Friday, May 17, 2024

Israel in Quran

 

 

This is what God spoke to Bani Israel through Prophet Muhammad about 1400 years ago.

 

Chapter 2 - al Baqarah

40. O Children of Israel, remember My favour which I have bestowed upon you and fulfill My covenant [upon you] that I will fulfill your covenant [from Me], and be afraid of [only] Me.

41. And believe in what I have sent down confirming that which is [already] with you, and be not the first to disbelieve in it. And do not exchange My signs for a small price, and fear [only] Me.

42. And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it].

43. And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].

44. Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?

45. And seek help through patience and prayer; and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]

46. Who are certain that they will meet their Lord and that they will return to Him.

47. O Children of Israel, remember My favour that I have bestowed upon you and that I preferred you over the worlds [i.e., peoples].

48. And fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be taken from it, nor will they be aided.

49. And [recall] when We saved you [i.e., your forefathers] from the people of Pharaoh, who afflicted you with the worst torment, slaughtering your [newborn] sons and keeping your females alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord.

50. And [recall] when We parted the sea for you and saved you and drowned the people of Pharaoh while you were looking on.

51. And [recall] when We made an appointment with Moses for forty nights. Then you took [for worship] the calf after him [i.e., his departure], while you were wrongdoers.

52. Then We forgave you after that so perhaps you would be grateful.

53. And [recall] when We gave Moses the Scripture and criterion that perhaps you would be guided.

54. And [recall] when Moses said to his people, "O my people, indeed you have wronged yourselves by your taking of the calf [for worship]. So repent to your Creator and kill yourselves [i.e., the guilty among you]. That is best for [all of] you in the sight of your Creator." Then He accepted your repentance; indeed, He is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.

55. And [recall] when you said, "O Moses, we will never believe you until we see Allah outright"; so the thunderbolt took you while you were looking on.

56. Then We revived you after your death that perhaps you would be grateful.

57. And We shaded you with clouds and sent down to you manna and quails, [saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you." And they wronged Us not – but they were [only] wronging themselves.

58. And [recall] when We said, "Enter this city [i.e., Jerusalem] and eat from it wherever you will in [ease and] abundance, and enter the gate bowing humbly and say, 'Relieve us of our burdens [i.e., sins].' We will [then] forgive your sins for you, and We will increase the dars of good [in goodness and reward]."

59. But those who wronged changed [those words] to a statement other than that which had been said to them, so We sent down upon those who wronged a punishment [i.e., plague] from the sky because they were defiantly disobeying.

60. And [recall] when Moses prayed for water for his people, so We said, "Strike with your staff the stone." And there gushed forth from it twelve springs, and every people [i.e., tribe] knew its watering place. "Eat and drink from the provision of Allah and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption."

61. And [recall] when you said, "O Moses, we can never endure one [kind of] food. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us from the earth its green herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions." [Moses] said, "Would you exchange what is better for what is less? Go into [any] settlement and indeed, you will have what you have asked." And they were covered with humiliation and poverty and returned with anger from Allah [upon them]. That was because

they [repeatedly] disbelieved in the signs of Allah and killed the prophets without right. That was because they disobeyed and were [habitually] transgressing.

62. Indeed, those who believed and those who were Jews or Christians or Sabeans [before Prophet Muhammad ] those [among them] who believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteousness – will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.

63. And [recall] when We took your covenant, [O Children of Israel, to abide by the Torah] and We raised over you the mount, [saying], "Take what We have given you with determination and remember what is in it that perhaps you may become righteous."

64. Then you turned away after that. And if not for the favour of Allah upon you and His mercy, you would have been among the losers.

65. And you had already known about those who transgressed among you concerning the sabbath, and We said to them, "Be apes, despised."

66. And We made it a deterrent punishment for those who were present and those who succeeded [them] and a lesson for those who fear Allah.

67. And [recall] when Moses said to his people, "Indeed, Allah commands you to slaughter a cow." They said, "Do you take us in ridicule?" He said, "I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant."

68. They said, "Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is." [Moses] said, "[Allah] says, 'It is a cow which is neither old nor virgin, but median between that,' so do what you are commanded."

69. They said, "Call upon your Lord to show us what is her color." He said, "He says, 'It is a yellow cow, bright in color – pleasing to the observers.' "

70. They said, "Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is. Indeed, [all] cows look alike to us. And indeed we, if Allah wills, will be guided."

71. He said, "He says, 'It is a cow neither trained to plow the earth nor to irrigate the field, one free from fault with no spot upon her.' " They said, "Now you have come with the truth." So they slaughtered her, but they could hardly do it.

72. And [recall] when you slew a man and disputed over it, but Allah was to bring out that which you were concealing.

73. So We said, "Strike him [i.e., the slain man] with part of it." Thus das Allah bring the dead to life, and He shows you His signs that you might reason.

74. Then your hearts became hardened after that, being like stones or even harder. For indeed, there are stones from which rivers burst forth, and there are some of them that split open and water comes out, and there are some of them that fall down for fear of Allah. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.

75. Do you covet [the hope, O believers], that they would believe for you while a party of them used to hear the words of Allah and then distort it [i.e., the Torah] after they had understood it while they were knowing?

76. And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We have believed"; but when they are alone with one another, they say, "Do you talk to them about what Allah has revealed to you so they can argue with you about it before your Lord?" Then will you not reason?

77. But do they not know that Allah knows what they conceal and what they declare?

78. And among them are unlettered ones who do not know the Scripture except [indulgement in] wishful thinking, but they are only assuming.

79. So woe to those who write the "scripture" with their own hands, then say, "This is from Allah" in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.

80. And they say, "Never will the Fire touch us, except for [a few] numbered days." Say, "Have you taken a covenant with Allah? For Allah will never break His covenant. Or do you say about Allah that which you do not know?"

81. Yes, [on the contrary], Whoever earns evil and his sin has encompassed him – those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.

