28:1  Ta. Si’in. Mim!

28:2  These are the Verses of the irrefutable Book,

28:3  We narrate to you the story of Moses and Pharaoh with truth for a people who live a life of Genuine Faith.

28:4  Most certainly, Pharaoh had exalted himself in the land and divided its people into sects: persecuting one (ethnic) group, slaughtering their sons and sparing their women. Surely, he was one of those who spread corruption.

28:5  However, We intended to bestow Our favor upon those who are persecuted in the land to make them (spiritual) leaders and inheritors,

28:6  And to establish them in the land with authority, but in the meantime, we intended to let Pharaoh, Hāmān and their hosts experience that of which they were apprehensive.

28:7  And We inspired the mother of Moses: "Suckle him! But when you fear for his life, cast him into the river. And do not let your heart be troubled. We shall definitely bring him back to you and make him one of (Our) Messengers.”

28:8  Then the family of Pharaoh picked him up so that he might become an enemy of them, and (a source of) grief. Surely, Pharaoh, Hāmān and their hosts were sinful people.

28:9  The wife of Pharaoh said: “(This is a) source of comfort for me, as well as for you. So don’t kill him! Perhaps he may be useful to us or we may adopt him as a son.” They were not aware of (what fate had in store for them).

28:10  And the heart of Moses’ mother became hollow. She would have almost disclosed (the truth about) him if We had not strengthened her heart (with Faith) so that she would be of those who place their Faith (in Allâh).

28:11  And she said to his sister: "Go and follow him!” Thus, she secretly watched him from a distance while they were not aware (of her observation).

28:12  And We had already forbidden wet nurses for him. So (his sister) said: "Shall I direct you to a household that will nurse him for you, and sincerely they will take good care of him?"

28:13  So We restored him to his mother so that her eyes might delight, and that she might no grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allâh is true. But most of them don’t know.

28:14  And when he attained his full strength and became mature, We bestowed upon him the authority (of moral judgments) and spiritual knowledge. This is how We do reward those who pursue righteousness and perfection in Faith.

28:15  (One day) he surreptitiously entered the city without being noticed by its people. He found therein two men fighting: one of his own ethnicity, and the other of his enemies. The one from his own ethnicity called on him for help against his foe. So Moses struck him upon the face with his fist and (unintentionally) killed him. He said: ”This (fighting) is an act of devil. Indeed, he is a genuine deceiver and veritable enemy.”

28:16  He said: “My Lord, surely I have wronged myself, so forgive me." Then He forgave him. Indeed, He is the One who is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

28:17  He said: "My Lord, for the favor You have bestowed upon me, I’ll never support the Ungodly Sinners."

28:18  In the morning he was in the city, fearful, vigilant, when unexpectedly the man who had sought his help the day before called him again for his help. Moses said to him: "You are obviously a petulant person."

28:19  So when he intended to attack the man who was an enemy to both of them, the man said: “O’ Moses, do you want to kill me as you killed a man yesterday? You seek nothing but to be a tyrant in the land. And you don’t want to be one of those who make amends.”

28:20  Then a man came running from the farthest end of the city and said: “Moses, the noble chiefs are consulting together to slay you. So I advise you to leave (the city as soon as possible). Indeed, I am giving you a good advice.”

28:21  He fled the city, fearful, vigilant, saying: "My Lord, save me from the iniquitous people."

28:22  And when he directed himself towards Midian, he said: “I do hope that my Lord will lead me to the right way."

28:23  And when he arrived at the well of Midian, he found a group of people there watering their flocks, and besides them he saw two women holding back their flock from the water. He asked (the two women): "What is the matter with you?" They replied: "We cannot water (our flocks) until the shepherds move away. (As you see, we are hopeless two women) and our father is an old man.”

28:24  So he watered their flocks for them. Then he turned aside into the shade, and said: “My Lord! Indeed, I am in need of whatever good You send down upon me.”

