Surah 28: History (Al-Qasas)

طسم

T. S. M.*

*28:1 See Appendix 1 for details of the Quran's miraculous mathematical code, and the meaning or significance of these Quranic Initials.

تِلكَ ءايٰتُ الكِتٰبِ المُبينِ

These (letters) constitute proofs of this profound book.

نَتلوا عَلَيكَ مِن نَبَإِ موسىٰ وَفِرعَونَ بِالحَقِّ لِقَومٍ يُؤمِنونَ

We recite to you herein some history of Moses and Pharaoh, truthfully, for the benefit of people who believe.

إِنَّ فِرعَونَ عَلا فِى الأَرضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهلَها شِيَعًا يَستَضعِفُ طائِفَةً مِنهُم يُذَبِّحُ أَبناءَهُم وَيَستَحى ۦ نِساءَهُم إِنَّهُ كانَ مِنَ المُفسِدينَ

Pharaoh turned into a tyrant on earth, and discriminated against some people. He persecuted a helpless group of them, slaughtering their sons, while sparing their daughters. He was indeed wicked.

وَنُريدُ أَن نَمُنَّ عَلَى الَّذينَ استُضعِفوا فِى الأَرضِ وَنَجعَلَهُم أَئِمَّةً وَنَجعَلَهُمُ الوٰرِثينَ

We willed to compensate those who were oppressed on earth, and to turn them into leaders, and make them the inheritors.

وَنُمَكِّنَ لَهُم فِى الأَرضِ وَنُرِىَ فِرعَونَ وَهٰمٰنَ وَجُنودَهُما مِنهُم ما كانوا يَحذَرونَ

And to establish them on earth, and to give Pharaoh, Hãmãn, and their troops a taste of their own medicine.

وَأَوحَينا إِلىٰ أُمِّ موسىٰ أَن أَرضِعيهِ فَإِذا خِفتِ عَلَيهِ فَأَلقيهِ فِى اليَمِّ وَلا تَخافى وَلا تَحزَنى إِنّا رادّوهُ إِلَيكِ وَجاعِلوهُ مِنَ المُرسَلينَ

We inspired Moses' mother: "Nurse him, and when you fear for his life, throw him into the river without fear or grief. We will return him to you, and will make him one of the messengers."

فَالتَقَطَهُ ءالُ فِرعَونَ لِيَكونَ لَهُم عَدُوًّا وَحَزَنًا إِنَّ فِرعَونَ وَهٰمٰنَ وَجُنودَهُما كانوا خٰطِـٔينَ

Pharaoh's family picked him up, only to have him lead the opposition and to be a source of grief for them. That is because Pharaoh, Hãmãn, and their troops were transgressors.

وَقالَتِ امرَأَتُ فِرعَونَ قُرَّتُ عَينٍ لى وَلَكَ لا تَقتُلوهُ عَسىٰ أَن يَنفَعَنا أَو نَتَّخِذَهُ وَلَدًا وَهُم لا يَشعُرونَ

Pharaoh's wife said, "This can be a joyous find for me and you. Do not kill him, for he may be of some benefit for us, or we may adopt him to be our son." They had no idea.

وَأَصبَحَ فُؤادُ أُمِّ موسىٰ فٰرِغًا إِن كادَت لَتُبدى بِهِ لَولا أَن رَبَطنا عَلىٰ قَلبِها لِتَكونَ مِنَ المُؤمِنينَ

The mind of Moses' mother was growing so anxious that she almost gave away his identity. But we strengthened her heart, to make her a believer.

وَقالَت لِأُختِهِ قُصّيهِ فَبَصُرَت بِهِ عَن جُنُبٍ وَهُم لا يَشعُرونَ

She said to his sister, "Trace his path." She watched him from afar, while they did not perceive.

وَحَرَّمنا عَلَيهِ المَراضِعَ مِن قَبلُ فَقالَت هَل أَدُلُّكُم عَلىٰ أَهلِ بَيتٍ يَكفُلونَهُ لَكُم وَهُم لَهُ نٰصِحونَ

We forbade him from accepting all the nursing mothers. (His sister) then said, "I can show you a family that can raise him for you, and take good care of him."

فَرَدَدنٰهُ إِلىٰ أُمِّهِ كَى تَقَرَّ عَينُها وَلا تَحزَنَ وَلِتَعلَمَ أَنَّ وَعدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَلٰكِنَّ أَكثَرَهُم لا يَعلَمونَ

Thus, we restored him to his mother, in order to please her, remove her worries, and to let her know that God's promise is the truth. However, most of them do not know.

وَلَمّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَاستَوىٰ ءاتَينٰهُ حُكمًا وَعِلمًا وَكَذٰلِكَ نَجزِى المُحسِنينَ

When he reached maturity and strength, we endowed him with wisdom and knowledge. We thus reward the righteous.

وَدَخَلَ المَدينَةَ عَلىٰ حينِ غَفلَةٍ مِن أَهلِها فَوَجَدَ فيها رَجُلَينِ يَقتَتِلانِ هٰذا مِن شيعَتِهِ وَهٰذا مِن عَدُوِّهِ فَاستَغٰثَهُ الَّذى مِن شيعَتِهِ عَلَى الَّذى مِن عَدُوِّهِ فَوَكَزَهُ موسىٰ فَقَضىٰ عَلَيهِ قالَ هٰذا مِن عَمَلِ الشَّيطٰنِ إِنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ مُضِلٌّ مُبينٌ

Once he entered the city unexpectedly, without being recognized by the people. He found two men fighting; one was (a Hebrew) from his people, and the other was (an Egyptian) from his enemies. The one from his people called on him for help against his enemy. Moses punched him, killing him. He said, "This is the work of the devil; he is a real enemy, and a profound misleader."

قالَ رَبِّ إِنّى ظَلَمتُ نَفسى فَاغفِر لى فَغَفَرَ لَهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفورُ الرَّحيمُ

He said, "My Lord, I have wronged my soul. Please forgive me," and He forgave him. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful.

قالَ رَبِّ بِما أَنعَمتَ عَلَىَّ فَلَن أَكونَ ظَهيرًا لِلمُجرِمينَ

He said, "My Lord, in return for Your blessings upon me, I will never be a supporter of the guilty ones."

فَأَصبَحَ فِى المَدينَةِ خائِفًا يَتَرَقَّبُ فَإِذَا الَّذِى استَنصَرَهُ بِالأَمسِ يَستَصرِخُهُ قالَ لَهُ موسىٰ إِنَّكَ لَغَوِىٌّ مُبينٌ

In the morning, he was in the city, afraid and watchful. The one who sought his help yesterday, asked for his help again. Moses said to him, "You are really a troublemaker."

فَلَمّا أَن أَرادَ أَن يَبطِشَ بِالَّذى هُوَ عَدُوٌّ لَهُما قالَ يٰموسىٰ أَتُريدُ أَن تَقتُلَنى كَما قَتَلتَ نَفسًا بِالأَمسِ إِن تُريدُ إِلّا أَن تَكونَ جَبّارًا فِى الأَرضِ وَما تُريدُ أَن تَكونَ مِنَ المُصلِحينَ

Before he attempted to strike their common enemy, he said, "O Moses, do you want to kill me, as you killed the other man yesterday? Obviously, you wish to be a tyrant on earth; you do not wish to be righteous."

وَجاءَ رَجُلٌ مِن أَقصَا المَدينَةِ يَسعىٰ قالَ يٰموسىٰ إِنَّ المَلَأَ يَأتَمِرونَ بِكَ لِيَقتُلوكَ فَاخرُج إِنّى لَكَ مِنَ النّٰصِحينَ

A man came running from the other side of the city, saying, "O Moses, the people are plotting to kill you. You better leave immediately. I am giving you good advice."

فَخَرَجَ مِنها خائِفًا يَتَرَقَّبُ قالَ رَبِّ نَجِّنى مِنَ القَومِ الظّٰلِمينَ

He fled the city, afraid and watchful. He said, "My Lord, save me from the oppressive people."

وَلَمّا تَوَجَّهَ تِلقاءَ مَديَنَ قالَ عَسىٰ رَبّى أَن يَهدِيَنى سَواءَ السَّبيلِ

As he traveled towards Midyan, he said, "May my Lord guide me in the right path."

وَلَمّا وَرَدَ ماءَ مَديَنَ وَجَدَ عَلَيهِ أُمَّةً مِنَ النّاسِ يَسقونَ وَوَجَدَ مِن دونِهِمُ امرَأَتَينِ تَذودانِ قالَ ما خَطبُكُما قالَتا لا نَسقى حَتّىٰ يُصدِرَ الرِّعاءُ وَأَبونا شَيخٌ كَبيرٌ

When he reached Midyan's water, he found a crowd of people watering, and noticed two women waiting on the side. He said, "What is it that you need?" They said, "We are not able to water, until the crowd disperses, and our father is an old man."

