Surah Al Qasas in English Translation with Explain

Surah Al-Qasas (Arabic: القصص) is the 28th chapter of the Qur'an, consisting of 88 verses. The name "Al-Qasas" translates to "The Stories" or "The Narratives," referring to the stories mentioned in the surah, especially the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and his struggle with Pharaoh. The surah serves as a source of guidance, detailing the events in the lives of past prophets to highlight God's power, justice, and mercy.

General Themes of Surah Al-Qasas:

The Story of Prophet Musa (Moses): The majority of the surah revolves around the story of Musa, detailing his early life, his encounter with Pharaoh, and his eventual mission to free the Children of Israel.
The Role of Prophets: It emphasizes the role of prophets as messengers chosen by God to guide people to the truth.
The Concept of Divine Justice and Mercy: The surah illustrates how God deals with tyrants like Pharaoh and shows mercy to the oppressed.
The Importance of Trusting in God: Throughout the narrative, individuals are shown placing their trust in God, especially Musa’s mother, who relied on God to save her son from Pharaoh’s wrath.

English Translation and Explanation of Key Verses:

1. Verse 1-3:

"Ta, Seen, Meem. These are the verses of the clear Book. We recite to you from the news of Musa and Pharaoh in truth for a people who believe."
This verse introduces the surah with the disjointed Arabic letters "Ta, Seen, Meem" (Muqattaʿat), which are found in several other surahs of the Qur'an. It mentions that the surah contains the true and clear account of Prophet Musa (Moses) and Pharaoh for the benefit of the believers. The story is told to offer lessons for those who have faith.

2. Verse 7:

"And We inspired to the mother of Musa, 'Suckle him, and when you fear for him, throw him into the river, and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him one of the messengers.'"
This verse narrates the moment when Allah commanded the mother of Musa to nurse him and then place him in a basket to be cast into the river (Nile) for safety, fearing Pharaoh’s decree to kill all newborn male children of the Children of Israel. Allah reassured her not to fear or grieve, promising to return her son and make him a prophet.

3. Verse 9:

"And the wife of Pharaoh said, 'He will be a comfort to my eye and to yours. Do not kill him. Perhaps he may be of benefit to us, or we may adopt him as a son.' And they did not perceive."
Pharaoh’s wife, Asiya, intervenes when the basket containing Musa is discovered. She advocates for sparing the child, suggesting that he could be useful, or they could adopt him. This verse reveals God's plan to guide the people of Egypt, as Musa was to grow up in Pharaoh’s own household, unbeknownst to Pharaoh.

4. Verse 13:

"And We returned him to his mother that she might be comforted and not grieve, and that she would know that the promise of Allah is true. But most of them do not know."
This verse reveals the fulfillment of Allah’s promise to Musa’s mother: her son was returned to her, ensuring her peace of mind and confirming the truth of God's promise. It also reflects how God’s plans are perfect, even when humans may not fully understand them.

5. Verse 14:

"And when he reached full maturity and became [a man of] full strength, We gave him judgment and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good."
This verse explains how, after growing up, Musa was granted wisdom, knowledge, and judgment. This indicates that prophethood and guidance come as a result of both divine mercy and the personal qualities that Musa developed.

6. Verse 40:

"So We took him and his soldiers and threw them into the sea. And see how was the end of the wrongdoers."
This verse summarizes the ultimate end of Pharaoh and his army. After opposing Moses and the message of God, Pharaoh and his soldiers were drowned in the Red Sea when they pursued Musa and the Children of Israel. This signifies God’s punishment for arrogance and tyranny.

7. Verse 43-44:

"And We gave Musa the Scripture after We had destroyed the former generations, as enlightenment for the people and a guidance and mercy that perhaps they would be reminded."
After the destruction of previous tyrannical nations, Musa was given the Torah as a guidance and mercy. This demonstrates that scripture was sent to guide people after the demise of corrupt civilizations.

8. Verse 47:

"And if disaster strikes them for what their hands have put forth, they will surely say, 'Our Lord, why did You not send us a messenger so we could follow Your verses and be among the believers?'"
This verse refers to the tendency of people to reject God's guidance, only to regret their choices when faced with disaster. It emphasizes the importance of following divine guidance before it is too late.

9. Verse 56:

"Indeed, you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the guided."
This verse serves as a reminder that human efforts in guiding others are only fruitful if God wills. True guidance comes from Allah, and He knows who will be receptive to the truth.

10. Verse 88:

"Do not invoke with Allah another god (O man) [there is] no deity except Him. Everything will be destroyed except His face. His is the decision, and to Him you will be returned."
The final verse of the surah emphasizes the oneness of God and the inevitable end of all creation except for His eternal essence. It reminds us that all things are subject to God's will and that we will eventually return to Him for judgment.

Key Lessons from Surah Al-Qasas:

Trust in God's Plan: The story of Musa and his early life teaches us to trust in God’s plan, even when the situation seems uncertain or difficult. Musa’s mother had no way of knowing how her son would be saved, but she trusted in Allah’s command.
Divine Justice: The downfall of Pharaoh and his army illustrates the concept of divine justice. Despite his power and tyranny, Pharaoh met his end because of his arrogance and opposition to God's commands. This serves as a reminder that no one can escape God's justice.
God’s Guidance is Clear: Throughout the story of Musa, God continuously guides him, providing him with wisdom, support, and strength. The surah teaches that when one follows the guidance of God, success is assured.
The Role of Prophets: Prophets are sent to guide people, and they are endowed with knowledge and wisdom. The surah emphasizes that a prophet's mission is often met with rejection and persecution, but God's plan ultimately prevails.
Reminder of Accountability: The verse where people regret not following God’s guidance when disaster strikes highlights that humans often only turn to God when faced with adversity. The surah calls people to recognize and act upon divine guidance before it is too late.
Monotheism: The surah stresses the importance of believing in the oneness of God (Tawhid). The final verse clearly affirms that only God is worthy of worship, and everything in existence will eventually perish, except for His eternal presence.

Conclusion:

Surah Al-Qasas provides a powerful narrative that teaches faith, perseverance, trust in God's plan, and the ultimate triumph of truth over falsehood. The story of Musa (Moses) serves as a reminder of God's support for the oppressed, His justice against the tyrants, and the consequences of arrogance and disobedience. The surah urges believers to reflect on these lessons, to be patient in the face of trials, and to rely on God's guidance.

Surah Al Qasas in English Translation with Explain