28:25  Then one of the two women came to him walking bashfully, and said: “Indeed, my father would like to invite you so as to pay you for watering our flocks.” So when Moses came to him and told him his whole story, he said: “Don’t be afraid! You have escaped from the iniquitous people."

28:26  One of the two daughters said: "O’ my father, employ him! The best one you can employ is the strong and the trustworthy."

28:27  He said: "I intend to let you wed one of these, my two daughters, on the condition that you serve me for eight years. But if you complete ten years, then it will be (a favor) from your part. I have no intention of letting you work extremely hard. You will find me, if Allâh wills, one of the righteous."

28:28  He said: “This will be between you and me. Whichever of the two terms I fulfill, there will be no injustice done to me, and Allâh is Surety over what we say.

28:29  Then, when Moses had fulfilled the term, and was travelling with his family, he spotted a fire on the side of the Mount (Sinai). He said to his family: “Stay where you are! I have seen a fire far off. I may bring you from there some information or a burning brand from the fire so that you may warm yourselves."

28:30  And when he reached it, he was called from the bush in the sacred ground to the right side of the valley: "O’ Moses, surely I am Allâh, the Lord of all the beings.

28:31  Now, cast down your stick!” When he saw it slithering like a serpent, he turned in flight and did not turn back. (Then he was called again): "O’ Moses, come forward and don’t be afraid! You are indeed of those who are secure.

28:32  (Now), put your (right) hand into your bosom, it will come forth glittering white without patches (on the skin). Hold your arms close to you as protection from fear. So these will be two irrefutable Signs from your Lord to Pharaoh and his personal advisors: for truly they are a people indulging in personal disobedience extensively without repentance.

28:33  He said: "My Lord! Indeed, I killed a man and I fear that they will kill me.

28:34  My brother Aaron is more eloquent than me in speech. So let him accompany me as a minster to support what I say. I (also) fear that they will accuse me of lying.”

28:35  Allâh said: "We will strengthen your arm through your brother and give you both supremacy so they will not be able to harm you. With Our Signs, you and those who follow you will be the victorious.”

28:36  But when Moses came to them with Our irrefutable Signs, they said: "This is nothing but a fabricated sorcery (and devilry). We never heard of such a thing among our forefathers."

28:37  And Moses said: "My Lord knows the one who brings the Knowledge of Truth from Him, and the one who shall have the ultimate abode of ecstasy (in the Hereafter). Indeed, those who have voluntarily and consciously abandoned the Full Knowledge of the Truth in favour of their own whims will never achieve their aims.

28:38  And Pharaoh said: O’ noble chiefs, I don’t know that you have another god besides me. So kindle for me, O’ Hāmān, a fire upon the clay and construct for me a lofty tower so that I can have a look at the God of Moses. For I am inclined to believe that he is a liar.”

28:39  He and his hosts acted arrogantly in the land without right, and they thought that they would not be brought back to Us.

28:40  So We seized him and his hosts. And We threw them all into the sea. So look and see how (dreadful) was the end of those who have voluntarily and consciously abandoned the Full Knowledge of the Truth in favour of their own whims.

28:41  And We made them leaders inviting (people) to the Fire, and on the Day of Resurrection, they won’t be helped.

28:42  And We have caused a curse to chase them in this worldly life, and on the Day of Resurrection, they will be among the despicable.

28:43  Verily, We gave Moses, after We had utterly destroyed the former generations, the Scripture as spiritual insight for the people, as well as a True Source of Enlightenment and Mercy so that they may be mindful (of their obligations towards Allâh, toward themselves and others).

28:44  You were not there on the western side (of the Mount) when We revealed to Moses the commandment, neither were you among the witnesses.

28:45  And We raised up many generations (after Moses), then life became prolonged to them. You were not one of the inhabitants of Midian, reciting to them Our Verses. But it is We who persist in sending Messengers (in order to invite people to worship Allâh in the way He wants them to worship Him.).

