28:1  T. S. M. (Ta. Sin. Mim.)

28:2  These are the verses of the clear (and clarifying) book.

28:3  We read to you of the true story of Moses and Pharaoh, for people who believe.

28:4  Indeed, Pharaoh was high (and mighty) in the land and made his people into sects, weakening a group of them (children of Israel), killing their sons and keeping their women alive. Indeed, he was of the corruptors.

28:5  And We wanted to do a favor to those who were weak in the land and to make them leaders and to make them the inheritors (of Pharaoh’s power),

28:6  and to establish them (and give them power) in the land and to show Pharaoh and Haman and their troops what they used to fear.

28:7  And We revealed to Moses’ mother to nurse him, and when you are afraid for him then throw him in the sea/river and do not be afraid and do not be sad, We bring him back to you and We make him one of the messengers.

28:8  Then Pharaoh’s family picked him up, so that he would be an enemy and a sorrow for them. Indeed, Pharaoh and Haman and their troops were sinners.

28:9  And Pharaoh’s wife said: “(He is) joy of the eye for me and for you, do not kill him, perhaps he benefits us, or we take him as a son” and they did not realize (what they were doing).

28:10  And the heart of Moses’ mother became empty (of grief or patience). She almost exposed him if We had not strengthened her heart in order to be of the believers.

28:11  And she said to his sister: “Follow him.” So, she watched him from a distance, while they did not realize.

28:12  And We had previously forbidden the nursing mothers to him, so she (Moses’ sister) said to them: “Should I show you a household to take care of him for you and they are well-wishers for him.”

28:13  So, We gave him back to his mother to delight her and she would not be sad and so that she knows that God's promise is true, but most of them do not know.

28:14  And when he reached his maturity and he settled, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. And that is how We reward the good doers.

28:15  And he entered the city when its people were unaware, then he found two men fighting in there, one from his own sect (children of Israel), and one from his enemy (Egyptian). Then the one from his sect asked for his help against the one from his enemy. So, Moses punched him and killed him. He said: “This was Satan's work; indeed he is obviously a misguiding enemy.”

28:16  He said: “My Lord, indeed I did wrong to myself, so forgive me.” So, He forgave him. Indeed, He is the forgiving, the merciful.

28:17  He said: “My Lord, because of what You favored upon me, I will never be a supporter of the guilty ones.”

28:18  So, he was in the city in the morning, afraid and watchful, then all of a sudden the one who asked for his help yesterday cried out for his help (again). Moses told him: “Indeed you are clearly a troublemaker.”

28:19  So, when he wanted to attack the one who was enemy of both of them, he said: “Moses, do you want to kill me as you killed a person yesterday? You only want to be a bully on the land, and you do not want to be of those who do what is right.”

28:20  And a man came to him rushing from the far side of the city, saying: “Moses, indeed the assembly men are conspiring against you to kill you, so get out (immediately), indeed I am of the well-wishers for you.”

28:21  So, he went out of it, afraid and watchful. He said: “My Lord, save me from the wrongdoing people.”

28:22  And when he headed toward Midian, he said: “Perhaps my Lord guides me to the right way.”

28:23  And when he reached Midian’s water, he found a group of people watering (their animals) from it, and he found two women holding back (their animals) away from them. He said: “What do you want?” They said: “We cannot water (our animals) until the shepherds drive (their animals) away, and our father (Shu’aib/Jethro) is a very old man.”

28:24  So, he watered (their animals) for them, then he went back to the shade and said: “My Lord, indeed I am in need of anything good you send down to me.”

28:25  Then one of the two women came to him walking bashfully, and said: “My father invites you to pay your wage for watering for us.” So, when he came up to him and told him the story, he said: “Do not be afraid, you are safe from the wrongdoing people.”

28:26  One of the two women said: “My father, hire him, indeed the best one to hire is the strong and the honest one.”

28:27  He said: “I want to marry off one of my two daughters to you, on condition that you work for me eight years, and if you complete ten, it is of your own choice, and I do not want to make it difficult for you, God willing, you are going to find me of the righteous.”

28:28  He (Moses) said: “This is (an agreement) between me and you, whichever of the two periods I complete, there should be no hostility against me, and God is the trustee over what we say.”

28:29  So, when Moses completed the term and was traveling with his family, he noticed a fire from the side of the mountain (Mount Sinai). He said to his family: “Wait, I noticed a fire, maybe I can bring some news from it, or a piece of fire so you may warm yourselves.”

