Chapter 28

Surah Al Qasas (The Story)

28.1

surah 28 - verse 1

translator's name verse
Arberry Ta Sin Mim
Maududi Ta'. Sin. Mim
Pickthall Ta. Sin. Mim.
Sahih Ta, Seen, Meem.
Yusuf Ali Ta. Sin. Mim.

28.2

surah 28 - verse 2

translator's name verse
Arberry Those are the signs of the Manifest Book.
Maududi These are the verses of the Clear Book.
Pickthall These are revelations of the Scripture that maketh plain.
Sahih These are the verses of the clear Book.
Yusuf Ali These are Verses of the Book that makes (things) clear.

28.3

surah 28 - verse 3

translator's name verse
Arberry We will recite to thee something of the tiding of Moses and Pharaoh truthfully, for a people who believe.
Maududi We recount to you with truth some parts of the story of Moses and Pharaoh for the benefit of those who believe.
Pickthall We narrate unto thee (somewhat) of the story of Moses and Pharaoh with truth, for folk who believe.
Sahih We recite to you from the news of Moses and Pharaoh in truth for a people who believe.
Yusuf Ali We rehearse to thee some of the story of Moses and Pharaoh in Truth, for people who believe.

28.4

surah 28 - verse 4

translator's name verse
Arberry Now Pharaoh had exalted himself in the land and had divided its inhabitants into sects, abasing one party of them, slaughtering their sons, and sparing their women; for he was of the workers of corruption.
Maududi Indeed Pharaoh transgressed in the land and divided its people into sections. One group of them he humiliated, and slew their sons and spared their daughters. Truly he was among the mischief-makers.
Pickthall Lo! Pharaoh exalted himself in the earth and made its people castes. A tribe among them he oppressed, killing their sons and sparing their women. Lo! he was of those who work corruption.
Sahih Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a sector among them, slaughtering their [newborn] sons and keeping their females alive. Indeed, he was of the corrupters.
Yusuf Ali Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sections, depressing a small group among them: their sons he slew, but he kept alive their females: for he was indeed a maker of mischief.

28.5

surah 28 - verse 5

translator's name verse
Arberry Yet We desired to be gracious to those that were abased in the land, and to make them leaders, and to make them the inheritors,
Maududi We wanted to bestow favour on those who were oppressed in the land. We wanted to make them leaders and heirs
Pickthall And We desired to show favour unto those who were oppressed in the earth, and to make them examples and to make them the inheritors,
Sahih And We wanted to confer favor upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors
Yusuf Ali And We wished to be Gracious to those who were being depressed in the land, to make them leaders (in Faith) and make them heirs,

28.6

surah 28 - verse 6

translator's name verse
Arberry and to establish them in the land, and to show Pharaoh and Ha man, and their hosts, what they were dreading from them.
Maududi and to grant them power in the land, and make Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts see what they had feared.
Pickthall And to establish them in the earth, and to show Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts that which they feared from them.
Sahih And establish them in the land and show Pharaoh and [his minister] Haman and their soldiers through them that which they had feared.
Yusuf Ali To establish a firm place for them in the land, and to show Pharaoh, Haman, and their hosts, at their hands, the very things against which they were taking precautions.

28.7

surah 28 - verse 7

translator's name verse
Arberry So We revealed to Moses' mother, 'Suckle him, then, when thou fearest for him, cast him into the sea, and do not fear, neither sorrow, for We shall return him to thee, and shall appoint him one of the Envoys.'
Maududi We suggested to the mother of Moses: "Suckle your child, but when you fear for his life cast him into the river and be not fearful nor grieve, for We shall restore him to you and make him one of the Messengers."
Pickthall And We inspired the mother of Moses, saying: Suckle him and, when thou fearest for him, then cast him into the river and fear not nor grieve. Lo! We shall bring him back unto thee and shall make him (one) of Our messengers.
Sahih And We inspired to the mother of Moses, "Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him [one] of the messengers."
Yusuf Ali So We sent this inspiration to the mother of Moses: "Suckle (thy child), but when thou hast fears about him, cast him into the river, but fear not nor grieve: for We shall restore him to thee, and We shall make him one of Our messengers."