فَسَقىٰ لَهُما ثُمَّ تَوَلّىٰ إِلَى الظِّلِّ فَقالَ رَبِّ إِنّى لِما أَنزَلتَ إِلَىَّ مِن خَيرٍ فَقيرٌ

He watered for them, then turned to the shade, saying, "My Lord, whatever provision you send to me, I am in dire need for it."

فَجاءَتهُ إِحدىٰهُما تَمشى عَلَى استِحياءٍ قالَت إِنَّ أَبى يَدعوكَ لِيَجزِيَكَ أَجرَ ما سَقَيتَ لَنا فَلَمّا جاءَهُ وَقَصَّ عَلَيهِ القَصَصَ قالَ لا تَخَف نَجَوتَ مِنَ القَومِ الظّٰلِمينَ

Soon, one of the two women approached him, shyly, and said, "My father invites you to pay you for watering for us." When he met him, and told him his story, he said, "Have no fear. You have been saved from the oppressive people."

قالَت إِحدىٰهُما يٰأَبَتِ استَـٔجِرهُ إِنَّ خَيرَ مَنِ استَـٔجَرتَ القَوِىُّ الأَمينُ

One of the two women said, "O my father, hire him. He is the best one to hire, for he is strong and honest."

قالَ إِنّى أُريدُ أَن أُنكِحَكَ إِحدَى ابنَتَىَّ هٰتَينِ عَلىٰ أَن تَأجُرَنى ثَمٰنِىَ حِجَجٍ فَإِن أَتمَمتَ عَشرًا فَمِن عِندِكَ وَما أُريدُ أَن أَشُقَّ عَلَيكَ سَتَجِدُنى إِن شاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصّٰلِحينَ

He said, "I wish to offer one of my two daughters for you to marry, in return for working for me for eight pilgrimages; if you make them ten, it will be voluntary on your part. I do not wish to make this matter too difficult for you. You will find me, God willing, righteous."

قالَ ذٰلِكَ بَينى وَبَينَكَ أَيَّمَا الأَجَلَينِ قَضَيتُ فَلا عُدوٰنَ عَلَىَّ وَاللَّهُ عَلىٰ ما نَقولُ وَكيلٌ

He said, "It is an agreement between me and you. Whichever period I fulfill, you will not be averse to either one. God is the guarantor of what we said."

فَلَمّا قَضىٰ موسَى الأَجَلَ وَسارَ بِأَهلِهِ ءانَسَ مِن جانِبِ الطّورِ نارًا قالَ لِأَهلِهِ امكُثوا إِنّى ءانَستُ نارًا لَعَلّى ءاتيكُم مِنها بِخَبَرٍ أَو جَذوَةٍ مِنَ النّارِ لَعَلَّكُم تَصطَلونَ

When he had fulfilled his obligation, he traveled with his family (towards Egypt). He saw from the slope of Mount Sinai a fire. He said to his family, "Stay here. I have seen a fire. Maybe I can bring to you news, or a portion of the fire to warm you."

فَلَمّا أَتىٰها نودِىَ مِن شٰطِئِ الوادِ الأَيمَنِ فِى البُقعَةِ المُبٰرَكَةِ مِنَ الشَّجَرَةِ أَن يٰموسىٰ إِنّى أَنَا اللَّهُ رَبُّ العٰلَمينَ

When he reached it, he was called from the edge of the right side of the valley, in the blessed spot where the burning bush was located: "O Moses, this is Me. God; Lord of the universe.

وَأَن أَلقِ عَصاكَ فَلَمّا رَءاها تَهتَزُّ كَأَنَّها جانٌّ وَلّىٰ مُدبِرًا وَلَم يُعَقِّب يٰموسىٰ أَقبِل وَلا تَخَف إِنَّكَ مِنَ الـٔامِنينَ

"Throw down your staff." When he saw it moving like a demon, he turned around and fled. "O Moses, come back; do not be afraid. You are perfectly safe.

اسلُك يَدَكَ فى جَيبِكَ تَخرُج بَيضاءَ مِن غَيرِ سوءٍ وَاضمُم إِلَيكَ جَناحَكَ مِنَ الرَّهبِ فَذٰنِكَ بُرهٰنانِ مِن رَبِّكَ إِلىٰ فِرعَونَ وَمَلَإِي۟هِ إِنَّهُم كانوا قَومًا فٰسِقينَ

"Put your hand into your pocket; it will come out white without a blemish. Fold your wings and settle down from your fear. These are two proofs from your Lord, to be shown to Pharaoh and his elders; they have been wicked people."

