Then the people of Pharaoh picked him up (from the
river): (It was intended) that (Moses) should be to
them an adversary and a cause of sorrow: for Pharaoh
and Haman and (all) their hosts were men of sin.
- The wife of Pharaoh said: "(Here is) joy of the
eye, for me and for thee: slay him not. It may be that
he will be use to us, or we may adopt him as a son."
And they perceived not (what they were doing)!
- But there came to be a void in the heart of the
mother of Moses: She was going almost to disclose his
(case), had We not strengthened her heart (with faith),
so that she might remain a (firm) believer.
- And she said to the sister of (Moses), "Follow him"
so she (the sister) watched him in the character of a
stranger. And they knew not.
- And we ordained that he refused suck at first,
until (His sister came up and) said: "Shall I point out
to you the people of a house that will nourish and
bring him up for you and be sincerely attached to
him?"...
- Thus did We restore him to his mother, that her eye
might be comforted, that she might not grieve, and that
she might know that the promise of God is true: but
most of them do not understand.
- When he reached full age, and was firmly
established (in life), We bestowed on him wisdom and
knowledge: for thus do We reward those who do good.
- And he entered the city at a time when its people
were not watching: and he found there two men
fighting,- one of his own religion, and the other, of
his foes. Now the man of his own religion appealed to
him against his foe, and Moses struck him with his fist
and made an end of him. He said: "This is a work of
Evil (Satan): for he is an enemy that manifestly
misleads!"
- He prayed: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my
soul! Do Thou then forgive me!" So (God) forgave him:
for He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
- He said: "O my Lord! For that Thou hast bestowed
Thy Grace on me, never shall I be a help to those who
sin!"
- So he saw the morning in the city, looking about,
in a state of fear, when behold, the man who had, the
day before, sought his help called aloud for his help
(again). Moses said to him: "Thou art truly, it is
clear, a quarrelsome fellow!"
- Then, when he decided to lay hold of the man who
was an enemy to both of them, that man said: "O Moses!
Is it thy intention to slay me as thou slewest a man
yesterday? Thy intention is none other than to become a
powerful violent man in the land, and not to be one who
sets things right!"
- And there came a man, running, from the furthest
end of the City. He said: "O Moses! the Chiefs are
taking counsel together about thee, to slay thee: so
get thee away, for I do give thee sincere advice."
- He therefore got away therefrom, looking about, in
a state of fear. He prayed "O my Lord! save me from
people given to wrong-doing."
- Then, when he turned his face towards (the land of)
Madyan, he said: "I do hope that my Lord will show me
the smooth and straight Path."
- And when he arrived at the watering (place) in
Madyan, he found there a group of men watering (their
flocks), and besides them he found two women who were
keeping back (their flocks). He said: "What is the
matter with you?" They said: "We cannot water (our
flocks) until the shepherds take back (their flocks):
And our father is a very old man."
- So he watered (their flocks) for them; then he
turned back to the shade, and said:"O my Lord! truly am
I in (desperate) need of any good that Thou dost send
me!"
- Afterwards one of the (damsels) came (back) to him,
walking bashfully. She said: "My father invites thee
that he may reward thee for having watered (our flocks)
for us." So when he came to him and narrated the story,
he said: "Fear thou not: (well) hast thou escaped from
unjust people."
- Said one of the (damsels): "O my (dear) father!
engage him on wages: truly the best of men for thee to
employ is the (man) who is strong and trusty"....
- He said: "I intend to wed one of these my daughters
to thee, on condition that thou serve me for eight
years; but if thou complete ten years, it will be
(grace) from thee. But I intend not to place thee under
a difficulty: thou wilt find me, indeed, if God wills,
one of the righteous."
- He said: "Be that (the agreement) between me and
thee: whichever of the two terms I fulfil, let there be
no ill-will to me. Be God a witness to what we say."
- Now when Moses had fulfilled the term, and was
travelling with his family, he perceived a fire in the
direction of Mount Tur. He said to his family: "Tarry
ye; I perceive a fire; I hope to bring you from there
some information, or a burning firebrand, that ye may
warm yourselves."
- But when he came to the (fire), a voice was heard
from the right bank of the valley, from a tree in
hallowed ground: "O Moses! Verily I am God, the Lord of
the Worlds....
- "Now do thou throw thy rod!" but when he saw it
moving (of its own accord) as if it had been a snake,
he turned back in retreat, and retraced not his steps:
O Moses!" (It was said), "Draw near, and fear not: for
thou art of those who are secure.
