The Whole Story
Al-Qaṣaṣ
القَصَص
LEARNING POINTS
This surah provides details about the childhood and youth of Musa .
Allah is full of knowledge and power.
The idols cannot help their worshippers in this life or the Next.
Allah always shows support to His faithful servants.
Allah is willing to forgive people if they repent.
It is important to pray to Allah in both good and bad times.
Everyone should be grateful for Allah's blessings.
The wicked will be shamed on Judgment Day.
Pharaoh and Qaroon were destroyed for their arrogance.
Allah is fair to everyone.
The Quran is a true revelation from Allah.
The Prophet is advised to have patience and keep calling others to Islam.
Guidance is only from Allah.
BACKGROUND STORY
It's reported that Pharaoh had a dream in which he saw a fire burning the homes of the Egyptians, but not the homes of the Children of Isra'il. He woke up terrified and asked his assistants to explain this dream. They told him that his rule would be destroyed by a boy who was going to be born among the Children of Isra'il. This is why Pharaoh decided to kill their sons and keep their women. But Allah saved Musa. Not only that, but Musa was raised in the palace of Pharaoh and under his special care. Pharaoh made plans, but Allah is the ultimate Planner. (Imam Ibn Kathir)
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "Why is the story of Musa a repeated throughout the Quran?" Allah comforted the Prophet through the story of Musa because it was very relatable to him. Both of them had to deal with many challenges. Both had to leave their land. There were plans to kill them. Their followers were tortured and abused. But in the end, they were successful and their enemies were doomed to fail.
PHARAOH'S ABUSE
1Ta-Sin-Mim. 2These are the verses of the clear Book. 3We tell you O Prophet" parts of the story of Musa and Pharaoh in truth for those who believe. 4Indeed, Pharaoh acted arrogantly in the land and divided its people into groups. He abused One of them, killing their sons and keeping their women. He was truly one of the corruptors. 5But We wanted to show favour to those who were abused in the land, making them models 'of faith' and giving them authority; 6and to estab-lish them in the land; and through them make the fears of Pharaoh, Haman,' and their soldiers come true.
طسٓمٓ 1تِلۡكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ 2نَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡكَ مِن نَّبَإِ مُوسَىٰ وَفِرۡعَوۡنَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ لِقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ 3إِنَّ فِرۡعَوۡنَ عَلَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهۡلَهَا شِيَعٗا يَسۡتَضۡعِفُ طَآئِفَةٗ مِّنۡهُمۡ يُذَبِّحُ أَبۡنَآءَهُمۡ وَيَسۡتَحۡيِۦ نِسَآءَهُمۡۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ 4وَنُرِيدُ أَن نَّمُنَّ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَنَجۡعَلَهُمۡ أَئِمَّةٗ وَنَجۡعَلَهُمُ ٱلۡوَٰرِثِينَ 5وَنُمَكِّنَ لَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَنُرِيَ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَهَٰمَٰنَ وَجُنُودَهُمَا مِنۡهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَحۡذَرُونَ6
Verse 6: Haman was Pharaoh's chief builder at the time of Musa .
BABY MUSA IN THE NILE
7We inspired the mother of Musa: "Nurse him. But when you fear for his safety, then put him into the river, and do not fear or worry. We will definitely return him to you, and make him one of the messengers." 8And it so happened that Pharaoh's people picked him up, only to become their enemy and source of misery. Surely Pharaoh, Haman, and their soldiers were sinful.
وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنۡ أَرۡضِعِيهِۖ فَإِذَا خِفۡتِ عَلَيۡهِ فَأَلۡقِيهِ فِي ٱلۡيَمِّ وَلَا تَخَافِي وَلَا تَحۡزَنِيٓۖ إِنَّا رَآدُّوهُ إِلَيۡكِ وَجَاعِلُوهُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ 7فَٱلۡتَقَطَهُۥٓ ءَالُ فِرۡعَوۡنَ لِيَكُونَ لَهُمۡ عَدُوّٗا وَحَزَنًاۗ إِنَّ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَهَٰمَٰنَ وَجُنُودَهُمَا كَانُواْ خَٰطِِٔينَ8
MUSA IN THE PALACE
9Pharaoh'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 did not expect what was going to happen. 10And the heart of Musa's mother ached so much. She al-most gave away his identity, if We had not put her heart at ease so that she would have faith "in Allah's promise'. 11She said to his sister, "Follow him!" So she watched him from a distance, while they were unaware. 12And We had caused him to refuse all wet-nurses' at first, so his sister suggested, "Shall I direct you to a family who will raise him for you and take good care of him?" 13This is how We returned him to his mother so that her heart would be put at ease, and not be sad, and that She would know that Allah's promise Is always true. But most people do not Know. 14Later, when he became strong and mature, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. This is how We reward those doing good.
