Sourate Al-Qasas (28) unvowelled

In the name of God, the All-Benevolent, the Benevolent. Ta. Sin. Mim.i 1

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم طسم

These are the signs of the explicit Scripture.i 2

تلك ءايت الكتب المبين

We relate to you, in truth, part of the account of Moussa and Fir'awn, for a people who believe.i 3

نتلوا عليك من نبا موسى وفرعون بالحق لقوم يومنون

Fir'awn rose up with excess in the land and split its people into factions; he kept one group of them weak, slaughtering their sons and violating the modesty of their women,i 4

ان فرعون علا في الارض وجعل اهلها شيعا يستضعف طايفة منهم يذبح ابناءهم ويستحي نساءهم

for he was one of those who spread corruption. 4

انه كان من المفسدين

We wanted to favor those who had been kept weak in the land, to make them leaders, to make them the heirs, to establish them firmly in the land, and to show Fir'awn, Haman, and their armies, through them, what they had been guarding against.i 6

ونريد ان نمن على الذين استضعفوا في الارض ونجعلهم ايمة ونجعلهم الورثين ونمكن لهم في الارض ونري فرعون وهمن وجنودهما منهم ما كانوا يحذرون

We inspired Moussa's mother: "Take him into your care; and if you fear for him, cast him into the river, without fear or grief,i 7

واوحينا الى ام موسى ان ارضعيه فاذا خفت عليه فالقيه في اليم ولا تخافي ولا تحزني

for We will return him to you and make him one of the envoys." 7

انا رادوه اليك وجاعلوه من المرسلين

Fir'awn's household picked him up, so that he would become, in the end, an enemy and a source of grief for them —i 8

فالتقطه ءال فرعون ليكون لهم عدوا وحزنا

Fir'awn, Haman, and their armies were at fault.i 8

ان فرعون وهمن وجنودهما كانوا خطين

Fir'awn's wife said: "A rest of the gaze for me and for you; do not kill him;i 9

وقالت امرات فرعون قرت عين لي ولك لا تقتلوه

perhaps he will be useful to us, or we will adopt him as a son." They were not aware of it. 9

عسى ان ينفعنا او نتخذه ولدا وهم لا يشعرون

The Conscience of Moussa's mother became empty; she nearly revealed it, had We not steadied her Core, so that she would be among those who believe.i 10

واصبح فواد ام موسى فرغا ان كادت لتبدي به لولا ان ربطنا على قلبها لتكون من المومنين

She said to his sister: "Follow his trail." She watched him from a distance, without their being aware. 11

وقالت لاخته قصيه فبصرت به عن جنب وهم لا يشعرون

We had beforehand forbidden him to be taken in charge by anyone else; she then said: "Shall I show you a family who will take charge of him for you, with true care for him?" 12

وحرمنا عليه المراضع من قبل فقالت هل ادلكم على اهل بيت يكفلونه لكم وهم له نصحون

Thus We returned him to his mother, so that her gaze might settle, that she would grieve no more, and that she would know that God's promise is true — 13

فرددنه الى امه كى تقر عينها ولا تحزن ولتعلم ان وعد الله حق

but most of them do not know. 13

ولكن اكثرهم لا يعلمون

When he reached his full maturity and had become established, We gave him wisdom and knowledge — 14

ولما بلغ اشده واستوى ءاتينه حكما وعلما

thus do We reward those who do good. 14

وكذلك نجزي المحسنين

He entered the Capital at a moment when its people were inattentive, and found there two men fighting: one from his own camp, the other from the opposing camp. 15

ودخل المدينة على حين غفلة من اهلها فوجد فيها رجلين يقتتلان هذا من شيعته وهذا من عدوه

The one from his own camp called for help against the one from the opposing camp; Moussa struck him with his fist and left him for dead.i 15

فاستغثه الذي من شيعته على الذي من عدوه فوكزه موسى فقضى عليه

He said: "This is the work of the Diverter;i 15

قال هذا من عمل الشيطن

he is an enemy, a manifest misleader." 15

انه عدو مضل مبين

He said: "Guardian, I have wronged myself; forgive me." 16

قال رب اني ظلمت نفسي فاغفر لي

He forgave him, 16

فغفر له

for He is the All-Forgiving, the Benevolent. 16

انه هو الغفور الرحيم

He said: "Guardian, by the blessing You have granted me, I will never again be a support for the doers of evil." 17

