Overview - Surah 28: al-Qasas (The Stories)
The basic theme of this Surah is the prophethood. Some aspects of the life of Prophet Moses -peace be upon him- are mentioned to show the similarity between him and Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon all the prophets of Allah. There are also answers here to the questions and doubts that were raised by some non-believers.
Sections:
- Story of Moses and Pharaoh is related. Pharaoh was persecuting the Israelites. Allah wished to show his favor to the oppressed people. Birth of Moses and then his growing up in Pharaoh's own palace.
- Moses' encounter with an Egyptian and his escape to Madyan.
- Moses' marriage in Madyan.
- Moses receives Prophethood and especial signs from Allah. His appearance before Pharaoh. Pharaoh's denial and then Allah's punishment for him and his armies.
- The Prophet relating these stories by inspiration from Allah and for a purpose.
- Allah's guidance is continuos.
- The message of Islam is tawhid.
- The story of Qarun: his character and his end.
- Allah's promise for the Believers.
Surah al-Qasas [The Story] takes it name from being mentioned in [28:25], 'Then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness. She said, "Indeed, my father invites you that he may reward you for having watered for us." So when he came to him and related to him the story, he said, "Fear not. You have escaped from the wrongdoing people."
This Surah has 88 Ayat.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 88 |
| Total Words * | 1430 |
| Root Words * | 304 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 49th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | 6th year of Prophethood |
| Events during/before this Surah*
2nd Migration to Abyssinia, Physical beating and torture of some Muslims - 1st Migration of Muslims to Abyssinia, Public Invitation to Islam - Persecution of Muslims; antagonism - ridicule - derision - accusation - abuse and false propaganda., Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam
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| Events during/after still to occur*
Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3,Death of Abu Talib - Death of Khadijah - Stoning at Ta'if - al-Isra wal Mi'raj - Night Journey,1st Pledge of Aqabah,2nd Pledge of Aqabah,,Migration from Makkah to Madinah - Building of Masjid Nabi in Madinah - Treaty with Jews of Madinah - Marriage of Prophet to Aishah,Change of Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah - Battle of Badr,Battle of Uhud,,Battle of Ahzab - Expedition of Banu Quraydhah,Treaty of Hudaiybiyah - Letters to Kings and Rulers,,Conquest of Makkah - Battle of Hunain,Hajj led by Abu Bakr - Expedition of Tabuk,Farewell Hajj by Prophet - Death of Prophet - End of Divine Revelation
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| Names of Prophets Mentioned
Musa, Harun
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| Surah Index
Aaron, Adversity (patience during) , Death (those communities who have no revelation will not be destroyed) , Haman, Hell, Iblis, Knowledge, Knowledge (obligation upon man to obtain and impart) , Madyan, Materialism, Moses, Pharaoh, Pharaoh (punishment of) , Qarun, Qur’an, Resurrection (Day) , Revelation, Shu’ayb, Sin, Torah
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Theme 1: God will fulfill His Promise.
Theme 2: To remove the doubts and objections that were being raised against the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad and to invalidate the excuses which were being offered for not believing in him. The story of the Prophet Moses has been related, which by analogy with the period of revelation impresses the following points in the listener’s mind:
1. First God provides the means and motives of whatever He wills in an undetectable way. Thus did God arrange things such that the child through whom Pharaoh had to be removed from power was brought up in his own house, without him knowing whom he was fostering. Who can challenge God and disrupt His plans?
2. Secondly, Prophethood is not granted to a person amid festivities by issuing a proclamation from the heavens. You wonder how Muhammad has been blessed with Prophethood unexpectedly but Moses, whom you acknowledge as a Prophet (v.48) was also appointed Prophet unexpectedly while on a journey. This event occurred in the desert at the foot of Mt. Sinai and there were no witnesses. Even Moses himself did not anticipate what he was going to be blessed with. He in fact had seen a fire in the distance and sought to either seek directions or at least return with a branch – little did he know that he would return with the gift of Prophethood.
3. Thirdly, those whom God wishes to use in his service are often without military might and manage to successfully overcome much stronger and better equipped opponents. The contrast that existed between the might of Moses and Pharaoh was far more prominent and obvious than that which existed between Muhammad and the Quraysh; yet the world came to know who the victor was.
4. Fourthly, objections were raised time and time again saying, ‘Why has Muhammad not been given the same which was given to Moses?’ i.e. miracles of the staff and the shining hand etc. as if to suggest that they would readily believe only if they were shown the kind of the miracles that were shown by Moses to Pharaoh. But then they are reminded, ‘Do you know what sort of response was made by those who were shown those miracles?’ They had not believed even after seeing the miracles and had only said, ‘This is magic’ for they were adamant in their stubbornness and hostility to the Truth. Will you then only believe when you are shown the same kind of miracles? Are you aware what fate the disbelievers were met with after seeing the miracles? They were annihilated by God. Do you now wish to meet the same fate by asking for miracles in your stubbornness.
