A Translation that includes The Last Sermon
surah 28 the story
(In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful)
Ta, Seen, Meem.
These are the Verses of the Clear Book.
We narrate to you the stories of Moses and Pharaoh in Truth
for a Believing People.
Really, Pharaoh exalted himself as ruler over the land,
and divided its people, oppressing some over others, killing their
newborn children, while keeping their mothers alive.
In reality, Pharaoh was of those who corrupt other people.
And, We wanted to confer blessing upon those who were oppressed by
him in the land, and make them the leaders,
and make them the inheritors.
And, We desired to establish the oppressed in the Promised Land
to show Pharaoh, his ministers, and his army,
through that which they feared.
And, We told Moses’ mother to “Give him nourishment, but when
you fear for his life, place the baby Moses afloat into the river.
And, do not fear for him, and do not grieve.
For, in reality, We will return him to you and make him a Messenger.”
And, Pharaoh’s family pulled the baby from the river,
although he would come to be their enemy,
and a source of grief to them.
Really, Pharaoh and his ministers were intentional sinners.
And, Pharaoh’s wife said, “He will be a comfort for our eyes
for me and for you. Please do not kill him; maybe he will benefit us,
or maybe we could adopt him as our son.”
And they knew not what would come.
And, Moses’ mother’s heart became empty.
She was about to disclose the truth about him had we not
bound her heart that she would become one of the Believers.
And, she said to her sister, “Please follow him.”
So, she watched him from afar while they did not know it.
And, We stopped him from nursing from any other woman,
so she said, “Can I help you to find someone who will be responsible
for him while they are thoughtful of him?”
So, We returned him to his birth mother so she would be happy
and not grieve for him, and so she would Know that God’s Promises
are the Truth. But, many of the people don’t know that.
And, when he was of full strength and mature, We blessed him
with Knowledge and Belief.
And, thus We do recompense those who do righteous good deeds.
And, he approached the city during a time of rest, and found two men
arguing. One was from his people, and one was from his oppressors.
And, his brethren called to him to help him against his oppressor,
and Moses struck the man killing him. And, Moses called out,
“This is Satan’s work! Really, he is an obvious, misleading enemy.”
He cried, “Lord God, I have sinned against myself, please forgive me.”
And God forgave Moses’ for his sincere repentance.
For, without a doubt,
God is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful One.
He cried, “My Lord God, for the blessing of Mercy You have bestowed
upon me, I will not be a supporter to the sinners.”
And, he became fearful within the city of exposure, when suddenly
the man who sought his help the day before appeared again and
called out to him again.
Moses said, “You are clearly one who led me astray.”
And, when he desired to strike the common enemy to them,
the man said,
“Moses, do you want to kill me as you killed someone else yesterday?
In reality, you want to be a tyrant throughout the land, and really do not
want to change your ways.”
And, another man appeared coming from the other end of the city.
He said, “Moses, the prominent people are discussing you and
want to kill you. So leave the city.
Really, I am to you of the sincerest of advisers.” So Moses left the city, fearful of apprehension. He said, “My God, please save me from those who wish to do me wrong.” And, as he went toward Madyan, he said, “Maybe my God will Guide me to the Right Path.” And, when he came to the well at Madyan, he found a group of people tending their flocks, as well as two women driving them back. He asked them, “What is your situation?” They replied, “We do not get water until they have left with their flocks, and our father is an elderly man.” So, he water their flocks for them; and then he returned to the shade and said, “My Lord God, for whatever good you can descend down to a man like me, I am in need of it.” Then, one of the two women approached him with reservation. She said to him, “My father wants to compensate you for having watered the animals for us. So when he went to Shu’ayb, the women’s father, and relayed the story to him, he said, “Do not be afraid. You have gotten away from those who will harm you.” And one of the woman said, “Father, why don’t you hire him? Really, the most fitting one to hire is one so strong and trustworthy.” The father replied, “I would like to marry you to one of my daughters with the condition that you help me for eight years. If you help me for ten, it will be as a favor from you. And, I don’t wish to place you into any difficulty by doing so. You will find me among the righteous, if it is God’s Will.” Moses replied, “Then it is set between me and you whichever of the terms I complete – either way there will be no injustice done to me, and God is the Witness over what we say to each other.” And, when Moses had finished his term, and was travelling with his new family, he saw in the direction of the mountain a fire burning. He said to his family, “Stay here for indeed I have seen a fire burning. Maybe from there I will bring some information back to you or some