Surah Al-Qasas (The Stories) 28

Revealed 49th in the Qur'an

Read the Full Text with References to the Torah and the Gospel

28:1
Ta, Seen, Meem.

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

28:3
We recite to you from the news of Moses and Pharaoh in truth for a people who believe.

28:4
Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a sector among them, slaughtering their [newborn] sons and keeping their women alive. *Exodus 1:16, *Exodus 1:22 Indeed, he was among the corrupters.

28:5
And We wanted to confer favor upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors

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

28:7
And We inspired to the mother of Moses, "Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river *Exodus 2:3, *Book of Jubilees 47:5 and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him [one] of the messengers."

28:8
And the family of Pharaoh picked him up [out of the river] *Exodus 2:5 - 6, *Book of Jubilees 47:7 so that he would become an enemy to them and a [cause of] grief. Indeed, Pharaoh and Haman and their soldiers were sinners.

28:9
And the wife of Pharaoh said, "[He will be] a comfort of the eye for me and for you. Do not kill him; perhaps he may benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son." And they did not perceive.

28:10
And the heart of Moses' mother became empty. She was about to disclose him had We not strengthened her heart so that she would be among the believers.

28:11
And she said to his sister, "Follow him;" so she watched him from a distance *Exodus 2:4 while they did not perceive.

28:12
And We had prevented wet nurses from him before, *Book of Jasher 68:20 so she said, "May I direct you to a household that will be responsible for him for you while they are sincere to him?" *Book of Jasher 68:21

28:13
So We returned him to his mother *Exodus 2:7 - 8, *Book of Jubilees 47:8 - 9 so that her eye might be comforted and not grieve, and so that she would know that the promise of God is true. But most of the people do not know.

28:14
And when he attained his full strength and was mature, We bestowed judgement and knowledge upon him. And thus We reward the doers of good.

28:15
And he entered the city at a time of inattention by its people and found two men fighting therein: one from his sect and one from among his enemy. And the one from his sect called to him for help against the one from his enemy, so Moses struck him and killed him. *Exodus 2:11 - 12, *Book of Jubilees 47:12 - 13, *Acts 7:24 [Moses] said, "This is from the work of Satan. Indeed, he is a clear, misleading enemy."

28:16
He said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me," and He forgave him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

28:17
He said, "My Lord, for the favor You bestowed upon me, I will not be an assistant to the criminals."

28:18
And he became fearful and vigilant inside the city, when suddenly the one who sought his help the previous day cried out to him. Moses said to him, "Indeed, you are a clear deviator."

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? *Exodus 2:14, *Book of Jubilees 47:15, *Acts 7:27 - 28 You only want to be a tyrant in the land and do not want to be among the amenders."

28:20
And a man came running from the farthest end of the city. He said, "O Moses, indeed the eminent [people] are conferring over you to kill you, *Exodus 2:15 so leave; indeed, I am among the sincere advisors to you."

28:21
So he left it, fearful and vigilant. He said, "My Lord, save me from the wrongdoing people."

28:22
And when he directed himself toward Midian, he said, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the even path."

28:23
And when he came to the waters of Midian, *Exodus 2:15 he found a crowd of people watering [their flocks] there, and he found two women aside from them driving back [their flocks]. He said, "What is your circumstance?" They said, "We do not water until the shepherds dispatch [their flocks]; and our father is a very old man."

28:24
So he watered [their flocks] for them; *Exodus 2:17 then he went back to the shade and said, "My Lord, indeed I am in need for whatever good You would send down to me."

28:25
Then one of the [two women] came walking to him with shyness. She said, "Indeed, my father invites you so that he may reward you for having watered for us." So when he came to him and related the story to him, he said, "Do not fear. You have escaped from the wrongdoing people."

28:26
One of [the women] said, "O my father, hire him. Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy."

28:27
He said, "Indeed, I wish to wed one of these two daughters of mine to you, on [the condition] that you serve me for eight years; ~*Genesis 29:16 - 18 but if you complete ten, it will be [as a favor] from you. And I do not wish to put you in difficulty. You will find me, if God wills, from among the righteous."

28:28
[Moses] said, "That is [established] between me and you. Whichever of the two terms I complete - there is no injustice to me, and God is Disposer of affairs over what we say."

