28. The Narrative

Ta. Sin. Mim.

These are Verses of the Book that makes (things)clear.

We rehearse to thee some of the story of Moses andPharaoh in Truth, for people who believe.

Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke upits people into sections, depressing a small group among them: their sons heslew, but he kept alive their females: for he was indeed a maker ofmischief.

And We wished to be Gracious to those who were beingdepressed in the land, to make them leaders (in Faith) and make them heirs,

To establish a firm place for them in the land, andto show Pharaoh, Haman, and their hosts, at their hands, the very thingsagainst which they were taking precautions.

So We sent this inspiration to the mother of Moses:”Suckle (thy child), but when thou hast fears about him, cast him into theriver, but fear not nor grieve: for We shall restore him to thee, and Weshall make him one of Our apostles.”

Then the people of Pharaoh picked him up (from theriver): (It was intended) that (Moses) should be to them an adversary and acause of sorrow: for Pharaoh and Haman and (all) their hosts were men ofsin.

The wife of Pharaoh said: “(Here is) joy of the eye,for me and for thee: slay him not. It may be that he will be use to us, orwe may adopt him as a son.” And they perceived not (what they were doing)!

But there came to be a void in the heart of themother of Moses: She was going almost to disclose his (case), had We notstrengthened her heart (with faith), so that she might remain a (firm)believer.

And she said to the sister of (Moses), “Follow him”so she (the sister) watched him in the character of a stranger. And theyknew not.

And we ordained that he refused suck at first, until(His sister came up and) said: “Shall I point out to you the people of ahouse that will nourish and bring him up for you and be sincerely attachedto him?”…

Thus did We restore him to his mother, that her eyemight be comforted, that she might not grieve, and that she might know thatthe promise of Allah is true: but most of them do not understand.

When he reached full age, and was firmly established(in life), We bestowed on him wisdom and knowledge: for thus do We rewardthose who do good.

And he entered the city at a time when its peoplewere not watching: and he found there two men fighting,- one of his ownreligion, and the other, of his foes. Now the man of his own religionappealed to him against his foe, and Moses struck him with his fist and madean end of him. He said: “This is a work of Evil (Satan): for he is an enemythat manifestly misleads!”

He prayed: “O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul!Do Thou then forgive me!” So ((Allah)) forgave him: for He is theOft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

He said: “O my Lord! For that Thou hast bestowed ThyGrace on me, never shall I be a help to those who sin!”

So he saw the morning in the city, looking about, ina state of fear, when behold, the man who had, the day before, sought hishelp called aloud for his help (again). Moses said to him: “Thou art truly,it is clear, a quarrelsome fellow!”

Then, when he decided to lay hold of the man who wasan enemy to both of them, that man said: “O Moses! Is it thy intention toslay me as thou slewest a man yesterday? Thy intention is none other than tobecome a powerful violent man in the land, and not to be one who sets thingsright!”

And there came a man, running, from the furthest endof the City. He said: “O Moses! the Chiefs are taking counsel together aboutthee, to slay thee: so get thee away, for I do give thee sincere advice.”

He therefore got away therefrom, looking about, in astate of fear. He prayed “O my Lord! save me from people given towrong-doing.”

Then, when he turned his face towards (the land of)Madyan, he said: “I do hope that my Lord will show me the smooth andstraight Path.”

And when he arrived at the watering (place) inMadyan, he found there a group of men watering (their flocks), and besidesthem he found two women who were keeping back (their flocks). He said: “Whatis the matter with you?” They said: “We cannot water (our flocks) until theshepherds take back (their flocks): And our father is a very old man.”

So he watered (their flocks) for them; then he turnedback to the shade, and said:”O my Lord! truly am I in (desperate) need ofany good that Thou dost send me!”

Afterwards one of the (damsels) came (back) to him,walking bashfully. She said: “My father invites thee that he may reward theefor having watered (our flocks) for us.” So when he came to him and narratedthe story, he said: “Fear thou not: (well) hast thou escaped from unjustpeople.”

Said one of the (damsels): “O my (dear) father!engage him on wages: truly the best of men for thee to employ is the (man)who is strong and trusty”….

He said: “I intend to wed one of these my daughtersto thee, on condition that thou serve me for eight years; but if thoucomplete ten years, it will be (grace) from thee. But I intend not to placethee under a difficulty: thou wilt find me, indeed, if Allah wills, one ofthe righteous.”

He said: “Be that (the agreement) between me andthee: whichever of the two terms I fulfil, let there be no ill-will to me.Be Allah a witness to what we say.”

Now when Moses had fulfilled the term, and wastravelling with his family, he perceived a fire in the direction of MountTur. He said to his family: “Tarry ye; I perceive a fire; I hope to bringyou from there some information, or a burning firebrand, that ye may warmyourselves.”

But when he came to the (fire), a voice was heardfrom the right bank of the valley, from a tree in hallowed ground: “O Moses!Verily I am Allah, the Lord of the Worlds….

“Now do thou throw thy rod!” but when he saw itmoving (of its own accord) as if it had been a snake, he turned back inretreat, and retraced not his steps: O Moses!” (It was said), “Draw near,and fear not: for thou art of those who are secure.

“Move thy hand into thy bosom, and it will come forthwhite without stain (or harm), and draw thy hand close to thy side (toguard) against fear. Those are the two credentials from thy Lord to Pharaohand his Chiefs: for truly they are a people rebellious and wicked.”

He said: “O my Lord! I have slain a man among them,and I fear lest they slay me.

“And my brother Aaron – He is more eloquent in speechthan I: so send him with me as a helper, to confirm (and strengthen) me: forI fear that they may accuse me of falsehood.”

He said: “We will certainly strengthen thy armthrough thy brother, and invest you both with authority, so they shall notbe able to touch you: with Our Sign shall ye triumph,- you two as well asthose who follow you.”

When Moses came to them with Our clear signs, theysaid: “This is nothing but sorcery faked up: never did we head the likeamong our fathers of old!”

Moses said: “My Lord knows best who it is that comeswith guidance from Him and whose end will be best in the Hereafter: certainit is that the wrong-doers will not prosper.”

Pharaoh said: “O Chiefs! no god do I know for you butmyself: therefore, O Haman! light me a (kiln to bake bricks) out of clay,and build me a lofty palace, that I may mount up to the god of Moses: but asfar as I am concerned, I think (Moses) is a liar!”

And he was arrogant and insolent in the land, beyondreason,- He and his hosts: they thought that they would not have to returnto Us!

So We seized him and his hosts, and We flung theminto the sea: Now behold what was the end of those who did wrong!

And we made them (but) leaders inviting to the Fire;and on the Day of Judgment no help shall they find.

In this world We made acurse to follow them and on the Day of Judgment they will be among theloathed (and despised).

We did reveal to Moses the Book after We haddestroyed the earlier generations, (to give) Insight to men, and guidanceand Mercy, that they might receive admonition.

Thou wast not on the Western side when We decreed theCommission to Moses, nor wast thou a witness (of those events).

But We raised up (new) generations, and long were theages that passed over them; but thou wast not a dweller among the people ofMadyan, rehearsing Our Signs to them; but it is We Who send apostles (withinspiration).

Nor wast thou at the side of (the Mountain of) Turwhen we called (to Moses). Yet (art thou sent) as Mercy from thy Lord, togive warning to a people to whom no warner had come before thee: in orderthat they may receive admonition.

If (We had) not (sent thee to the Quraish),- in casea calamity should seize them for (the deeds) that their hands have sentforth, they might say: “Our Lord! why didst Thou not sent us an apostle? Weshould then have followed Thy Signs and been amongst those who believe!”

But (now), when the Truth has come to them fromOurselves, they say, “Why are not (Signs) sent to him, like those which weresent to Moses?” Do they not then reject (the Signs) which were formerly sentto Moses? They say: “Two kinds of sorcery, each assisting the other!” Andthey say: “For us, we reject all (such things)!”

Say: “Then bring ye a Book from Allah, which is abetter guide than either of them, that I may follow it! (do), if ye aretruthful!”

But if they hearken not to thee, know that they onlyfollow their own lusts: and who is more astray than one who follow his ownlusts, devoid of guidance from Allah. for Allah guides not people given towrong-doing.

Now have We caused the Word to reach them themselves,in order that they may receive admonition.

Those to whom We sent the Book before this,- they dobelieve in this (revelation):

And when it is recited to them, they say: “We believetherein, for it is the Truth from our Lord: indeed we have been Muslims(bowing to Allah.s Will) from before this.

Twice will they be given their reward, for that theyhave persevered, that they avert Evil with Good, and that they spend (incharity) out of what We have given them.

And when they hear vain talk, they turn awaytherefrom and say: “To us our deeds, and to you yours; peace be to you: weseek not the ignorant.”

It is true thou wilt not be able to guide every one,whom thou lovest; but Allah guides those whom He will and He knows bestthose who receive guidance.

They say: “If we were to follow the guidance withthee, we should be snatched away from our land.” Have We not established forthem a secure sanctuary, to which are brought as tribute fruits of allkinds,- a provision from Ourselves? but most of them understand not.

And how many populations We destroyed, which exultedin their life (of ease and plenty)! now those habitations of theirs, afterthem, are deserted,- All but a (miserable) few! and We are their heirs!