قال رب بما انعمت على فلن اكون ظهيرا للمجرمين

He found himself in the Capital, fearful, on watch; and there was the one who, the day before, had asked for his help, crying out to him again for aid. 18

فاصبح في المدينة خايفا يترقب فاذا الذي استنصره بالامس يستصرخه

Moussa said to him: "You are clearly a man gone astray."i 18

قال له موسى انك لغوي مبين

Then, as he was about to strike the one who was the enemy of the two, [the man] said: "O Moussa, do you want to kill me as you killed a person yesterday?i 19

فلما ان اراد ان يبطش بالذي هو عدو لهما قال يموسى اتريد ان تقتلني كما قتلت نفسا بالامس

You only want to become a tyrant in the land; you do not want to be one of those who set things right." 19

ان تريد الا ان تكون جبارا في الارض وما تريد ان تكون من المصلحين

A man came running from the far end of the Capital. 20

وجاء رجل من اقصا المدينة يسعى

He said: "O Moussa, the court is conspiring against you to kill you; leave — I am a sincere advisor to you."i 20

قال يموسى ان الملا ياتمرون بك ليقتلوك فاخرج اني لك من النصحين

He left it, fearful, on watch, 21

فخرج منها خايفا يترقب

and said: "Guardian, save me from the unjust people." 21

قال رب نجني من القوم الظلمين

As he headed toward Madian, he said: "Perhaps my Guardian will guide me to the right way." 22

ولما توجه تلقاء مدين قال عسى ربي ان يهديني سواء السبيل

When he arrived at the water of Madian, he found there a group of people watering [their flocks], and found, apart from them, two women holding [theirs] back. 23

ولما ورد ماء مدين وجد عليه امة من الناس يسقون ووجد من دونهم امراتين تذودان

He said: "What is your matter?" 23

قال ما خطبكما

They said: "We do not water until the shepherds have driven off; and our father is a very old man." 23

قالتا لا نسقي حتى يصدر الرعاء وابونا شيخ كبير

He watered for them, then withdrew to the shade and said: "Guardian, I am in great need of whatever good You would send down to me." 24

فسقى لهما ثم تولى الى الظل فقال رب اني لما انزلت الى من خير فقير

One of the two came to him, walking with reserved modesty. 25

فجاءته احدىهما تمشي على استحياء

She said: "My father calls you, to reward you for having watered [our flock] for us." 25

قالت ان ابي يدعوك ليجزيك اجر ما سقيت لنا

When he came to him and told him his account, [the old man] said: "Fear nothing, you have escaped the unjust people." 25

فلما جاءه وقص عليه القصص قال لا تخف نجوت من القوم الظلمين

One of the two said: "O my father, hire him; 26

قالت احدىهما يابت استجره

the best one you could hire is one who is strong and trustworthy." 26

ان خير من استجرت القوي الامين

He said: "I wish to marry you to one of these two daughters of mine, on condition that you serve me for eight years; 27

قال اني اريد ان انكحك احدى ابنتى هتين على ان تاجرني ثمني حجج

and if you complete ten, that will be of your own accord; 27

فان اتممت عشرا فمن عندك

I do not wish to impose a hardship on you — 27

وما اريد ان اشق عليك

you will find me, if God wills, among the righteous." 27

ستجدني ان شاء الله من الصلحين

He said: "That is settled between you and me; 28

قال ذلك بيني وبينك

whichever of the two terms I fulfill, let no injustice be done to me." 28

ايما الاجلين قضيت فلا عدون على

God is the agent over what we say. 28

والله على ما نقول وكيل

When Moussa had completed the term and set out with his family, he made out a fire on the side of the Mount.i 29

فلما قضى موسى الاجل وسار باهله ءانس من جانب الطور نارا

He said to his family: "Stay here; I have made out a fire; perhaps I will bring you news from it, or a burning ember, so that you may warm yourselves." 29

قال لاهله امكثوا اني ءانست نارا لعلي ءاتيكم منها بخبر او جذوة من النار لعلكم تصطلون