28.8

surah 28 - verse 8

translator's name verse
Arberry So then the folk of Pharaoh picked him out to be an enemy and a sorrow to them; certainly Pharaoh and Haman, and their hosts, were of the sinners.
Maududi Then Pharaoh's household picked him up (from the river) that he may be their adversary and be a cause of sorrow to them. Surely Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts erred (in their scheming).
Pickthall And the family of Pharaoh took him up, that he might become for them an enemy and a sorrow, Lo! Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts were ever sinning.
Sahih And the family of Pharaoh picked him up [out of the river] so that he would become to them an enemy and a [cause of] grief. Indeed, Pharaoh and Haman and their soldiers were deliberate sinners.
Yusuf Ali Then the people of Pharaoh picked him up (from the river): (It was intended) that (Moses) should be to them an adversary and a cause of sorrow: for Pharaoh and Haman and (all) their hosts were men of sin.

28.9

surah 28 - verse 9

translator's name verse
Arberry Said Pharaoh's wife, 'He will be a comfort to me and thee. Slay him not; perchance he will profit us, or we will take him for a son.' And they were not aware.
Maududi The wife of Pharaoh said: "Here is a delight of the eye to me and to you. Do not kill him. Maybe he will prove useful for us, or we may adopt him as a son." They were unaware of the end of it all.
Pickthall And the wife of Pharaoh said: (He will be) a consolation for me and for thee. Kill him not. Peradventure he may be of use to us, or we may choose him for a son. And they perceived not.
Sahih And the wife of Pharaoh said, "[He will be] a comfort of the eye for me and for you. Do not kill him; perhaps he may benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son." And they perceived not.
Yusuf Ali The wife of Pharaoh said: "(Here is) joy of the eye, for me and for thee: slay him not. It may be that he will be use to us, or we may adopt him as a son." And they perceived not (what they were doing)!

28.10

surah 28 - verse 10

translator's name verse
Arberry On the morrow the heart of Moses" mother became empty, and she wellnigh disclosed him had We not strengthened her heart, that she might be among the believers;
Maududi On the other hand, the heart of Moses' mother was sorely distressed. Had We not strengthened her heart that she might have full faith (in Our promise), she would have disclosed the secret.
Pickthall And the heart of the mother of Moses became void, and she would have betrayed him if We had not fortified her heart, that she might be of the believers.
Sahih And the heart of Moses' mother became empty [of all else]. She was about to disclose [the matter concerning] him had We not bound fast her heart that she would be of the believers.
Yusuf Ali But there came to be a void in the heart of the mother of Moses: She was going almost to disclose his (case), had We not strengthened her heart (with faith), so that she might remain a (firm) believer.

28.11

surah 28 - verse 11

translator's name verse
Arberry and she said to his sister, 'Follow him,' and she perceived him from afar, even while they were not aware.
Maududi She told the sister of Moses: "Follow him." So she kept watch over him unperceived (by the enemies).
Pickthall And she said unto his sister: Trace him. So she observed him from afar, and they perceived not.
Sahih And she said to his sister, "Follow him"; so she watched him from a distance while they perceived not.
Yusuf Ali And she said to the sister of (Moses), "Follow him" so she (the sister) watched him in the character of a stranger. And they knew not.