28:29
And when Moses had completed the term and was traveling with his family, he perceived a fire from the direction of the Mount. He said to his family, "Stay here; indeed, I have perceived a fire. Perhaps I will bring you [some] information from there *Exodus 3:3 or burning wood from the fire so that you may warm yourselves."

28:30
But when he came to it, he was called from the right side of the valley in a blessed spot - from the tree, "O Moses, *Exodus 3:4 indeed I am God, Lord of the worlds."

28:31
And [he was told], "Throw down your staff." *Exodus 4:3 But when he saw it writhing as if it was a jinn, he turned in flight and did not return. [God said], "O Moses, approach and do not fear. Indeed, you are among the secure.

28:32
Insert your hand into the opening of your garment; it will come out white without disease. *Exodus 4:6 And draw your arm in close to you against fear, for those are two proofs from your Lord to Pharaoh and his establishment. Indeed, they have been a defiantly disobedient people."

28:33
He said, "My Lord, indeed, I killed someone from among them, and I fear they will kill me.

28:34
And my brother Aaron is more fluent than me in tongue, so send him with me as support, *Exodus 4:13 verifying me. Indeed, I fear that they will deny me."

28:35
[God] said, "We will strengthen your arm through your brother and grant you both authority so they will not reach you. [It will be] through Our signs; you and those who follow you will be predominant."

28:36
But when Moses came to them with Our clear signs, they said, "This is nothing except invented magic, and we have not heard of this [religion] among our forefathers."

28:37
And Moses said, "My Lord is more knowing of who has come with guidance from Him and to whom will be in succession in the home. Indeed, wrongdoers do not succeed."

28:38
And Pharaoh said, "O eminent [people], I have not known you to have a god other than me. Then ignite [a fire] for me upon the clay, O Haman, and make a tower [pyramid] for me so that I may look at the God of Moses. ~*Genesis 11:3 - 4, ~*Book of Jubilees 10:28 And indeed, I think he is among the liars."

28:39
And he was arrogant in the land without truth, he and his soldiers, and they thought that they would not be returned to Us.

28:40
So We took him and his soldiers and threw them into the sea. So look at how the end was for the wrongdoers.

28:41
And We made them leaders inviting to the Fire, and they will not be helped on the Day of Resurrection.

28:42
And We caused a curse to overtake them in this world, and they will be among the despised on the Day of Resurrection.

28:43
And We gave Moses the Scripture, after We had destroyed the former generations, as enlightenment for the people and guidance and mercy so that they might be reminded.

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

28:45
But We produced [many] generations [after Moses], and their duration was prolonged. And you were not a resident among the people of Midian, reciting Our verses to them, but We were sending [messengers].

28:46
And you were not at the side of the Mount when We called [Moses] but [you were sent] as a mercy from your Lord to warn a people to whom no warner had come before you *2 Ezra 1:36 so that they might be reminded.

28:47
And if not that a disaster should strike them for what their hands put forth [of sins] and they would say, "Our Lord, why did You not send us a messenger so we could have followed Your verses and been among the believers?"

28:48
But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, "Why was he not given like that which was given to Moses?" Did they not disbelieve in that which was given to Moses before? They said, "[They are only] two works of magic supporting each other, and indeed we are disbelievers in both."

28:49
Say, "Then bring a book from God which is more guiding than either of them so that I may follow it, if you should be truthful."

28:50
But if they do not respond to you - then know that they only follow their [own] desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from God? Indeed, God does not guide the wrongdoing people.

28:51
And We have [repeatedly] conveyed the Word to them so that they might be reminded.

28:52
Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it - they are believers in it.

28:53
And when it is recited to them, they say, "We have believed in it; indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed we were submitting [to God even] before it."

28:54
Those will be given their reward twice for what they patiently endured and [because] they prevent evil through good, and they spend from what We have provided them.

28:55
And when they hear idle talk, they turn away from it and say, "Our deeds are for us, and your deeds are for you. Peace will be upon you; we do not seek the ignorant."

28:56
Indeed, you do not guide whom you love, but God guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

28:57
And they say, "If we were to follow the guidance with you, we would be swept from our land." Have We not established a safe sanctuary for them to which the fruits of all things are brought as provision from Us? But most of them do not know.

28:58
And how many cities have We destroyed that were insolent in its [way of] living? And those are their dwellings which have not been inhabited after them except briefly. And it is We who were the inheritors.