28:46  You were not present at the side of the Mount Sinai when We called out (to Moses), but (We have revealed this to you) as a Mercy from your Lord so that you may give warning to a people who had not been warned before you, and that they may be admonished.

28:47  Otherwise, if a catastrophe should strike them for (their evil deeds) which their hands have sent forth, , they might say: "Our Lord, why did You not send to us a Messenger so that we might have yielded to what you have revealed of the knowledge of the truth, and been of those who live a life of Genuine Faith?"

28:48  But when the Truth has come to them from Us, they say: " Why is he not given the like of what was given to Moses? Did they not reject the truth of what was given to Moses before? They say: "Two kinds of sorcery- (the Torah & the Qur’ān) - supporting each other!" They say: “Indeed, to both of them, we pledge not to give credence."

28:49  Say: ‘Then bring a Scripture from Allâh that is better in enlightenment than these two, that I may follow it, if you are truthful’.

28:50  But if they don’t answer you, then be sure that they yield to their own whims. And who is going further away (from the path of truth) than the one who yields to his own whims (and walks) without being directed by the Light of Allâh? Surely Allâh holds back the light of His inspiration from a people who have voluntarily and consciously abandoned the Full Knowledge of the Truth in favour of their own whims.

28:51  Surely, We have conveyed to them the Word so that they may take heed.

28:52  (Many of) those to whom We gave the Scripture before the Qur’ān, they believe in It.

28:53  And when it is recited to them, they say: "We believe in It. Indeed, it is the (absolute) truth from our Lord. Surely we submitted ourselves (completely to Allâh) before It (was revealed).

28:54  Those will be given their reward twice over for having endured patiently, having repelled evil with good and having expended of what we have provided them.

28:55  And when they use to hear evil vain talk, they turn away therefrom and say: "We will be held accountable for our deeds and you will be held accountable for yours. Peace be upon you! We don’t desire (to associate ourselves with) the ignorant.”

28:56  Surely you cannot lead whom you desire to attain spiritual expansion, but Allâh leads whom He wills to attain spiritual expansion, and He has full knowledge of those who are walking on the path of truth.

28:57  They say: "If we follow the guidance with you, we will be snatched away from our land.” Have We not established for them a secure Sanctuary wherein different kinds of fruits are brought to them as provision from Us? But most of them don’t know.

28:58  How many a town have We utterly destroyed that was excessively exaggerated in its style of living, so these are their dwelling-places, which have not been dwelt in after them but a little. Indeed! It is always We who are the inheritors.

28:59  And your Lord would never destroy the towns, until He has sent to their mother town (metropolis) a Messenger reciting to them Our Verses, nor would We destroy the towns unless their inhabitants have voluntarily and consciously abandoned the Full Knowledge of the Truth in favour of their own whims.

28:60  And Whatever thing you have been given is only a provision of this worldly life and its adornment, and whatever is with Allâh is far better and more enduring. Don't you have conscious thoughts at least in this sense?

28:61  Is he to whom We have promised an excellent promise- (Al-Jannah)- which he will find true, like him whom We have made to enjoy great comfort and extravagant living of this worldly life, then on the Day of Resurrection, he will be of those arraigned?

28:62  And (mention) the day when He calls to them and say: "Where are My associates whom you used to allege?”

28:63  Those whom the Word (of punishment) has been rightly justified against them will say: "Our Lord, these are the ones whom we led into temptation as we ourselves were led into temptation. We declare our innocence of them before You; it was not us that they used to worship.”

28:64  It will be said: "Call upon your associates." And they will call upon them but they won’t respond to them. Lo! They will see the punishment approaching and wish that they had sought to attain spiritual growth.

28:65  And (mention) the day when He will call to them and say, ”What was the answer you gave to the Messengers?"

28:66  And on that day all tidings will be blinded for them, and they won’t be able to question one another.

28:67  However, as for the one who repents, lives by Faith and strives to do righteous acts, there is a hope that he will be among those who will ultimately achieve salvation.

