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
| |
| 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
| |
| Names of Prophets Mentioned
Musa, Harun
| |
| 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
| |
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
|
Overview (Verses 7 - 13) Saving Moses The story begins and we are told how God’s hand works directly, and not through anyone else. Moses was born under the sort of difficult circumstances the sūrah has described: a newborn baby in great danger. We almost see the knife being taken out to cut his throat. His mother is so worried, fearing that the news of his birth might reach the despotic authorities. She is well aware that if it did she would not be able to protect or hide him. How could she prevent him from crying and so betraying his presence? She knew herself to be helpless and powerless. At this point God’s hand intervenes, making direct contact with the worried mother, and inspiring her with what to do: “We revealed to the mother of Moses: ‘Breast- feed him, and then when you have cause to fear for him, cast him in the river, and have no fear and do not grieve.’” (Verse 7) What sort of inspiration is this? A caring mother suckling her child is told to cast him into the river should she fear for his life. She is told, however, not to fear or grieve for him: “have no fear and do not grieve.” He will be under the care of the One who provides all security and dispels all fear. He will be looked after by the hand which makes the fire a cool and relaxing place, and makes the sea a place of shelter and repose. No Pharaoh dare come near anyone this hand protects. “We shall restore him to you.” (Verse 7) You need not fear for his life or worry about his being taken away from you. “And shall make him one of Our messengers.” (Verse 7) This is a promise for the future, and God’s promise is certain to come true. This is the first scene showing a worried mother as she received a clear, reassuring revelation that promises a bright future. The revelation removes all fear and worry from her heart, giving her peace and reassurance. The sūrah does not mention how she reacted or how she carried out the instructions. Instead, the curtains fall only to rise again bringing us the next scene. “Pharaoh’s household picked him up.” (Verse 8) Is this the security promised her? Does it augur the fulfilment of the happy news she has been given? How, when she feared for her son none other than Pharaoh and his household? It is they that now have him. Nothing could have worried her more than her child falling into their hands. Here, we see the challenge thrown down openly, in full view of all. It is a challenge to Pharaoh, Hāmān and their hosts. They were chasing down every newborn male in Moses’ community because of fear for their own positions. Their spies were everywhere, so that no newly born boy could escape their watchful eyes. Now God’s hand effortlessly puts into their very own midst such a child. It is indeed the child who will bring about their downfall. He is now in their hands and he is helpless, unable to fend for himself. Indeed, he cannot cry for help, should he be in danger. The purpose behind delivering the child to Pharaoh is also clearly stated: “So [in time] he would become an enemy to them and a source of grief” (Verse 8) He will certainly be an open foe, challenging them, and bringing grief and sorrow. “Pharaoh, Hāmān and their hosts were sinners indeed.” (Verse 8) Yet how will all this come about when the child is so helpless? The sūrah tells us straightaway: “Pharaoh’s wife said. - A joy to the eye he will be for me and for you. Do not kill him. He may well be of use to us, or we may adopt him as our son. ‘They had no inkling [of what was to happen].” (Verse 9) God’s hand not only delivers the child into Pharaoh’s fortified palace by way of an open challenge, it also takes him right into his wife’s heart, thus providing him with loving protection. It thus gives him a thin, transparent cover of love overflowing from a woman’s heart. Thus, he needs neither weapons, authority nor money for his protection. Such love defies Pharaoh, his despotism and his fear for his kingdom. Pharaoh is too small and humble in God’s measure: the child needs no more than this thin covering of love to enjoy complete protection from him. “A joy to the eye he will be for me and for you.” (Verse 9) This is how she describes the child brought to them, the one who will become their enemy and bring them all, except for the woman herself, much grief. “Do not kill him,” yet it is he who will bring about Pharaoh’s end. “He may well be of use to us, or we may adopt him as our son,” when it will be through him that their fate will be sealed. “They had no inkling [of what was to happen].” (Verse 9) What irony! Thus ends the second scene and the curtains fall here temporarily. What about his mother though, who must have been justifiably apprehensive? “By the morning an aching void came over the heart of Moses’ mother, and she would indeed have disclosed his identity had We not strengthened her heart so that she could continue to have faith.” (Verse 10) She did as she was told and threw her child into the river. Where is he now though? Where has the river carried him? She might well have asked herself how she could have done such a thing. How could she even hope that he would find security in the midst of such danger? The sūrah portrays a telling picture of a poor mother’s anxious heart. It is “a void’, one whereby she is unable to think or act. “She would indeed have disclosed his identity,” betraying her own secret. We can imagine her being driven in a moment of despair to give the whole thing away: “Had We not strengthened her heart,” giving her added strength to deal with this very difficult situation. “So that she could continue to have faith.” (Verse 10) She needed to have faith in God’s promise, to be patient in the adversity she was faced with and to continue to follow His guidance. She nevertheless exerted her own efforts so as to know what had happened to the child: “She said to his sister: ‘Follow him.’