وَقَالَتِ ٱمۡرَأَتُ فِرۡعَوۡنَ قُرَّتُ عَيۡنٖ لِّي وَلَكَۖ لَا تَقۡتُلُوهُ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَنفَعَنَآ أَوۡ نَتَّخِذَهُۥ وَلَدٗا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ 9وَأَصۡبَحَ فُؤَادُ أُمِّ مُوسَىٰ فَٰرِغًاۖ إِن كَادَتۡ لَتُبۡدِي بِهِۦ لَوۡلَآ أَن رَّبَطۡنَا عَلَىٰ قَلۡبِهَا لِتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ 10وَقَالَتۡ لِأُخۡتِهِۦ قُصِّيهِۖ فَبَصُرَتۡ بِهِۦ عَن جُنُبٖ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ 11وَحَرَّمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَرَاضِعَ مِن قَبۡلُ فَقَالَتۡ هَلۡ أَدُلُّكُمۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَهۡلِ بَيۡتٖ يَكۡفُلُونَهُۥ لَكُمۡ وَهُمۡ لَهُۥ نَٰصِحُونَ 12فَرَدَدۡنَٰهُ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّهِۦ كَيۡ تَقَرَّ عَيۡنُهَا وَلَا تَحۡزَنَ وَلِتَعۡلَمَ أَنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقّٞ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ 13وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ وَٱسۡتَوَىٰٓ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ حُكۡمٗا وَعِلۡمٗاۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ14
Verse 14: Women who are hired to breastfeed babies.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "How can a great prophet like Musa a kill an innocent man?" To answer this question, let's look at the following facts: Prophets are perfect human beings. This is why Allah chose them to represent Him and deliver His messages. It's not possible for them to sin, but sometimes they may misjudge a situation or do things by mistake. At the end of the day, they are humans, not angels. In the case of Musa s, this incident happened before he became a prophet. According to verse 15, he was trying to defend one of his own people from an Egyptian man, so he punched the Egyptian, killing him by accident. So it wasn't his intention to kill. When a prophet makes a mistake, this is an opportunity for his folowers to learn what to do when they are in the same situation. For example, we do sajdah sahw (bowing down for forgetfulness) if we pray Zuhr 5 rak'ahs by mistake, following the example of the Prophet . As for regular people like you and I, we are not perfect. We sin and make mistakes. Even scholars and professionals make mistakes. I remember the story of an Imam who was giving a speech on Friday. When he mentioned Musa , he said, "Peace be upon him." He also said, "Peace be upon him'" by mistake when he mentioned Pharaoh. There is also a true story of a scholar who prayed Maghrib behind one of his students. When the student made a mistake in his recitation of a long surah, the scholar told him after salāh, "How can you make such a mistake?" Then the scholar led the next prayer and made a mistake in Surah Al-Fatihah. It took the Egyptian author Muhammad Fu'ad 'Abdul-Baqi many years to write his famous index of Quranic words. When he counted the word Allah' throughout the Quran, he forgot to list the first one (verse 1:1). Shaykh Mustafa Isma'il was one of the most famous reciters of the Quran. One of his most beautiful recitations was recorded in the city of Tanța in 1961, where he made a mistake in verse 49:15.
MUSA KILLS A MAN BY MISTAKE
15"One day,' he entered the city with-out being noticed by its people. There he found two men fighting: one from his own people, and the other from his 'Egyptian' enemies. The man from his people begged him for help against his opponent. So Musa punched him, causing his death. Musa cried, "This must be the work of Satan. He is really a clear, misleading enemy." 16He prayed, "My Lord! I have definitely wronged my soul, so forgive me." And He forgave him; He is truly the Forgiving and Merciful. 17Musa pledged, "My Lord! To honour Your favours upon me, I will never side with the wicked."
وَدَخَلَ ٱلۡمَدِينَةَ عَلَىٰ حِينِ غَفۡلَةٖ مِّنۡ أَهۡلِهَا فَوَجَدَ فِيهَا رَجُلَيۡنِ يَقۡتَتِلَانِ هَٰذَا مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ وَهَٰذَا مِنۡ عَدُوِّهِۦۖ فَٱسۡتَغَٰثَهُ ٱلَّذِي مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ عَلَى ٱلَّذِي مِنۡ عَدُوِّهِۦ فَوَكَزَهُۥ مُوسَىٰ فَقَضَىٰ عَلَيۡهِۖ قَالَ هَٰذَا مِنۡ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِۖ إِنَّهُۥ عَدُوّٞ مُّضِلّٞ مُّبِينٞ 15قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي ظَلَمۡتُ نَفۡسِي فَٱغۡفِرۡ لِي فَغَفَرَ لَهُۥٓۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ 16قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَيَّ فَلَنۡ أَكُونَ ظَهِيرٗا لِّلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ17
Verse 17: Many of Pharaoh's people had issues with Musa because he started to question their evil practices.
NEWS OF THE KILLING SPREADS
18And so Musa became afraid, watching out for trouble' in the city. Then suddenly the same man who begged for his help the day before cried out to him again for support. Musa said to him, "You are clearly a troublemaker:" 19But when Musa was about to lay his hands on their enemy, the Egyptian protested, "O Musa! Do you want to kill me like the man you killed yesterday? You just want to keep causing trouble, not making peace!"
فَأَصۡبَحَ فِي ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ خَآئِفٗا يَتَرَقَّبُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِي ٱسۡتَنصَرَهُۥ بِٱلۡأَمۡسِ يَسۡتَصۡرِخُهُۥۚ قَالَ لَهُۥ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّكَ لَغَوِيّٞ مُّبِينٞ 18فَلَمَّآ أَنۡ أَرَادَ أَن يَبۡطِشَ بِٱلَّذِي هُوَ عَدُوّٞ لَّهُمَا قَالَ يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ أَتُرِيدُ أَن تَقۡتُلَنِي كَمَا قَتَلۡتَ نَفۡسَۢا بِٱلۡأَمۡسِۖ إِن تُرِيدُ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَ جَبَّارٗا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا تُرِيدُ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُصۡلِحِينَ19
Verse 19: The man assumed that Musa A was going to hit him.
MUSA ESCAPES TO MADIAN
20And there came a man, rushing from the far side of the city. He advised, "O Musa! The chiefs are actually planning to kill you. So you have to leave-that is my advice to you." 21So Musa left the city in a state of fear and caution, praying, "My Lord! Save me from those evil people!" 22As he made his way towards Madian, he said, "I trust my Lord will guide me to the right way."
