28:1  Ta. Seen. Meem.

28:2  These are verses of the Book that clarifies.

28:3  We recite to you some of the story of Moses and Pharaoh truthfully for people of faith.

28:4  Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into castes. He oppressed a small group [the Hebrew nation] among them; he killed their sons but kept their girls alive. He was indeed among the corrupt.

28:5  We intended to be gracious to those who were oppressed in the land to make them leaders and heirs.

28:6  [We intended] to empower them in the land and to show Pharaoh, [his prime minister] Haman, and their troops under them what they had feared.

28:7  We sent this inspiration to the mother of Moses: “Breastfeed until you have fear for him; cast him into the river [in a basket sealed with pitch], but have no fear or grief. We will restore him to you, and We will make Him one of the [divine] messengers.”

28:8  The family of Pharaoh unwittingly pulled him [from the river] so that (Moses) would become to them an adversary and a sorrow, for Pharaoh and Haman and their troops were sinful.

28:9  Pharaoh’s wife said, “A joy to the eye for me and for you! Do not kill him. It may be that he will be a blessing to us, or we may adopt him as a son.” And they didn’t have a clue.

28:10  An empty feeling came into the heart of Moses’ mother. She was about to disclose the matter if We had not strengthened her heart so she would remain a believer.

28:11  She said to the sister [of Moses, Miriam], “Follow him,” so she watched him from a distance, while they [the family of Pharaoh] had no suspicion.

28:12  We ordained that he refused breast milk [from a nursemaid appointed by the household of Pharaoh]. (Miriam) approached and said, “Shall I point out to you the people of a house, who will nurture him for you and be sincere to him?”

28:13  In this way, We restored (Moses) to his mother so that her eye would be comforted and that she would not grieve and that she would know that the promise of Allah is true. Most people, however, do not understand.

28:14  When (Moses) reached accountable age and was mature, We bestowed on him wisdom and knowledge. That is the way We reward those who live righteously.

28:15  He entered the city at a time when its people were off guard. He saw two men fighting. One was one of his own people, and the other one was an enemy. The man of his own people appealed to (Moses) against his enemy. Moses struck (the enemy) with his fist and killed him. He said, “This is the work of Satan. Indeed, he is an enemy who obviously misleads.”

28:16  He prayed, “My Lord, I have indeed sinned against my own soul. Do forgive me.” He did forgive him. Truly, He is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

28:17  He said, “My Lord, because you have bestowed Your grace on me, I will never help the sinners.”

28:18  In the morning, he was in the city, and he was afraid and cautious. Suddenly the man who had asked for his help just the day before [again] asked for his help [against another man]. Moses said to him, “You sure are a troublemaker!”

28:19  When (Moses) decided to fight the man who was an enemy to both of them, that man said, “O Moses, do you intend to kill me as you killed a man yesterday? Your intention is only to become a bully in the land and not to be one who makes things right.”

28:20  Next, a man came running from the far end of the city. He said, “O Moses, the chiefs have certainly been in counsel about you in order to execute you. Run away; truly, I give you sincere advice.”

28:21  (Moses) did run away from there, looking fearfully about. He prayed, “My Lord, save me from people inclined to sin.”

28:22  When he turned toward Midian, he said, “Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the straight path.”

28:23  When he arrived at the water [well] in Midian, he found a group of men watering [their flocks]. He also found two women kept away. He asked them, “What is the matter?” (The women) said, “We cannot water until the shepherds retreat, and our father is a very old man.”

28:24  (Moses) watered for them. He retreated to the shade and said, “My Lord, I am truly in need of any good that You would send me.”

28:25  Later, one of (the women) came to him, walking bashfully. She said, “My father invites you so he may reward you for having watered for us.” When (Moses) came to (the father) and told him the story [of his life], he said, “Fear not. You have escaped from an unjust people.”

28:26  One of (the women) said, “O my father, hire him. Truly, the best of men for you to hire is the one who is strong and trustworthy.”

28:27  He said, “I intend to wed one of my daughters to you on the condition that you serve me for eight years. If you serve ten years, it would be [extra] from you. I do not intend to place you under stress. You will find me, indeed, if Allah wills, among the righteous.”

28:28  (Moses) said, “May that be between me and you. Whichever of the two terms I fulfill, may there be no ill will against me. May Allah be a witness to what we say.”