When he reached it, he was called from the right side of the valley, in the blessed place, from the tree: "O Moussa, it is I, God, the Guardian of all beings! Cast down your staff."i 31

فلما اتىها نودي من شطي الواد الايمن في البقعة المبركة من الشجرة ان يموسى اني انا الله رب العلمين وان الق عصاك

When he saw it vibrate as though it were an Occulted, he turned his back to flee without looking back.i 31

فلما رءاها تهتز كانها جان ولى مدبرا ولم يعقب

"O Moussa, come forward and fear nothing;i 31

يموسى اقبل ولا تخف

you are among those who are secure. 31

انك من الءامنين

Insert your hand into your collar, it will come out white, without any harm; 32

اسلك يدك في جيبك تخرج بيضاء من غير سوء

and press your arm to yourself to calm the fear. 32

واضمم اليك جناحك من الرهب

These, then, are two proofs from your Guardian, for Fir'awn and his court;i 32

فذنك برهنان من ربك الى فرعون وملايه

they were a people of oversteppers." 32

انهم كانوا قوما فسقين

He said: "Guardian, I killed one of theirs and I fear they will kill me; but my brother Harun has a clearer tongue than mine — send him with me as a support, to confirm my words;i 34

قال رب اني قتلت منهم نفسا فاخاف ان يقتلون واخي هرون هو افصح مني لسانا فارسله معي ردءا يصدقني

for I fear they will deny me." 34

اني اخاف ان يكذبون

He said: "We will strengthen your arm through your brother, and We will give you both an authority, so that they will not be able to reach you — through Our signs, 35

قال سنشد عضدك باخيك ونجعل لكما سلطنا فلا يصلون اليكما بايتنا

you two, and those who follow you, will be the victors." 35

انتما ومن اتبعكما الغلبون

When Moussa brought them Our clear signs, they said: "This is nothing but a fabricated illusion; we never heard of this among our earliest forefathers."i 36

فلما جاءهم موسى بايتنا بينت قالوا ما هذا الا سحر مفترى وما سمعنا بهذا في ءاباينا الاولين

Moussa said: "My Guardian knows best who comes with guidance from Him, and to whom the [happy] outcome of the Abode will belong —i 37

وقال موسى ربي اعلم بمن جاء بالهدى من عنده ومن تكون له عقبة الدار

the unjust never succeed." 37

انه لا يفلح الظلمون

Fir'awn said: "O court, I know of no god for you other than myself. So kindle for me a fire upon clay, O Haman, and build me a tower, that I may climb up to the god of Moussa; for I certainly think he is among the liars."i 38

وقال فرعون يايها الملا ما علمت لكم من اله غيري فاوقد لي يهمن على الطين فاجعل لي صرحا لعلي اطلع الى اله موسى واني لاظنه من الكذبين

He swelled with pride, he and his armies, in the land, without any right, and they thought they would never be brought back to Us. 39

واستكبر هو وجنوده في الارض بغير الحق وظنوا انهم الينا لا يرجعون

So We seized him and his armies, and cast them into the river — 40

فاخذنه وجنوده فنبذنهم في اليم

so see how the outcome of the unjust was. 40

فانظر كيف كان عقبة الظلمين

We made them leaders who call to the Fire, 41

وجعلنهم ايمة يدعون الى النار

and on the Day of Appearance, they will not be helped.i 41

ويوم القيمة لا ينصرون

We made a curse follow them in the present life, 42

واتبعنهم في هذه الدنيا لعنة

and on the Day of Appearance they will be among the repudiated.i 42

ويوم القيمة هم من المقبوحين

We gave Moussa the Scripture, after having destroyed the first generations, as insights for the people, guidance, and benevolence, so that they might remember.i 43

ولقد ءاتينا موسى الكتب من بعد ما اهلكنا القرون الاولى بصاير للناس وهدى ورحمة لعلهم يتذكرون