قالَ رَبِّ إِنّى قَتَلتُ مِنهُم نَفسًا فَأَخافُ أَن يَقتُلونِ

He said, "My Lord, I killed one of them, and I fear lest they kill me.

وَأَخى هٰرونُ هُوَ أَفصَحُ مِنّى لِسانًا فَأَرسِلهُ مَعِىَ رِدءًا يُصَدِّقُنى إِنّى أَخافُ أَن يُكَذِّبونِ

"Also, my brother Aaron is more eloquent than I. Send him with me as a helper to confirm and strengthen me. I fear lest they disbelieve me.

قالَ سَنَشُدُّ عَضُدَكَ بِأَخيكَ وَنَجعَلُ لَكُما سُلطٰنًا فَلا يَصِلونَ إِلَيكُما بِـٔايٰتِنا أَنتُما وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَكُمَا الغٰلِبونَ

He said, "We will strengthen you with your brother, and we will provide you both with manifest authority. Thus, they will not be able to touch either one of you. With our miracles, the two of you, together with those who follow you, will be the victors."

فَلَمّا جاءَهُم موسىٰ بِـٔايٰتِنا بَيِّنٰتٍ قالوا ما هٰذا إِلّا سِحرٌ مُفتَرًى وَما سَمِعنا بِهٰذا فى ءابائِنَا الأَوَّلينَ

When Moses went to them with our proofs, clear and profound, they said, "This is fabricated magic. We have never heard of this from our ancient ancestors."

وَقالَ موسىٰ رَبّى أَعلَمُ بِمَن جاءَ بِالهُدىٰ مِن عِندِهِ وَمَن تَكونُ لَهُ عٰقِبَةُ الدّارِ إِنَّهُ لا يُفلِحُ الظّٰلِمونَ

Moses said, "My Lord knows best who brought the guidance from Him, and who will be the ultimate victors. Surely, the transgressors never succeed."

وَقالَ فِرعَونُ يٰأَيُّهَا المَلَأُ ما عَلِمتُ لَكُم مِن إِلٰهٍ غَيرى فَأَوقِد لى يٰهٰمٰنُ عَلَى الطّينِ فَاجعَل لى صَرحًا لَعَلّى أَطَّلِعُ إِلىٰ إِلٰهِ موسىٰ وَإِنّى لَأَظُنُّهُ مِنَ الكٰذِبينَ

Pharaoh said, "O you elders, I have not known of any god for you other than me. Therefore, fire the adobe, O Hãmãn, in order to build a tower, that I may take a look at the god of Moses. I am sure that he is a liar."

وَاستَكبَرَ هُوَ وَجُنودُهُ فِى الأَرضِ بِغَيرِ الحَقِّ وَظَنّوا أَنَّهُم إِلَينا لا يُرجَعونَ

Thus, he and his troops continued to commit arrogance on earth, without any right, and thought that they would not be returned to us.

فَأَخَذنٰهُ وَجُنودَهُ فَنَبَذنٰهُم فِى اليَمِّ فَانظُر كَيفَ كانَ عٰقِبَةُ الظّٰلِمينَ

Consequently, we punished him and his troops, by throwing them into the sea. Note the consequences for the transgressors.

وَجَعَلنٰهُم أَئِمَّةً يَدعونَ إِلَى النّارِ وَيَومَ القِيٰمَةِ لا يُنصَرونَ

We made them imams who led their people to Hell. Furthermore, on the Day of Resurrection, they will have no help.

وَأَتبَعنٰهُم فى هٰذِهِ الدُّنيا لَعنَةً وَيَومَ القِيٰمَةِ هُم مِنَ المَقبوحينَ

They incurred in this life condemnation, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be despised.

وَلَقَد ءاتَينا موسَى الكِتٰبَ مِن بَعدِ ما أَهلَكنَا القُرونَ الأولىٰ بَصائِرَ لِلنّاسِ وَهُدًى وَرَحمَةً لَعَلَّهُم يَتَذَكَّرونَ

We gave Moses the scripture - after having annihilated the previous generations, and after setting the examples through them - to provide enlightenment for the people, and guidance, and mercy, that they may take heed.

*28:43 The Torah is the collection of all the scriptures revealed to all the prophets of Israel, including the book of Moses. The Quran consistently states that Moses was given a book, or "the Statute Book." Nowhere in the Quran do we see that Moses was given "the Torah." Today's Old Testament, therefore, is the Torah (see 3:50, 5:46).