82. But they who believe and do righteous deeds – those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.

83. And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], "Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah." Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

84. And [recall] when We took your covenant, [saying], "Do not shed your [i.e., each other's] blood or evict one another from your homes." Then you acknowledged [this] while you were witnessing.

85. Then, you are those [same ones who are] killing one another and evicting a party of your people from their homes, cooperating against them in sin and aggression. And if they come to you as captives, you ransom them, although their eviction was forbidden to you. So do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense for those who do that among you except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the severest of punishment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.

86. Those are the ones who have bought the life of this world [in exchange] for the Hereafter, so the punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be aided.

87. And We did certainly give Moses the Scripture [i.e., the Torah] and followed up after him with messengers. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Pure Spirit [i.e., the angel Gabriel]. But is it [not] that every time a messenger came to you, [O Children of Israel], with what your souls did not desire, you were arrogant? And a party [of messengers] you denied and another party you killed.

88. And they said, "Our hearts are wrapped." But, [in fact], Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so little is it that they believe.

89. And when there came to them a Book [i.e., the Quran] from Allah confirming that which was with them – although before they used to pray for victory against those who disbelieved – but [then] when there came to them that which they recognized, they disbelieved in it; so the curse of Allah will be upon the disbelievers.

90. How wretched is that for which they sold themselves – that they would disbelieve in what Allah has revealed through [their] outrage that Allah would send down His favour upon whom He wills from among His servants. So they returned having [earned] wrath upon wrath. And for the disbelievers is a humiliating punishment.

91. And when it is said to them, "Believe in what Allah has revealed," they say, "We believe [only] in what was revealed to us." And they disbelieve in what came after it, while it is the truth confirming that which is with them. Say, "Then why did you kill the prophets of Allah before, if you are [indeed] believers?"

92. And Moses had certainly brought you clear proofs. Then you took the calf [in worship] after that, while you were wrongdoers.

93. And [recall] when We took your covenant and raised over you the mount, [saying], "Take what We have given you with determination and listen." They said [instead], "We hear and disobey." And their hearts absorbed [the worship of] the calf because of their disbelief. Say, "How wretched is that which your faith enjoins upon you, if you should be believers."

94. Say, [O Muhammad], "If the home of the Hereafter with Allah is for you alone and not the [other] people, then wish for death, if you should be truthful."

95. But never will they wish for it, ever, because of what their hands have put forth. And Allah is Knowing of the wrongdoers.

96. And you will surely find them the most greedy of people for life – [even] more than those who associate others with Allah. One of them wishes that he could be granted life a thousand years, but it would not remove him in the least from the [coming] punishment that he should be granted life. And Allah is Seeing of what they do.

97. Say, "Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel – it is [none but] he who has brought it [i.e., the Quran] down upon your heart, [O Muhammad], by permission of Allah confirming that which was before it and as guidance and good tidings for the believers."

98. Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and His messengers and Gabriel and Michael – then indeed, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.

99. And We have certainly revealed to you verses [which are] clear proofs, and no one would deny them except the defiantly disobedient.

100. Is it not [true] that every time they took a covenant a party of them threw it away? But, [in fact], most of them do not believe.

101. And when a messenger from Allah came to them confirming that which was with them, a party of those who had been given the Scripture threw the Scripture of Allah [i.e., the Torah] behind their backs as if they did not know [what it contained].

102. And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Haroot and Maroot. But they [i.e., the two angels] do not teach anyone unless they say, "We are a trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic]." And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah. And they [i.e., people] learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But they [i.e., the Children of Israel] certainly knew that Whoever purchased it [i.e., magic] would not have in the Hereafter any share. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if they only knew.

103. And if they had believed and feared Allah then the reward from Allah would have been [far] better, if they only knew.

104. O you who have believed, say not [to Allah's Messenger], “Raina” but say “Unthurna” and listen. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.

105. Neither those who disbelieve from the People of the Scripture [i.e., the Jews and Christians] nor the polytheists wish that any good should be sent down to you from your Lord. But Allah selects for His mercy whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

106. We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth [one] better than it or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is over all things competent?

107. Do you not know that to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and [that] you have not besides Allah any protector or any helper?

108. Or do you intend to ask your Messenger as Moses was asked before? And Whoever exchanges faith for disbelief has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way.

109. Many of the People of the Scripture wish they could turn you back to disbelief after you have believed, out of envy from themselves [even] after the truth has become clear to them. So pardon and overlook until Allah delivers His command.

Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.

110. And establish prayer and give zakah, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah. Indeed Allah of what you do, is Seeing.

111. And they say, "None will enter Paradise except one who is a Jew or a Christian." That is [merely] their wishful thinking. Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful."

112. Yes, [on the contrary], Whoever submits his face [i.e., self] in Islam to Allah while being a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.

246. Have you not considered the assembly of the Children of Israel after [the time of] Moses when they said to a prophet of theirs, "Send to us a king, and we will fight in the way of Allah"? He said, "Would you perhaps refrain from fighting if fighting was prescribed for you?" They said, "And why should we not fight in the cause of Allah when we have been driven out from our homes and from our children?" But when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away, except for a few of them. And Allah is Knowing of the wrongdoers.

 

Chapter 5 – al-Maidah

12. And Allah had already taken a covenant from the Children of Israel, and We delegated from among them twelve leaders. And Allah said, "I am with you. If you establish prayer and give zakah and believe in My messengers and support them and loan Allah a goodly loan, I will surely remove from you your misdeeds and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow. But Whoever of you disbelieves after that has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way."

13. So for their breaking of the covenant We cursed them and made their hearts hardened. They distort words from their [proper] places [i.e., usages] and have forgotten a portion of that of which they were reminded. And you will still observe deceit among them, except a few of them. But pardon them and overlook [their misdeeds]. Indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.

14. And from those who say, "We are Christians" We took their covenant; but they forgot a portion of that of which they were reminded. So We caused among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. And Allah is going to inform them about what they used to do.