وَجَآءَ رَجُلٞ مِّنۡ أَقۡصَا ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ يَسۡعَىٰ قَالَ يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱلۡمَلَأَ يَأۡتَمِرُونَ بِكَ لِيَقۡتُلُوكَ فَٱخۡرُجۡ إِنِّي لَكَ مِنَ ٱلنَّٰصِحِينَ 20فَخَرَجَ مِنۡهَا خَآئِفٗا يَتَرَقَّبُۖ قَالَ رَبِّ نَجِّنِي مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 21وَلَمَّا تَوَجَّهَ تِلۡقَآءَ مَدۡيَنَ قَالَ عَسَىٰ رَبِّيٓ أَن يَهۡدِيَنِي سَوَآءَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ22
BACKGROUND STORY
Musa A left Egypt with no food, money, or even shoes. Although he was completely exhausted by the time he arrived in Madian, he helped 2 women by removing a very heavy lid of a well to allow their sheep to drink. Then he rested in the shade of a tree and prayed to Allah for support. When one of the women came to invite him to meet her dad, Musa asked if he could walk in front of her to avoid seeing the shape of her body. When her dad offered him food, he said, "I don't take a reward for my help." He only ate when the old man told him that it was part of their culture to offer food to their guests. One of the 2 women advised her dad to hire him because of his strength and good manners. This is when the old man offered one of his daughters to Musa in marriage. So Musa was blessed with a good wife, a job, and a place to stay on the same day. {Imam Ibn Kathir & Imam Al-Qurtubi}
MUSA HELPS TWO WOMEN
23When he arrived at the well of Madian, he found a group of people providing water "to their herds'. But he noticed two women holding back their sheep. He asked them, "What is the matter?" They replied, "We cannot get a turn to water our animals' until the other shepherds are done, and our father is a very old man." 24So he watered 'their sheep' for them, then went to the shade and prayed, "My Lord! I am desperate for any good resources You may have for me."
وَلَمَّا وَرَدَ مَآءَ مَدۡيَنَ وَجَدَ عَلَيۡهِ أُمَّةٗ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ يَسۡقُونَ وَوَجَدَ مِن دُونِهِمُ ٱمۡرَأَتَيۡنِ تَذُودَانِۖ قَالَ مَا خَطۡبُكُمَاۖ قَالَتَا لَا نَسۡقِي حَتَّىٰ يُصۡدِرَ ٱلرِّعَآءُۖ وَأَبُونَا شَيۡخٞ كَبِيرٞ 23فَسَقَىٰ لَهُمَا ثُمَّ تَوَلَّىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلظِّلِّ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَآ أَنزَلۡتَ إِلَيَّ مِنۡ خَيۡرٖ فَقِير24
MUSA GETS MARRIED
25Then one of the two women came to him, walking in a shy way. She said, "My father is inviting you to reward you for watering 'our animals' for us!" When Musa came to him and told him his whole story, the old man said, "Don't worry! You are now safe from those evil people." 26One of the two daughters suggested, "O my dear father! Hire him. A strong and reliable person is definitely the best to hire." 27The old man proposed, "I want to marry one of these two daughters of mine to you, but you have to stay in my service for eight years. If you complete ten, it will be a favour from you, but I do not wish to make it difficult for you. In-Sha-Allah, you will find me easy-going." 28Musa responded, "We both have a deal. Whatever peeriod I complete, I should not be asked for more. And Allah is a Witness to what we say.
فَجَآءَتۡهُ إِحۡدَىٰهُمَا تَمۡشِي عَلَى ٱسۡتِحۡيَآءٖ قَالَتۡ إِنَّ أَبِي يَدۡعُوكَ لِيَجۡزِيَكَ أَجۡرَ مَا سَقَيۡتَ لَنَاۚ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُۥ وَقَصَّ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡقَصَصَ قَالَ لَا تَخَفۡۖ نَجَوۡتَ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 25قَالَتۡ إِحۡدَىٰهُمَا يَٰٓأَبَتِ ٱسۡتَٔۡجِرۡهُۖ إِنَّ خَيۡرَ مَنِ ٱسۡتَٔۡجَرۡتَ ٱلۡقَوِيُّ ٱلۡأَمِينُ 26قَالَ إِنِّيٓ أُرِيدُ أَنۡ أُنكِحَكَ إِحۡدَى ٱبۡنَتَيَّ هَٰتَيۡنِ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تَأۡجُرَنِي ثَمَٰنِيَ حِجَجٖۖ فَإِنۡ أَتۡمَمۡتَ عَشۡرٗا فَمِنۡ عِندِكَۖ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنۡ أَشُقَّ عَلَيۡكَۚ سَتَجِدُنِيٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ 27قَالَ ذَٰلِكَ بَيۡنِي وَبَيۡنَكَۖ أَيَّمَا ٱلۡأَجَلَيۡنِ قَضَيۡتُ فَلَا عُدۡوَٰنَ عَلَيَّۖ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَا نَقُولُ وَكِيل28
MUSA CHOSEN AS A PROPHET
29When Musa had completed that pe-riod and was travelling with his family to Egypt', he spotted a fire on the side of Mount Tur. He said to his family, "Wait here; I have spotted a fire. Perhaps from there I can bring you some directions or a torch from the fire so you can warm yourselves." 30But when he came to it, he was called from the bush in the holy ground to the right side of the valley: "O Musa! I am Allah-the Lord of the universe. 31Now, throw down your staff!" But when he saw it slithering like a snake, he ran away without looking back. "Allah said, "O Musa! Come near and have no fear. You are perfectly safe. NoW put your hand through the opening of" your collar, it will come out glowing' white, not because of a disease. And cross your arms tightly to calm your fears. These are two proofs from your Lord to Pharaoh and his chiefs; they have really been out of control."
فَلَمَّا قَضَىٰ مُوسَى ٱلۡأَجَلَ وَسَارَ بِأَهۡلِهِۦٓ ءَانَسَ مِن جَانِبِ ٱلطُّورِ نَارٗاۖ قَالَ لِأَهۡلِهِ ٱمۡكُثُوٓاْ إِنِّيٓ ءَانَسۡتُ نَارٗا لَّعَلِّيٓ ءَاتِيكُم مِّنۡهَا بِخَبَرٍ أَوۡ جَذۡوَةٖ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَصۡطَلُونَ 29فَلَمَّآ أَتَىٰهَا نُودِيَ مِن شَٰطِيِٕ ٱلۡوَادِ ٱلۡأَيۡمَنِ فِي ٱلۡبُقۡعَةِ ٱلۡمُبَٰرَكَةِ مِنَ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ أَن يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِنِّيٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 30وَأَنۡ أَلۡقِ عَصَاكَۚ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهَا تَهۡتَزُّ كَأَنَّهَا جَآنّٞ وَلَّىٰ مُدۡبِرٗا وَلَمۡ يُعَقِّبۡۚ يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ أَقۡبِلۡ وَلَا تَخَفۡۖ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأٓمِنِينَ31
Verse 30: Musa and his family lost their way in the dark while they were travelling from Madian to Egypt, so he wanted to ask for directions.
