Moses in the Quran

And when We appointed Moses for forty nights, you set up the calf after he had gone and you were transgressors.

And We gave Moses the Book and the Criterion so that you may be guided.

And when Moses said to his people, "O my people, you have wronged yourselves by setting up the calf, so repent to your Initiator and kill your egos. This is better for you at your Initiator." So He has redeemed you. He is the Redeemer, the Merciful.

Then when you said, "O Moses, we will not believe you until we see God plainly." So the thunderbolt struck you while you looked on.

And when Moses sought water for his people, We said, "Strike the rock with your staff," whereby twelve springs burst out therefrom; each people knew their own drinking place. "Eat and drink from God's provisions, and do not roam the earth spreading corruption."

And when you said, "O Moses, we cannot endure one kind of food, so implore your Lord for us so that He may produce for us what the earth grows of its beans, cucumbers, garlic, lentils, and onions." He said, "Do you wish to replace what is inferior with what is better? Then go down to Egypt and you will have what you asked for." They were stricken with humiliation and misery, and they brought upon themselves wrath from God. That was because they disbelieved in God's revelations and killed the prophets unjustly. That was because they disobeyed and used to transgress.

And when Moses said to his people, "God commands you to slaughter a cow." They said, "Are you making a mockery of us?" He said, "I seek refuge in God lest I be among the ignorant."

And We gave Moses the Book and We sent a succession of messengers after him. And We gave Jesus, son of Mary, the clear proofs and supported him with the Holy Ruh. So why is it that whenever a messenger came to you with what you did not desire, you acted arrogantly, denying a group of them and killing another group?

Moses came to you with clear proofs, then you set up the calf in his absence and you were transgressors.

Or do you wish to ask your messenger the same as what Moses was asked before? Whoever replaces belief with disbelief has indeed strayed away from the right path.

Say, "We believe in God and in what was brought down to us, and in what was brought down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them and to Him we are Submitters."

Have you not seen the leaders of the Children of Israel after Moses when they said to a prophet of theirs, "Send us a king and we will fight in the cause of God." He said, "Is it possible that if fighting is decreed upon you, you would not fight?" They said, "Why should we not fight in the cause of God when we and our children were evicted from our homes?" Yet, when fighting was decreed upon them, they turned away, except a few of them. God is Knowledgeable of the transgressors.

And their prophet said to them, "The sign of his sovereignty is that the Ark will come to you containing tranquillity from your Lord, as well as some relics left by the people of Moses and the people of Aaron, and it will be carried by the angels. In that is a sign for you if you are believers."

Say, "We believe in God, and in what was brought down upon us, and in what was brought down upon Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, and in what was given to Moses, Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We do not distinguish between any of them and to Him we are Submitters."

The People of the Book ask you to bring down upon them a Book from the sky. They have asked of Moses greater than that, saying, "Show us God plainly." Consequently, the thunderbolt struck them for their transgression. Then they set up the calf, even after the clear proofs had come to them, yet We pardoned that and We gave Moses a clear authority.

Some messengers We have narrated to you before, and other messengers We have not narrated to you, and God spoke to Moses directly.

When Moses said to his people, "O my people, remember God's blessings upon you when He appointed prophets amongst you, made you kings, and granted you what He did not grant anyone among all the people.

they said, "O Moses, there are tyrannical people in it, and indeed, we will not enter it unless they get out of it. If they get out of it, we will then enter."

They said, "O Moses, we will never enter it so long as they are in it. So go, you and your Lord, and fight. We are staying right here."

And We granted him Isaac and Jacob, both of whom We guided. We guided Noah before that, and from among his descendants; David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses and Aaron. We thus reward the good-doers.

They did not value God according to His true worth when they said, "God did not bring down upon any human anything." Say, "Who then brought down the Book which Moses came with, a light and guidance for the people? You put it down on parchment that you display while concealing much. You were taught what you did not know, neither you nor your fathers." Say, "It is God," then leave them playing in their vain discourse.

Then We gave Moses the Book, complete and perfect for the one who does good as well as a clarification of all things and a guidance and mercy, so perhaps they would believe in the meeting with their Lord.

Then after them, We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his leaders, but they transgressed against them, so see what was the outcome of the corruptors.

Moses said, "O Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds.

They said, "O Moses, either you cast, or we shall be the ones to cast."

And We inspired Moses: "Cast your staff," whereupon it swallowed what they were faking.

The Lord of Moses and Aaron."