15. O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture and overlooking much. There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book [i.e., the Quran]

16. By which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path.

17. They have certainly disbelieved who say that Allah is Christ, the son of Mary. Say, "Then who could prevent Allah at all if He had intended to destroy Christ, the son of Mary, or his mother or everyone on the earth?" And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them. He creates what He wills, and Allah is over all things competent.

18. But the Jews and the Christians say, "We are the children of Allah and His beloved." Say, "Then why das He punish you for your sins?" Rather, you are human beings from among those He has created. He forgives whom He wills, and He punishes whom He wills. And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, and to Him is the [final] destination.

19. O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger to make clear to you [the religion] after a period [of suspension] of messengers, lest you say, "There came not to us any bringer of good tidings or a warner." But there has come to you a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And Allah is over all things competent.

20. And [mention, O Muhammad], when Moses said to his people, "O my people, remember the favour of Allah upon you when He appointed among you prophets and made you possessors and gave you that which He had not given anyone among the worlds.

21. O my people, enter the Holy Land [i.e., Palestine] which Allah has assigned to you and do not turn back [from fighting in Allah's cause] and [thus] become losers."

22. They said, "O Moses, indeed within it is a people of tyrannical strength, and indeed, we will never enter it until they leave it; but if they leave it, then we will enter."

23. Said two men from those who feared [to disobey] upon whom Allah had bestowed favour, "Enter upon them through the gate, for when you have entered it, you will be predominant. And upon Allah rely, if you should be believers."

24. They said, "O Moses, indeed we will not enter it, ever, as long as they are within it; so go, you and your Lord, and fight. Indeed, we are remaining right here."

25. [Moses] said, "My Lord, indeed I do not possess [i.e., control] except myself and my brother, so part us from the defiantly disobedient people."

26. [Allah] said, "Then indeed, it is forbidden to them for forty years [in which] they will wander throughout the land. So do not grieve over the defiantly disobedient people."

32. Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And Our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors.

70. We had already taken the covenant of the Children of Israel and had sent to them messengers. Whenever there came to them a messenger with what their souls did not desire, a party [of messengers] they denied, and another party they killed.

71. And they thought there would be no [resulting] punishment, so they became blind and deaf. Then Allah turned to them in forgiveness; then [again] many of them became blind and deaf. And Allah is Seeing of what they do.

72. They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary" while the Messiah has said, "O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Indeed, he who associates others with Allah – Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.

73. They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allah is the third of three." And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment.

74. So will they not repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

75. The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded.

76. Say, "Do you worship besides Allah that which holds for you no [power of] harm or benefit while it is Allah who is the Hearing, the Knowing?"

77. Say, "O People of the Scripture, do not exceed limits in your religion beyond the truth and do not follow the inclinations of a people who had gone astray before and misled many and have strayed from the soundness of the way."

78. Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed.

82. You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity toward the believers [to be] the Jews and those who associate others with Allah; and you will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say, "We are Christians."  That is because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant.

 

Chapter 10 – al-Tawbah

90. And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, "I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims."

91. Now? And you had disobeyed [Him] before and were of the corrupters?

92. So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless.

93. And We had certainly settled the Children of Israel in an agreeable settlement and provided them with good things. And they did not differ until [after] knowledge had come to them. Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.

94. So if you are in doubt, [O Muhammad], about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you. The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so never be among the doubters.

 

Chapter 17 – al-Isra

2. And We gave Moses the Scripture and made it a guidance for the Children of Israel that you not take other than Me as Disposer of affairs,

3. O descendants of those We carried [in the ship] with Noah. Indeed, he was a grateful servant.

4. And We conveyed to the Children of Israel in the Scripture that, "You will surely cause corruption on the earth twice, and you will surely reach [a degree of] great haughtiness."

5. So when the [time of] promise came for the first of them, We sent against you servants of Ours – those of great military might, and they probed [even] into the homes, and it was a promise fulfilled.

6. Then We gave back to you a return victory over them. And We reinforced you with wealth and sons and made you more numerous in manpower.

7. [And said], "If you do good, you do good for yourselves; and if you do evil, [you do it] to them [i.e., yourselves]." Then when the final [i.e., second] promise came, [We sent your enemies] to sadden your faces and to enter the masjid [i.e., the temple in Jerusalem], as they entered it the first time, and to destroy what they had taken over with [total] destruction.

8. [Then Allah said], "It is expected, [if you repent], that your Lord will have mercy upon you. But if you return [to sin], We will return [to punishment]. And We have made Hell, for the disbelievers, a prison-bed."

101. And We had certainly given Moses nine evident signs, so ask the Children of Israel [about] when he came to them and Pharaoh said to him, "Indeed I think, O Moses, that you are affected by magic."

102. [Moses] said, "You have already known that none has sent down these [signs] except the Lord of the heavens and the earth as evidence, and indeed I think, O Pharaoh, that you are destroyed."

103. So he intended to drive them from the land, but We drowned him and those with him all together.

104. And We said after him [i.e., Pharaoh] to the Children of Israel, "Dwell in the land, and when there comes the promise [i.e., appointment] of the Hereafter, We will bring you forth in [one] gathering."

 

Chapter 19 – Marium

58. Those were the ones upon whom Allah bestowed favour from among the prophets of the descendants of Adam and of those We carried [in the ship] with Noah, and of the descendants of Abraham and Israel, and of those whom We guided and chose. When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell in prostration and weeping.

 

Chapter 20 – Ta-Ha

47. So go to him and say, 'Indeed, we are messengers of your Lord, so send with us the Children of Israel and do not torment them. We have come to you with a sign from your Lord. And peace will be upon he who follows the guidance.

80. O Children of Israel, We delivered you from your enemy, and We made an appointment with you at the right side of the mount, and We sent down to you manna and quails,

81. [Saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you and do not transgress [or oppress others] therein, lest My anger should descend upon you. And he upon whom My anger descends has certainly fallen [i.e., perished]."