Verse 31: When Musa A put his arm through the opening of his collar again, his hand returned to its original colour.
MUSA ASKS FOR HELP
33Musa said, "My Lord! I have actually killed one of them, so I am afraid they will kill me." 34And my brother Harun speaks better than me, so send him along as my helper to support what I say; I truly fear they will reject me" 35Allah responded, "We will support you with your brother and give you both authority, they cannot harm you. With Our signs, you and those who follow you will definitely' win."
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي قَتَلۡتُ مِنۡهُمۡ نَفۡسٗا فَأَخَافُ أَن يَقۡتُلُونِ 33وَأَخِي هَٰرُونُ هُوَ أَفۡصَحُ مِنِّي لِسَانٗا فَأَرۡسِلۡهُ مَعِيَ رِدۡءٗا يُصَدِّقُنِيٓۖ إِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ أَن يُكَذِّبُونِ 34قَالَ سَنَشُدُّ عَضُدَكَ بِأَخِيكَ وَنَجۡعَلُ لَكُمَا سُلۡطَٰنٗا فَلَا يَصِلُونَ إِلَيۡكُمَا بَِٔايَٰتِنَآۚ أَنتُمَا وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكُمَا ٱلۡغَٰلِبُونَ35
PHARAOH'S RESPONSE
36But when Musa came to them with Our clear signs, they said "arrogantly', This is just a bunch of fake magic tricks. We have never heard of this in the his-tory of our fathers." 37Musa responded, "My Lord knows best who has come with true guidance from Him and will win in the end. Indeed, those doing wrong will never succeed" 38Pharaoh declared, "O chiefs! I don't know of any god for you except myself. So bake bricks of clay for me, O Haman, and build a high tower so I can take a look at the God of Musa, even though I am sure he is lying"
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم مُّوسَىٰ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا بَيِّنَٰتٖ قَالُواْ مَا هَٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحۡرٞ مُّفۡتَرٗى وَمَا سَمِعۡنَا بِهَٰذَا فِيٓ ءَابَآئِنَا ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ 36وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ رَبِّيٓ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَن جَآءَ بِٱلۡهُدَىٰ مِنۡ عِندِهِۦ وَمَن تَكُونُ لَهُۥ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلدَّارِۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفۡلِحُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ 37وَقَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنُ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلۡمَلَأُ مَا عَلِمۡتُ لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَٰهٍ غَيۡرِي فَأَوۡقِدۡ لِي يَٰهَٰمَٰنُ عَلَى ٱلطِّينِ فَٱجۡعَل لِّي صَرۡحٗا لَّعَلِّيٓ أَطَّلِعُ إِلَىٰٓ إِلَٰهِ مُوسَىٰ وَإِنِّي لَأَظُنُّهُۥ مِنَ ٱلۡكَٰذِبِينَ38
END OF PHARAOH
39And so he and his soldiers acted arrogantly throughout the land with no right, thinking they would never be returned to Us. 40So We took him and his soldiers, dumping them into the sea. See then what was the end of those doing wrong! 41We let them become leaders inviting 'others' to the Fire. And on Judgment Day they will not be helped. 42We caused a curse to follow them in this world. And on Judgment Day they will be among those put to shame.
وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرَ هُوَ وَجُنُودُهُۥ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ بِغَيۡرِ ٱلۡحَقِّ وَظَنُّوٓاْ أَنَّهُمۡ إِلَيۡنَا لَا يُرۡجَعُونَ 39فَأَخَذۡنَٰهُ وَجُنُودَهُۥ فَنَبَذۡنَٰهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡيَمِّۖ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 40وَجَعَلۡنَٰهُمۡ أَئِمَّةٗ يَدۡعُونَ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِۖ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ لَا يُنصَرُونَ 41وَأَتۡبَعۡنَٰهُمۡ فِي هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا لَعۡنَةٗۖ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ هُم مِّنَ ٱلۡمَقۡبُوحِينَ42
THE TAWRAH
43Surely, We gave Musa the Book-after destroying earlier nations-as an eye-opener for the people, a guide, and mercy so perhaps they would learn a lesson.
وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا مُوسَى ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَآ أَهۡلَكۡنَا ٱلۡقُرُونَ ٱلۡأُولَىٰ بَصَآئِرَ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُدٗى وَرَحۡمَةٗ لَّعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ43
BACKGROUND STORY
The idol-worshippers are repeatedly reminded in the Quran that the Prophet did not witness any of example, the these events that happened centuries before he was born. For anspiracies that were made against Yusuf s (12:102), the argument about who should be the guardian of young Maryam (3:44), and the drowning of Nuh's son in the Flood (11:49). Those details were not known to the Arabs before the revelation of the Quran. So the only logical way that the Prophet could have known about these stories is through revelations.
REVEALED STORIES
44You were not there 'O Prophet' on the western side of the mountain when We trusted Musa with the message, and you were not even present in his time. 45But We later' raised 'several' generations who lost their faith over time.' And you were not living among the people of Madian, rehearsing Our revelations with them. But it has all been sent by Us. 46And you were not at the side of Mount Tur when We called out to Musa'. But you came' as a mercy from your Lord to warn a people who had no warner before you, so perhaps they would keep things in mind. 47Also, so they would not argue, if hit by a disaster for what they did: "Our Lord! If only You had sent us a messenger, we would have followed Your revelations and become believers."
وَمَا كُنتَ بِجَانِبِ ٱلۡغَرۡبِيِّ إِذۡ قَضَيۡنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَى ٱلۡأَمۡرَ وَمَا كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ 44وَلَٰكِنَّآ أَنشَأۡنَا قُرُونٗا فَتَطَاوَلَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡعُمُرُۚ وَمَا كُنتَ ثَاوِيٗا فِيٓ أَهۡلِ مَدۡيَنَ تَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتِنَا وَلَٰكِنَّا كُنَّا مُرۡسِلِينَ 45وَمَا كُنتَ بِجَانِبِ ٱلطُّورِ إِذۡ نَادَيۡنَا وَلَٰكِن رَّحۡمَةٗ مِّن رَّبِّكَ لِتُنذِرَ قَوۡمٗا مَّآ أَتَىٰهُم مِّن نَّذِيرٖ مِّن قَبۡلِكَ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ 46وَلَوۡلَآ أَن تُصِيبَهُم مُّصِيبَةُۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتۡ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ فَيَقُولُواْ رَبَّنَا لَوۡلَآ أَرۡسَلۡتَ إِلَيۡنَا رَسُولٗا فَنَتَّبِعَ ءَايَٰتِكَ وَنَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ47
Verse 47: Meaning the original message was corrupted and lost over the centuries.
BACKGROUND STORY
The idol-worshippers challenged the Prophet , "Why was this Quran not revealed all at onca like the Tawrah of Musa sa ? And why don't you perform some of his miracles?" Later, those Idol-worshippers reached out to some trusted Jewish scholars in Madinah to ask about him .When they were told that his description is mentioned in the Tawrah, the idol-worshippers immediately rejected both the Tawrah and the Quran, saying that both books were misleading works of magic. {Imam Al-Qurțubi}
MAKKANS REJECT THE QURAN
48But when the truth came to them from Us, they argued, "Why did he not get something similar to what Musa was given?" Did they not already reject what Musa got in the past? They claimed, "Both "Books' are just works of magic, support-ing each other" and, "We definitely reject both." 49Say, "O Prophet,' "Bring then a book from Allah--which is a better guide than these two-so I can follow it, if your claim is true." 50So if they fail to respond to you, then know that they only follow their desires. And who could be more misguided than those who follow their desires with no guidance from Allah? Surely Allah does not guide those who do wrong.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِنۡ عِندِنَا قَالُواْ لَوۡلَآ أُوتِيَ مِثۡلَ مَآ أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰٓۚ أَوَ لَمۡ يَكۡفُرُواْ بِمَآ أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ مِن قَبۡلُۖ قَالُواْ سِحۡرَانِ تَظَٰهَرَا وَقَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِكُلّٖ كَٰفِرُونَ 48قُلۡ فَأۡتُواْ بِكِتَٰبٖ مِّنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ أَهۡدَىٰ مِنۡهُمَآ أَتَّبِعۡهُ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ 49فَإِن لَّمۡ يَسۡتَجِيبُواْ لَكَ فَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّمَا يَتَّبِعُونَ أَهۡوَآءَهُمۡۚ وَمَنۡ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ بِغَيۡرِ هُدٗى مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهۡدِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ50
FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
51Indeed, We have kept sending the Word 'of Allah' to those Makkans' so they will learn the lesson. 52As for those We have given the Book before this 'Quran', they do believe in it. 53When it is recited to them, they declare, "We have Faith in it. This is definitely the truth from our Lord. We had already submitted 'to Allah even' before this." 54These 'believers' will receive a double reward for being patient, responding to evil with good, and for donating from what We have provided for them. 55When they hear hurtful words, they turn away from them, saying, "We are accountable for our deeds and you are accountable for yours. We leave you in peace. We want nothing to do with those acting ignorantly'"
وَلَقَدۡ وَصَّلۡنَا لَهُمُ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ 51ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبۡلِهِۦ هُم بِهِۦ يُؤۡمِنُونَ 52وَإِذَا يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ قَالُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦٓ إِنَّهُ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبۡلِهِۦ مُسۡلِمِينَ 53أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ يُؤۡتَوۡنَ أَجۡرَهُم مَّرَّتَيۡنِ بِمَا صَبَرُواْ وَيَدۡرَءُونَ بِٱلۡحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ 54وَإِذَا سَمِعُواْ ٱللَّغۡوَ أَعۡرَضُواْ عَنۡهُ وَقَالُواْ لَنَآ أَعۡمَٰلُنَا وَلَكُمۡ أَعۡمَٰلُكُمۡ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيۡكُمۡ لَا نَبۡتَغِي ٱلۡجَٰهِلِينَ55
BACKGROUND STORY
It is reported that Abu Talib, the Prophet's uncle, was on his death bed when the Prophet came to offer him Islam for the last time. Some people were there in the room, including Abu Jahl, one of the biggest enemies of Islam. The Prophet said, "My dear uncle! Please say 'La ilaha illa Allah (There is no God that deserves worship except Allah)' so I can defend you on Judgment Day." However, Abu Jahl pressured Abu Talib, saying, "Are you going to reject the faith of your ancestors?" So Abu Talib said to the Prophet , "l wish I could say it, but I don't want people to say that he did it just because he was scared of death." The Prophet was very sad that his uncle passed away without accepting Islam. Verse 56 was revealed to tell him that his job is to deliver the message-guidance is only from Allah. {Imam A-Bukhari & Imam Muslim} The Prophet was asked by his uncle A-Abbas,"O Messenger of Allah! Abu Talib always defended you and took care of you. Are you going to benefit him at all on Judgment Day?" The Prophet replied, "He is going to be in a shallow place in Hell. If it wasn't for me, he would have been in the depths of the Fire." {Imam Al-Bukhari & Imam Muslim}
GUIDANCE IS FROM ALLAH ALONE
56You "O Prophet' certainly cannot guide whoever you like, but Allah is the One Who guides whoever He wants-He knows best those "fit to be' guided.
إِنَّكَ لَا تَهۡدِي مَنۡ أَحۡبَبۡتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَهۡدِي مَن يَشَآءُۚ وَهُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِٱلۡمُهۡتَدِينَ56
MAKKANS' FALSE EXCUSES
57They say 'to the Prophet', "If we followed true' guidance with you, we would definitely be snatched away from our land." Have We not established for them a safe place in Makkah' to which fruits of all kinds are brought as resources from Us? But most of them do not recognize this. 58Imagine' how many societies We have destroyed that had been spoiled by their 'comfortable' liy-ing! Those are their homes, with hardly anyone staying there after them. It was We Who took over in the end. 59Your Lord would never destroy a society be-fore sending a messenger to its capital, reciting Our revelations to them. Also, We would never destroy a society unless its people kept doing wrong.