28.12

surah 28 - verse 12

translator's name verse
Arberry Now We had forbidden to him aforetime to be suckled by any foster-mother; therefore she said, 'Shall I direct you to the people of a household who will take charge of him for you and look after him?'
Maududi And We had already forbidden the breasts of the nurses for the child. (So seeing the girl) said: "Shall I direct you to the people of a household that will rear him with utter sincerity?"
Pickthall And We had before forbidden foster-mothers for him, so she said: Shall I show you a household who will rear him for you and take care of him?
Sahih And We had prevented from him [all] wet nurses before, so she said, "Shall I direct you to a household that will be responsible for him for you while they are to him [for his upbringing] sincere?"
Yusuf Ali And we ordained that he refused suck at first, until (His sister came up and) said: "Shall I point out to you the people of a house that will nourish and bring him up for you and be sincerely attached to him?"...

28.13

surah 28 - verse 13

translator's name verse
Arberry So We returned him to his mother, that she might be comforted and not sorrow, and that she might know that the promise of God is true; but most of them do not know.
Maududi Thus did We restore Moses to his mother that her eyes might be comforted and she might not grieve, and realise that the promise of Allah was true. But most people are unaware of this.
Pickthall So We restored him to his mother that she might be comforted and not grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allah is true. But most of them know not.
Sahih So We restored him to his mother that she might be content and not grieve and that she would know that the promise of Allah is true. But most of the people do not know.
Yusuf Ali Thus did We restore him to his mother, that her eye might be comforted, that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allah is true: but most of them do not understand.

28.14

surah 28 - verse 14

translator's name verse
Arberry And when he was fully grown and in the perfection of his strength, We gave him judgment and knowledge; even so do We recompense the good-doers.
Maududi When Moses reached the age of full youth and grew to maturity, We bestowed upon him wisdom and knowledge. Thus do We reward those who do good.
Pickthall And when he reached his full strength and was ripe, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. Thus do We reward the good.
Sahih And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgement and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.
Yusuf Ali When he reached full age, and was firmly established (in life), We bestowed on him wisdom and knowledge: for thus do We reward those who do good.

28.15

surah 28 - verse 15

translator's name verse
Arberry And he entered the city, at a time when its people were unheeding, and found there two men fighting; the one was of his own party, and the other was of his enemies. Then the one that was of his party cried to him to aid him against the other that was of his enemies; so Moses struck him, and despatched him, and said, 'This is of Satan's doing; he is surely an enemy misleading, manifest.'
Maududi Once he entered the city at a time when its people were heedless, and he encountered two men fighting, one of whom belonged to his own people and the other to his foes. Now the man belonging to Moses' own people cried out to him for help against the man from the foes, and Moses struck him with his fist and finished him. Moses said: "This is an act of Satan. Surely he is an enemy who openly misleads."
Pickthall And he entered the city at a time of carelessness of its folk, and he found therein two men fighting, one of his own caste, and the other of his enemies; and he who was of his caste asked him for help against him who was of his enemies. So Moses struck him with his fist and killed him. He said: This is of the devil's doing. Lo! he is an enemy, a mere misleader.
Sahih And he entered the city at a time of inattention by its people and found therein two men fighting: one from his faction and one from among his enemy. And the one from his faction called for help to him against the one from his enemy, so Moses struck him and [unintentionally] killed him. [Moses] said, "This is from the work of Satan. Indeed, he is a manifest, misleading enemy."
Yusuf Ali And he entered the city at a time when its people were not watching: and he found there two men fighting,- one of his own religion, and the other, of his foes. Now the man of his own religion appealed to him against his foe, and Moses struck him with his fist and made an end of him. He said: "This is a work of Evil (Satan): for he is an enemy that manifestly misleads!"