92. [Moses] said, "O Aaron, what prevented you, when you saw them going astray,

93. From following me? Then have you disobeyed my order?"

94. [Aaron] said, "O son of my mother, do not seize [me] by my beard or by my head. Indeed, I feared that you would say,

 

Chapter 26 – ash-Shura

192. And indeed, it [i.e., the Quran] is the revelation of the Lord of the worlds.

193. The Trustworthy Spirit [i.e., Gabriel] has brought it down

194. Upon your heart, [O Muhammad] – that you may be of the warners –

195. In a clear Arabic language.

196. And indeed, it is [mentioned] in the scriptures of former peoples.

197. And has it not been a sign to them that it is recognized by the scholars of the Children of Israel?

 

Chapter 27 – an-Namal

76. Indeed, this Quran relates to the Children of Israel most of that over which they disagree.

77. And indeed, it is guidance and mercy for the believers.

 

Chapter 40 - Ghafir

53. And We had certainly given Moses guidance, and We caused the Children of Israel to inherit the Scripture

54. As guidance and a reminder for those of understanding.

 

Chapter 44 – ad-Dukhan

30. And We certainly saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment –

31. From Pharaoh. Indeed, he was a haughty one among the transgressors.

32. And We certainly chose them by knowledge over [all] the worlds.

33. And We gave them of signs that in which there was a clear trial.

 

Chapter 45 – al-Jathiya

16. And We did certainly give the Children of Israel the Scripture and judgement and prophethood, and We provided them with good things and preferred them over the worlds.

17. And We gave them clear proofs of the matter [of religion]. And they did not differ except after knowledge had come to them – out of jealous animosity between themselves. Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.

 

Chapter 46 – al-Ahqaf

10. Say, "Have you considered: if it [i.e., the Quran] was from Allah, and you disbelieved in it while a witness from the Children of Israel has testified to something similar and believed while you were arrogant...?" Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

 

Chapter 61 – as-Saff

6. And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O Children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad." But when he came to them with clear evidences, they said, "This is obvious magic."

14. O you who have believed, be supporters of Allah, as when Jesus, the son of Mary, said to the disciples, "Who are my supporters for Allah?" The disciples said, "We are supporters of Allah." And a faction of the Children of Israel believed and a faction disbelieved. So We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they became dominant.

 

(Based on Sahih International translation of the Holy Quran)

 

 

 

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Moses in the Quran


Chapter 7 – al-Anaam

103. Then We sent after them Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his establishment, but they were unjust toward them. So see how was the end of the corrupters.

104. And Moses said, "O Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds

105. [Who is] obligated not to say about Allah except the truth. I have come to you with clear evidence from your Lord, so send with me the Children of Israel."

106. [Pharaoh] said, "If you have come with a sign, then bring it forth, if you should be of the truthful."

107. So he [i.e., Moses] threw his staff, and suddenly it was a serpent, manifest.

108. And he drew out his hand; thereupon it was white [with radiance] for the observers.

109. Said the eminent among the people of Pharaoh, "Indeed, this is a learned magician

110. Who wants to expel you from your land [through magic], so what do you instruct?"

111. They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers

112. Who will bring you every learned magician."

113. And the magicians came to Pharaoh. They said, "Indeed for us is a reward if we are the predominant."

114. He said, "Yes, and, [moreover], you will be among those made near [to me]."

115. They said, "O Moses, either you throw [your staff], or we will be the ones to throw [first]."

116. He said, "Throw," and when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people and struck terror into them, and they presented a great [feat of] magic.

117. And We inspired to Moses, "Throw your staff," and at once it devoured what they were falsifying.

118. So the truth was established, and abolished was what they were doing.

119. And they [i.e., Pharaoh and his people] were overcome right there and became debased.

120. And the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah].

121. They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds,

122. The Lord of Moses and Aaron."

123. Said Pharaoh, "You believed in him359 before I gave you permission. Indeed, this is a conspiracy which you conspired in the city to expel therefrom its people. But you are going to know.

124. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides; then I will surely crucify you all."

125. They said, "Indeed, to our Lord we will return.

126. And you do not resent us except because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord, pour upon us patience360 and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You]."

127. And the eminent among the people of Pharaoh said, "Will you leave Moses and his people to cause corruption in the land and abandon you and your gods?" [Pharaoh] said, "We will kill their sons and keep their women alive; and indeed, we are subjugators over them."

128. Said Moses to his people, "Seek help through Allah and be patient. Indeed, the earth belongs to Allah. He causes to inherit it whom He wills of His servants. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous."

129. They said, "We have been harmed before you came to us and after you have come to us." He said, "Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy and grant you succession in the land and see how you will do."

130. And We certainly seized the people of Pharaoh with years of famine and a deficiency in fruits that perhaps they would be reminded.

131. But when good [i.e., provision] came to them, they said, "This is ours [by right]." And if a bad [condition] struck them, they saw an evil omen in Moses and those with him. Unquestionably, their fortune is with Allah, but most of them do not know.

132. And they said, "No matter what sign you bring us with which to bewitch us, we will not be believers in you."

133. So We sent upon them the flood and locusts and lice and frogs and blood as distinct signs, but they were arrogant and were a criminal people.

134. And when the punishment descended upon them, they said, "O Moses, invoke for us your Lord by what He has promised you. If you [can] remove the punishment from us, we will surely believe you, and we will send with you the Children of Israel."

135. But when We removed the punishment from them until a term which they were to reach, then at once they broke their word.

136. So We took retribution from them, and We drowned them in the sea because they denied Our signs and were heedless of them.

137. And We caused the people who had been oppressed to inherit the eastern regions of the land and the western ones, which We had blessed. And the good word [i.e., decree] of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of what they had patiently endured. And We destroyed [all] that Pharaoh and his people were producing and what they had been building.

138. And We took the Children of Israel across the sea; then they came upon a people intent in devotion to [some] idols of theirs. They [the Children of Israel] said, "O Moses, make for us a god just as they have gods." He said, "Indeed, you are a people behaving ignorantly.

139. Indeed, those [worshippers] – destroyed is that in which they are [engaged], and worthless is whatever they were doing."

