28:1  Ta Sin Meem

28:2  These are verses of the Clear Book,

28:3  in which We recite to you part of the true story of Musa and Pharaoh for those who believe.

28:4  Pharaoh was unjust to people, and divided them by their ethnicity. Oppressing one group of them by killing their sons whilst keeping their women alive, he oppressed others.

28:5  Our plan was to favour the victims in the land and to make them leaders and heirs;

28:6  to settle them in the land and, through them, to force Pharaoh, Haman and their armies to face their worst fears

28:7  We inspired the mother of Musa: “Breastfeed him, but when you fear for him then put him in a basket and let it float on the river, but don’t be afraid or sad. We shall return him to you and make him a messenger.

28:8  Members of Pharaoh’s household found him by chance, little did they know he would become their enemy and a cause of grief. Pharaoh, Haman and their armies were gravely mistaken.

28:9  Pharaoh’s wife said, “He would be a joy to behold for me and you, so don’t kill him he may be useful for us, or we could adopt him. They were unaware of its consequences.”

28:10  By the morning Musa’s mother was impatient and she nearly revealed his identity, if We hadn’t strengthened her resolve to remain silent about him.

28:11  She told his sister: “Follow him.” From the river bank she kept an eye on him without letting the Egyptians see her.

28:12  We made him reject the breast milk of the wet nurses, so his sister said to them, “Shall I show you a household that will look after him for you and take good care of him?”

28:13  So We returned him to his mother, to be a comforting sight for her sore eyes, so she wouldn’t be anxious and know that Allah’s promise is true. Though most people don’t know

28:14  When he had grown up and reached maturity, We blessed him with wisdom and knowledge; that’s how We reward the righteous.

28:15  One day, he entered the town while people were resting and found two men fighting, one from his ethnic group and the other from his enemy. The one from his ethnic group cried out to him for help against the one from his enemy’s group; so Musa punched him, so hard that it finished him off. Musa said, “This is the work of Satan. He is clearly an enemy who leads people astray.”

28:16  Then he said, “My Lord, I have done wrong, so forgive me.” Allah forgave him; the Forgiving, the Caring.

28:17  Musa said, “My Lord, because you gave me favours I will never stand up for criminals again.”

28:18  From then on he became fearful in the town, constantly on the lookout. Next day, the man who previously sought his help again cried out. Musa said, “You are clearly a deceitful man.”

28:19  Musa tried to grab the enemy and the Israelite said, “Musa, are you going to kill me like you killed someone yesterday? You want to be an oppressor in the land; you’ve no wish to do good.”

28:20  A man from the far side of town came running and said, “Musa, members of Pharaoh’s court are deliberating whether to have you killed, so leave now. I am your well-wisher.”

28:21  So he left the city in fear and remained wary, he prayed: “My Lord, save me from this nation of wrongdoers.”

28:22  Having set out for Madyan, he said to himself: “Maybe, My Lord will guide me on the right path.”

28:23  After he arrived at the water well of Madyan, he found a large crowd of people watering their flocks. He saw standing apart from them two women, holding their sheep back. He asked: “What is the matter with you?” They said, “We can’t water our sheep until the shepherds move off, our father is an elderly man, unable to help us.”

28:24  So Musa watered their sheep, then he turned to rest in the shade, praying: “My Lord, I am in desperate need of whatever good You may send down to me.

28:25  One of the two women came to him, walking shyly, and said, “My father is calling you, to reward you for watering our flock.” Musa went and told him the whole story. He said, “Do not be afraid. You have been saved from nation of wrongdoers.”

28:26  One of them said, “My dear father, why not employ him? The best person you can employ is strong and trustworthy.”

28:27  He said, “I wish to marry you to one of the two daughters of mine, on the condition that you work for me for eight years. If you complete ten years, that will be up to you. I won’t impose it on you. Allah willing, you will find me to be upright in my dealings.”

28:28  Musa said, “That’s agreed between you and me. Whichever of the two terms I fulfil, let there be no resentment towards me; and let Allah be a guarantor of what we decide.

28:29  Once Musa had completed his term in Madyan, he set off with his family to Egypt. On the way he noticed a fire burning by the side of the mountain, he told his wife, “Wait here for a while. I’ve noticed a fire. Maybe I’ll bring you some news from there or some embers from the fire so that you may warm yourselves.”

28:30  When he reached it, a voice called out from the tree on the right-hand side of the valley in that blessed spot: “Musa, it is I, Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

28:31  Throw down your shepherd’ s staff.” When he saw it wriggling like a snake, he turned and fled, without looking back. “Musa, go ahead and pick it up, and don’t be afraid. You are safe.

28:32  Put your hand inside your shirt, and it will come out brilliant white and unharmed, and hold it under the armpit to rid yourself of fear. Here are two proofs from your Lord to show to Pharaoh and his nobles; they are sinners.

28:33  Musa said, “My Lord, I killed one of their men, I fear they’ll kill me.

28:34  My brother, Harun, is more eloquent in speech than I am, so send him with me as a support to confirm what I say, for I fear they will reject me.”

28:35  Allah said, “We shall strengthen your arm with your brother and give you both authority, so that they don’t harm you; because of Our signs, the two of you and whoever follows you will be victorious.

28:36  When Musa came with Our clear signs to them, they said, “This is nothing but clever tricks of magic; and we never heard this message from our forefathers.”

28:37  Musa said, “My Lord knows best who comes from Him with His guidance and who will enjoy the Final Abode; but the wrongdoers won’t succeed.”

28:38  Pharaoh said, “My nobles, I know of no other god for you than myself. Haman, bake bricks of clay and build a tower for me, so that I may ascend to the God of Musa, though I know he’s a liar.”

28:39  And so it was that he and his armies, were falsely arrogant in the country, thinking they would never be returned to Us.

28:40  So We seized him and his armies and threw them into the sea. See the fate of the wrongdoers!

28:41  We made them foremost amongst those who call others to the Fire; and on Judgement Day, they will be helpless.

28:42  We tracked them with a curse in this world and, on Judgement Day, they will be the most despised

28:43  We gave Musa the Book, after We destroyed previous rebellious generations, to be examples for all people, a guidance and kindness, so they might pay heed.

28:44  You were not present on the west side of the mountain when We handed down Our commandments to Musa, you weren’t a witness.

28:45  However, We raised successive generations, who lived long lives. Nor did you live among the people of Madyan, reciting Our verses to them, but We sent them messengers nonetheless.

28:46  Nor were you on the mountainside when We called Musa, but you have been sent as a kindness from your Lord to warn those people to whom no warner was sent before you, so they might wake up to the reality.