وَما كُنتَ بِجانِبِ الغَربِىِّ إِذ قَضَينا إِلىٰ موسَى الأَمرَ وَما كُنتَ مِنَ الشّٰهِدينَ

You were not present on the slope of the western mount, when we issued the command to Moses; you were not a witness.*

*28:44 The name of this messenger is confirmed mathematically: by placing the gematrical value of "Rashad Khalifa" (1230) next to the verse number (44), we get 123044=19x6476.

وَلٰكِنّا أَنشَأنا قُرونًا فَتَطاوَلَ عَلَيهِمُ العُمُرُ وَما كُنتَ ثاوِيًا فى أَهلِ مَديَنَ تَتلوا عَلَيهِم ءايٰتِنا وَلٰكِنّا كُنّا مُرسِلينَ

But we established many generations, and, because of the length of time, (they deviated). Nor were you among the people of Midyan, reciting our revelations to them. But we did send messengers.

وَما كُنتَ بِجانِبِ الطّورِ إِذ نادَينا وَلٰكِن رَحمَةً مِن رَبِّكَ لِتُنذِرَ قَومًا ما أَتىٰهُم مِن نَذيرٍ مِن قَبلِكَ لَعَلَّهُم يَتَذَكَّرونَ

Nor were you on the slope of Mount Sinai when we called (Moses). But it is mercy from your Lord, (towards the people,) in order to warn people who received no warner before you, that they may take heed.

وَلَولا أَن تُصيبَهُم مُصيبَةٌ بِما قَدَّمَت أَيديهِم فَيَقولوا رَبَّنا لَولا أَرسَلتَ إِلَينا رَسولًا فَنَتَّبِعَ ءايٰتِكَ وَنَكونَ مِنَ المُؤمِنينَ

Thus, they cannot say, when a disaster strikes them as a consequence of their own deeds, "Our Lord, had You sent a messenger to us, we would have followed Your revelations, and would have been believers."

فَلَمّا جاءَهُمُ الحَقُّ مِن عِندِنا قالوا لَولا أوتِىَ مِثلَ ما أوتِىَ موسىٰ أَوَلَم يَكفُروا بِما أوتِىَ موسىٰ مِن قَبلُ قالوا سِحرانِ تَظٰهَرا وَقالوا إِنّا بِكُلٍّ كٰفِرونَ

Now that the truth has come to them from us, they said, "If only we could be given what was given to Moses!" Did they not disbelieve in what was given to Moses in the past? They said, "Both (scriptures) are works of magic that copied one another." They also said, "We are disbelievers in both of them."

قُل فَأتوا بِكِتٰبٍ مِن عِندِ اللَّهِ هُوَ أَهدىٰ مِنهُما أَتَّبِعهُ إِن كُنتُم صٰدِقينَ

Say, "Then produce a scripture from God with better guidance than the two, so I can follow it, if you are truthful."

فَإِن لَم يَستَجيبوا لَكَ فَاعلَم أَنَّما يَتَّبِعونَ أَهواءَهُم وَمَن أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ اتَّبَعَ هَوىٰهُ بِغَيرِ هُدًى مِنَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَهدِى القَومَ الظّٰلِمينَ

If they fail to respond to you, then know that they follow only their own opinions. Who is farther astray than those who follow their own opinions, without guidance from God? God does not guide such wicked people.

وَلَقَد وَصَّلنا لَهُمُ القَولَ لَعَلَّهُم يَتَذَكَّرونَ

We have delivered the message to them, that they may take heed.

الَّذينَ ءاتَينٰهُمُ الكِتٰبَ مِن قَبلِهِ هُم بِهِ يُؤمِنونَ

Those whom we blessed with the previous scriptures will believe in this.

وَإِذا يُتلىٰ عَلَيهِم قالوا ءامَنّا بِهِ إِنَّهُ الحَقُّ مِن رَبِّنا إِنّا كُنّا مِن قَبلِهِ مُسلِمينَ

When it is recited to them, they will say, "We believe in it. This is the truth from our Lord. Even before we heard of it, we were submitters."

أُولٰئِكَ يُؤتَونَ أَجرَهُم مَرَّتَينِ بِما صَبَروا وَيَدرَءونَ بِالحَسَنَةِ السَّيِّئَةَ وَمِمّا رَزَقنٰهُم يُنفِقونَ

To these we grant twice the reward, because they steadfastly persevere. They counter evil works with good works, and from our provisions to them, they give.