140. He said, "Is it other than Allah I should desire for you as a god while He has preferred you over the worlds?"

141. And [recall, O Children of Israel], when We saved you from the people of Pharaoh, [who were] afflicting you with the worst torment – killing your sons and keeping your women alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord.

142. And We made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights and perfected them by [the addition of] ten; so the term of his Lord was completed as forty nights. And Moses said to hisbrother Aaron, "Take my place among my people, do right [by them], and do not follow the way of the corrupters."

143. And when Moses arrived at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, "My Lord, show me [Yourself] that I may look at You." [Allah] said, "You will not see Me, but look at the mountain; if it should remain in place, then you will see Me." But when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He rendered it level, and Moses fell unconscious. Andwhen he awoke, he said, "Exalted are You! I have repented to You, and I am the first of the believers."

144. [Allah] said, "O Moses, I have chosen you over the people with My messages and My words [to you]. So take what I have given you and be among the grateful."

145. And We wrote for him on the tablets [something] of all things – instruction and explanation for all things, [saying], "Take them with determination and order your people to take the best of it. I will show you the home of the defiantly disobedient."

146. I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right; and if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it. And if they see the way of consciousness, they will not adopt it as a way; but if they see the way of error, they will adopt it as a way. That is because they have denied Our signs and they were heedless of them.

147. Those who denied Our signs and the meeting of the Hereafter – their deeds have become worthless. Are they recompensed except for what they used to do?

148. And the people of Moses made, after [his departure], from their ornaments a calf – an image having a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to a way? They took it [for worship], and they were wrongdoers.

149. And when regret overcame them and they saw that they had gone astray, they said, "If our Lord does not have mercy upon us and forgive us, we will surely be among the losers."

150. And when Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said, "How wretched is that by which you have replaced me after [my departure]. Were you impatient over the matter of your Lord?" And he threw down the tablets and seized his brother by [the hair of] his head, pulling him toward him. [Aaron] said, "O son of my mother, indeed the people oppressed

me and were about to kill me, so let not the enemies rejoice over me and do not place me among the wrongdoing people."

151. [Moses] said, "My Lord, forgive me and my brother and admit us into Your mercy, for You are the most merciful of the merciful."

152. Indeed, those who took the calf [for worship] will obtain anger from their Lord and humiliation in the life of this world, and thus do We recompense the inventors [of falsehood].

153. But those who committed misdeeds and then repented after them and believed – indeed your Lord, thereafter, is Forgiving and Merciful.

154. And when the anger subsided in Moses, he took up the tablets; and in their inscription was guidance and mercy for those who are fearful of their Lord.

155. And Moses chose from his people seventy men for Our appointment. And when the earthquake seized them, he said, "My Lord, if You had willed, You could have destroyed

them before and me [as well]. Would You destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? This is not but Your trial by which You send astray whom You will and guide whom You will. You are our Protector, so forgive us and have mercy upon us; and You are the best of forgivers.

156. And decree for us in this world [that which is] good and [also] in the Hereafter; indeed, we have turned back to You."

159. And among the people of Moses is a community which guides by truth and by it establishes justice.

160. And We divided them into twelve descendant tribes [as distinct] nations. And We inspired to Moses when his people implored him for water, "Strike with your staff the stone,"

and there gushed forth from it twelve springs. Every people [i.e., tribe] knew its watering place. And We shaded them with clouds and sent down upon them manna and quails, [saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you." And they wronged Us not, but they were [only] wronging themselves.

161. And [mention, O Muhammad], when it was said to them, "Dwell in this city [i.e., Jerusalem] and eat from it wherever you will and say, 'Relieve us of our burdens [i.e., sins],' and enter the gate bowing humbly; We will [then] forgive you your sins. We will increase the doers of good [in goodness and reward]."

162. But those who wronged among them changed [the words] to a statement other than that which had been said to them. So We sent upon them a punishment from the sky for the wrong that they were doing.

163. And ask them about the town that was by the sea – when they transgressed in [the matter of] the sabbath – when their fish came to them openly on their sabbath day, and the day they had no sabbath they did not come to them. Thus did We give them trial because they were defiantly disobedient.

164. And when a community among them said, "Why do you advise [or warn] a people whom Allah is [about] to destroy or to punish with a severe punishment?" they [the advisors] said, "To be absolved before your Lord and perhaps they may fear Him."

165. And when they [i.e., those advised] forgot that by which they had been reminded, We saved those who had forbidden evil and seized those who wronged, with a wretched punishment, because they were defiantly disobeying.

166. So when they were insolent about that which they had been forbidden, We said to them, "Be apes, despised."

167. And [mention] when your Lord declared that He would surely [continue to] send upon them until the Day of Resurrection those who would afflict them with the worst torment. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.

168. And We divided them throughout the earth into nations. Of them some were righteous, and of them some were otherwise. And We tested them with good [times] and bad that perhaps they would return [to obedience].


Chapter 10 – Yunus

75. Then We sent after them Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh and his establishment with Our signs, but they behaved arrogantly and were a criminal people.

76. So when there came to them the truth from Us, they said, "Indeed, this is obvious magic."

77. Moses said, "Do you say [thus] about the truth when it has come to you? Is this magic? But magicians will not succeed."

78. They said, "Have you come to us to turn us away from that upon which we found our fathers and so that you two may have grandeur in the land? And we are not believers in you."

79. And Pharaoh said, "Bring to me every learned magician."

80. So when the magicians came, Moses said to them, "Throw down whatever you will throw."

81. And when they had thrown, Moses said, "What you have brought is [only] magic. Indeed, Allah will expose its worthlessness. Indeed, Allah does not amend the work of corrupters.

82. And Allah will establish the truth by His words, even if the criminals dislike it."

83. But no one believed Moses, except [some] offspring [i.e., youths] among his people, for fear of Pharaoh and his establishment that they would persecute them. And indeed, Pharaoh was haughty within the land, and indeed, he was of the transgressors.