“ (Verse 11) She asked her daughter to follow the child in his box floating along the river, so as to know whether he survived or not. The girl did as instructed, seeking to establish what happened to her baby brother. She went into different quarters and markets, and she soon saw him from a distance, carried by some of Pharaoh’s servants who were looking for someone to suckle him. At this point things regain an air of calm: So she watched him from a distance, while they were unaware. Right from the very beginning We caused him to refuse all nurses’ breasts. So, his sister said: “Shall I direct you to a family who might bring him up for you and take good care of him?’ (Verses 11-12) Here we see the working of God’s will completing its scheme to thwart Pharaoh. It brings the child to them, they pick him up, and furthermore they are made to love him from the very first moment. Thus, they look for a suckling mother for him, but God made him refuse all breasts to increase their confusion and helplessness. Every time a new breast was offered to him he refused it. Thus they feared for the child’s life. They continued in this situation until his sister saw him at a distance and recognized him. She soon realized how eager they were to find someone who could take care of him. She carefully approached them: “Shall I direct you to a family who might bring him up for you and take good care of him?” (Verse 12) They were delighted with what she said, hoping that it could be true and that the child would be saved. This fourth scene is over, and the next one starts immediately, showing the child back with his mother, thriving, well protected by Pharaoh and cared for by his wife. While fear was everywhere around him, he enjoyed complete security: “Thus We restored him to his mother, so that she might rejoice in him and grieve no more, and that she might know that God’s promise always comes true; even though most people do not know this.” (Verse 13)
|
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
|
|
Overview (Verses 7 - 13) Saving Moses The story begins and we are told how God’s hand works directly, and not through anyone else. Moses was born under the sort of difficult circumstances the sūrah has described: a newborn baby in great danger. We almost see the knife being taken out to cut his throat. His mother is so worried, fearing that the news of his birth might reach the despotic authorities. She is well aware that if it did she would not be able to protect or hide him. How could she prevent him from crying and so betraying his presence? She knew herself to be helpless and powerless. At this point God’s hand intervenes, making direct contact with the worried mother, and inspiring her with what to do: “We revealed to the mother of Moses: ‘Breast- feed him, and then when you have cause to fear for him, cast him in the river, and have no fear and do not grieve.’” (Verse 7) What sort of inspiration is this? A caring mother suckling her child is told to cast him into the river should she fear for his life. She is told, however, not to fear or grieve for him: “have no fear and do not grieve.” He will be under the care of the One who provides all security and dispels all fear. He will be looked after by the hand which makes the fire a cool and relaxing place, and makes the sea a place of shelter and repose. No Pharaoh dare come near anyone this hand protects. “We shall restore him to you.” (Verse 7) You need not fear for his life or worry about his being taken away from you. “And shall make him one of Our messengers.” (Verse 7) This is a promise for the future, and God’s promise is certain to come true. This is the first scene showing a worried mother as she received a clear, reassuring revelation that promises a bright future. The revelation removes all fear and worry from her heart, giving her peace and reassurance. The sūrah does not mention how she reacted or how she carried out the instructions. Instead, the curtains fall only to rise again bringing us the next scene. “Pharaoh’s household picked him up.” (Verse 8) Is this the security promised her? Does it augur the fulfilment of the happy news she has been given? How, when she feared for her son none other than Pharaoh and his household? It is they that now have him. Nothing could have worried her more than her child falling into their hands. Here, we see the challenge thrown down openly, in full view of all. It is a challenge to Pharaoh, Hāmān and their hosts. They were chasing down every newborn male in Moses’ community because of fear for