وَإِذا سَمِعُوا اللَّغوَ أَعرَضوا عَنهُ وَقالوا لَنا أَعمٰلُنا وَلَكُم أَعمٰلُكُم سَلٰمٌ عَلَيكُم لا نَبتَغِى الجٰهِلينَ

When they come across vain talk, they disregard it and say, "We are responsible for our deeds, and you are responsible for your deeds. Peace be upon you. We do not wish to behave like the ignorant ones."

إِنَّكَ لا تَهدى مَن أَحبَبتَ وَلٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهدى مَن يَشاءُ وَهُوَ أَعلَمُ بِالمُهتَدينَ

You cannot guide the ones you love. God is the only One who guides in accordance with His will, and in accordance with His knowledge of those who deserve the guidance.

وَقالوا إِن نَتَّبِعِ الهُدىٰ مَعَكَ نُتَخَطَّف مِن أَرضِنا أَوَلَم نُمَكِّن لَهُم حَرَمًا ءامِنًا يُجبىٰ إِلَيهِ ثَمَرٰتُ كُلِّ شَىءٍ رِزقًا مِن لَدُنّا وَلٰكِنَّ أَكثَرَهُم لا يَعلَمونَ

They said, "If we follow your guidance, we will suffer persecution." Did we not establish for them a Sacred Sanctuary, to which all kinds of fruits are offered, as a provision from us? Indeed, most of them do not know.

وَكَم أَهلَكنا مِن قَريَةٍ بَطِرَت مَعيشَتَها فَتِلكَ مَسٰكِنُهُم لَم تُسكَن مِن بَعدِهِم إِلّا قَليلًا وَكُنّا نَحنُ الوٰرِثينَ

Many a community we annihilated for turning unappreciative of their lives. Consequently, here are their homes, nothing but uninhabited ruins after them, except a few. We were the inheritors.

وَما كانَ رَبُّكَ مُهلِكَ القُرىٰ حَتّىٰ يَبعَثَ فى أُمِّها رَسولًا يَتلوا عَلَيهِم ءايٰتِنا وَما كُنّا مُهلِكِى القُرىٰ إِلّا وَأَهلُها ظٰلِمونَ

For your Lord never annihilates any community without sending a messenger in the midst thereof, to recite our revelations to them. We never annihilate any community, unless its people are wicked.

وَما أوتيتُم مِن شَىءٍ فَمَتٰعُ الحَيوٰةِ الدُّنيا وَزينَتُها وَما عِندَ اللَّهِ خَيرٌ وَأَبقىٰ أَفَلا تَعقِلونَ

Everything that is given to you is only the material of this life, and its vanity. What is with God is far better, and everlasting. Do you not understand?

أَفَمَن وَعَدنٰهُ وَعدًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ لٰقيهِ كَمَن مَتَّعنٰهُ مَتٰعَ الحَيوٰةِ الدُّنيا ثُمَّ هُوَ يَومَ القِيٰمَةِ مِنَ المُحضَرينَ

Is one whom we promised a good promise that will surely come to pass, equal to one whom we provide with the temporary materials of this life, then suffers eternal doom on the Day of Resurrection?

وَيَومَ يُناديهِم فَيَقولُ أَينَ شُرَكاءِىَ الَّذينَ كُنتُم تَزعُمونَ

The day will come when He calls upon them, saying, "Where are those idols you had set up beside Me?"

قالَ الَّذينَ حَقَّ عَلَيهِمُ القَولُ رَبَّنا هٰؤُلاءِ الَّذينَ أَغوَينا أَغوَينٰهُم كَما غَوَينا تَبَرَّأنا إِلَيكَ ما كانوا إِيّانا يَعبُدونَ

Those who incurred the judgment will say, "Our Lord, these are the ones we misled; we misled them only because we ourselves had gone astray. We now devote ourselves totally to You. They were not really worshiping us."

وَقيلَ ادعوا شُرَكاءَكُم فَدَعَوهُم فَلَم يَستَجيبوا لَهُم وَرَأَوُا العَذابَ لَو أَنَّهُم كانوا يَهتَدونَ

It will be said, "Call upon your idols (to help you)." They will call upon them, but they will not respond. They will suffer the retribution, and wish that they were guided!

وَيَومَ يُناديهِم فَيَقولُ ماذا أَجَبتُمُ المُرسَلينَ

On that day, He will ask everyone, "How did you respond to the messengers?"

فَعَمِيَت عَلَيهِمُ الأَنباءُ يَومَئِذٍ فَهُم لا يَتَساءَلونَ

They will be so stunned by the facts on that day, they will be speechless.

فَأَمّا مَن تابَ وَءامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صٰلِحًا فَعَسىٰ أَن يَكونَ مِنَ المُفلِحينَ

As for those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous life, they will end up with the winners.