84. And Moses said, "O my people, if you have believed in Allah, then rely upon Him, if you should be Muslims [i.e., submitting to Him]."

85. So they said, "Upon Allah do we rely. Our Lord, make us not [objects of] trial for the wrongdoing people.

86. And save us by Your mercy from the disbelieving people."

87. And We inspired to Moses and his brother, "Settle your people in Egypt in houses and make your houses [facing the] qiblah and establish prayer and give good tidings to the believers."

88. And Moses said, "Our Lord, indeed You have given Pharaoh and his establishment splendor and wealth in the worldly life, our Lord, that they may lead [men] astray from Your way. Our Lord, obliterate their wealth and harden their hearts so that they will not believe until they see the painful punishment."

89. [Allah] said, "Your supplication has been answered." So remain on a right course and follow not the way of those who do not know."

90. And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, "I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims."

91. Now? And you had disobeyed [Him] before and were of the corrupters?

92. So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless.

Chapter 11 – Hud

17. So is one who [stands] upon clear evidence from his Lord [like the aforementioned]? And a witness from Him follows it, and before it was the Scripture of Moses to lead and as mercy. Those [believers in the former revelations] believe in it [i.e., the Quran]. But whoever disbelieves in it from the [various] factions – the Fire is his promised destination. So be not in doubt about it. Indeed, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of the people do not believe.

96. And We did certainly send Moses with Our signs and a clear authority

97. To Pharaoh and his establishment, but they followed the command of Pharaoh, and the command of Pharaoh was not [at all] discerning.

98. He will precede his people on the Day of Resurrection and lead them into the Fire; and wretched is the place to which they are led.

110. And We had certainly given Moses the Scripture, but it came under disagreement. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them.

And indeed they are, concerning it [i.e., the Quran], in disquieting doubt.

Chapter 14 – Ibraheem

5. And We certainly sent Moses with Our signs, [saying], "Bring out your people from darknesses into the light and remind them of the days of Allah." Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.

6. And [recall, O Children of Israel], when Moses said to his people, "Remember the favor of Allah upon you when He saved you from the people of Pharaoh, who were afflicting you with the worst torment and were slaughtering your [newborn] sons and keeping your females alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord.

7. And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.' 

8. And Moses said, "If you should disbelieve, you and whoever is on the earth entirely – indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy."

Chapter 17 – al-Isra

2. And We gave Moses the Scripture and made it a guidance for the Children of Israel that you not take other than Me as Disposer of affairs,

101. And We had certainly given Moses nine evident signs, so ask the Children of Israel [about] when he came to them and Pharaoh said to him, "Indeed I think, O Moses, that you are affected by magic."

102. [Moses] said, "You have already known that none has sent down these [signs] except the Lord of the heavens and the earth as evidence, and indeed I think, O Pharaoh, that you are destroyed."

103. So he intended to drive them from the land, but We drowned him and those with him all together.

Chapter 18 – al-Kahaf

60. And [mention] when Moses said to his boy [i.e., servant], "I will not cease [traveling] until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period."

61. But when they reached the junction between them, they forgot their fish, and it took its course into the sea, slipping away.

62. So when they had passed beyond it, [Moses] said to his boy, "Bring us our morning meal. We have certainly suffered in this, our journey, [much] fatigue."

63. He said, "Did you see when we retired to the rock? Indeed, I forgot [there] the fish. And none made me forget it except Satan – that I should mention it. And it took its course into the sea amazingly."

64. [Moses] said, "That is what we were seeking." So they returned, following their footprints.

65. And they found a servant from among Our servants [i.e., al-Khidhr] to whom We had given mercy from Us and had taught him from Us a [certain] knowledge.

66. Moses said to him, "May I follow you on [the condition] that you teach me from what you have been taught of sound judgement?"

67. He said, "Indeed, with me you will never be able to have patience.

68. And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?"

69. [Moses] said, "You will find me, if Allah wills, patient, and I will not disobey you in [any] order."

70. He said, "Then if you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I make to you about it mention [i.e., explanation]."

71. So they set out, until when they had embarked on the ship, he [i.e., al-Khidhr] tore it open. [Moses] said, "Have you torn it open to drown its people? You have certainly done a grave thing."

72. [Al-Khidhr] said, "Did I not say that with me you would never be able to have patience?"

73. [Moses] said, "Do not blame me for what I forgot and do not cover me in my matter with difficulty."

74. So they set out, until when they met a boy, he [i.e., al-Khidhr] killed him. [Moses] said, "Have you killed a pure soul for other than [having killed] a soul? You have certainly done a

deplorable thing."

75. [Al-Khidhr] said, "Did I not tell you that with me you would never be able to have patience?"

76. [Moses] said, "If I should ask you about anything after this, then do not keep me as a companion. You have obtained from me an excuse."

77. So they set out, until when they came to the people of a town, they asked its people for food, but they refused to offer them hospitality. And they found therein a wall about to collapse, so he [i.e., al-Khidhr] restored it. [Moses] said, "If you wished, you could have taken for it a payment."

78. [Al-Khidhr] said, "This is parting between me and you. I will inform you of the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience.

79. As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working at sea. So I intended to cause defect in it as there was after them a king who seized every [good] ship by force.

80. And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared that he would overburden them by transgression and disbelief.

81. So we intended that their Lord should substitute for them one better than him in purity and nearer to mercy.

82. And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure for them, and their father had been righteous. So your Lord intended that they reach

maturity and extract their treasure, as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience."

83. And they ask you, [O Muhammad], about Dhul-Qarnayn. Say, "I will recite to you about him a report."

84. Indeed, We established him upon the earth, and We gave him to everything a way [i.e., means].

85. So he followed a way

86. Until, when he reached the setting of the sun [i.e., the west], he found it [as if] setting in a spring of dark mud, and he found near it a people. We [i.e., Allah] said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, either you punish [them] or else adopt among them [a way of]

goodness."

87. He said, "As for one who wrongs, we will punish him. Then he will be returned to his Lord, and He will punish him with a terrible punishment [i.e., Hellfire].

