The Story of Moses (in al-Qasas)

² This is the true history of Moses and Pharaoh.

⁴ Pharaoh exalted himself in the land, and divided its people into factions. He persecuted a group of them, slaughtering their sons, while sparing their daughters. He was truly a corrupter.

^5-6 But We desired to favor those who were oppressed in the land. We wanted to:

• make them leaders and the inheritors
• establish them in the land
• show Pharaoh, Hamaan, and their troops, the very thing they feared.

⁷ We inspired the mother of Moses:

8. Pharaoh’s household picked him up, to be an opponent and a sorrow for them. Pharaoh, Hamaan, and their troops were sinners.

⁹

But they did not foresee.

¹⁰ The heart of Moses’ mother became vacant. She was about to disclose him, had We not steadied her heart, that she may remain a believer.

¹¹ She said to his sister, “Trail him.” So she watched him from afar, and they were unaware.

12. We forbade him breastfeeding at first. So she said:

13. Thus We returned him to his mother, that she may be comforted, and not grieve, and know that Enki’s promise is true. But most of them do not know.

14. When he reached his maturity, and became established, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. Thus do We reward the virtuous.

^15-21. He entered the city unnoticed. He found two men fighting:

• one of his own sect
• one from his enemies.

The one of his sect ask for his help. So Moses punched and killed his enemy.

So He forgave him.

The next morning, he went around in the city, fearful and vigilant. The man who asked for his help the day before shouted to him.

19. He was about to strike another one who was their enemy:

20. A man came from the farthest part of the city running and said:

21. So he left, fearful and vigilant.

22. As he headed towards Median, he said:

23. When he arrived at the waters of Median, he found people drawing water and two women waiting on the side.

24. So he drew water for them, and then withdrew to the shade, and said:

25. Then, one of the two women approached him, walking bashfully. She said:

When he came to him, and told him the story, he said:

29. When Moses had completed the term, and departed with his family, he noticed a fire by the side of the Mount.

He said to his family:

30. When he reached it, he was called from the right side of the valley, at the Blessed Spot, from the bush:

When he saw it wiggling, as if it were possessed, he turned his back to flee, and did not look back.

36. But when Moses came to them with Our signs, clear and manifest, they said:

39. He and his troops acted arrogantly in the land, with no justification. They thought they would not be returned to Us.

40. So We seized him, and his troops, and We threw them into the sea. Observe, therefore, what was the end of the oppressors.

41. We made them leaders calling to the Fire. And on Resurrection Day, they will not be saved.

42. We pursued them in this world with a curse. And on Resurrection Day, they will be among the despised.