In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.
Abridged by Dr. 'Aqil ibn Salim al-Shammari.
Surah al-Qasas.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
“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?” (28:12)
“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?” (28:12)
“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?” (28:12)
They will take care of him for you.
And they are sincere in their concern for him.
We forbade Musa from the wet nurses.
So that he would not nurse from any of them.
He would not accept any of them.
His sister said to them when she saw.
Their longing for him and their eagerness to have him.
“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?” (28:12)
They will raise him for you.
And they are sincere in their concern for him.
It is mentioned that she was taken, and it was said.
She already knew him.
So she said.
I only meant that they are sincere toward the King.
So We returned him to his mother.
That her eye might be comforted.
And that she might not grieve.
And that she might know.
That the promise of Allah is true.
But most of them do not know.
We returned Musa to his mother.
After the family of Pharaoh had picked him up.
So that her eye might be comforted by her son.
When he returned to her safe from the killing of Pharaoh.
And that she might not grieve over being separated from him.
“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.” (28:13)
Which He promised her when He said to her.
“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.” (28:7)
That it is a true promise.
But most of the polytheists.
Do not know that the promise of Allah is true.
They do not believe that it is as such.
“And when he reached his full strength and was ripe, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. Thus do We reward the good.” (28:14)
We gave him judgment and knowledge.
And thus do We reward the doers of good.
And when Musa reached his full strength in body and power.
And his youth reached its peak.
We gave him understanding of the religion and knowledge.
Just as We rewarded Musa for his obedience.
And his excellence through his patience in following Our command.
Thus do We reward everyone who does good.
Among Our messengers and Our servants.
And he entered the city.
“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.” (28:15)
“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.” (28:15)
“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.” (28:15)
“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.” (28:15)
“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.” (28:15)
“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.” (28:15)
“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.” (28:15)
“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.” (28:15)
Musa entered the city.
The city of Memphis in Egypt.
“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.” (28:15)
This was at the time of the midday rest.
“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.” (28:15)
This one is from the followers of Musa's religion among the Children of Israel.
And this one is from his enemy, the Copt, from the people of Pharaoh.
So the one who was of the followers of Musa's religion sought his help.
Against the one who was his enemy, the Copt.
So Musa struck him with his fist.
He shoved him in the chest with his clenched hand.
And he died from it.
Musa said when he killed the man.
This killing is something Satan caused for me.
By inciting my anger until I struck this man.
And he perished from my blow.
Indeed, Satan is an enemy to the son of Adam.
Misleading him from the path of righteousness.
By making ugly deeds seem attractive to him.
He clarifies his ancient enmity toward them.
And his misleading of them.
“He said: My Lord! Lo! I have wronged my soul, so forgive me. Then He forgave him. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (28:16)
“He said: My Lord! Lo! I have wronged my soul, so forgive me. Then He forgave him. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (28:16)
Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Musa said, feeling remorse.
My Lord, I have wronged myself by killing the soul.
Which You did not command me to kill.
So forgive me for that sin.
So Allah forgave Musa for his sin.
And did not punish him for it.
Indeed, Allah is the Concealer of those who turn to Him in repentance.
The Merciful to people, not punishing them for their sins.
After they have repented from them.
“He said: My Lord! Forasmuch as Thou hast favoured me, I will nevermore be a supporter of the guilty.” (28:17)
“He said: My Lord! Forasmuch as Thou hast favoured me, I will nevermore be a supporter of the guilty.” (28:17)
Musa said.
My Lord, by Your favor upon me in forgiving me for killing this soul.
I will never be a supporter of the criminals.
“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.” (28:18)
“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.” (28:18)
“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.” (28:18)
So Musa was in the city of Pharaoh in the morning.
Fearful of the crime he had committed.
Watching for news.
And waiting to see what the people were saying.
Regarding what they were doing about him and the one he killed.
When suddenly the Israelite who had sought his help yesterday against the Egyptian.
Was being fought by another Egyptian.
The Israelite saw him and sought his help again against the Egyptian.
Musa said to the Israelite who was calling for his help.
Musa was already remorseful for what he had done the day before in killing the man.
And here he was, calling for help again against another.
You, O seeker of help, are truly a person of misguidance.
Your misguidance is evident by your fighting a man yesterday and another today.
“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.” (28:19)
“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.” (28:19)
“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.” (28:19)
“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.” (28:19)
When Musa wanted to strike the Egyptian who was an enemy to him and to the Israelite.
The Israelite said to Musa, thinking he was the one he intended.
“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.” (28:19)
“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.” (28:19)
And you do not want to be among those who work in the land for the benefit of its people.
“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.” (28:20)
He said, "O Musa, the chiefs are conspiring against you to kill you, so leave."
And I am a sincere advisor to you.
It is mentioned that someone heard the Israelite's words and spread them, informing the family of the slain man.
At that point, Pharaoh sought Musa and ordered his execution.
When the order for his execution was given, a man came from the far end of the city, hurrying.
And he said, "O Musa, the nobles of Pharaoh's people are conspiring to kill you."
So leave this city; I am a sincere advisor to you in my counsel to leave.
“So he escaped from thence, fearing, vigilant. He said: My Lord! Deliver me from the wrongdoing folk.” (28:21)
So Musa left the city of Pharaoh, fearing that he would be killed for the life he had taken.