88. But as for one who believes and does righteousness, he will have a reward of the best [i.e., Paradise], and we [i.e., Dhul-Qarnayn] will speak to him from our command with ease."

89. Then he followed a way

90. Until, when he came to the rising of the sun [i.e., the east], he found it rising on a people for whom We had not made against it any shield.

91. Thus. And We had encompassed [all] that he had in knowledge.

92. Then he followed a way

93. Until, when he reached [a pass] between two mountains, he found beside them a people who could hardly understand [his] speech.

94. They said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, indeed Gog and Magog are [great] corrupters in the land. So may we assign for you an expenditure that you might make between us and them a

barrier?"

95. He said, "That in which my Lord has established me is better [than what you offer], but assist me with strength [i.e., manpower]; I will make between you and them a dam.


Chapter 19 – Marium

51. And mention in the Book, Moses. Indeed, he was chosen, and he was a messenger and a prophet.

52. And We called him from the side of the mount at [his] right and brought him near, confiding [to him].

53. And We gave him out of Our mercy his brother Aaron as a prophet.

54. And mention in the Book, Ishmael. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet.

55. And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and zakah and was to his Lord pleasing [i.e., accepted by Him].

56. And mention in the Book, Idrees. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet.

57. And We raised him to a high station.


Chapter 20 – Ta Ha

9. And has the story of Moses reached you? –

10. When he saw a fire and said to his family, "Stay here; indeed, I have perceived a fire; perhaps I can bring you a torch or find at the fire some guidance."

11. And when he came to it, he was called, "O Moses,

12. Indeed, I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. Indeed, you are in the sacred valley of Tuwa.

13. And I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed [to you].

14. Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.

15. Indeed, the Hour is coming – I almost conceal it – so that every soul may be recompensed according to that for which it strives.

16. So do not let one avert you from it who das not believe in it and follows his desire, for you [then] would perish.

17. And what is that in your right hand, O Moses?"

18. He said, "It is my staff; I lean upon it, and I bring down leaves for my sheep and I have therein other uses."

19. [Allah] said, "Throw it down, O Moses."

20. So he threw it down, and thereupon it was a snake, moving swiftly.

21. [Allah] said, "Seize it and fear not; We will return it to its former condition.

22. And draw in your hand to your side; it will come out white without disease – another sign,

23. That We may show you [some] of Our greater signs.

24. Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed [i.e., tyrannized]."

25. [Moses] said, "My Lord, expand [i.e., relax] for me my breast

[with assurance]

26. And ease for me my task

27. And untie the knot from my tongue

28. That they may understand my speech.

29. And appoint for me a minister [i.e., assistant] from my family –

30. Aaron, my brother.

31. Increase through him my strength

32. And let him share my task

33. That we may exalt You much

34. And remember You much.

35. Indeed, You are of us ever Seeing."

36. [Allah] said, "You have been granted your request, O Moses.

37. And We had already conferred favor upon you another time,

38. When We inspired to your mother what We inspired,

39. [Saying], 'Cast him into the chest and cast it into the river, and the river will throw it onto the bank; there will take him an enemy to Me and an enemy to him.' And I bestowed upon you love from Me that you would be brought up under My eye [i.e., observation and care].

40. [And We favored you] when your sister went and said, 'Shall I direct you to someone who will be responsible for him?' So We restored you to your mother that she might be content and not grieve. And you killed someone, but We saved you from retaliation and tried you with a [severe] trial. And you remained

[some] years among the people of Madyan. Then you came [here] at the decreed time, O Moses.

41. And I produced you for Myself.

42. Go, you and your brother, with My signs and do not slacken in My remembrance.

43. Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed.

44. And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allah]."

45. They said, "Our Lord, indeed we are afraid that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress."

46. [Allah] said, "Fear not. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see.

47. So go to him and say, 'Indeed, we are messengers of your Lord, so send with us the Children of Israel and do not torment them. We have come to you with a sign from your Lord. And peace779 will be upon he who follows the guidance.

48. Indeed, it has been revealed to us that the punishment will be upon whoever denies and turns away.' "

49. [Pharaoh] said, "So who is the Lord of you two, O Moses?"

50. He said, "Our Lord is He who gave each thing its form and then guided [it]."

51. [Pharaoh] said, "Then what is the case of the former generations?"

52. [Moses] said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets."

53. [It is He] who has made for you the earth as a bed [spread out] and inserted therein for you roadways and sent down from the sky, rain and produced thereby categories of various plants.

54. Eat [therefrom] and pasture your livestock. Indeed in that are signs for those of intelligence.

55. From it [i.e., the earth] We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will extract you another time.

56. And We certainly showed him [i.e., Pharaoh] Our signs – all of them – but he denied and refused.

57. He said, "Have you come to us to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Moses?

58. Then we will surely bring you magic like it, so make between us and you an appointment, which we will not fail to keep and neither will you, in a place assigned."

59. [Moses] said, "Your appointment is on the day of the festival when the people assemble at mid-morning.

60. So Pharaoh went away, put together his plan, and then came [to Moses].

61. Moses said to them [i.e., the magicians summoned by Pharaoh], "Woe to you! Do not invent a lie against Allah or He will exterminate you with a punishment; and he has failed who invents [such falsehood]."

62. So they disputed over their affair among themselves and concealed their private conversation.

63. They said, "Indeed, these are two magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic and do away with your most exemplary way [i.e., religion or tradition].

64. So resolve upon your plan and then come [forward] in line. And he has succeeded today who overcomes."

65. They said, "O Moses, either you throw or we will be the first to throw."

66. He said, "Rather, you throw." And suddenly their ropes and staffs seemed to him from their magic that they were moving [like snakes].

67. And he sensed within himself apprehension, did Moses.

68. We [i.e., Allah] said, "Fear not. Indeed, it is you who are superior.

69. And throw what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted. What they have crafted is but the trick of a magician, and the magician will not succeed wherever he is."