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

28:60
And whatever thing you [people] have been given - it is [only for] the enjoyment of worldly life and its adornment. And what is with God is better and more lasting; so will you not use reason?

28:61
Then is he whom We have promised a good promise which he will obtain like he whom We provided enjoyment of worldly life to [but] then he is among those presented [for punishment in Hell] on the Day of Resurrection?

28:62
And [warn of] the Day He will call them and say, "Where are My 'partners' which you used to claim?"

28:63
Those upon whom the word will have been proven true will say, "Our Lord, these are the ones we led to error. We led them to error just as we were in error. We declare our disassociation [from them] to You. They did not used to serve us."

28:64
And it will be said, "Invoke your 'partners'" and they will invoke them; but they will not respond to them, and they will see the punishment. If only they had followed guidance!

28:65
And the Day He will call them and say, "What did you answer the messengers?"

28:66
But the information will blind them that Day, so they will not ask one another.

28:67
But as for one who had repented, believed, and done righteousness, it is promised by God that he will be among the successful.

28:68
And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; the choice was not for them. God is Exalted and high above what they associate [with Him].

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

28:70
And He is God; there is no god except Him. *Deuteronomy 4:35, *Deuteronomy 4:39, *1 Samuel 2:2, *2 Samuel 7:22, *1 Kings 8:60, *Isaiah 44:6, *Isaiah 44:8, *Isaiah 45:5 - 6, *Isaiah 45:21, *Mark 12:32 [All] praise in the first [life] and the Hereafter is [due] to Him. And the decision is His, and you will be returned to Him.

28:71
Say, "Have you considered if God should make the night continuous for you *Exodus 10:21 - 22, *Amos 8:9 until the Day of Resurrection, what god other than God could bring you light? Then will you not hear?"

28:72
Say, "Have you considered if God should make the day continuous for you *Joshua 10:12 - 13 until the Day of Resurrection, what god other than God could bring you a night in which you may rest? Then will you not see?"

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

28:74
And [warn of] the Day He will call them and say, "Where are My 'partners' which you used to claim?"

28:75
And We will extract a witness from every nation and say, "Produce your proof," and they will know that the truth [belongs] to God, and that which they used to invent [will be] lost from them.

28:76
Indeed, Korah was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, "Do not exult. Indeed, God does not love the exultant.

28:77
But seek the home of the Hereafter through that which God has given you; and do not forget your share of the world. And do good as God has done good to you. And do not desire corruption in the land. Indeed, God does not love the corrupters."

28:78
He said, "I was only given it because of knowledge I have." Did he not know that God had destroyed generations before him, those who were greater than him in power and greater in assembly? But the criminals will not be asked about the sins [of the generations before them].

28:79
So he came out before his people in his adornment. Those who desired the worldly life said, "Oh, if only we had like what was given to Korah. Indeed, he is one of great fortune."

28:80
But those who had been given knowledge said, "Woe to you! The reward of God is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient."

28:81
And We caused the earth to swallow [Korah] and his home. *Numbers 16:32, *Numbers 26:10 And there was no company for him to aid him other than God, nor was he among those who [could] defend themselves.

28:82
And those who had wished for his position the previous day began to say, "Oh, how God extends provision to whom He wills of His servants and restricts it! If God had not conferred favor on us, He would have caused it to swallow us. Oh, how the disbelievers do not succeed!"

28:83
We assign that home of the Hereafter to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for those who fear [God].

28:84
Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with good will have better than it; and whoever comes with evil - then those who did evil deeds will not be recompensed except for what they used to do.

28:85
Indeed, He who imposed the Qur'an upon you will take you back to a place of return. Say, "My Lord is most knowing of who brings guidance and who is in clear error."

28:86
And you were not expecting that the Book would be conveyed to you, but [it is] a mercy from your Lord. So do not be an assistant to the disbelievers.

28:87
And never let them avert you from the verses of God after they have been sent down to you. And invite [people] to your Lord. And never be among those who associate [others] with God.

28:88
And do not invoke another god with God. There is no god except Him. *Deuteronomy 4:35, *Deuteronomy 4:39, *1 Samuel 2:2, *2 Samuel 7:22, *1 Kings 8:60, *Isaiah 44:6, *Isaiah 44:8, *Isaiah 45:5 - 6, *Isaiah 45:21, *Mark 12:32 Everything will be destroyed except His Face. The judgement is His, and you will be returned to Him.