28:68  Your Lord creates whatever he desires and chooses. They have no real choice in this matter. Glorified is Allâh and Highly Exalted above what they associate with Him.

28:69  Your Lord has full knowledge of whatever their hearts conceal and whatever they disclose.

28:70  And He is Allâh. There is no other god beside Him! Unto Him belongs all praise in this worldly life and the Hereafter. His is the judgment, and you are destined to be brought back to Him.

28:71  Say: "What would you think if Allâh would make the night perpetual over you until the Day of Resurrection, what god, other than Allah, will bring you light? Will you not then hear?"

28:72  Say: "What would you think if Allâh would make the day perpetual over you until the Day of Resurrection, what god, other than Allâh, who will bring you the night wherein you can rest? Will you not then see?"

28:73  It is out of His Mercy, He has made for you the day and night so that you may rest therein, seek of His bounty and show gratitude.

28:74  And (mention) the day when He calls to them and say: "Where are My associates whom you used to allege?”

28:75  And We shall pick out from every nation a witness, then We shall say: "Bring your proof!" Then they will come to know that the truth belongs to Allâh, and whatever they invented will fail them.

28:76  Verily, Korah belonged to the people of Moses, but acted haughtily toward them. And We had granted him such great treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men. His people said to him: "Don’t express much happiness about your wealth (& forget to express your gratitude to Allâh). Indeed, Allâh doesn’t demonstrate His own love for the exultant.

28:77  But you should strive for the abode of the Hereafter by means of what Allâh has granted you. Don’t forget your share (of rightful enjoyment) in this worldly life. Seek to promote the welfare of others as Allâh has shown grace to you, and don’t spread corruption on the earth. Indeed, Allâh doesn’t like those who indulge in corruption."

28:78  He said: "All this has been given to me only as a result of the knowledge I possess." Does he not know that Allâh had already destroyed before him generations, men who were more powerful than him in strength, and greater in wealth accumulated? The Ungodly Sinners won’t be questioned about their sins.

28:79  So he went forth before his people in his pomp. Those who seek (the pleasure) of this worldly life said: "Ah, if we had the like of what Korah has been given! Indeed, he possesses a great fortune."

28:80  But those who have spiritual gift of knowledge said: ”Woe unto you! The reward of Allâh is far better for the one who lives by Faith and acts righteously. None can receive such reward except for those cling to patience.

28:81  So We caused the earth to swallow him up along with his house. There was no squad to help him, other than Allâh, nor was he of those who can defend themselves.

28:82  In the morning, those who had intense feeling of longing for being in his place began to say (in a sorrowful tone), "Ah ( we must have known that) Allâh spreads out and straitens the means of subsistence for whom He wills of His servants! If Allâh had not been Benignant to us, He would have caused the earth to swallow us up. Oh, indeed! Those who are spiritually dead and blind will never achieve their aims.

28:83  As for that Abode of the Hereafter, We assign it to those who don’t pursue neither haughtiness nor corruption. The best outcome is for the Pious.

28:84  Whoever comes (on the Judgment Day) with a single righteous deed will have better than it. And whoever comes (on the Judgment Day) with a single evil deed- then those who committed evil deeds will only be chastised for what they used to do.

28:85  Most assuredly, the One Who ordained the Qur’ān for you, will bring you back to the place of return (Mecca). Say, “My Lord has full knowledge of the one who brings guidance and the one who is in utter deception.”

28:86  And you were not anticipating that the Book would be revealed to you, but it is a Mercy from your Lord. So don’t ever be a supporter of those who live in spiritual darkness.

28:87  And don’t let them divert you from the Revelations of Allâh after they have been revealed to you. Invite the people to come to your Lord, and don’t be one of the polytheists!

28:88  And don't call on another god with Allâh. There is no god except Him. Everything is bound to perish except His Countenance. His is the judgment, and to Him you will be brought back.