70. So the magicians fell down in prostration.782 They said, "We have believed in the Lord of Aaron and Moses."

71. [Pharaoh] said, "You believed him [i.e., Moses] before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and you will surely know which of us is more severe in [giving] punishment and more enduring."

72. They said, "Never will we prefer you over what has come to us of clear proofs and [over] He who created us. So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree for this worldly life.

73. Indeed, we have believed in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and what you compelled us [to do] of magic. And Allah is better and more enduring."

74. Indeed, whoever comes to his Lord as a criminal – indeed, for him is Hell; he will neither die therein nor live.

75. But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds – for those will be the highest degrees [in position]:

76. Gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of one who purifies himself.

77. And We had inspired to Moses, "Travel by night with My servants and strike for them a dry path through the sea; you will not fear being overtaken [by Pharaoh] nor be afraid [of drowning]."

78. So Pharaoh pursued them with his soldiers, and there covered them from the sea that which covered them,

79. And Pharaoh led his people astray and did not guide [them].

80. O Children of Israel, We delivered you from your enemy, and We made an appointment with you at the right side of the mount, and We sent down to you manna and quails,

81. [Saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you and do not transgress [or oppress others] therein, lest My anger should descend upon you. And he upon whom My anger descends has certainly fallen [i.e. perished]."

82. But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and das righteousness and then continues in guidance.

83. [Allah said], "And what made you hasten from your people, O Moses?"

84. He said, "They are close upon my tracks, and I hastened to You, my Lord, that You be pleased."

85. [Allah] said, "But indeed, We have tried your people after you [departed], and the Samiri has led them astray."

86. So Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved. He said, "O my people, did your Lord not make you a good promise? Then, was the time [of its fulfillment] too long for you, or did you wish that wrath from your Lord descend upon you, so you broke your promise [of obedience] to me?"

87. They said, "We did not break our promise to you by our will, but we were made to carry burdens from the ornaments of the people [of Pharaoh], so we threw them [into the fire], and thus did the Samiri throw."

88. And he extracted for them [the statue of] a calf which had a lowing sound, and they said, "This is your god and the god of Moses, but he forgot."

89. Did they not see that it could not return to them any speech [i.e., response] and that it did not possess for them any harm or benefit?

90. And Aaron had already told them before [the return of Moses], "O my people, you are only being tested by it, and indeed, your Lord is the Most Merciful, so follow me and obey my order."

91. They said, "We will never cease being devoted to it [i.e., the calf] until Moses returns to us."

92. [Moses] said, "O Aaron, what prevented you, when you saw them going astray,

93. From following me? Then have you disobeyed my order?"

94. [Aaron] said, "O son of my mother, do not seize [me] by my beard or by my head. Indeed, I feared that you would say, 'You caused division among the Children of Israel, and you did not observe [or await] my word.' "

95. [Moses] said, "And what is your case, O Samiri?"

96. He said, "I saw what they did not see, so I took a handful [of dust] from the track of the messenger and threw it, and thus did my soul entice me."

97. [Moses] said, "Then go. And indeed, it is [decreed] for you in [this] life to say, 'No contact. And indeed, you have an appointment [in the Hereafter] you will not fail to keep. And look at your 'god' to which you remained devoted. We will surely burn it and blow it [i.e., its ashes] into the sea with a blast.

98. Your god is only Allah, except for whom there is no deity. He has encompassed all things in knowledge."

Translation derived from Sahih International.

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Imran Khan's half dozen mistakes.


1. Fired Gen. Asim Munir as DGISI and earned his fatal enmity.
2. Sent a reference to SJC against Justice Qazi Faez Isa who wrote accusatory letters to the President and became permanently biased against him.
3. After the CEC gave a slanderous official statement against him, he tried to have him removed from office on ground of partiality.
4. Cooperated with ex-army chief Bajwa in getting politicians put in jail and tamed as serfs of the army.
5. Tried to assert himself as the leader of the Muslim world, challenging the rulers of Saudi Arabia and other Muslim states.
6. Defied the decades old tradition of taking dictation from the Americans. 

Thursday, January 04, 2024

How to Stop Terrorism

 A reproduction of my old blog dated May 21, 2012

Q: What motivates terrorism?
A: Revenge and desperation.
Q: Who supports terrorism?
A: Grudge groups who have grievances against past injustices.
Q: How does terrorism differ from protest?
A: Protest is done by those who have hope; terrorism by those who have lost hope.
Q: How does terrorism grow?
A: By the production of more revenge seekers as a result of killing suspected terrorists.
Q: How can the growth of terrorists be contained?
A: By restraining those who kill suspected terrorists.
Q: Is it legal to kill suspected terrorists?
A: No. It is a mockery of law and justice even if it is endorsed by the president of a super power.
Q: What goes on in the mind of a terrorist?
A: He thinks that he is doing justice.
Q: What events triggered the current spate of terrorism?
A: Apparently atrocities against the people of Palestine and Kashmir.
Q: What prevented the UN from resolving these issues?
A: The vested interests of superpowers and the inability of the small men who ruled them to rise above parochial considerations and think in terms of universal good.
Q: Is NATO
involved in terrorism or ideologically opposed to terrorism?
A: None. It is only trying to establish military bases in all countries of the world like it has in most countries of Western Europe, Far East and Middle East.
Q: Then why is NATO fighting a war on terror?
A: Because they think that outfits like Al-Qaida and Taliban have their own agenda of world domination which challenges theirs.
Q: How can the war of terror be stopped?
A: By a civilian overthrow of the military influence in governments.
Q: What if that is not possible?
A: Preaching universal non-violence at every forum, especially to children. The next generation may benefit from it.
Q: What is wrong with tribal areas of Pakistan?
A: It is a modern reincarnation of the Wild West where the Toyota Pick-up has replaced the horse.
Q: Can these tribal areas be made 21st century compliant?
A: The Wild West changed with the introduction of gold quest, rail-road, industry, food and grocery chains etc. Something similar might wok here.