وَرَبُّكَ يَخلُقُ ما يَشاءُ وَيَختارُ ما كانَ لَهُمُ الخِيَرَةُ سُبحٰنَ اللَّهِ وَتَعٰلىٰ عَمّا يُشرِكونَ

Your Lord is the One who creates whatever He wills, and chooses; no one else does any choosing. Glory be to God, the Most Exalted. He is far above needing partners.

وَرَبُّكَ يَعلَمُ ما تُكِنُّ صُدورُهُم وَما يُعلِنونَ

Your Lord knows the innermost thoughts hidden in their chests, as well as everything they declare.

وَهُوَ اللَّهُ لا إِلٰهَ إِلّا هُوَ لَهُ الحَمدُ فِى الأولىٰ وَالـٔاخِرَةِ وَلَهُ الحُكمُ وَإِلَيهِ تُرجَعونَ

He is the one God; there is no other god beside Him. To Him belongs all praise in this first life, and in the Hereafter. All judgment belongs with Him, and to Him you will be returned.

قُل أَرَءَيتُم إِن جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيكُمُ الَّيلَ سَرمَدًا إِلىٰ يَومِ القِيٰمَةِ مَن إِلٰهٌ غَيرُ اللَّهِ يَأتيكُم بِضِياءٍ أَفَلا تَسمَعونَ

Say, "What if God made the night perpetual, until the Day of Resurrection? Which god, other than God, can provide you with light? Do you not hear?"

قُل أَرَءَيتُم إِن جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيكُمُ النَّهارَ سَرمَدًا إِلىٰ يَومِ القِيٰمَةِ مَن إِلٰهٌ غَيرُ اللَّهِ يَأتيكُم بِلَيلٍ تَسكُنونَ فيهِ أَفَلا تُبصِرونَ

Say, "What if God made the daylight perpetual, until the Day of Resurrection? Which god, other than God, can provide you with a night for your rest? Do you not see?"

وَمِن رَحمَتِهِ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الَّيلَ وَالنَّهارَ لِتَسكُنوا فيهِ وَلِتَبتَغوا مِن فَضلِهِ وَلَعَلَّكُم تَشكُرونَ

It is mercy from Him that He created for you the night and the day in order to rest (during the night), then seek His provisions (during the day), that you may be appreciative.

وَيَومَ يُناديهِم فَيَقولُ أَينَ شُرَكاءِىَ الَّذينَ كُنتُم تَزعُمونَ

The day will come when He asks them, "Where are the idols you had fabricated to rank with Me?"

وَنَزَعنا مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهيدًا فَقُلنا هاتوا بُرهٰنَكُم فَعَلِموا أَنَّ الحَقَّ لِلَّهِ وَضَلَّ عَنهُم ما كانوا يَفتَرونَ

We will select from every community a witness, then say, "Present your proof." They will realize then that all truth belongs with God, while the idols they had fabricated will abandon them.

إِنَّ قٰرونَ كانَ مِن قَومِ موسىٰ فَبَغىٰ عَلَيهِم وَءاتَينٰهُ مِنَ الكُنوزِ ما إِنَّ مَفاتِحَهُ لَتَنوأُ بِالعُصبَةِ أُولِى القُوَّةِ إِذ قالَ لَهُ قَومُهُ لا تَفرَح إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يُحِبُّ الفَرِحينَ

Qãroon (the slave driver) was one of Moses' people who betrayed them and oppressed them. We gave him so many treasures that the keys thereof were almost too heavy for the strongest band. His people said to him, "Do not be so arrogant; God does not love those who are arrogant.

وَابتَغِ فيما ءاتىٰكَ اللَّهُ الدّارَ الـٔاخِرَةَ وَلا تَنسَ نَصيبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنيا وَأَحسِن كَما أَحسَنَ اللَّهُ إِلَيكَ وَلا تَبغِ الفَسادَ فِى الأَرضِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يُحِبُّ المُفسِدينَ

"Use the provisions bestowed upon you by God to seek the abode of the Hereafter, without neglecting your share in this world. Be charitable, as God has been charitable towards you. Do not keep on corrupting the earth. God does not love the corruptors."

قالَ إِنَّما أوتيتُهُ عَلىٰ عِلمٍ عِندى أَوَلَم يَعلَم أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَد أَهلَكَ مِن قَبلِهِ مِنَ القُرونِ مَن هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنهُ قُوَّةً وَأَكثَرُ جَمعًا وَلا يُسـَٔلُ عَن ذُنوبِهِمُ المُجرِمونَ

He said, "I attained all this because of my own cleverness." Did he not realize that God had annihilated before him generations that were much stronger than he, and greater in number? The (annihilated) transgressors were not asked about their crimes.