وَقَالُوٓاْ إِن نَّتَّبِعِ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ مَعَكَ نُتَخَطَّفۡ مِنۡ أَرۡضِنَآۚ أَوَ لَمۡ نُمَكِّن لَّهُمۡ حَرَمًا ءَامِنٗا يُجۡبَىٰٓ إِلَيۡهِ ثَمَرَٰتُ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ رِّزۡقٗا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ 57وَكَمۡ أَهۡلَكۡنَا مِن قَرۡيَةِۢ بَطِرَتۡ مَعِيشَتَهَاۖ فَتِلۡكَ مَسَٰكِنُهُمۡ لَمۡ تُسۡكَن مِّنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗاۖ وَكُنَّا نَحۡنُ ٱلۡوَٰرِثِينَ 58وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ مُهۡلِكَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡعَثَ فِيٓ أُمِّهَا رَسُولٗا يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتِنَاۚ وَمَا كُنَّا مُهۡلِكِي ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ إِلَّا وَأَهۡلُهَا ظَٰلِمُونَ59
Verse 59: Including the idol-worshippers who briefly stopped there for rest during their business trips.
THIS LIFE OR THE NEXT?
60Whatever 'pleasure' you have been given is just 'a short' enjoyment and luxury of this life. But what is with Allah is far better and everlasting. Will you not then understand? 61Can those We have given a good promise-which they will see come true-be like those We have left to enjoy the pleasures of this life but on Judgment Day will be trapped 'in Punishment"?
وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَيۡءٖ فَمَتَٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَزِينَتُهَاۚ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٞ وَأَبۡقَىٰٓۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ 60أَفَمَن وَعَدۡنَٰهُ وَعۡدًا حَسَنٗا فَهُوَ لَٰقِيهِ كَمَن مَّتَّعۡنَٰهُ مَتَٰعَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا ثُمَّ هُوَ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡمُحۡضَرِينَ61
THE WICKED WILL BE DOOMED
62Watch for' the Day He will call to them, "Where are those "false gods' you claimed were My partners?" 63Those "misleaders' who deserve to be doomed will cry, "Our Lord! These followers' are the ones we misguided. We misguided them because we ourselves were mis-guided. We distance ourselves "from them in front of You. It was not us that they used to worship." 64Again, it will be said to the disbelievers", "Call upon your false 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! 65And 'watch for the Day He will call to them, asking, "How did you respond to the messengers?" 66They will be too stunned on that Day to ask each other 'for answers'. 67As for those who repent, believe, and do good 'in this world', it is right to hope that they will be among the successful.
وَيَوۡمَ يُنَادِيهِمۡ فَيَقُولُ أَيۡنَ شُرَكَآءِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمۡ تَزۡعُمُونَ 62قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ حَقَّ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡقَوۡلُ رَبَّنَا هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أَغۡوَيۡنَآ أَغۡوَيۡنَٰهُمۡ كَمَا غَوَيۡنَاۖ تَبَرَّأۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَۖ مَا كَانُوٓاْ إِيَّانَا يَعۡبُدُونَ 63وَقِيلَ ٱدۡعُواْ شُرَكَآءَكُمۡ فَدَعَوۡهُمۡ فَلَمۡ يَسۡتَجِيبُواْ لَهُمۡ وَرَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَۚ لَوۡ أَنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ يَهۡتَدُونَ 64وَيَوۡمَ يُنَادِيهِمۡ فَيَقُولُ مَاذَآ أَجَبۡتُمُ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ 65فَعَمِيَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡأَنۢبَآءُ يَوۡمَئِذٖ فَهُمۡ لَا يَتَسَآءَلُونَ 66فَأَمَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗا فَعَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحِينَ67
ALLAH'S POWER& KNOVWLEDGE
68Your Lord creates and chooses whatever He wants-the choice is not theirs. Allah is praised and honoured high above whatever "false gods' they make equal to Him. 69And your Lord knows what their hearts hide and what they show. 70He is Allah. There is no god 'that deserves worship' except Him. All praise belongs to Him in this life and the Next. All authority is His. And you will all be returned to Him.
وَرَبُّكَ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيَخۡتَارُۗ مَا كَانَ لَهُمُ ٱلۡخِيَرَةُۚ سُبۡحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ 68وَرَبُّكَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تُكِنُّ صُدُورُهُمۡ وَمَا يُعۡلِنُونَ 69وَهُوَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ لَهُ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ فِي ٱلۡأُولَىٰ وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۖ وَلَهُ ٱلۡحُكۡمُ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ70
ALLAH'S POWER & KINDNESS
71Ask "them, O Prophet', "Imagine if Al-lah made the night permanent for you until Judgment Day-which god other than Allah could bring you sunlight? Will you not then listen?" 72Ask them also, "Imagine if Allah made the day permanent for you until Judgment Day-which god other than Allah could bring you night to rest in? Will you not then see?" 73It is because of His mercy that He has made for you the day and night so that you may rest 'in the night' and seek His blessings 'in the day', and perhaps you will be grateful.
قُلۡ أَرَءَيۡتُمۡ إِن جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلَّيۡلَ سَرۡمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ مَنۡ إِلَٰهٌ غَيۡرُ ٱللَّهِ يَأۡتِيكُم بِضِيَآءٍۚ أَفَلَا تَسۡمَعُونَ 71قُلۡ أَرَءَيۡتُمۡ إِن جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلنَّهَارَ سَرۡمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ مَنۡ إِلَٰهٌ غَيۡرُ ٱللَّهِ يَأۡتِيكُم بِلَيۡلٖ تَسۡكُنُونَ فِيهِۚ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ 72وَمِن رَّحۡمَتِهِۦ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيۡلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ لِتَسۡكُنُواْ فِيهِ وَلِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ73
IDOL-WORSHIPPERS PUT TO SHAME
74Again, watch for' the Day He will call to them, "Where are those "false gods' you claimed were My partners?" 75And We will bring a witness out of every faith-community and ask those 'idol-worshippers', "Show 'Us' your proof." Then they will realize that the truth is with Allah "alone'. And whatever "gods' they made up will fail them.