- "Move thy hand into thy bosom, and it will come
forth white without stain (or harm), and draw thy hand
close to thy side (to guard) against fear. Those are
the two credentials from thy Lord to Pharaoh and his
Chiefs: for truly they are a people rebellious and
wicked."
- He said: "O my Lord! I have slain a man among them,
and I fear lest they slay me.
- "And my brother Aaron - He is more eloquent in
speech than I: so send him with me as a helper, to
confirm (and strengthen) me: for I fear that they may
accuse me of falsehood."
- He said: "We will certainly strengthen thy arm
through thy brother, and invest you both with
authority, so they shall not be able to touch you: with
Our Sign shall ye triumph,- you two as well as those
who follow you."
- When Moses came to them with Our clear signs, they
said: "This is nothing but sorcery faked up: never did
we head the like among our fathers of old!"
- Moses said: "My Lord knows best who it is that
comes with guidance from Him and whose end will be best
in the Hereafter: certain it is that the wrong-doers
will not prosper."
- Pharaoh said: "O Chiefs! no god do I know for you
but myself: therefore, O Haman! light me a (kiln to
bake bricks) out of clay, and build me a lofty palace,
that I may mount up to the god of Moses: but as far as
I am concerned, I think (Moses) is a liar!"
- And he was arrogant and insolent in the land,
beyond reason,- He and his hosts: they thought that
they would not have to return to Us!
- So We seized him and his hosts, and We flung them
into the sea: Now behold what was the end of those who
did wrong!
- And we made them (but) leaders inviting to the
Fire; and on the Day of Judgment no help shall they
find.
- in this world We made a curse to follow them and on
the Day of Judgment they will be among the loathed (and
despised).
- We did reveal to Moses the Book after We had
destroyed the earlier generations, (to give) Insight to
men, and guidance and Mercy, that they might receive
admonition.
- Thou wast not on the Western side when We decreed
the Commission to Moses, nor wast thou a witness (of
those events).
- But We raised up (new) generations, and long were
the ages that passed over them; but thou wast not a
dweller among the people of Madyan, rehearsing Our
Signs to them; but it is We Who send apostles (with
inspiration).
- Nor wast thou at the side of (the Mountain of) Tur
when we called (to Moses). Yet (art thou sent) as Mercy
from thy Lord, to give warning to a people to whom no
warner had come before thee: in order that they may
receive admonition.
- If (We had) not (sent thee to the Quraish),- in
case a calamity should seize them for (the deeds) that
their hands have sent forth, they might say: "Our Lord!
why didst Thou not sent us an apostle? We should then
have followed Thy Signs and been amongst those who
believe!"
- But (now), when the Truth has come to them from
Ourselves, they say, "Why are not (Signs) sent to him,
like those which were sent to Moses?" Do they not then
reject (the Signs) which were formerly sent to Moses?
They say: "Two kinds of sorcery, each assisting the
other!" And they say: "For us, we reject all (such
things)!"
- Say: "Then bring ye a Book from God, which is a
better guide than either of them, that I may follow it!
(do), if ye are truthful!"
- But if they hearken not to thee, know that they
only follow their own lusts: and who is more astray
than one who follow his own lusts, devoid of guidance
from God? for God guides not people given to
wrong-doing.
- Now have We caused the Word to reach them
themselves, in order that they may receive admonition.
- Those to whom We sent the Book before this,- they
do believe in this (revelation):
- And when it is recited to them, they say: "We
believe therein, for it is the Truth from our Lord:
indeed we have been Muslims (bowing to God's Will) from
before this.
- Twice will they be given their reward, for that
they have persevered, that they avert Evil with Good,
and that they spend (in charity) out of what We have
given them.
- And when they hear vain talk, they turn away
therefrom and say: "To us our deeds, and to you yours;
peace be to you: we seek not the ignorant."
- It is true thou wilt not be able to guide every
one, whom thou lovest; but God guides those whom He
will and He knows best those who receive guidance.
- They say: "If we were to follow the guidance with
thee, we should be snatched away from our land." Have
We not established for them a secure sanctuary, to
which are brought as tribute fruits of all kinds,- a
provision from Ourselves? but most of them understand
not.
- And how many populations We destroyed, which
exulted in their life (of ease and plenty)! now those
habitations of theirs, after them, are deserted,- All
but a (miserable) few! and We are their heirs!
- Nor was thy Lord the one to destroy a population
until He had sent to its centre an apostle, rehearsing
to them Our Signs; nor are We going to destroy a
population except when its members practise iniquity.
- The (material) things which ye are given are but
the conveniences of this life and the glitter thereof;
but that which is with God is better and more enduring:
will ye not then be wise?