their own positions. Their spies were everywhere, so that no newly born boy could escape their watchful eyes. Now God’s hand effortlessly puts into their very own midst such a child. It is indeed the child who will bring about their downfall. He is now in their hands and he is helpless, unable to fend for himself. Indeed, he cannot cry for help, should he be in danger. The purpose behind delivering the child to Pharaoh is also clearly stated: “So [in time] he would become an enemy to them and a source of grief” (Verse 8) He will certainly be an open foe, challenging them, and bringing grief and sorrow. “Pharaoh, Hāmān and their hosts were sinners indeed.” (Verse 8) Yet how will all this come about when the child is so helpless? The sūrah tells us straightaway: “Pharaoh’s wife said. - A joy to the eye he will be for me and for you. Do not kill him. He may well be of use to us, or we may adopt him as our son. ‘They had no inkling [of what was to happen].” (Verse 9) God’s hand not only delivers the child into Pharaoh’s fortified palace by way of an open challenge, it also takes him right into his wife’s heart, thus providing him with loving protection. It thus gives him a thin, transparent cover of love overflowing from a woman’s heart. Thus, he needs neither weapons, authority nor money for his protection. Such love defies Pharaoh, his despotism and his fear for his kingdom. Pharaoh is too small and humble in God’s measure: the child needs no more than this thin covering of love to enjoy complete protection from him. “A joy to the eye he will be for me and for you.” (Verse 9) This is how she describes the child brought to them, the one who will become their enemy and bring them all, except for the woman herself, much grief. “Do not kill him,” yet it is he who will bring about Pharaoh’s end. “He may well be of use to us, or we may adopt him as our son,” when it will be through him that their fate will be sealed. “They had no inkling [of what was to happen].” (Verse 9) What irony! Thus ends the second scene and the curtains fall here temporarily. What about his mother though, who must have been justifiably apprehensive? “By the morning an aching void came over the heart of Moses’ mother, and she would indeed have disclosed his identity had We not strengthened her heart so that she could continue to have faith.” (Verse 10) She did as she was told and threw her child into the river. Where is he now though? Where has the river carried him? She might well have asked herself how she could have done such a thing. How could she even hope that he would find security in the midst of such danger? The sūrah portrays a telling picture of a poor mother’s anxious heart. It is “a void’, one whereby she is unable to think or act. “She would indeed have disclosed his identity,” betraying her own secret. We can imagine her being driven in a moment of despair to give the whole thing away: “Had We not strengthened her heart,” giving her added strength to deal with this very difficult situation. “So that she could continue to have faith.” (Verse 10) She needed to have faith in God’s promise, to be patient in the adversity she was faced with and to continue to follow His guidance. She nevertheless exerted her own efforts so as to know what had happened to the child: “She said to his sister: ‘Follow him.’“ (Verse 11) She asked her daughter to follow the child in his box floating along the river, so as to know whether he survived or not. The girl did as instructed, seeking to establish what happened to her baby brother. She went into different quarters and markets, and she soon saw him from a distance, carried by some of Pharaoh’s servants who were looking for someone to suckle him. At this point things regain an air of calm: So she watched him from a distance, while they were unaware. Right from the very beginning We caused him to refuse all nurses’ breasts. So, his sister said: “Shall I direct you to a family who might bring him up for you and take good care of him?’ (Verses 11-12) Here we see the working of God’s will completing its scheme to thwart Pharaoh. It brings the child to them, they pick him up, and furthermore they are made to love him from the very first moment. Thus, they look for a suckling mother for him, but God made him refuse all breasts to increase their confusion and helplessness. Every time a new breast was offered to him he refused it. Thus they feared for the child’s life. They continued in this situation until his sister saw him at a distance and recognized him. She soon realized how eager they were to find someone who could take care of him. She carefully approached them: “Shall I direct you to a family who might bring him up for you and take good care of him?” (Verse 12) They were delighted with what she said, hoping that it could be true and that the child would be saved. This fourth scene is over, and the next one starts immediately, showing the child back with his mother, thriving, well protected by Pharaoh and cared for by his wife. While fear was everywhere around him, he enjoyed complete security: “Thus We restored him to his mother, so that she might rejoice in him and grieve no more, and that she might know that God’s promise always comes true; even though most people do not know this.” (Verse 13)
|
- 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