28:29  When Moses had fulfilled the term, he was traveling with his family. He saw a fire in the direction of the mountain. He said to his family, “Wait here. I think I see a fire. I hope to bring you some information from there, or I may bring a burning branch so you may warm yourselves.”

28:30  When he came to it, he heard a voice from the right side of the valley and from a bush in sacred ground. “O Moses, truly, I am Allah the Lord of the Worlds.

28:31  “Throw your rod.” When (Moses) saw (the rod) moving like a snake, he ran away without looking back. “O Moses, come near and fear not. You are among those who are safe.

28:32  “Put your hand into your bosom, and it will come out white without harm. Bring your hand close to your side, without fear. These are two signs from your Lord to Pharaoh and His chiefs. Truly, they are a rebellious people.”

28:33  (Moses) said, “My Lord, I have killed a man among them, and I fear they will execute me.

28:34  “My brother Aaron is more eloquent in speech than I. Send him with me to help and verify what I say. I truly fear they will accuse me of lying.”

28:35  (Allah) said, “We will certainly encourage you through your brother. We will give both of you power so that they will not be able to touch you. With Our signs, You and those who follow you will win.”

28:36  When Moses came to them with Our evident signs, they said, “This is nothing but magical illusion. We never heard of anything like this from our ancestors.”

28:37  Moses said, “My Lord knows best who comes with guidance from Him and whose end will be best in the hereafter. Certainly, the sinners will not prosper.”

28:38  Pharaoh said, “O Chiefs, I know of no god for you other than myself. Haman, ignite for me [a kiln] for baking clay [into bricks] and build me a tall tower so that I may climb to meet the God of Moses. I certainly think (Moses) is a liar.”

28:39  He and his hosts were unjustly arrogant in the land. They thought that they would not have to return to Us.

28:40  We seized him and his hosts, and We flung them into the sea. Look at what became of those who sinned.

28:41  We made them become leaders inviting to the fire. On the Day of Resurrection, they will find no help.

28:42  In this world, We made a curse to follow them. On the Day of Resurrection, they will be among those who are hated.

28:43  We certainly revealed to Moses the Book after We destroyed the earlier generations. [The Torah] gives insight to people. It gives guidance and mercy so they may receive correction.

28:44  You were not on the western side [of Mount Sinai] when We gave the law to Moses, and you were not a witness.

28:45  We produced generations, and they lived a long time. You did not live among the Midianites. [You did not] recite Our signs to them, but We did send [messages].

28:46  You were not on the side of the mountain [with Moses] when We beckoned. You are a mercy from your Lord to warn people to whom no previous mentor has been sent so that perhaps they may remember.

28:47  Without such [warning], a calamity would strike them for what their hands have achieved. They would then say, “Our Lord, why did You not send a messenger? We would have followed Your Scriptures and been among the believers.”

28:48  But now that truth has come from Us, they say, “Why does he not have signs like Moses had?” But don’t they reject what was given to Moses? They say, “It’s just two kinds of sorcery supporting one another [the Torah and the Qur’an].” And they say, “We’ll just dismiss them all!”

28:49  Say, “Bring a Book from Allah that is a better guide than either of them, and I will follow it, if you are so honest!”

28:50  And when they are not responsive to you, know that they only follow their own desires. Who is more astray than one who follows his/her own desires and is devoid of guidance from Allah? Allah does not guide people given over to sin.

28:51  Indeed, We have conveyed to them the Word so that they may be mindful.

28:52  Those to whom We previously gave the (Scriptures) believe in it.

28:53  When it is recited to them, they say, “We believe in it; it is certainly the truth from our Lord. Indeed, even before it came, we had already devoted ourselves to Him.”

28:54  They will be given their reward doubled because they are patient, they repel evil with goodness, and they give to others from what We have provided for them.

28:55  Whenever they hear vain talk, they turn aside, saying, “We have our lifestyle, and you have yours. Peace to you! We do not seek the company of ignorant people.”

28:56  Indeed, you cannot guide everyone you love [to the truth]; Allah guides whomever He will. He knows best those who follow guidance.

28:57  They say, “If we were to follow guidance with you, We would be snatched away from our land.” Have We not made for them a secure sanctuary to which fruits of all kinds are given as provision from Us? Most of them do not understand.

28:58  How many populations did We destroy because they gloat in their lives? Their homes are now deserted –all but a few. We are the heirs.

28:59  Your Lord was not apt to destroy a population until He had sent a messenger to its center. [Its messenger] recited to them Our signs. We are not going to destroy a population unless its members practice sin.

28:60  Whatever material things you have been given are only for enjoyment of this life and its glamour, but that which is with Allah is better and more enduring. Will you not be wise?

28:61  Are [the following] alike? To one We have made a good promise, and it will be fulfilled. To the other We have given the good things of this life, but on the Day of Resurrection, he will be held accountable.

28:62  On that day, He will say to them, “Where are My partners that you imagined?”

28:63  Those against whom the charge will be proven will say, “Our Lord, these are the people we led astray. We led them astray as we were astray ourselves. We declare our innocence in Your presence. It was not us they worshiped.”

28:64  It will be said, “Call upon your partners.” They will call upon them, but they will not respond to them. They will see the penalty. If only they had accepted guidance!

28:65  That day (Allah) will call to them and say, “What answer did you give to the messengers?”

28:66  The excuses that day will seem obscure to them. They will not be able to question each other.

28:67  Anyone who has repented, believed, and lived righteously will have hopes of being among those who are saved.

28:68  Your Lord creates and chooses as He pleases. They have no choice. Glory to Allah! He is far above the partners they ascribe.

28:69  Your Lord knows all their hearts conceal and all they reveal.

28:70  He is Allah. No god is there except Him. To Him is praise from the beginning to the end. The command is His, and you will be brought back to Him.

28:71  Say, “Do you see? If Allah were to make the night constantly over you till the Day of Resurrection, what god is there other than Allah who could give you light? Will you not pay attention?”

28:72  Say, “Do you see? If Allah were to make the day constantly over you till the Day of Resurrection, what god is there other than Allah who could give you the night in which to rest? Will you not then see?

28:73  “It is out of His mercy that He has made night and day for you. [It is] so you may rest in it and so you may seek of His grace so you may be grateful.”

28:74  On the day He will call on them, he will say, “Where are my partners you have imagined?”

28:75  From each people, We will choose a witness. We will say, “Produce your evidence.” They will then know that truth is with Allah. What they have invented will forsake them.

28:76  Indeed, Korah was one of the people of Moses, but he was arrogant toward them. We had bestowed treasures on him –so many that just the keys would have been a burden to a group of strong men. His people said to him, “Do not be so proud. Allah does not love those who gloat.

28:77  “Instead, seek what Allah has bestowed on you in the home of the hereafter. Do not forget the blessings of this world, but do goodness as Allah has been good to you. Do not run after sin in the land. Allah does not love the sinners.”

28:78  He said, “I have been given all this because of certain knowledge I have.” Did he not realize that, before him, Allah had destroyed generations superior to him in power and wealth? The evil are not called to task for their sins.

28:79  He strutted among his people in pomp. Those who relished the life of this world said, “Oh, how we wish for things like Korah has! He is truly an owner of great fortune.”

28:80  Those with knowledge, however, said, “How sad for you! The reward of Allah is best for those who believe and live righteously. No one will get this except those who patiently endure.”

28:81  We then caused the earth to swallow him and his house. He had no group to help him against Allah, and he could not defend himself.

28:82  Those who had envied his position the day before began to say, “Oh, it is certainly Allah who enlarges or restricts the provision of any of His servants as He pleases. If it had not been that Allah was gracious to Us, He could have caused (the earth) to swallow us. Oh, the unbelievers will never prosper.”

28:83  We shall give the House of the Hereafter to those who seek no supremacy or evil on Earth, and the good finale is for the righteous.

28:84  Whoever performs goodness will receive a reward far better than his/her deed. Those who do evil, however, are punished only in relation to their deeds.

28:85  Truly, He who ordained the Qur’an for you will bring you back to the place of return. Say, “My Lord knows best who conveys true guidance and who is in evident error.”

28:86  You never expected that the Book would come to you except as a mercy from your Lord; therefore, do not lend support in any way to the dissenters.

28:87  Let nothing keep you away from the Scriptures of Allah after they have been revealed to you. Invite people to your Lord, and do not be among the polytheists.

28:88  Do not call on any god other than Allah. No god is there except Him! [Eventually] everything will perish except His face! To Him belongs the command! To Him you will return!