28.16

surah 28 - verse 16

translator's name verse
Arberry He said, 'My Lord, I have wronged myself. Forgive me!' So God forgave him, for He is the All-forgiving, the All-compassionate.
Maududi Then he prayed: "My Lord! I have indeed inflicted wrong on myself, so do forgive me," wherefore Allah forgave him for He is Ever Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Pickthall He said: My Lord! Lo! I have wronged my soul, so forgive me. Then He forgave him. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Sahih He said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me," and He forgave him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Yusuf Ali He prayed: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul! Do Thou then forgive me!" So (Allah) forgave him: for He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

28.17

surah 28 - verse 17

translator's name verse
Arberry He said, 'My Lord, forasmuch as Thou hast blessed me, I will never be a partisan of the sinners.'
Maududi Thereupon Moses vowed: "My Lord, because of the favour that You have done me I shall never support the guilty."
Pickthall He said: My Lord! Forasmuch as Thou hast favoured me, I will nevermore be a supporter of the guilty.
Sahih He said, "My Lord, for the favor You bestowed upon me, I will never be an assistant to the criminals."
Yusuf Ali He said: "O my Lord! For that Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace on me, never shall I be a help to those who sin!"

28.18

surah 28 - verse 18

translator's name verse
Arberry Now in the morning he was in the city, fearful and vigilant; and behold, the man who had sought his, succour on the day before cried out to him again. Moses said to him, 'Clearly thou art, a quarreller.'
Maududi The next morning he proceeded to the city in fear and looking around as one apprehensive of danger when all of a sudden, the man who had sought his help the day before again called out to him for his help. Moses said to him: "Clearly, you are a very misguided fellow."
Pickthall And morning found him in the city, fearing, vigilant, when behold! he who had appealed to him the day before cried out to him for help. Moses said unto him: Lo! thou art indeed a mere hothead.
Sahih And he became inside the city fearful and anticipating [exposure], when suddenly the one who sought his help the previous day cried out to him [once again]. Moses said to him, "Indeed, you are an evident, [persistent] deviator."
Yusuf Ali So he saw the morning in the city, looking about, in a state of fear, when behold, the man who had, the day before, sought his help called aloud for his help (again). Moses said to him: "Thou art truly, it is clear, a quarrelsome fellow!"

28.19

surah 28 - verse 19

translator's name verse
Arberry But when he would have assaulted the man who was an enemy to them both, the man said, 'Moses, dost thou' desire to slay me, even as thou slewest a living 'soul yesterday? Thou only desirest to be a tyrant in the land; thou desirest not to be of them that put things right.'
Maududi And when Moses decided to lay his violent hands on the man belonging to the enemy, he cried out: "Moses, do you intend to kill me as you killed a person yesterday?" You simply want to live in the land as a tyrant, and do not wish to set things right."
Pickthall And when he would have fallen upon the man who was an enemy unto them both, he said: O Moses! Wouldst thou kill me as thou didst kill a person yesterday. Thou wouldst be nothing but a tyrant in the land, thou wouldst not be of the reformers.
Sahih And when he wanted to strike the one who was an enemy to both of them, he said, "O Moses, do you intend to kill me as you killed someone yesterday? You only want to be a tyrant in the land and do not want to be of the amenders."
Yusuf Ali Then, when he decided to lay hold of the man who was an enemy to both of them, that man said: "O Moses! Is it thy intention to slay me as thou slewest a man yesterday? Thy intention is none other than to become a powerful violent man in the land, and not to be one who sets things right!"

28.20

surah 28 - verse 20

translator's name verse
Arberry Then came a man from the furthest part of the city, running; he said, 'Moses, the Council are conspiring to slay thee. Depart; I am one of thy sincere advisers.'
Maududi Then a man came running from the farther end of the city and said: "O Moses, the nobles are deliberating about you that they may put you to death. So do be gone. I am one of your well-wishers."
Pickthall And a man came from the uttermost part of the city, running. He said: O Moses! Lo! the chiefs take counsel against thee to slay thee; therefor escape. Lo! I am of those who give thee good advice.
Sahih And a man came from the farthest end of the city, running. He said, "O Moses, indeed the eminent ones are conferring over you [intending] to kill you, so leave [the city]; indeed, I am to you of the sincere advisors."
Yusuf Ali And there came a man, running, from the furthest end of the City. He said: "O Moses! the Chiefs are taking counsel together about thee, to slay thee: so get thee away, for I do give thee sincere advice."