You were not on the western side when We decreed the command to Moussa,i 44

وما كنت بجانب الغربي اذ قضينا الى موسى الامر

nor were you among those who witnessed it. 44

وما كنت من الشهدين

But We caused generations to arise whose lifespan grew long; 45

ولكنا انشانا قرونا فتطاول عليهم العمر

and you did not dwell among the people of Madian, reciting Our signs to them, 45

وما كنت ثاويا في اهل مدين تتلوا عليهم ءايتنا

but it is We who sent you. 45

ولكنا كنا مرسلين

Nor were you on the side of the Mount when We called; 46

وما كنت بجانب الطور اذ نادينا

but it is a benevolence from your Guardian, so that you may warn a people to whom no warner had come before you, so that they might remember. 46

ولكن رحمة من ربك لتنذر قوما ما اتىهم من نذير من قبلك لعلهم يتذكرون

And were it not that, when a misfortune strikes them for what their hands have sent forth, they might say: "Our Guardian, why did You not send us a messenger, that we might have followed Your signs and been among the believers" — 47

ولولا ان تصيبهم مصيبة بما قدمت ايديهم فيقولوا ربنا لولا ارسلت الينا رسولا فنتبع ءايتك ونكون من المومنين

[so, when the truth came to them from Us,] they said: "Why was he not given the like of what was given to Moussa?"i 48

فلما جاءهم الحق من عندنا قالوا لولا اوتي مثل ما اوتي موسى

Did they not deny what was given to Moussa before?i 48

اولم يكفروا بما اوتي موسى من قبل

They said: "Two illusions backing each other up!"i 48

قالوا سحران تظهرا

and they said: "We deny all of it." 48

وقالوا انا بكل كفرون

Say: "Bring, then, a scripture from God more guiding than these two, and I will follow it, if you are truthful."i 49

قل فاتوا بكتب من عند الله هو اهدى منهما اتبعه ان كنتم صدقين

If they do not respond to you, know that they only follow their emotion — 50

فان لم يستجيبوا لك فاعلم انما يتبعون اهواءهم

and who is more astray than one who follows his emotion, without guidance from God? 50

ومن اضل ممن اتبع هوىه بغير هدى من الله

God does not guide the unjust people. 50

ان الله لا يهدي القوم الظلمين

We made the word reach them without a break, so that they might remember. 51

ولقد وصلنا لهم القول لعلهم يتذكرون

Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it believe in it;i 52

الذين ءاتينهم الكتب من قبله هم به يومنون

and when it is recited to them, they say: "We believe in it; it is the truth from our Guardian; we were, even before it, already true to God alone." 53

واذا يتلى عليهم قالوا ءامنا به انه الحق من ربنا انا كنا من قبله مسلمين

These will be given their reward twice over, for having endured, for having repelled evil with good, and for having spent from what We provided them. 54

اوليك يوتون اجرهم مرتين بما صبروا ويدرءون بالحسنة السيية ومما رزقنهم ينفقون

And when they hear idle talk, they turn away from it and say: "To us our deeds, to you yours; peace upon you, we do not seek [the company of] the ignorant." 55

واذا سمعوا اللغو اعرضوا عنه وقالوا لنا اعملنا ولكم اعملكم سلم عليكم لا نبتغي الجهلين

You do not guide whom you love; 56

انك لا تهدي من احببت

but God guides whom He wills, 56

ولكن الله يهدي من يشاء

and He knows best those who are rightly guided. 56

وهو اعلم بالمهتدين

They said: "If we follow the guidance with you, we will be torn away from our land." 57

وقالوا ان نتبع الهدى معك نتخطف من ارضنا

Have We not firmly established them in a secure sanctuary, to which the fruits of all things flow, as provision from Us?i 57

اولم نمكن لهم حرما ءامنا يجبى اليه ثمرت كل شىء رزقا من لدنا

But most of them do not know. 57

ولكن اكثرهم لا يعلمون

How many a city have We destroyed, that had grown reckless in its own livelihood! 58

وكم اهلكنا من قرية بطرت معيشتها

There are their dwellings, left uninhabited after them, save for a very few — and it is We who were the heirs. 58

فتلك مسكنهم لم تسكن من بعدهم الا قليلا وكنا نحن الورثين

Your Guardian never destroys cities before raising up, in their metropolis, a messenger reciting Our signs to them; 59