وَيَوۡمَ يُنَادِيهِمۡ فَيَقُولُ أَيۡنَ شُرَكَآءِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمۡ تَزۡعُمُونَ 74وَنَزَعۡنَا مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٖ شَهِيدٗا فَقُلۡنَا هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَٰنَكُمۡ فَعَلِمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱلۡحَقَّ لِلَّهِ وَضَلَّ عَنۡهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَفۡتَرُونَ75
Verse 75: A prophet.
BACKGROUND STORY
Qaroon was the cousin of Musa a. He worked for Pharaoh and was very close to him. When he became extremely rich, he started to behave arrogantly towards his own people. Musa a asked him several times to donate to help the poor among their people, but Qaroon refused and even started causing trouble for Musa . Qaroon was advised to keep the balance between enjoying this life and working for the Next, but he didn't care. He thought that he had become rich because he was smart, not because of Allah. Many people were impressed by his fancy lifestyle. As for those blessed with wisdom, they understood his wealth to be just a test from Allah. Eventually, Qaroon was destroyed for his arrogance. (lmam lbn Kathir & Imam A-Qurțubi}
WORDS OF WISDOM
As we mentioned in Surah 102, people try to achieve happiness in many different ways. Most of them think that only money can make them happy. Some don't care if their money is halal or haram, and don't care about the poor either. In Islam, there is nothing wrong with making lots of money. Many of the companions who were told they were going to Jannah were rich-including Abu Bakr, Othman, and 'Abdur-Rahman ibn 'Awf . For money to be a blessing, not a curse: It has to come from a halal source, such as an acceptable job or a business. It makes it easy for the person to live a good life, buy nice clothes, house, and car. The Prophet saw a man in dirty clothes and a miserable condition. He asked the man if he had money, and the man replied that he was rich. The Prophet told him, "If Allah blesses you with wealth, His blessings should be reflected on you." {Imam Ahmad} The person should pay zakah and sadaqah and use the money to please Allah. When we are generous with people, Allah will be generous with us. It shouldn't make the person arrogant or abusive. It shouldn't distract the person from praying and doing important things in life.
We should keep in mind that money is not everything. For example, money can buy us medicine, but not good health. It can buy a bed, but not sleep. It can buy fancy things, but not happiness. This explains why some millionaires are miserable, and some even take their own lives. Their life is poor because the only thing they have is money. Sometimes money turns from a blessing into a curse when people kill, steal, cheat, and do shameful things for money. Some people cut off their family relations, fight with their brothers and sisters, and take them to court over money. They waste their lives and ruin relationships just for money, which they will leave behind when they die. The Prophet & said that at the end of time, the earth will throw out huge chunks of gold and silver. A killer will pass by these chunks and cry, "I killed for this." The person who cut off family ties will pass by and cry, "l neglected my relatives for this!" A thief will pass by and say. "got myself in trouble for this." Then they will all leave the chunks laying around and take nothing. {Imam Muslim} In 43:32, Allah tells us that He has blessed people in different ways so that they can serve and help each other. For example, the dentist needs the teacher to educate his kids. The teacher needs the barber to cut his hair. The barber needs the plumber to fix water pipes in his house. The plumber needs the baker, the baker needs the farmer, the farmer needs the dentist, and so on. We all need one another, and we should treat each other with respect. Even if you don't need someone today, you may need them tomorrow.
SIDE STORY
Wa'il ibn 'Amr, who came from a long line of Yemeni kings, arrived in Madinah to accept Islam. To honour him, the Prophet gifted him a piece of land for the property he had left behind in Yemen. He told Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan to escort Wa'il to his new land. Even though Wa'il had accepted Islam, it took him a while to forget that he was once a king. It was a hot Summer day and Mu'awiyah was too poor to afford a pair of shoes. On the way, he asked Wa'il if he could ride the camel with him, but Wa'il said, "No! You are not good enough to ride a camel with a king." Mu'awiyah then asked, "At least, can I have your shoes?" He replied, "No! You are not good enough to wear the shoes of a king." Then he told Mu'awiyah , "TIl let you walk in the shade of my camel instead!" Many years later, Mu'awiyah became the ruler of the Muslim world. Wa'il came to visit him in is palace in Syria while he was sitting on his throne. Mu'awiyah then allowed Wa'il to sit with him on the throne and offered him money. Wa'il was impressed by this treatment. He apologized and said, "If l could go back in time, Il'd have treated you differently." (Imam Ahmad & Imam Ibn Hibban}
QAROON DOOMED FOR ARROGANCE
76Indeed, Qaroon was from the people of Musa, but he acted arrogantly towards them. We gave him such treasures that even their keys would burden a group of strong men. "Some of his people advised him, "Do not be arrogant! Surely Allah does not like those who are arrogant. 77Instead, use what Allah has given you to seek "the reward' of the Next Life, without forgetting your share of this world. And be good "to others' as Allah has been good to you. Do not try to cause trouble in the land. Allah certainly does not like the corruptors." 78He bragged, "I have been given all this only because of my knowledge!" Did he not know that Allah had already destroyed some from the generations before him who had much more power and wealth than him? There will be no need for the wicked to be asked about their sins.¹⁰ 79One day, he came out in front of his people with all his luxury. Those who desired this world said, "We wish we could get something similar to what Qaroon was given. He is such a lucky man!" 80But those gifted with knowledge replied, "Shame on you! Allah's reward is far better for those who believe and do good. But none will achieve this except the patient." 81In the end, We caused the earth to swallow him up, along with his home. There was no one to help him against Allah, and he could not even help himself. 82Those who had wished to be in his place the other day began to say, "Ah! It is actually Allah Who gives generous or limited re-sources to whoever He wants of His ser-vants. If it was not for the mercy of Allah, He could have easily caused the earth to Swallows us too! Oh, indeed! The disbe-lievers never succeed"