burning kindling for a fire so you may warm yourselves thereby.” But, when he came upon the blaze – he was beckoned from the right side of the valley in a sacred location from God – and the burning bush said to him, “Moses, indeed, I am your Lord God, Sovereign Lord of all the worlds.” And, he was told to, “Throw down your walking staff.” But, when he saw it come to life, writhing like a live serpent, he turned to flee and did not come back. And, God said, “Moses, come near and do not fear Me. You are safe. Place your hand into your garment, and it will come out purified of disease. And, show me of your oppression, for those are two signs from your Lord regarding Pharaoh and his company. For, without a doubt, they have been a perversely rebellious people.” Moses said, “My Lord, I killed a man and I fear that they will kill me.” My brother Aaron is more eloquent than I, so please send him with me as reinforcement, confirming what I say to them. In reality, I fear that they will reject what I say.” God said, “We will fortify you with your brother, and give you both protection from harm so they will not touch you. By Our Signs, you will overcome, you and those who follow you.” However, when Moses came to Pharaoh with Our Signs as Clear Proofs, they said to him, “This is nothing but magic tricks. We have not heard of this religion from our ancestors.” And Moses replied, “My God is Knowledgeable of who has come with Guidance from Him, and who will overcome in the end. Unquestionably, those who commit evil will not triumph.” And, Pharaoh said, “O distinguished guests, I have not known you to take other gods other than me. Then light for me, my minister, a fire upon the clay tablet, and make me a monument so I may look at Moses’ God. And, in reality, I think that he is lying.” And Pharaoh was haughty, he and his army, without right to be, and they believed that they would not come back to Us. So, Pharaoh and his army were destroyed, and they were enveloped by the sea. And, observe what was the end of those who commit evil. And, We selected them as forerunners to the Fire and on Resurrection Day they will not be helped. As well, God placed an affliction to overtake them in this world. And, on the Day of Resurrection they will be of those made hideous. And, God ruined the former civilizations for their DisBelief. And, He descended the Holy Scripture to Moses as enlightenment for the people, as Guidance to them and Mercy, so that they would remember Him. And, you were not at the mount when We descended the Commandments to Moses. And, you were not a witness. But, We created many civilizations after Moses, and long was their existence. And, while you were not of the Madyan people reciting Our Verses to them, We sent the Message just the same. And, you were not at the mountainside when we beckoned to Moses, but a Mercy from your Lord God was sent to warn the people who had not been warned before, so that they might remember the Sovereign Lord. And, when a calamity strikes them for what their own hands put forth of evil, they say, “Lord, why didn’t you send us a Messenger so we could have followed your Word and been among those who Believe?” However, when We descended the Truth to them, they said, “Why wasn’t the Truth sent down like it was to Moses?” Didn’t they DisBelieve in what Moses said before? The DisBelievers say, “They are nothing but two magic tricks supporting one another, and in reality, we are DisBelievers of both.” Say, “Then produce a Holy Word from God that offers more Guidance then either of them so that I may follow it, if you are being truthful.” But, if they don’t listen to you, O Muhammad, know they only follow their own desires and pleasures. And, who is more astray from the Right Path than one who follows his own pleasures, rejecting God’s Guidance. And, Allah does not Guide those who commit evil acts. And, We conveyed to them the Holy Word – and the most devoted Believers Believe in the Truth. And, when it is recited to them, they say, “We Believe in it. It is the Truth from Our Most Sovereign Lord God. Even before the Qur’an, we were Muslims in submission to Allah.” They will be blessed twice with their recompense for what they patiently endured, and because they turned evil aside for good, and from what We provide to them of sustenance, they share with those in need in charity. And, when they hear unkind words, they turn away therefrom, saying, “The judgment of my deeds rest with me, and for you, are yours. We wish you peace, and we do not hunt for ignorance.” And you, O Muhammad, cannot Guide to the Truth whom you will. But, God Guides whom He wills to the Truth. And, He is the Most Knowledgeable about who is Rightly Guided. And some say, “If we were to follow what you are saying, we will
be swept away from our land.” Haven’t We provided for them
safe sanctuary? And, We provided as sustenance all lawful
things as Bounty from Us. But, many of the people do not Know this.
And, how many a civilization was ruined for its disrespectful lifestyle,
and the ruins have not been inhabited after them except briefly.
And, it is God who is the Inheritor of all creation.
And, never would God have unjustly destroyed the civilizations without
sending a Messenger to its people beforehand to warn them.
And they would never have been ruined, unless they were
truly defiant transgresssors.
And, whatever objects you have been given in life – it is only for the
enjoyment of this life, and as adornment to you.
And, Faith in God is superior and more enduring.
So, won’t you please understand reason?
So is the man whom We have given an oath that he fulfills the
same as the man who We provided enjoyment of this life, but
then on Resurrection Day he was among those presented in Hellfire?
And, on that Day, He will beckon to the polytheists, “Where
are the partners whom you claimed I had?”
The people upon whom the Word had some effect will say, “These are the people we led astray. We led them astray just as we were astray ourselves. We declare our disinvolvement with them to You. They didn’t worship us.” And, it will be said to them, “Call upon your other deities,” and they will call upon them. But, they will not respond to them. And, they will see the punishment. If only they had followed True Guidance. And, on the Day, He will ask them, “How did you answer the Messengers?” But, the information they need will be unavailable to them on that Day, so they will not be able to question one another about it. However, for the person who repents to God, and Believes in Him, and performs righteous good deeds in life, it is expected that he will be among the victorious in Gardens of Paradise. And, the Sovereign Lord God creates what He wills and selects to; not for His creatures was the selection. Exalted is God far more excellent than what people associate with Him. And, Allah is most Knowledgeable about what lies in the hearts of mankind, both hidden and revealed. And, He is God; there is no god but Him. To Him is due all praise and glory in this life, and in the Hereafter. And, His is the Final Judgment, and to Him you will all be returned one day. until Resurrection Day, what deity besides God could restore the Light? So, will you not Hear the Truth?” Say, “Have you you thought about if God suddenly made the Day endless, what deity besides God could provide you with Day so you could rest? So, will you not See the Light?” And, out of God’s Mercy He created the night so you might rest therein, and by the Day seek of His Bounty. Perhaps you may be thankful to Him. And, on Judgment Day He will beckon them and say, “Where are the partners that you claimed I had?” And, We will take a witness from every country and say, “Bring your proof,” and they will Know that the Truth rests with God, and vanished from them are those they used to call upon. And, undeniably, there was a man from Moses’ people, and he oppressed them. And, We gave to him a burden of treasures larger than a large group of strong men could carry. And, his people said to him, “Don’t gloat; for God does not love those who gloat. But, rather seek with what God has given you give to noble causes that will give you abode in Paradise. And, do not forget to do your good share for the world. And, do good things as God has done good things for you. And, do not wish for corruption throughout the land. For, God does not love those who corrupt others. And the arrogant one may say, “I was uniquely given all of this because of all the great knowledge I possess.” Doesn’t he know that God ruined before him entire civilizations who were mightier than him in power, and greater in wealth? But those who do evil, they will not be questioned about their sins. And, the arrogant will come out before his people fully adorned. They who worship this earthly life will say, “Oh, we wish we were given all that this worldly man has. Really, he is someone of great luck.” But, they who are given Knowledge of the Truth will say, “ “Wretched are you. The recompense of Allah is far more excellent for the person who Believes in Him, and does righteous good deeds. And, no one is granted it except those who are steadfast in Faith.” And, the earth swallowed the arrogant man, and his dwelling. And, there was no one to help him other than God, nor could he stop it himself. And, the people who wished to be like him the day before said, “How God increases the provision to whom He wills of His Bounty, and withholds it. If God hadn’t blessed us with His favor, we would have been swallowed up as well. Oh, how those who DisBelieve in Him do not prevail!” The abode of Paradise in the Hereafter is for those who do not desire loftiness on the earth, or corruption. And, the achievement of Paradise is the outcome for the Righteous. And, whoever comes forward on the Day of Judgment with a good deed in his right hand will have the better than it in the Hereafter; and whoever comes forward with an evil deed in his hand will not be rewarded, except for the good righteous deeds they used to do. Without a doubt, He who descended to you the Qur’an, will one day take you back to the place of return. Say, “My Lord God is the Most Knowledgeable of who brings Guidance to others, and who is clearly mistaken.” And, you were not expecting that the Noble Qur’an would be revealed to you, but it is a Mercy from your Sovereign Lord God. So, do not be a helper to those who DisBelieve in Him. And, never allow them to avert you from God’s Verses, after they have been made Known to you. And, invite other people to Know your Sovereign Lord God. But, never be of those who associate others with God. And, do not call upon Allah with any other deity. There is no God but Him. Everything will perish at some time or another, but He will remain. His is the Final Judgment, and to Him you will all be returned one day.
Say, “Have you thought about if God suddenly made the Night endless