Nor was thy Lord the one to destroy a populationuntil He had sent to its centre an apostle, rehearsing to them Our Signs;nor are We going to destroy a population except when its members practiseiniquity.

The (material) things which ye are given are but theconveniences of this life and the glitter thereof; but that which is withAllah is better and more enduring: will ye not then be wise?

Are (these two) alike?- one to whom We have made agoodly promise, and who is going to reach its (fulfilment), and one to whomWe have given the good things of this life, but who, on the Day of Judgment,is to be among those brought up (for punishment)?

That Day ((Allah)) will call to them, and say “Whereare my ‘partners’?- whom ye imagined (to be such)?”

Those against whom the charge will be proved, willsay: “Our Lord! These are the ones whom we led astray: we led them astray,as we were astray ourselves: we free ourselves (from them) in Thy presence:it was not us they worshipped.”

It will be said (to them): “Call upon your ‘partners'(for help)” :they will call upon them, but they will not listen to them; andthey will see the Penalty (before them); (how they will wish) ‘if only theyhad been open to guidance!’

That Day ((Allah)) will call to them, and say: “Whatwas the answer ye gave to the apostles?”

Then the (whole) story that Day will seem obscure tothem (like light to the blind) and they will not be able (even) to questioneach other.

But any that (in this life) had repented, believed,and worked righteousness, will have hopes to be among those who achievesalvation.

Thy Lord does create and choose as He pleases: nochoice have they (in the matter): Glory to Allah. and far is He above thepartners they ascribe (to Him)!

And thy Lord knows all that their hearts conceal andall that they reveal.

And He is Allah. There is no god but He. To Him bepraise, at the first and at the last: for Him is the Command, and to Himshall ye (all) be brought back.

Say: See ye? If Allah were to make the nightperpetual over you to the Day of Judgment, what god is there other thanAllah, who can give you enlightenment? Will ye not then hearken?

Say: See ye? If Allah were to make the day perpetualover you to the Day of Judgment, what god is there other than Allah, who cangive you a night in which ye can rest? Will ye not then see?

It is out of His Mercy that He has made for you Nightand Day,- that ye may rest therein, and that ye may seek of his Grace;- andin order that ye may be grateful.

The Day that He will call on them, He will say:”Where are my ‘partners’? whom ye imagined (to be such)?”

And from each people shall We draw a witness, and Weshall say: “Produce your Proof”: then shall they know that the Truth is inAllah (alone), and the (lies) which they invented will leave them in lurch.

Qarun was doubtless, of the people of Moses; but heacted insolently towards them: such were the treasures We had bestowed onhim that their very keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men,behold, his people said to him: “Exult not, for Allah loveth not those whoexult (in riches).

“But seek, with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowedon thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world:but do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee, and seek not (occasionsfor) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief.”

He said: “This has been given to me because of acertain knowledge which I have.” Did he not know that Allah had destroyed,before him, (whole) generations,- which were superior to him in strength andgreater in the amount (of riches) they had collected? but the wicked are notcalled (immediately) to account for their sins.

So he went forth among his people in the (pride ofhis wordly) glitter. Said those whose aim is the Life of this World: “Oh!that we had the like of what Qarun has got! for he is truly a lord of mightygood fortune!”

But those who had been granted (true) knowledge said:”Alas for you! The reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is best for those whobelieve and work righteousness: but this none shall attain, save those whosteadfastly persevere (in good).”

Then We caused the earth to swallow up him and hishouse; and he had not (the least little) party to help him against Allah,nor could he defend himself.

And those who had envied his position the day beforebegan to say on the morrow: “Ah! it is indeed Allah Who enlarges theprovision or restricts it, to any of His servants He pleases! had it notbeen that Allah was gracious to us, He could have caused the earth toswallow us up! Ah! those who reject Allah will assuredly never prosper.”

That Home of the Hereafter We shall give to those whointend not high- handedness or mischief on earth: and the end is (best) forthe righteous.

If any does good, the reward to him is better thanhis deed; but if any does evil, the doers of evil are only punished (to theextent) of their deeds.

Verily He Who ordained the Qur’an for thee, willbring thee back to the Place of Return. Say: “My Lord knows best who it isthat brings true guidance, and who is in manifest error.”

And thou hadst not expected that the Book would besent to thee except as a Mercy from thy Lord: Therefore lend not thousupport in any way to those who reject ((Allah)’s Message).

And let nothing keep thee back from the Signs ofAllah after they have been revealed to thee: and invite (men) to thy Lord,and be not of the company of those who join gods with Allah.

And call not, besides Allah, on another god. There isno god but He. Everything (that exists) will perish except His own Face. ToHim belongs the Command, and to Him will ye (all) be brought back.