إِنَّ قَٰرُونَ كَانَ مِن قَوۡمِ مُوسَىٰ فَبَغَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡۖ وَءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلۡكُنُوزِ مَآ إِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهُۥ لَتَنُوٓأُ بِٱلۡعُصۡبَةِ أُوْلِي ٱلۡقُوَّةِ إِذۡ قَالَ لَهُۥ قَوۡمُهُۥ لَا تَفۡرَحۡۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡفَرِحِينَ 76وَٱبۡتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَأَحۡسِن كَمَآ أَحۡسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيۡكَۖ وَلَا تَبۡغِ ٱلۡفَسَادَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ 77قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٍ عِندِيٓۚ أَوَ لَمۡ يَعۡلَمۡ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدۡ أَهۡلَكَ مِن قَبۡلِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرُونِ مَنۡ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنۡهُ قُوَّةٗ وَأَكۡثَرُ جَمۡعٗاۚ وَلَا يُسَۡٔلُ عَن ذُنُوبِهِمُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمُونَ 78فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوۡمِهِۦ فِي زِينَتِهِۦۖ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا يَٰلَيۡتَ لَنَا مِثۡلَ مَآ أُوتِيَ قَٰرُونُ إِنَّهُۥ لَذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٖ 79وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ وَيۡلَكُمۡ ثَوَابُ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٞ لِّمَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗاۚ وَلَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلصَّٰبِرُونَ 80فَخَسَفۡنَا بِهِۦ وَبِدَارِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَهُۥ مِن فِئَةٖ يَنصُرُونَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنتَصِرِينَ 81وَأَصۡبَحَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَمَنَّوۡاْ مَكَانَهُۥ بِٱلۡأَمۡسِ يَقُولُونَ وَيۡكَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقۡدِرُۖ لَوۡلَآ أَن مَّنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡنَا لَخَسَفَ بِنَاۖ وَيۡكَأَنَّهُۥ لَا يُفۡلِحُ ٱلۡكَٰفِرُونَ82
Verse 81: Since their sins are already known to Allah and written in per-fect books, they will only be questioned as a form of humiliation.
PAY DAY
83That 'eternal' Home in the Next Life We reserve only for those who do not seek arrogance or corruption on the earth. The faithful will win in the end. 84Whoever comes with a good deed will be rewarded with something better. And whoever comes with an evil deed, then those who did evil will be paid back only for what they did.
تِلۡكَ ٱلدَّارُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ نَجۡعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوّٗا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا فَسَادٗاۚ وَٱلۡعَٰقِبَةُ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ 83مَن جَآءَ بِٱلۡحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُۥ خَيۡرٞ مِّنۡهَاۖ وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجۡزَى ٱلَّذِينَ عَمِلُواْ ٱلسَّئَِّاتِ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ84
BACKGROUND STORY
Verse 85 was revealed while the Prophet was on the way to Madinah, after 13 years of abuse in Makkah. When he secretly left the city after the idol-worshippers had tried to kill him, he had only one man with him, Abu Bakr . But when the Prophet returned to Makkah 8 years later, he had Over 10,000 soldiers. The Prophet could have easily crushed his enemies who had Previously abused him and many of his companions. But he decided to forgive them and turn a new page with the city. This is one of the main reasons why most of the Makkans accepted Islam. {Imam Ibn Kathir & Imam Al-Qurtubi}
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "If verse 88 mentions Allah's Face, why did you translate it as referring Allah Himself?" That's a good question. Let's keep the following points in mind: We have mentioned repeatedly that Allah has a Face, Hands, and Eyes that are not like ours. These qualities are beyond our comprehension. In the Arabic language, sometimes we use one aspect or quality to refer to the whole. For example, The Quran refers to salah as ruku' or sujud, which are only parts of salah. The Prophet & says that haj is 'Arafah, even though it's only one part of haj. When the Quran talks about freeing 'the neck' of a slave, it's not like the rest of his body stays behind. Even in English, when you ask for someone's hand in marriage, you don't just marry their hand. Like 55:26-27, verse 88 means that everything will die except Allah alone (not just His Face or Hands, for example). This is based on the understanding of tafsir scholars such as lbn Kathir, AI-Qurțubi, As-Sa'di, lbn 'Ashur, and many others. In the same way, if a verse says that something good is done "seeking Allah's Face" this style is understood in Arabic to mean "it is done sincerely for Allah, only to please Him." Footnotes usually include the literal translation to emphasize the fact that Allah has a Face.
ADVICE TO THE PROPHET
85Surely, the One Who has assigned the Quran to you will 'eventually' bring you back home to Makkah'. Say, "My Lord knows best who has come with true' guidance and who clearly lost the way" 86You 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 evil". 87Do not let them turn you away from the revelations of Allah after they have been sent down to you. Instead, invite all to 'the Way of your Lord, and do not be one of the idol-wor-shippers. 88And do not call upon any other god with Allah. There is no god 'that de-serves worship' except Him. Everything is going to die, except Him." All authority is His. And to Him you will all be returned.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِي فَرَضَ عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لَرَآدُّكَ إِلَىٰ مَعَادٖۚ قُل رَّبِّيٓ أَعۡلَمُ مَن جَآءَ بِٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَمَنۡ هُوَ فِي ضَلَٰلٖ مُّبِين 85وَمَا كُنتَ تَرۡجُوٓاْ أَن يُلۡقَىٰٓ إِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبُ إِلَّا رَحۡمَةٗ مِّن رَّبِّكَۖ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ ظَهِيرٗا لِّلۡكَٰفِرِينَ 86وَلَا يَصُدُّنَّكَ عَنۡ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ أُنزِلَتۡ إِلَيۡكَۖ وَٱدۡعُ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَۖ وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ 87وَلَا تَدۡعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَۘ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۚ كُلُّ شَيۡءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجۡهَهُۥۚ لَهُ ٱلۡحُكۡمُ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ88
Verse 88: Lit., except His Face.