Expecting that he might be pursued and captured.
He said, "My Lord, save me from the wrongdoing people who have wronged themselves by disbelieving in You."
“And when he turned his face toward Midian, he said: Peradventure my Lord will guide me in the right road.” (28:22)
And when Musa set his face toward the city, proceeding toward it.
He said, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the right path to the city."
He only said this because he did not know the way to it.
“And when he came unto the water of Midian he found there a whole tribe of men, watering. And he found apart from them two women keeping back (their flocks). He said: What aileth you? The two said: We cannot give (our flocks) to drink till the shepherds return from the water; and our father is a very old man.” (28:23)
And he found besides them two women holding back [their flocks].
“And when he came unto the water of Midian he found there a whole tribe of men, watering. And he found apart from them two women keeping back (their flocks). He said: What aileth you? The two said: We cannot give (our flocks) to drink till the shepherds return from the water; and our father is a very old man.” (28:23)
When Musa arrived at the water of Madyan, he found a group of people watering their livestock.
And he found, apart from the crowd of people who were at the water.
Two women holding back their sheep until the others finished watering their livestock.
Musa said to the two women, "What is your situation and your affair that you are holding back your livestock from the people?"
"Why do you not water them with the livestock of the people and the Arabs?"
The two women said to Musa, "We do not water our livestock until the shepherds have finished."
"Because we are not able to water them, and our father is a very old man who cannot water his livestock due to his age and weakness."
“So he watered (their flock) for them. Then he turned aside into the shade, and said: My Lord! I am needy of whatever good Thou sendest down for me.” (28:24)
So Musa watered the livestock for the two women, then turned to the shade of a tree and said.
"My Lord, I am in need of whatever good You send down to me."
“Then there came unto him one of the two women, walking shyly. She said: Lo! my father biddeth thee, that he may reward thee with a payment for that thou didst water (the flock) for us. Then, when he came unto him and told him the (whole) story, he said: Fear not! Thou hast escaped from the wrongdoing folk.” (28:25)
“Then there came unto him one of the two women, walking shyly. She said: Lo! my father biddeth thee, that he may reward thee with a payment for that thou didst water (the flock) for us. Then, when he came unto him and told him the (whole) story, he said: Fear not! Thou hast escaped from the wrongdoing folk.” (28:25)
“Then there came unto him one of the two women, walking shyly. She said: Lo! my father biddeth thee, that he may reward thee with a payment for that thou didst water (the flock) for us. Then, when he came unto him and told him the (whole) story, he said: Fear not! Thou hast escaped from the wrongdoing folk.” (28:25)
“Then there came unto him one of the two women, walking shyly. She said: Lo! my father biddeth thee, that he may reward thee with a payment for that thou didst water (the flock) for us. Then, when he came unto him and told him the (whole) story, he said: Fear not! Thou hast escaped from the wrongdoing folk.” (28:25)
Then one of the two women whom he had helped came to Musa, walking with shyness.
She had covered her face with her garment and said, "My father invites you to reward you for the water you drew for us."
So Musa went with her to her father.
When he came to her father and told him his story with Pharaoh and his people, the Copts.
Her father said to him, "Do not fear, for you have escaped from the wrongdoing people, Pharaoh and his folk."
"For he has no authority in our land where you are."
“One of the two women said: O my father! Hire him! For the best (man) that thou canst hire in the strong, the trustworthy.” (28:26)
One of the two women said to her father, "O my father, hire him to tend your livestock."
"For the best one you can hire to tend them is the one who is strong in guarding your livestock and capable of managing them for their welfare."
"And trustworthy, such that you do not fear his betrayal in what you entrust to him."
“He said: Lo! I fain would marry thee to one of these two daughters of mine on condition that thou hirest thyself to me for (the term of) eight pilgrimages. Then if thou completest ten it will be of thine own accord, for I would not make it hard for thee. Allah willing, thou wilt find me of the righteous.” (28:27)
“He said: Lo! I fain would marry thee to one of these two daughters of mine on condition that thou hirest thyself to me for (the term of) eight pilgrimages. Then if thou completest ten it will be of thine own accord, for I would not make it hard for thee. Allah willing, thou wilt find me of the righteous.” (28:27)
"And you will find me, if Allah wills, among the righteous."
"I wish to marry you to one of these two daughters of mine, on the condition that you serve me by tending my livestock for eight years."
"If you complete ten years, that is a favor from you."
"And I do not want to make it difficult for you by forcing the ten years instead of eight."
"You will find me, if Allah wills, among the righteous in fulfilling what I have said to you."
“He said: That (is settled) between thee and me. Whichever of the two terms I fulfil, there will be no injustice to me, and Allah is Surety over what we say.” (28:28)
Musa said, "This which I have said—that you marry me to one of your daughters on the condition that I serve you for eight years."
"Is a binding agreement between me and you; each of us must fulfill what he has obligated himself to."
"Whichever of the two terms—the eight years or the ten years—I finish, I will have fulfilled my duty to you in tending your sheep and livestock."
"So you have no right to transgress against me by demanding more than that."
"And Allah is Witness and Guardian over what each of us has obligated to the other."
A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.