وما كان ربك مهلك القرى حتى يبعث في امها رسولا يتلوا عليهم ءايتنا

nor have We ever destroyed cities except when their people were unjust. 59

وما كنا مهلكي القرى الا واهلها ظلمون

Whatever you have been given is but enjoyment of the present life and its adornment; 60

وما اوتيتم من شىء فمتع الحيوة الدنيا وزينتها

what is with God is better and more lasting. 60

وما عند الله خير وابقى

Will you not then reason? 60

افلا تعقلون

Is one to whom We made a fine promise, which he will meet, comparable to one whom We let enjoy the present life, who will then, on the Day of Appearance, be among those made to appear [for judgment]?i 61

افمن وعدنه وعدا حسنا فهو لقيه كمن متعنه متع الحيوة الدنيا ثم هو يوم القيمة من المحضرين

The day He calls them and says: "Where are My associates, whom you used to claim?" 62

ويوم يناديهم فيقول اين شركاءي الذين كنتم تزعمون

Those against whom the word will have proven true will say: "Our Guardian, these are the ones we misled; we misled them just as we ourselves were misled; 63

قال الذين حق عليهم القول ربنا هولاء الذين اغوينا اغوينهم كما غوينا

we disavow them before You; 63

تبرانا اليك

it was not us that they obeyed." 63

ما كانوا ايانا يعبدون

It will be said: "Call your associates." They will call them, but they will not respond to them; and they will see the punishment — if only they had been guided... 64

وقيل ادعوا شركاءكم فدعوهم فلم يستجيبوا لهم وراوا العذاب لو انهم كانوا يهتدون

The day He calls them and says: "What did you answer the envoys?" 65

ويوم يناديهم فيقول ماذا اجبتم المرسلين

That day, the accounts will become obscure to them, and they will not question one another. 66

فعميت عليهم الانباء يوميذ فهم لا يتساءلون

As for one who repented, believed, and did what is right, he may well be among those who succeed. 67

فاما من تاب وءامن وعمل صلحا فعسى ان يكون من المفلحين

Your Guardian creates what He wills and chooses; 68

وربك يخلق ما يشاء ويختار

the choice does not belong to them. 68

ما كان لهم الخيرة

Glory be to God, far above what they associate with Him. 68

سبحن الله وتعلى عما يشركون

Your Guardian knows what their chests conceal and what they disclose. 69

وربك يعلم ما تكن صدورهم وما يعلنون

He is God; there is no god but Him; 70

وهو الله لا اله الا هو

to Him belongs praise, in the first [life] as in the last; 70

له الحمد في الاولى والءاخرة

to Him belongs the judgment, 70

وله الحكم

and to Him you will be brought back. 70

واليه ترجعون

Say: "Have you considered: if God made the night perpetual for you until the Day of Appearance, what god, other than God, would bring you light?i 71

قل ارءيتم ان جعل الله عليكم اليل سرمدا الى يوم القيمة من اله غير الله ياتيكم بضياء

Will you not then listen?" 71

افلا تسمعون

Say: "Have you considered: if God made the day perpetual for you until the Day of Appearance, what god, other than God, would bring you a night in which to rest?i 72

قل ارءيتم ان جعل الله عليكم النهار سرمدا الى يوم القيمة من اله غير الله ياتيكم بليل تسكنون فيه

Will you not then see?" 72

افلا تبصرون

It is out of His benevolence that He made for you the night and the day, so that you might rest and seek of His bounty, and so that you might be thankful. 73

ومن رحمته جعل لكم اليل والنهار لتسكنوا فيه ولتبتغوا من فضله ولعلكم تشكرون

The day He calls them and says: "Where are My associates, whom you used to claim?" 74

ويوم يناديهم فيقول اين شركاءي الذين كنتم تزعمون

We will draw out from every community a witness, and We will say: "Bring your proof." Then they will know that the truth belongs to God, and what they used to invent will forsake them. 75

ونزعنا من كل امة شهيدا فقلنا هاتوا برهنكم فعلموا ان الحق لله وضل عنهم ما كانوا يفترون

Qaroon was of the people of Moussa; he committed excess against them —i 76

ان قرون كان من قوم موسى فبغى عليهم

We had given him, among treasures, so much that its very keys weighed heavily on a band of strong men. 76