- Promise of Allah. There is a promise in the begining of the Surah to the mother of Musa, that her child shall be returned to her (28:7). Indeed, Allah fulfilled His promise. The Surah ends with Allah promising the Prophet Muhammad, that He shall return him back home (28:85). This seems to be towards the end of the Makki period and just prior to the Hijrah [migration] to Madinah. Indeed, Allah did fulfill His promise with the conquest of Makkah. This is a demonstration of the fact that, with out doubt, Allah does help and give victory to His friends and this adds to the Yaqin [certainty] of the Believer.
- Those arrogant on Earth. In the beginning of the Surah, Allah mentions in [28:4] that Pharaoh was arrogant in the land. Towards the end in [28: 83], Allah mentions that He has reserved the after-life for those who are not arrogant on Earth.
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = * | ||
According to Ibn Abbas (a great companion of the Prophet) the Surah 26: ash-Shu’ara’ (The Poets), Surah 27: an-Naml (The Ants) and Surah 28: al-Qasas (The Story) were sent down one after the other. The language, the style and the theme also show that the period of the revelation of these three Surahs is nearly the same. Another reason for their close resemblance is that the different parts of the story of Prophet Moses are mentioned in these Surahs together to make up a complete story.
- The promise of Allah to His slaves is fulfilled without doubt.
- The story of Pharaoh who plotted to kill all the male children of the Israelites. How Allah saved Musa (pbuh) and arranged for him to be brought up in Pharaoh's own household.
- Youth of Prophet Musa (pbuh), his folly of killing a man, his escape to Madyan, his marriage, his seeing a fire at Mount Tur, and his assignment as a Rasool to Fir'on.
- The stories of prior generations are related in The Qur'an as an eye opener for the disbelievers to learn a lesson.
- Unbiased Jews and Christians; when they hear The Qur'an, can recognize the Truth and feel that they were Muslims even before hearing it.
- The Prophets cannot give guidance; it is Allah Who gives guidance.
- The fact that on the Day of Judgement, disbelievers will wish that they had accepted guidance and became Muslims.
- Allah has not allowed the mushrikin to assign His powers to whom they want.
- The story of Qarun, the legendary rich man.
- Allah's commandment that the revelation of The Qur'an is His mercy; a believer should let no one turn him away from it.
Tafsir Zone
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Overview (Verses 62 - 67) Disclaimers Availing Nothing The sūrah now takes us on another round in which it portrays certain images of the Day of Judgement. It shows us the inevitable end to which associating partners with God leads: On that day, He will call to them and ask: ‘Where are those whom you alleged to be My partners?’ Those against whom the word [of judgement] has come to pass will say: “Our Lord! Those whom we have led astray, we only led them astray as we ourselves had gone astray. We now disown them before You. It was not us that they worshipped.’ They will be told: ‘Call on those you alleged to be [God’s] partners,’ and they will call to them, but the latter will not respond to them. They will then see the suffering [that awaits them]. If only they had been open to guidance! On that day, He will call to them and ask: ‘What answer did you give to My messengers?’ But to them all information will be blotted out and they will not even ask any questions. However, anyone who repents, believes and does righteous deeds may well be among those who are successful. (Verses 62-67) The first question is one of rebuke: “Where are those whom you alleged to be My partners?” (Verse 62) God certainly knows that such alleged partners are not to be found on that day, and that those who made the claims about their alleged status know nothing about them, they cannot even reach them. The question is asked so as to disgrace them. Therefore, those who are asked will give no answer, because no answer is needed or expected. They only try to exonerate themselves for having led others astray, preventing them from following divine guidance, as the elders of the Quraysh used to do with their subordinates. They will say: “Our Lord! Those whom we have led astray, we only led them astray as we ourselves had gone astray. We now disown them before You. It was not us that they worshipped.” (Verse 63) We did not force them into error, nor had we any power over their hearts. They went astray knowingly and by choice, just like we did. “We now disown them before you,” having had nothing to do with the crime of leading them astray. “It is not us that they worshipped.” They worshipped idols, statues and other creatures. As for us, we did not present ourselves to them as deities, nor did they address their worship rituals to us. This attempt at diverting the questions will not, however, benefit them. They are forced back to the central point, which is the farce of associating partners with God: “They will be told: Call on those you alleged to be [God’s] partners.” (Verse 64) If those alleged partners can do any good, now is the time to call on them. Hence, they are urged to appeal to them to come to their help. In their misery, they know all too well that calling on them is futile. But they have no choice but to do as they are told: “They will call to them, but the latter will not respond to them.” (Verse 64) Nothing else was expected and so the unbelievers are humiliated: “They will then see the suffering [that awaits them].” (Verse 64) They see it in this dialogue, just as they see it before them. Their inevitable end is one of great suffering. When the image we see is at its climax, they are shown the guidance they continued to reject. This is the dear wish of anyone in that position on that great day. Guidance is available to them in this life if they will only take it up: “If only they had been open to guidance!” (Verse 64) They are immediately returned to that dreaded scene: “On that day, He will call to them and ask: What answer did you give to My messengers?” (Verse 65) God certainly knows how they answered His messengers, but the question is put to them as a form of rebuke. In their state of total loss, they have no answer to give: “But to them all information will be blotted out and they will not even ask any questions.” (Verse 66) For “blotted out” the Arabic text uses the word `amiyat, which denotes blindness. Indeed, it imparts an air of non-seeing to the whole scene. It is as if all information has been “However, anyone who repents, believes and does righteous deeds may well be among those who are successful.” (Verse 67) This is the opposite image. At the moment the unbelievers are at the height of their distress, the sūrah depicts the person who repents of his sins, believes in God and does righteous deeds. This is the person who hopes to be successful. The choice is open to all and the time is there to make such a choice. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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Overview (Verses 62 - 67) Disclaimers Availing Nothing The sūrah now takes us on another round in which it portrays certain images of the Day of Judgement. It shows us the inevitable end to which associating partners with God leads: On that day, He will call to them and ask: ‘Where are those whom you alleged to be My partners?’ Those against whom the word [of judgement] has come to pass will say: “Our Lord! Those whom we have led astray, we only led them astray as we ourselves had gone astray. We now disown them before You. It was not us that they worshipped.’ They will be told: ‘Call on those you alleged to be [God’s] partners,’ and they will call to them, but the latter will not respond to them. They will then see the suffering [that awaits them]. If only they had been open to guidance! On that day, He will call to them and ask: ‘What answer did you give to My messengers?’ But to them all information will be blotted out and they will not even ask any questions. However, anyone who repents, believes and does righteous deeds may well be among those who are successful. (Verses 62-67) The first question is one of rebuke: “Where are those whom you alleged to be My partners?” (Verse 62) God certainly knows that such alleged partners are not to be found on that day, and that those who made the claims about their alleged status know nothing about them, they cannot even reach them. The question is asked so as to disgrace them. Therefore, those who are asked will give no answer, because no answer is needed or expected. They only try to exonerate themselves for having led others astray, preventing them from following divine guidance, as the elders of the Quraysh used to do with their subordinates. They will say: “Our Lord! Those whom we have led astray, we only led them astray as we ourselves had gone astray. We now disown them before You. It was not us that they worshipped.” (Verse 63) We did not force them into error, nor had we any power over their hearts. They went astray knowingly and by choice, just like we did. “We now disown them before you,” having had nothing to do with the crime of leading them astray. “It is not us that they worshipped.” They worshipped idols, statues and other creatures. As for us, we did not present ourselves to them as deities, nor did they address their worship rituals to us. This attempt at diverting the questions will not, however, benefit them. They are forced back to the central point, which is the farce of associating partners with God: “They will be told: Call on those you alleged to be [God’s] partners.” (Verse 64) If those alleged partners can do any good, now is the time to call on them. Hence, they are urged to appeal to them to come to their help. In their misery, they know all too well that calling on them is futile. But they have no choice but to do as they are told: “They will call to them, but the latter will not respond to them.” (Verse 64) Nothing else was expected and so the unbelievers are humiliated: “They will then see the suffering [that awaits them].” (Verse 64) They see it in this dialogue, just as they see it before them. Their inevitable end is one of great suffering. When the image we see is at its climax, they are shown the guidance they continued to reject. This is the dear wish of anyone in that position on that great day. Guidance is available to them in this life if they will only take it up: “If only they had been open to guidance!” (Verse 64) They are immediately returned to that dreaded scene: “On that day, He will call to them and ask: What answer did you give to My messengers?” (Verse 65) God certainly knows how they answered His messengers, but the question is put to them as a form of rebuke. In their state of total loss, they have no answer to give: “But to them all information will be blotted out and they will not even ask any questions.” (Verse 66) For “blotted out” the Arabic text uses the word `amiyat, which denotes blindness. Indeed, it imparts an air of non-seeing to the whole scene. It is as if all information has been “However, anyone who repents, believes and does righteous deeds may well be among those who are successful.” (Verse 67) This is the opposite image. At the moment the unbelievers are at the height of their distress, the sūrah depicts the person who repents of his sins, believes in God and does righteous deeds. This is the person who hopes to be successful. The choice is open to all and the time is there to make such a choice. |
- Surah 28. Al Qasas - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHDxgsO41SA&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN&index=28
- Surah 28. Al Qasas Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jgVzGaKQ9I&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM&index=28
- Surah 28. Al Qasas Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXe6Lt0CzDE&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe&index=28
- Idris Akbar Surah Al Qasas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALSYIZSw25k
- Surah 28. Al Qasas muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqXP_Vks3x4&index=28&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG
