Al-Qusas (The Narrations) (28)- 88
1 Ta. Sin. Mim.
2 These are Verses of the Book that makes (things) clear
*** The assertion that the Quran was a BOOK in the days of Muhammad is of course utterly false, since it was only put in book form AFTER Muhammad's death***
3> We rehearse to thee some of the story of Moses and Pharaoh in Truth for people who believe.
#3328 The part of the story of Moses told here is how Moses and his mother were guided in the child's infancy, that even as he grew up, he might be prepared for his high destiny; how in youth he trusted Allah in the most awkward situations and sought His help; how he fled into exile, and yet found love and support because of his well-doing: and how, when he was called to his mission, he received Allah's favour, which defeated all the plots of his enemies. Thus Allah's Plan works continuously in the web of events. Those who have faith will thus see the hand of Allah in everything and welcome the light that comes to them by Revelation. With such a Faith there is no room for Chance or blind Fate.#
*** It is extremely important to point out - even the obvious, to the reader - that the Quran misses the most important elements in both the dialogue with Pharaoh and the miraculous events that led to the Exodus.
Reading the Quranic version of events - as shown repeatedly - deprives the reader of the details of the origins of Moses, the Israelites, slavery, up to and including the cataclysmic plagues that befell Egypt and renders the story truncated, uninspiring and without soul.
The following verses, represent a speeded up polemical and embellished variation to the original story in the Bible and Jewish traditions. None the less, this is Muhammad's 'finest' plagiarized version of any of the numerous Biblical stories.
What is most astounding, is the fact, that he ignores to mention the Israelites - who are central to the whole story - not even once.
Furthermore, it should be pointed out, that all the explanations and references used by the interpreter are copied fro the Bible and are NOT in the 'traditions' of the Arabs ***
4> Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sections depressing a small group among them: their sons he slew but he kept alive their females: for he was indeed a maker of mischief.
#3329 For a king or ruler to make invidious distinctions between his subjects, and specially to depress or oppress any particular class of his subjects, is a dereliction of his kingly duties, for which he is responsible to Allah. Pharaoh and his clique were intoxicated with pride of race and pride of material civilization, and grievously oppressed the Israelites. Pharaoh decreed that all male sons born to his Israelite subjects should be killed, and the females kept alive for the pleasure of the Egyptians. Moses was saved in a wonderful way, as related further.#
*** The interpreter's wrath against Pharaoh is very well placed but is totally hypocritical, since tha followers of Muhammad, did, and still discriminate, humiliate and oppress the very people mentioned in the verses of the Quran ***
5> And We wished to be gracious to those who were being depressed in the land to make them leaders (in faith) and make them heirs
#3330 What Pharaoh wished was to crush them. But Allah's Plan was to protect them as they were weak, and indeed to make them custodians and leaders in His Faith, and to give them in inheritance a land "flowing with milk and honey". Here they were established in authority for such time as they followed Allah's Law. As regards Pharaoh and his ministers and hosts, they were to be shown that they would suffer, at the hands of the Israelites, the very calamities against which they were so confidently taking precautions for themselves#
28:6> To establish a firm place for them in the land and to show Pharaoh Haman and their hosts at their hands the very things against which they were taking precautions.
#3331 Haman was evidently Pharaoh's minister, not to be confounded with a Haman who is mentioned in the Old Testament (Esther iii.1), as a minister of Ahasuerus (Xerxes) King of Persia, the same who invaded Greece, and ruled from B.C. 485 to 464. 3332 Pharaoh was trying to kill the Israelites. Instead, the Plagues of Egypt, invoked by Moses, killed thousands of Egyptians (vii. 133, and notes 1091-92), because "they were steeped in arrogance,-a people given to sin." In pursuing the Israelites in their flight, Pharaoh and his army were themselves overwhelmed in the sea.#
*** Only in the very fertile imagination of this interpreter could there be another Haman in the history of the Israelites besides the one in
Esther 3:" 1 After these things king Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.."
There is no record in the annals of Egypt of such a name ever existing. The interpreter has no choice but to invent any impossible explanation so as to cover up the above, otherwise incomprehensible, illogical and untrue verse.
It is repeated in 28:38 and 40:38 as a further affirmation and proof of such incessant and blatant misrepresentations of the Bible and Hebrew Scriptures.
There is no doubt that Muhammad mixed up - as usual - two different and totally unrelated Biblical events, believing that his memory, of what he had heard or had been taught to be correct.
Neither the angel Gabriel, nor the Almighty, would have 'revealed' to Muhammad, such utter nonesense of misinformation or disinformation; only Satan would have been able to do so ***
7> So We sent this inspiration to the mother of Moses: "Suckle (thy child) but when thou hast fears about him cast him into the river but fear not nor grieve: for We shall restore him to thee and We shall make him one of Our apostles."
# The Egyptian midwives had orders to kill Israelite babies. Moses was saved from them, and his mother nursed the infant at her breast herself. But when the danger of discovery was imminent, she put him into a chest or basket, and floated him on the river Nile. It flowed by the King's palace, and the chest with the baby was picked up, as related further on. The mother had no cause to fear or grieve afterwards, as the child grew up under her tender care and became afterwards one of the Prophets of Allah#
*** Without batting an eyelid, the interpreter uses the Bible, to explain the otherwise totally incomprehensible verse. He uses the same Bible that the followers of Muhammad allege, has been altered and or tampered with.
Of course, the items that the followers of Muhammad plagiarize, plunder and pirate from the Bible, happen to be the only ones, that have not been PRE-EMPTIVELY altered by the Jews.
There is not a single verse in the Quran, that can stand clear all by itself, without resorting to the details mentioned in the Bible to explain it ***
8> Then the people of Pharaoh picked him up (from the river): (it was intended) that (Moses) should be to them an adversary and a cause of sorrow: for Pharaoh and Haman and (all) their hosts were men of sin.
*** Again and again, the 'flesh and sinew' of the Biblical stories are completely ignored, reducing them to the level of polemics and simplistic allegories ***
9 The wife of Pharaoh said: "(Here is) a joy of the eye for me and for thee: slay him not. It may be that he will be of use to us or we may adopt him as a son." And they perceived not (what they were doing)!
#3335 He was a darling to look at, and Pharaoh had apparently no son, but only a daughter, who afterwards shared his throne. This is on the supposition that the Pharaoh was Thothmes. 3336 In all life Providence so orders things that Evil is defeated by its own weapons. Not only is it defeated, but it actually, though unwittingly, advances the cause of Good!#
*** According to the Bible - which is the only documented source of the story - it was Pharaoh's DAUGHTER and NOT his WIFE who found the babe-
Exodus 2:" 5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to fetch it"
This is yet, one more 'unimportant' deviation from the original Biblical narrative ***
10> But there came to be a void in the heart of the mother of Moses: she was going almost to disclose his (case) had We not strengthened her heart (with faith) so that she might remain a (firm) believer.
11> And she said to the sister of (Moses) "Follow him." So she (the sister) watched him in the character of a stranger and they knew not.
12> And We ordained that he refused suck at first until (his sister came up and) said: "Shall I point out to you the people of a house that will nourish and bring him up for you and be sincerely attached to him?"...
13> Thus did We restore him to his mother that her eye might be comforted that she might not grieve and that she might know that the promise of Allah is true: but most of them do not understand.
14> When he reached full age and was firmly established (in life) We bestowed on him wisdom and knowledge: for thus do We reward those who do good.
15> And he entered the City at a time when its people were not watching: and he found there two men fighting one of his own religion and the other of his foes. Now the man of his own religion appealed to him against his foe and Moses struck him with his fist and made an end of him. He said: "This is a work of Evil (Satan): for he is an enemy that manifestly misleads!"
#3341 That may have been either the time of the noontime siesta, when all business is suspended even now in Egypt, or the time of night, when people are usually asleep. The latter is more probable, in view of verse 18 below. But there is also another suggestion. A guest in a Palace is not free to wander about at will in the plebeian quarters of the City at all sorts of hours, and this applies even more to an inmate of the Palace brought up as a son. Moses was therefore visiting the City privately and eluding the guards. His object may have been to see for himself how things were going on; perhaps he had heard that his people were being oppressed, as we may suppose that he had retained contact with his mother. 3342 His object was apparently to strike him so as to release the Israelite, not to kill the Egyptian, In fact he killed the Egyptian. This was unfortunate in more ways than one. His visit to the City was clandestine; he had taken the side of the weaker and despised party; and he had taken the life of an Egyptian. He was full of regrets and repentance, and he prayed to Allah, and obtained Allah's forgiveness.#
*** Once more, Muhammad has wrongly copied the story from the Bible which described the nationalities of the two men as one being a Hebrew and the other Egyptian -
Exodus2:" 11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brothers, and looked on their burdens; and he spied an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brothers"
The interpreter, deliberately misleads the reader regarding the identity of Moses. He grew up as a PRINCE of Egypt and NOT a mere ordinary guest. He was not behaving in a clandestine manner at all.
The reader should investigate this story, as it is written in the Bible, and will then comprehend the magnitude of the interpreter's deception.
The Israelites/Hebrews had not yet received the Torah and hence did not have a 'religion' as such. The interpreter who definitely knows this could not tell the truth and contradict the Quran ***
28:16> He prayed: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul! Do Thou then forgive me!" So (Allah) forgave him: for He is the Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.
17> He said: "O my Lord! for that Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace on me never shall I be a help to those who sin!"
18> So he saw the morning in the City looking about in a state of fear when behold the man who had the day before sought his help called aloud for his help (again). Moses said to him: "Thou art truly it is clear a quarrelsome fellow!"
19> Then when he decided to lay hold of the man who was an enemy to both of them that man said: "O Moses! is it thy intention to slay me as thou slewest a man yesterday? Thy intention is none other than to become a powerful violent man in the land and not to be one who sets things right!"
20> And there came a man running from the furthest end of the City. He said: "O Moses! the Chiefs are taking counsel together about thee to slay thee: so get thee away for I do give thee sincere advice."
21> He therefore got away therefrom looking about in a state of fear. He prayed: "O my Lord! save me from people given to wrongdoing."
22> Then when he turned his face towards (the land of) Madyan he said: "I do hope that my Lord will show me the smooth and straight Path."
23> And when he arrived at the watering (place) in Madyan he found there a group of men watering (their flocks) and besides them he found two women who were keeping back (their flocks). He said: "What is the matter with you?" They said: "We cannot water (our flocks) until the shepherds take back (their flocks): and our father is a very old man."
24> So he watered (their flocks) for them; then he turned back to the shade and said: "O my Lord! truly am I in (desperate) need of any good that thou dost send me!"...
25> Afterwards one of the (damsels) came (back) to him walking bashfully. She said: "My father invites thee that he may reward thee for having watered (our flocks) for us." So when he came to him and narrated the story he said: "Fear thou not: (well) hast thou escaped from unjust people."
26> Said one of the (damsels): "O my (dear) father! engage him on wages: truly the best of men for thee to employ is the (man) who is strong and trusty"...
27> He said: "I intended to wed one of these my daughters to thee on condition that thou serve me for eight years; but if thou complete ten years it will be (grace) from thee. But I intend not to place thee under a difficulty: thou wilt find me indeed if Allah wills one of the righteous."
*** Whether out of ignorance or out of inventiveness, Muhammad is using the love story of Jacob and Rachel as the 'scene' for that of Moses.
Yet once again, does Muhammad - and of course his Quran - mix up, two unrelated and totally different stories, to create a new one for his 'scripture' ***
28:28> He said: "Be that (the agreement) between me and thee: whichever of the two terms I fulfil let there be no ill-will to me. Be Allah a witness to what we say."
29> Now when Moses had fulfilled the term and was traveling with his family he perceived a fire in the direction of (Mount) Tur. He said to his family: "Tarry ye; I perceive a fire; I hope to bring you from there some information or a burning firebrand that ye may warm yourselves."
#3359 The episode in the desert, full of human interest, now closes, and we come to the threshold of the sacred Call to the divine ministry of Moses. Here we may compare this passage with that in xxvii. 7-14 and previous passages. In this passage we are told, after reference to Moses's preparation for his high destiny, of the particular sin of Arrogance and Sacrilege of which Pharaoh was guilty (xxviii 38-39), how it was punished, and with what instruments in the hands of Moses and Pharaoh. The notes on the earlier passage should be read, as explanations already given need not now be repeated. 3360 Note how the transition is effected from the happy life of Moses to the new prophetic mission.#
*** This is a variation to 20:20. The Quranic verse (in Arabic) only denoted the word Tur without the word describing it as a mountain. It was the interpreter who added this assertion.
The Quran uses the word Tur to denote a mountain and only in (23:20 & 95:2) was the name Sinai associated with the word Tur as "Tur Sinai" ***
30> But when he came to the (Fire) a voice was heard from the right bank of the valley from a tree in hallowed ground: "O Moses! verily I am Allah the Lord of the Worlds...
31> "Now do thou throw thy rod!" But when he saw it moving (of its own accord) as if it had been a snake He turned back in retreat and retraced not his steps: "O Moses!" (It was said) "draw near and fear not: for thou art of those who are secure.
32> "Move thy hand into thy bosom and it will come forth white without stain (or harm) and draw thy hand close to thy side (to guard) against fear. Those are the two credentials from thy Lord to Pharaoh and his Chiefs: for truly they are a people rebellious and wicked."
33> He said: "O my Lord! I have slain a man among them and I fear lest they slay me.
34> "And my brother Aaron he is more eloquent in speech than I: so send him with me as a helper to confirm (and strengthen) me; for I fear that they may accuse me of falsehood."
35> He said: "We will certainly strengthen thy arm through thy brother and invest you both with authority so they shall not be able to touch you: with Our Signs shall ye triumph you two as well as those who follow you."
36> When Moses came to them with Our Clear Signs they said: "This is nothing but sorcery faked up: never did we hear the like among our fathers of old!"
37> Moses said: "My Lord knows best who it is that comes with guidance from Him and whose End will be best in the Hereafter: certain it is that the wrongdoers will not prosper."
38> Pharaoh said: "O Chiefs! no god do I know for you but myself: therefore O Haman! light me a (kiln to bake bricks) out of clay and build me a lofty palace that I may mount up to the god of Moses: but as far as I am concerned I think (Moses) is a liar!"
#3370 Pharaoh claimed, himself, to be God,-not only one god among many, but the only god: "I am your Lord Most High": lxxix. 24. At any rate he did not see why his people should worship any one but him. 3371 I understand his speech to his minister Haman to be sarcastic. But some Commentators have taken it very seriously and imagined that he actually thought of reaching the heavens by building lofty towers.#
*** Once more, Muhammad mixed up another Biblical story; this time it is that of the
Tower of Babel and inserted it in the story of Moses. Two unrelated Biblical stories, both in time and content.
Yet once AGAIN, one must assert TO THE READER, that neither the angel Gabriel nor the Almighty would have 'revealed' such a mendacity to Muhammad, especially since these events themselves, were revealed to Moses at Mount Sinai as the 'word of God' in a
'face to face' dialogue.
Why and how Muhammad, yet again, gave the wrong and utterly unacceptable version, is NOT THE ISSUE.