The leaders among Pharaoh's people said, "Will you leave Moses and his people to corrupt in the land and abandon you and your gods?" He said, "We will kill their children and shame their women. We have full power over them."

Moses said to his people, "Seek God's help and be patient. The land belongs to God. He lets whom He wills of His servants inherit it, and the outcome belongs to the reverent."

When something good comes their way, they say, "This is our due." But when something bad strikes them, they ascribe bad omen to Moses and those with him! In fact, their omen rests with God, but most of them do not know.

And when an affliction befell them, they said, "O Moses, implore your Lord by what He has pledged for you. If you lift the affliction from us, we will believe in you, and we will send the Children of Israel with you."

We delivered the Children of Israel across the sea. Then they came upon a people who were devoted to some stone idols that they had. They said, "O Moses, make for us a god just like they have gods." He said, "You are an ignorant people!

And We appointed for Moses thirty nights, and We completed them with ten. Thus, the term appointed by his Lord was completed in forty nights. Moses said to his brother Aaron, "Take charge over my people in my place. Act well, and do not follow the path of the corruptors."

When Moses came to Our appointed time, and his Lord spoke to him, he said, "My Lord, let me look and see You." He said, "You cannot see Me, but look at the mountain; if it stays in its place you will see Me." Then when his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, He caused it to crumble, and Moses dropped down unconscious. When he came to, he said, "Glory to You. I repent to You, and I am the first of the believers."

He said, "O Moses, I have chosen you over all people with My messages and My words. So take what I have given you and be among the thankful."

After he left, the people of Moses fashioned from their jewellery the body of a calf that gave out a mooing sound. Did they not see that it could not speak to them nor guide them to the path? They adopted it and were transgressors.

And when Moses returned to his people, angry and disappointed, he said, "What a miserable thing you have done behind my back after I had gone! Did you want to hasten the command of your Lord?" He threw down the tablets and took hold of his brother's head, pulling him towards him. He said, "Son of my mother, the people overpowered me and they almost killed me, so let not the enemy gloat over me, and do not count me among the transgressing people."

When Moses' anger subsided, he took the tablets, and in its inscription was guidance and mercy for those who are in awe of their Lord.

Moses selected seventy men from among his people to come to Our appointed time. Then when the earthquake seized them, he said, "My Lord, if You had willed, You could have annihilated them before, as well as me. Would You annihilate us for what the foolish among us have done? It is but Your test; You let whom You will be misguided through it, and You let whom You will be guided. You are our Ally, so forgive us and have mercy on us; You are the best of forgivers.

Among the people of Moses is a nation who guides with the truth, and with it, they establish justice.

We split them up into twelve tribal communities, and We inspired Moses when his people asked him for water: "Strike the rock with your staff," wherefrom twelve springs gushed out. Each people knew their own drinking place, and We shaded them with clouds, and We brought down upon them manna and quails: "Eat from the good which We have provided you with." They did not wrong Us, but they were wronging themselves.

Then after them, We sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh and his leaders with Our signs, but they acted arrogantly and were a criminal people.

Moses said, "Do you say of the truth when it comes to you: 'Is this magic?' Magicians will not succeed."

When the magicians came, Moses said to them, "Cast what you are going to cast."

When they cast, Moses said, "What you have come up with is magic and God will nullify it. God does not rectify the work of the corruptors,

Out of fear that Pharaoh and his leaders would persecute them, no one believed in Moses except some offspring from among his people. Pharaoh was haughty in the land and among the excessive ones.

Moses said, "O my people, if you have believed in God, then in Him you shall trust, if you are indeed Submitters."

We inspired Moses and his brother: "Appoint for your people homes in Egypt and make of your homes a Qiblah, and observe the Daily Prayers, and give good news to the believers."

Moses said, "Our Lord, you have given Pharaoh and his leaders beautiful things and wealth in the worldly life, our Lord, so that they would stray away from Your path. Our Lord, obliterate their wealth and harden their hearts so that they do not believe until they see the painful punishment."

As for the one who is upon a clear proof from his Lord, and is followed by a witness from Him, and before it the Book of Moses as a guide and a mercy; such ones believe in it. The one who disbelieves in it from amongst the various factions, the Fire will be his appointed place. So be in no doubt about it. It is the truth from your Lord, yet most people do not believe.

We sent Moses with Our signs and clear authority

We gave Moses the Book, but differences arose concerning it. Had it not been for a previous Word from your Lord, judgment would have already been passed over them. And indeed, they are in grave doubt about it.

We sent Moses with Our signs: "Take your people out of the darkness and into the light, and remind them of the days of God." In that are signs for every patient and thankful person.

Moses said to his people, "Remember God's blessings upon you when He saved you from Pharaoh's people who were inflicting the worst punishment upon you, and were slaughtering your children and shaming your women. In these were great tests from your Lord.

Moses said, "If you disbelieve, you and all who are in the earth; God is Rich, Praiseworthy."

And We gave Moses the Book, and We rendered it a guidance for the Children of Israel that: "You are not to take other than Me as a Trustee."

We gave Moses nine clear signs, so ask the Children of Israel when he came to them and Pharaoh said to him, "I think that you, Moses, are bewitched."

Moses said to his lad, "I will not rest until I reach the junction of the two seas, or when I have travelled a very long time."

Moses said to him, "May I follow you, provided that you teach me some of the sound judgment you have been taught?"

And mention in the Book Moses. He was totally devoted, and he was a prophet messenger.

Has the story of Moses reached you?

When he reached it, he was called, "O, Moses,

What is that in your right hand, O Moses?"

He said, "Throw it down, Moses."

He said, "You are granted your request, O Moses.

Your sister walked over and said, 'Shall I guide you to one who could nurse him?' We thus returned you to your mother so that she would be happy and does not grieve. And when you killed a person, We saved you from the grief and We tested you severely. You then remained with the people of Midyan for a number of years and then you were fated to come here O Moses.

He said, "So who is the Lord of the two of you, O Moses?"

He said, "Did you come to us to take us out of our land with your magic, O Moses?

Moses said to them, "Woe to you! Do not fabricate lies against God or He will strike you with a punishment that will wipe you out. Those who fabricate will surely fail."

They said, "O Moses, either you cast or we will be the first to cast."

So Moses harboured fear within himself.

And so the magicians fell in prostration. They said, "We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses."

We inspired to Moses: "Travel with My servants, then strike for them a dry path through the sea. Do not fear being caught, and do not be scared."

"What has made you rush ahead of your people, O Moses?"

So Moses returned to his people, angry and disappointed. He said, "O my people, did your Lord not promise you a good promise? Did the oath require too much waiting from you? Or did you wish for your Lord's wrath to descend upon you and so you broke your promise to me?"

He then produced for them a calf with a body that emitted a mooing sound, and they said, "This is your god and the god of Moses, but he forgot."

They said, "We will not stop being devoted to it until Moses returns to us."

We gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion, and iIlumination, and a Reminder for the reverent

and the companions of Midyan, and Moses was also denied. So I granted the disbelievers some respite, then I seized them; how then was My disapproval!

Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our signs and clear authority

And We gave Moses the Scripture so that they may be guided.

We gave Moses the Book and appointed his brother Aaron alongside him as an assistant.

When your Lord called out to Moses: "Go to the transgressing people,

Moses said to them, "Cast down whatever it is you are going to cast."

Then Moses threw his staff whereupon it started swallowing up what they faked.

The Lord of Moses and Aaron."

And We inspired Moses: "Travel with My servants by night. Indeed, you will be pursued."

Then when the two groups caught sight of one another, Moses' people said, "We will surely be caught."

So We inspired Moses: "Strike the sea with your staff." So it parted, each part was like a huge mountain.

We saved Moses and all those who were with him.

Moses said to his family, "I have glimpsed a fire. I will bring you some news from it, or bring you a burning piece so that you may warm yourself."

O Moses, it is I, God, the Dignified, the Wise.

Throw down your staff." When he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he turned and fled, and did not turn back. "O Moses, do not fear. Messengers are not to be afraid in My Presence,

We recite to you from the news of Moses and Pharaoh truthfully for a people who believe.

And We inspired Moses' mother: "Suckle him, then if you fear for him, throw him into the river and do not fear nor grieve. We will return him to you and We will make him one of the messengers."

Moses' mother felt a great emptiness in her heart that she almost revealed his identity, had it not been that We strengthened her heart so that she would be among the believers.

He entered the town, unnoticed by its people, to find two men fighting: one was from his sect and the other from his enemy. The one from his sect called for his help against the one from his enemy. So Moses struck him and killed him. He said, "This is from the work of the devil; he is a clear misleading enemy."

The next morning found him in the city, afraid and watchful, when suddenly the one who sought his help yesterday cried out for his help. Moses said to him, "You are clearly a trouble-maker."

Then when he was about to strike their common enemy, he said, "O Moses, do you want to kill me as you killed a person yesterday? You want nothing other than to be a tyrant in the land and you do not want to be among the reformers."

A man came running from the furthest part of the city, saying, "O Moses, the leaders are plotting against you in order to kill you, so get out. I am an adviser to you."

When Moses fulfilled the term and travelled with his family, he glimpsed a fire at the side of the mount. He said to his family, "Stay here. I have glimpsed a fire. Perhaps I could bring you some news from it, or an ember from the fire so that you may warm yourselves."

Then when he came to it, he was called from the midst of the tree in the blessed spot at the right side of the valley: "O Moses, this is Me, God; Lord of the worlds.

Throw down your staff." When he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he turned and fled and did not turn back. "O Moses, come forward and do not fear. You are among the safe ones.

So when Moses came to them with Our clear signs, they said, "This is nothing but fabricated magic, and we have not heard of this from our forefathers."

Moses said, "My Lord knows best who came with the guidance from Him, and for whom shall be the Abode for a homecoming. The transgressors will certainly not succeed."

Pharaoh said, "O leaders, I have not known you to have a god other than me. So ignite for me, O Haman, a fire over the clay, and build me a lofty tower so that I may take a look at the god of Moses, for indeed, I think he is of the liars."

We gave Moses the Book after annihilating the former generations, providing insights for the people, as well as guidance and mercy so that they may be reminded.

You were not on the western side when We issued the command to Moses, nor were you one of the witnesses.

Then when the truth came to them from Us, they said, "If only he was given the like of what was given to Moses!" Yet, did they not previously disbelieve in what was given to Moses? They said, "Two magicians who are backing up each other." And they said, "We reject both of them."

Qaroon was one of Moses' people, but he transgressed against them. We gave him such treasures that their keys alone would overburden a group of strong men. His people said to him, "Do not be boastful. God does not like those who are boastful.

Also Qaroon, Pharaoh and Haman; Moses went to them with clear proofs, but they acted arrogantly in the land, and they were not the first.

We gave Moses the Book, so be in no doubt about His meeting. We made it a guide for the Children of Israel.

When We took from the prophets their covenant, and from you, and from Noah, and Abraham, and Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary; We took from them a solemn covenant

O you who believe, do not be like those who abused Moses, then God cleared him of what they said. He was honourable in the sight of God.

We bestowed favour upon Moses and Aaron,

Peace be upon Moses and Aaron.

We sent Moses with Our signs and clear authority

Pharaoh said, "Let me kill Moses, and let him then call upon his Lord. I fear that he may replace your religion or that he may bring about corruption in the land."

Moses said, "I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant one who does not believe in the Day of Reckoning."

the pathways to the heavens, so that I may take a look at the god of Moses, for indeed, I think he is a liar." Thus, the evil works of Pharaoh were adorned in his eyes and he was blocked from the path. Pharaoh's scheming led to nothing but ruin.

We gave Moses the guidance and made the Children of Israel inherit the Book;

We have given Moses the Book, but differences arose concerning it. Had it not been for a previous Word from your Lord, judgment would have already been passed over them. Indeed, they are in grave doubt about it.

He has legislated for you of the religion what He has instructed for Noah, and that which We inspired to you, and what We instructed Abraham, Moses and Jesus: You shall establish the religion and do not be divided therein. What you invite the polytheists to is quite intolerable for them. God chooses for Himself whom He wills, and He guides towards Himself those who turn to Him.

We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his leaders, saying, "I am the messenger of the Lord of the worlds."

Before it was the Book of Moses, a guide and a mercy. And this is an authenticating Book in an Arabic tongue to warn those who have transgressed, and to give good news to the good-doers.

They said, "O our people, we have heard a Book that was brought down after Moses confirming what came before it. It guides to the truth and to a straight path.

Likewise, in the case of Moses when We sent him to Pharaoh with clear authority,

Or was he not informed of what is in the Scrolls of Moses,

And when Moses said to his people, "O my people, why do you harm me when you know that I am God's messenger to you?" Then when they deviated, God made their hearts deviate. God does not guide the wicked people.

Has the story of Moses reached you

the Scrolls of Abraham and Moses.

Special thanks to: www.masjidtuscon.org for permission to use Rashid Khalifas translation of the Quran www.masjidtuscon.org.