Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)

SÛRAH XXVIII

Al-Qasas, “The Story” takes its name from a word in v. 25. The name is moreover justified by the nature of the Sûrah, which consists mostly of the story of Moses, his early struggles and ultimate triumph, revealed at a time when the Prophet’s case seemed desperate. It is one of the last Meccan Sûrahs. Some Arabic writers even say that it was revealed during the Hijrah, while others are of opinion that v. 85 only was revealed during the flight.

A late Meccan Sûrah, except v. 85 revealed during the Prophet’s flight from Mecca to Al-Madînah, and vv. 52–55 revealed at Al-Madînah.1

The Story

Revealed at Mecca
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

1. Ṭâ. Sîn. Mîm.2

2. These are revelations of the Scripture that maketh plain.

3. We narrate unto thee (somewhat) of the story of Moses and Pharaoh with truth, for folk who believe.

4. Lo! Pharaoh exalted himself in the earth and made its people castes. A tribe among them he oppressed, killing their sons and sparing their women. Lo! he was of those who work corruption.

5. And We desired to show favour unto those who were oppressed in the earth, and to make them examples and to make them the inheritors,

1 Tafsîr al-Jalâleyn.

2 See Sûr. II, v. 1, footnote.

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Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, Consulted online at “Quran Archive - Texts and Studies on the Quran” on 29 Mar. 2024: http://quran-archive.org/explorer/marmaduke-pickthall/1930?page=400