- Are (these two) alike?- one to whom We have made a
goodly promise, and who is going to reach its
(fulfilment), and one to whom We have given the good
things of this life, but who, on the Day of Judgment,
is to be among those brought up (for punishment)?
- That Day (God) will call to them, and say "Where
are my 'partners'?- whom ye imagined (to be such)?"
- Those against whom the charge will be proved, will
say: "Our Lord! These are the ones whom we led astray:
we led them astray, as we were astray ourselves: we
free ourselves (from them) in Thy presence: it was not
us they worshipped."
- It will be said (to them): "Call upon your
'partners' (for help)" :they will call upon them, but
they will not listen to them; and they will see the
Penalty (before them); (how they will wish) 'if only
they had been open to guidance!'
- That Day (God) will call to them, and say: "What
was the answer ye gave to the apostles?"
- Then the (whole) story that Day will seem obscure
to them (like light to the blind) and they will not be
able (even) to question each other.
- But any that (in this life) had repented, believed,
and worked righteousness, will have hopes to be among
those who achieve salvation.
- Thy Lord does create and choose as He pleases: no
choice have they (in the matter): Glory to God! and far
is He above the partners they ascribe (to Him)!
- And thy Lord knows all that their hearts conceal
and all that they reveal.
- And He is God: There is no god but He. To Him be
praise, at the first and at the last: for Him is the
Command, and to Him shall ye (all) be brought back.
- Say: See ye? If God were to make the night
perpetual over you to the Day of Judgment, what god is
there other than God, who can give you enlightenment?
Will ye not then hearken?
- Say: See ye? If God were to make the day perpetual
over you to the Day of Judgment, what god is there
other than God, who can give you a night in which ye
can rest? Will ye not then see?
- It is out of His Mercy that He has made for you
Night and Day,- that ye may rest therein, and that ye
may seek of his Grace;- and in order that ye may be
grateful.
- The Day that He will call on them, He will say:
"Where are my 'partners'? whom ye imagined (to be
such)?"
- And from each people shall We draw a witness, and
We shall say: "Produce your Proof": then shall they
know that the Truth is in God (alone), and the (lies)
which they invented will leave them in lurch.
- Qarun was doubtless, of the people of Moses; but he
acted insolently towards them: such were the treasures
We had bestowed on him that their very keys would have
been a burden to a body of strong men, behold, his
people said to him: "Exult not, for God loveth not
those who exult (in riches).
- "But seek, with the (wealth) which God has bestowed
on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy
portion in this world: but do thou good, as God has
been good to thee, and seek not (occasions for)
mischief in the land: for God loves not those who do
mischief."
- He said: "This has been given to me because of a
certain knowledge which I have." Did he not know that
God had destroyed, before him, (whole) generations,-
which were superior to him in strength and greater in
the amount (of riches) they had collected? but the
wicked are not called (immediately) to account for
their sins.
- So he went forth among his people in the (pride of
his wordly) glitter. Said those whose aim is the Life
of this World: "Oh! that we had the like of what Qarun
has got! for he is truly a lord of mighty good
fortune!"
- But those who had been granted (true) knowledge
said: "Alas for you! The reward of God (in the
Hereafter) is best for those who believe and work
righteousness: but this none shall attain, save those
who steadfastly persevere (in good)."
- Then We caused the earth to swallow up him and his
house; and he had not (the least little) party to help
him against God, nor could he defend himself.
- And those who had envied his position the day
before began to say on the morrow: "Ah! it is indeed
God Who enlarges the provision or restricts it, to any
of His servants He pleases! had it not been that God
was gracious to us, He could have caused the earth to
swallow us up! Ah! those who reject God will assuredly
never prosper."
- That Home of the Hereafter We shall give to those
who intend not high-handedness or mischief on earth:
and the end is (best) for the righteous.
- If any does good, the reward to him is better than
his deed; but if any does evil, the doers of evil are
only punished (to the extent) of their deeds.
- Verily He Who ordained the Qur'an for thee, will
bring thee back to the Place of Return. Say: "My Lord
knows best who it is that brings true guidance, and who
is in manifest error."
- And thou hadst not expected that the Book would be
sent to thee except as a Mercy from thy Lord: Therefore
lend not thou support in any way to those who reject
(God's Message).
- And let nothing keep thee back from the Signs of
God after they have been revealed to thee: and invite
(men) to thy Lord, and be not of the company of those
who join gods with God.
- And call not, besides God, on another god. There is
no god but He. Everything (that exists) will perish
except His own Face. To Him belongs the Command, and to
Him will ye (all) be brought back.
Quran
Surah 27 The Ant
Surah 28 The Story
Surah 29 The Spider