Revealed during the late Makkan period when the early Muslims were weak and oppressed, Surah Al-Qasas (The Stories) provides a detailed, comforting narrative of Prophet Moses to show that God always rescues the weak and humbles the proud. It chronicles Moses' life from his birth—when his mother cast him into the river in absolute trust—to his upbringing in Pharaoh's palace, his exile to Midian, his marriage, and his ultimate return as a prophet to confront the tyrant. The chapter also narrates the story of Qarun (Korah), an immensely wealthy man from Moses' nation who arrogantly attributed his riches to his own knowledge rather than divine favor, resulting in the earth swallowing him and his treasures. Through these narratives, the Surah reassures the Prophet and his companions that worldly power and wealth are temporary trials, and that the ultimate home of peace in the Hereafter is reserved exclusively for those who do not seek arrogance or corruption on earth.
Transliteration
Taseenmeem
Translation
Ta, Seen, Meem
Transliteration
Tilka ayatu alkitabi almubeeni
Translation
These are the Verses of the Clear Book
Transliteration
Natloo AAalayka min nabai moosa wafirAAawna bialhaqqi liqawmin yuminoona
Translation
We narrate to you from the history of Moses and Pharaoh—in truth—for people who believe
Transliteration
Inna firAAawna AAala fee alardi wajaAAala ahlaha shiyaAAan yastadAAifu taifatan minhum yuthabbihu abnaahum wayastahyee nisaahum innahu kana mina almufsideena
Translation
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
Transliteration
Wanureedu an namunna AAala allatheena istudAAifoo fee alardi wanajAAalahum aimmatan wanajAAalahumu alwaritheena
Translation
But We desired to favor those who were oppressed in the land, and to make them leaders, and to make them the inheritors
Transliteration
Wanumakkina lahum fee alardi wanuriya firAAawna wahamana wajunoodahuma minhum ma kanoo yahtharoona
Translation
And to establish them in the land; and to show Pharaoh, Hamaan, and their troops, the very thing they feared
Transliteration
Waawhayna ila ommi moosa an ardiAAeehi faitha khifti AAalayhi faalqeehi fee alyammi wala takhafee wala tahzanee inna raddoohu ilayki wajaAAiloohu mina almursaleena
Translation
We inspired the mother of Moses: “Nurse him; then, when you fear for him, cast him into the river, and do not fear, nor grieve; We will return him to you, and make him one of the messengers.”
Transliteration
Failtaqatahu alu firAAawna liyakoona lahum AAaduwwan wahazanan inna firAAawna wahamana wajunoodahuma kanoo khatieena
Translation
Pharaoh’s household picked him up, to be an opponent and a sorrow for them. Pharaoh, Hamaan, and their troops were sinners
Transliteration
Waqalati imraatu firAAawna qurratu AAaynin lee walaka la taqtuloohu AAasa an yanfaAAana aw nattakhithahu waladan wahum la yashAAuroona
Translation
Pharaoh’s wife said, “An eye's delight for me and for you. Do not kill him; perhaps he will be useful to us, or we may adopt him as a son.” But they did not foresee
Transliteration
Waasbaha fuadu ommi moosa farighan in kadat latubdee bihi lawla an rabatna AAala qalbiha litakoona mina almumineena
Translation
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
Transliteration
Waqalat liokhtihi qusseehi fabasurat bihi AAan junubin wahum la yashAAuroona
Translation
She said to his sister, “Trail him.” So she watched him from afar, and they were unaware
Transliteration
Waharramna AAalayhi almaradiAAa min qablu faqalat hal adullukum AAala ahli baytin yakfuloonahu lakum wahum lahu nasihoona
Translation
We forbade him breastfeeding at first. So she said, “Shall I tell you about a family that can raise him for you, and will look after him?”
Transliteration
Faradadnahu ila ommihi kay taqarra AAaynuha wala tahzana walitaAAlama anna waAAda Allahi haqqun walakinna aktharahum la yaAAlamoona
Translation
Thus We returned him to his mother, that she may be comforted, and not grieve, and know that God’s promise is true. But most of them do not know
Transliteration
Walamma balagha ashuddahu waistawa ataynahu hukman waAAilman wakathalika najzee almuhsineena
Translation
And when he reached his maturity, and became established, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. Thus do We reward the virtuous
Transliteration
Wadakhala almadeenata AAala heeni ghaflatin min ahliha fawajada feeha rajulayni yaqtatilani hatha min sheeAAatihi wahatha min AAaduwwihi faistaghathahu allathee min sheeAAatihi AAala allathee min AAaduwwihi fawakazahu moosa faqada AAalayhi qala hatha min AAamali alshshaytani innahu AAaduwwun mudillun mubeenun
Translation
Once he entered the city, unnoticed by its people. He found in it two men fighting—one of his own sect, and one from his enemies. The one of his sect solicited his assistance against the one from his enemies; so Moses punched him, and put an end to him. He said, “This is of Satan's doing; he is an enemy that openly misleads.”
Transliteration
Qala rabbi innee thalamtu nafsee faighfir lee faghafara lahu innahu huwa alghafooru alrraheemu
Translation
He said, “My Lord, I have wronged myself, so forgive me.” So He forgave him. He is the Forgiver, the Merciful
Transliteration
Qala rabbi bima anAAamta AAalayya falan akoona thaheeran lilmujrimeena
Translation
He said, “My Lord, in as much as you have favored me, I will never be a supporter of the criminals.”
Transliteration
Faasbaha fee almadeenati khaifan yataraqqabu faitha allathee istansarahu bialamsi yastasrikhuhu qala lahu moosa innaka laghawiyyun mubeenun
Translation
The next morning, he went about in the city, fearful and vigilant, when the man who had sought his assistance the day before was shouting out to him. Moses said to him, “You are clearly a troublemaker.”
Transliteration
Falamma an arada an yabtisha biallathee huwa AAaduwwun lahuma qala ya moosa atureedu an taqtulanee kama qatalta nafsan bialamsi in tureedu illa an takoona jabbaran fee alardi wama tureedu an takoona mina almusliheena
Translation
As he was about to strike the one who was their enemy, he said, “O Moses, do you intend to kill me, as you killed someone yesterday? You only want to be a bully in the land, and do not want to be a peacemaker.”
Transliteration
Wajaa rajulun min aqsa almadeenati yasAAa qala ya moosa inna almalaa yatamiroona bika liyaqtulooka faokhruj innee laka mina alnnasiheena
Translation
And a man came from the farthest part of the city running. He said, “O Moses, the authorities are considering killing you, so leave; I am giving you good advice.”