28:30  So, when he came up to it, he was called from the tree in a blessed spot on the right side of the valley: “Moses, indeed I am God, the Lord of humankind,

28:31  throw down your cane.” So, when he saw it moving as if it was a serpent, he turned back running away and he did not look back. (He was told:) “Moses, come close and do not be afraid, indeed you are of the ones in safety.

28:32  Insert your hand into the opening of your shirt, it comes out white without any disease, and press your arm to yourself (to be free) from fear. These are two proofs from your Lord for Pharaoh and his assembly. They are indeed disobedient people.”

28:33  He said: “My Lord, I killed one of them so I am afraid that they will kill me,

28:34  and my brother Aaron, he is more eloquent in language than me, so send him with me as a support to confirm me, indeed I am afraid that they deny me.”

28:35  He (God) said: “We are going to strengthen your arm with your brother, and We give you both a reason so they would not touch either of you, and because of Our miracles you two and those who follow you will be the winners.”

28:36  So, when Moses came up to them with Our clear signs, they said: “This is nothing but fabricated magic, and we did not hear of this from our forefathers.”

28:37  And Moses said: “My Lord knows best who brings the guidance from Him, and who has the final home, indeed the wrongdoers would not succeed.”

28:38  And Pharaoh said: “Counselors, I do not know of any god for you other than me, so Haman light me a fire for me over the clay (to bake bricks), then make me a palace so I may look at god of Moses, and indeed I think of him as one of the liars.”

28:39  And he and his troops were unjustifiably arrogant on the land, and they assumed that they would not be returned to Us.

28:40  So, We took him and his troops, and We threw them into the sea. So, see what the end of the wrongdoers was.

28:41  And We made them leaders, inviting (people) to the fire, and they will not be helped on the Resurrection Day.

28:42  And We made a curse follow them in this world, and on the Resurrection Day they are among the ugly ones.

28:43  And We certainly gave Moses the book, after We had destroyed the earlier generations, as an insight and a guide and a mercy for people, so that they may take notice.

28:44  And you were not on the western side (of the mountain) when We issued the order to Moses, and you were not of the witnesses.

28:45  And We created generations (after Moses), and life was lengthened for them. And you were not staying among people of Midian to read Our signs to them, but We are the sender (of messengers).

28:46  And you were not on the side of the mountain (Mount Sinai) when We called (Moses), but this is a mercy from your Lord to warn a (group of) people whom a warner did not come to them before you, so they may take notice.

28:47  And if they suffer a tragedy because of what their hands have sent ahead (what they did), then they say: “Our Lord, why did You not send us a messenger, so we follow Your signs and we become of the believers?”

28:48  Then when the truth came to them from Us, they said: “Why was he not given (miracles) like what Moses was given?” Did they not previously disbelieve in what was given to Moses? They said: “Two magics (Torah and Quran) backing each other up. And they said: “Indeed we are disbelievers to all.”

28:49  Say: “If you are truthful, then bring a book from God which is a better guide than them, so that I follow it, if you are truthful.”

28:50  So, if they did not answer you, then know that they only follow their desires (and opinions). And who is more mistaken than someone who follows his desire (and opinion) without guidance from God? Indeed, God does not guide the wrongdoing people.

28:51  And We have certainly communicated the word to them so they may take notice.

28:52  Those to whom We gave the book before it, they believe in it.

28:53  And when it is read to them, they say: “We believe in it, indeed it is the truth from our Lord, indeed we were submitted before it.”

28:54  They are given their reward twice as much because they are patient and they counter badness with goodness and they spend (in charity) from what We provide them,

28:55  and when they hear useless (talk) they stay away from it and say: “Our deeds are for us and your deeds are for you, peace (and well-being) upon you, we do not want (to have anything to do with) the ignorant ones.”

28:56  Indeed, you cannot guide anyone you like, but God guides anyone He wants, and He knows best who the guided ones are.

28:57  And they say: “If we follow the guidance with you, we will be driven out of our land.” Did We not establish them in a safe sanctuary, to which fruits of everything are brought as provision from Us? But most of them do not know.

28:58  And how many towns did We destroy that rejoiced (excessively) in their livelihood (and wealth)? So, those are their houses, uninhabited after them, except a few, and We are the inheritors.

28:59  And your Lord is not destroyer of the towns until He raises a messenger in their center, reading them Our signs. And We are not destroyer of the towns unless their people are wrongdoers.

28:60  And everything you are given is enjoyment of this world’s life and its decoration (and luxuries), and whatever (reward) is with God is better and more lasting. Do you not understand?

28:61  Is someone whom We have promised him a good promise and he attains it, the same as someone whom We have made him enjoy the enjoyments of this world’s life, then on the Resurrection Day he is among the summoned ones?

28:62  On the day He calls them out and He says: “Where are My partners, the ones you were claiming?”

28:63  Those who deserve the word (of punishment) will say: “Our Lord, these are the ones whom we misled, we misled them as we were misled, we clear ourselves (from them) before You, they were not serving us.”

28:64  And it will be said: “Call on your partners (of God).” So, they call them, but they do not answer them and they see the punishment, (and they wish) if only they were guided.

28:65  And on the day He calls them out, then He says: “What did you answer the messengers?”

28:66  On that day the information is unclear to them, so they do not (even) ask each other.

28:67  As for anyone who repented and believed and did good, perhaps he will be among the successful ones.

28:68  And your Lord creates whatever He wants and chooses. There is no choice for them. God is flawless and is above what they associate (with Him).

28:69  And your Lord knows what their chests/minds hide and what they disclose.

28:70  And He is God, there is no god except Him, all praise in the first (this life) and the last (the Hereafter) belongs to Him, and the command (and judgment) belongs to Him, and you are returned to Him.

28:71  Say: “What do you think if God makes the night continuous over you until the Resurrection Day, what god other than God brings you light? Do you not listen?”

28:72  Say: “What do you think if God makes the day continuous over you until the Resurrection Day, what god other than God brings you the night to rest in it? Do you not see?”

28:73  And He made the night and the day for you by His mercy in order for you to rest in it and to pursue His bounty, and you may be thankful.

28:74  On a day when He calls them out, then He says: “Where are My partners, those whom you were claiming?”

28:75  And We pull out a witness from every group, then We say: “Bring your proof.” Then they will know that the truth belongs to God, and what they used to fabricate has abandoned them.

28:76  Indeed Qarun (Korah) was among Moses’ people, and he was unjust toward them. And We gave him (so much) of the treasures that their keys were too heavy for a group of strong men. When his people said to him: “Do not be overjoyed, indeed God does not like those who are overjoyed,

28:77  and pursue the home of the Hereafter by what God has given you, and do not forget your share of this world, and do good as God did good to you, and do not pursue corruption in the land, indeed God does not like the corruptors.”

28:78  He said: “It was only given to me because of my knowledge.” Did he not know that God has destroyed (many) generations before him that were more powerful than him and more than him in collecting (wealth and manpower)? And the guilty ones will not be questioned about their sins.

28:79  Then (one day) he came out to his people (dressed) in his jewelry. Those who wanted this world’s life said: “We wish we had the same as what was given to Qarun (Korah), indeed he has a great fortune.”

28:80  And those who were given knowledge said: “Woe to you, God’s reward for anyone who believes and does good is better, and none gets it except those who persevere.”

28:81  So, We sank him and his house down into the earth, then he had nobody to help him besides God, and he could not help/defend himself.

28:82  And those who desired his position in the day before began to say: “Wow, it seems like God increases and decreases the provision for any one of His servants that He wants, and if it was not for God’s favor upon us He would have sunk us down (into the earth), wow, it seems like the disbelievers would not succeed.”

28:83  That is the home of the Hereafter, We made it for those who do not want superiority or corruption on the earth. And the end belongs to those who are cautious (of God).

28:84  Anyone who comes with the good (deed) then he will have a better (reward) than that, and anyone who comes with the bad (deed) then those who did bad deed will only be punished for what they used to do.

28:85  Indeed, the One Who mandated the Quran to you, certainly brings you back to place of return. Say: “My Lord knows best anyone who brought the guidance and anyone who is in obvious error.”

28:86  And you did not expect (or hope) that the book will be given to you except as a mercy from your Lord, so do not be a supporter for the disbelievers.

28:87  And do not let them turn you away from God’s signs after it was sent down to you, and invite (people) to your Lord, and do not be of the idolaters.

28:88  And do not call on another god with God, there is no god except Him. Everything perishes except His essence (and His being). The command (and judgment) belongs to Him, and you are returned to Him.