فَخَرَجَ عَلىٰ قَومِهِ فى زينَتِهِ قالَ الَّذينَ يُريدونَ الحَيوٰةَ الدُّنيا يٰلَيتَ لَنا مِثلَ ما أوتِىَ قٰرونُ إِنَّهُ لَذو حَظٍّ عَظيمٍ

One day, he came out to his people in full splendor. Those who preferred this worldly life said, "Oh, we wish that we possess what Qãroon has attained. Indeed, he is very fortunate."

وَقالَ الَّذينَ أوتُوا العِلمَ وَيلَكُم ثَوابُ اللَّهِ خَيرٌ لِمَن ءامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صٰلِحًا وَلا يُلَقّىٰها إِلَّا الصّٰبِرونَ

As for those who were blessed with knowledge, they said, "Woe to you, God's recompense is far better for those who believe and lead a righteous life." None attains this except the steadfast.

فَخَسَفنا بِهِ وَبِدارِهِ الأَرضَ فَما كانَ لَهُ مِن فِئَةٍ يَنصُرونَهُ مِن دونِ اللَّهِ وَما كانَ مِنَ المُنتَصِرينَ

We then caused the earth to swallow him and his mansion. No army could have helped him against God; he was not destined to be a winner.

وَأَصبَحَ الَّذينَ تَمَنَّوا مَكانَهُ بِالأَمسِ يَقولونَ وَيكَأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَبسُطُ الرِّزقَ لِمَن يَشاءُ مِن عِبادِهِ وَيَقدِرُ لَولا أَن مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَينا لَخَسَفَ بِنا وَيكَأَنَّهُ لا يُفلِحُ الكٰفِرونَ

Those who were envious of him the day before said, "Now we realize that God is the One who provides for whomever He chooses from among His servants, and withholds. If it were not for God's grace towards us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us too. We now realize that the disbelievers never succeed."

تِلكَ الدّارُ الـٔاخِرَةُ نَجعَلُها لِلَّذينَ لا يُريدونَ عُلُوًّا فِى الأَرضِ وَلا فَسادًا وَالعٰقِبَةُ لِلمُتَّقينَ

We reserve the abode of the Hereafter for those who do not seek exaltation on earth, nor corruption. The ultimate victory belongs to the righteous.

مَن جاءَ بِالحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ خَيرٌ مِنها وَمَن جاءَ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ فَلا يُجزَى الَّذينَ عَمِلُوا السَّيِّـٔاتِ إِلّا ما كانوا يَعمَلونَ

Whoever works righteousness receives a far better reward. As for those who commit sins, the retribution for their sins is precisely equivalent to their works.

إِنَّ الَّذى فَرَضَ عَلَيكَ القُرءانَ لَرادُّكَ إِلىٰ مَعادٍ قُل رَبّى أَعلَمُ مَن جاءَ بِالهُدىٰ وَمَن هُوَ فى ضَلٰلٍ مُبينٍ

Surely, the One who decreed the Quran for you will summon you to a predetermined appointment. Say, "My Lord is fully aware of those who uphold the guidance, and those who have gone astray."

وَما كُنتَ تَرجوا أَن يُلقىٰ إِلَيكَ الكِتٰبُ إِلّا رَحمَةً مِن رَبِّكَ فَلا تَكونَنَّ ظَهيرًا لِلكٰفِرينَ

You never expected this scripture to come your way; but this is a mercy from your Lord. Therefore, you shall not side with the disbelievers.

وَلا يَصُدُّنَّكَ عَن ءايٰتِ اللَّهِ بَعدَ إِذ أُنزِلَت إِلَيكَ وَادعُ إِلىٰ رَبِّكَ وَلا تَكونَنَّ مِنَ المُشرِكينَ

Nor shall you be diverted from God's revelations, after they have come to you, and invite the others to your Lord. And do not ever fall into idol worship.

وَلا تَدعُ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلٰهًا ءاخَرَ لا إِلٰهَ إِلّا هُوَ كُلُّ شَىءٍ هالِكٌ إِلّا وَجهَهُ لَهُ الحُكمُ وَإِلَيهِ تُرجَعونَ

You shall not worship beside God any other god. There is no other god beside Him. Everything perishes except His presence. To Him belongs all sovereignty, and to Him you will be returned.