وءاتينه من الكنوز ما ان مفاتحه لتنوا بالعصبة اولي القوة

His people then said to him: "Do not exult; God does not love those who exult [with arrogance]; 76

اذ قال له قومه لا تفرح ان الله لا يحب الفرحين

seek instead, in what God has given you, the ultimate abode, 77

وابتغ فيما ءاتىك الله الدار الءاخرة

without forgetting your share of the present life; 77

ولا تنس نصيبك من الدنيا

do good as God has done good to you, 77

واحسن كما احسن الله اليك

and do not seek corruption in the land; 77

ولا تبغ الفساد في الارض

God does not love those who spread corruption." 77

ان الله لا يحب المفسدين

He said: "It has only been given to me on account of a knowledge that is mine." 78

قال انما اوتيته على علم عندي

Did he not know that God had destroyed, before him, generations stronger than him and amassing more? 78

اولم يعلم ان الله قد اهلك من قبله من القرون من هو اشد منه قوة واكثر جمعا

The severed will not [need to] be questioned about their wrongs [for them to be known]. 78

ولا يسل عن ذنوبهم المجرمون

He went out before his people in all his finery. 79

فخرج على قومه في زينته

Those who desired the present life said: "Ah, if only we had the like of what has been given to Qaroon! He truly has an immense share."i 79

قال الذين يريدون الحيوة الدنيا يليت لنا مثل ما اوتي قرون انه لذو حظ عظيم

But those to whom knowledge had been given said: "Woe to you! God's reward is better for one who believes and does what is right; 80

وقال الذين اوتوا العلم ويلكم ثواب الله خير لمن ءامن وعمل صلحا

and that, only those who endure receive." 80

ولا يلقىها الا الصبرون

We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling; 81

فخسفنا به وبداره الارض

he had no group to help him against God, 81

فما كان له من فية ينصرونه من دون الله

nor was he among those who triumph. 81

وما كان من المنتصرين

Those who, the day before, had envied his position began to say: "Ah! So it is God who spreads out provision to whom He wills among His obedient ones, and restricts it too! 82

واصبح الذين تمنوا مكانه بالامس يقولون ويكان الله يبسط الرزق لمن يشاء من عباده ويقدر

Had God not favored us, He would have swallowed us up too. 82

لولا ان من الله علينا لخسف بنا

Ah! So it is that those who deny never succeed." 82

ويكانه لا يفلح الكفرون

That ultimate abode — We reserve it for those who seek, in the land, neither to raise themselves above others, nor corruption; 83

تلك الدار الءاخرة نجعلها للذين لا يريدون علوا في الارض ولا فسادا

and the [happy] outcome belongs to those who are guarded. 83

والعقبة للمتقين

Whoever comes with a good deed will have better than it; 84

من جاء بالحسنة فله خير منها

and whoever comes with an evil deed — those who did evil deeds will be repaid only for what they used to do. 84

ومن جاء بالسيية فلا يجزى الذين عملوا السيات الا ما كانوا يعملون

He who imposed the Recitation upon you will surely bring you back to an already appointed meeting. 85

ان الذي فرض عليك القرءان لرادك الى معاد

Say: "My Guardian knows best who comes with guidance and who is in manifest error." 85

قل ربي اعلم من جاء بالهدى ومن هو في ضلل مبين

You were not hoping that the Scripture would be conveyed to you; it is only by benevolence from your Guardian —i 86

وما كنت ترجوا ان يلقى اليك الكتب الا رحمة من ربك

so never be a support for those who deny. 86

فلا تكونن ظهيرا للكفرين

Let them not turn you away from the signs of God after they have been revealed to you; 87

ولا يصدنك عن ءايت الله بعد اذ انزلت اليك

call to your Guardian, 87

وادع الى ربك

and never be among those who associate [others with Him]. 87

ولا تكونن من المشركين

Do not invoke, alongside God, another god; 88

ولا تدع مع الله الها ءاخر

there is no god but Him. 88

لا اله الا هو

Everything perishes, except His Face. 88

كل شىء هالك الا وجهه

To Him belongs the judgment, 88

له الحكم

and to Him you will be brought back. 88

واليه ترجعون