What is most important, is the fact, that many of the stories that Muhammad had plagiarized, pirated and plundered from the Bible and Scriptures, have been perverted and tampered with at will to suit his agenda only.
Muhammad's knowledge of the Biblical events that he 'reveals' in the Quran shows clearly his propensity to alter and rearrange the stories that he learnt to suit his mostly ignorant and illiterate audience. So much for the veracity and 'divine source' of the Quran ***
39> And he was arrogant and insolent in the land beyond reason he and his hosts: they thought that they would not have to return to Us!
40> So We seized him and his hosts and We flung them into the sea: now behold what was the End of those who did wrong!
41> And We made them (but) leaders inviting to the Fire; and on the Day of Judgment no help shall they find.
28:42> In this world We made a Curse to follow them: and on the Day of Judgment they will be among the loathed (and despised).
43> We did reveal to Moses the Book after We had destroyed the earlier generations (to give) Insight to men and Guidance and Mercy that they might receive admonition.
#3375 After the destruction of the Pharaonic Tyranny and other similar Tyrannies before them, Allah began a new age of Revelation, the age of Moses and his Book. Humanity began as it were with a clean slate again. It was a full Revelation (or Shari'at) which may be looked at from three points of view: (1) as Light or Insight for men, so that they should not grope in darkness; (2) as a Guide to show them the Way, so that they should not be misled into wrong Paths; and (3) as a Mercy from Allah, so that by following the Way they may receive Allah's Forgiveness and Grace. In vi. 91, we have a reference to Light and Guidance in connection with the Revelation of Moses, and in vi. 154 we have a reference to Guidance and Mercy in the same connection. Here all three are combined, with the substitution of Basair for Nur. Basair is the plural of Basirat, and may also be translated Proofs, as I have done in vi. 104 Cf. also vii. 203, n. 1175, where the word is translated "Lights"#
44> Thou wast not on the Western Side when We decreed the commission to Moses nor wast thou a witness (of those events).
#3376 The Sinai Peninsula is in the north-west corner of Arabia. But the reference here is, I think, to the western side of the valley of Tuwa. Mount Tur, where Moses received his prophetic commission, is on the western side of the valley.#
*** The interpreter's deduction cannot be correct since in 28:46 Allah gave the Law to Moses on the opposite side of the West ***
28:45> But We raised up (new) generations and long were the ages that passed over them; but thou wast not a dweller among the people of Madyan rehearsing Our Signs to them; but it is We Who send apostles (with inspiration).
#3377 That is, there were many generations that passed between Moses and the holy Prophet. Yet he knew by inspiration of the events of those times. Even if he had lived then, he could not have known the events that took place among the Midianites, except by inspiration, as he did not dwell among them. 3378 'Though thou wast not among the Midianites, Our inspiration has told thee of the momentous events that took place among them when Moses was with them. This is itself a Sign that should make thy people understand.' #
*** Muhammad knew about the Madyan not because of any inspiration but because by the time the Quran was 'descending' to him he was already influenced by his wife Khadijah and the monk Bahira just to start with.
Only if the Quran had been 'revealed' to him before his marriage to Khadijah and his encounter with Bahira, could his knowledge be declared inspired.
Why was the Quran discussing the Midianites instead of the Hebrews or Egyptians who were the protagonists in the story? It is symptomatic of the Quran that it moves from one subject in one century to another UNRELATED subject in ANOTHER century.
The Midianites were of no relevance to the story of the Exodus after all ***
46> Nor wast thou at the side of (the Mountain of) Tur when We called (to Moses) Yet (art thou sent) as a Mercy from thy Lord to give warning to a people to whom no warner had come before thee: in order that they may receive admonition.
47 If (We had) not (sent thee to the Quraish) in case a calamity should seize them for (the deeds) that their hands have sent forth they might say: "Our Lord! why didst Thou not send us an apostle? We should then have followed the Signs and been amongst those who believe!"
48 But (now) when the Truth has come to them from Ourselves they say "Why are not (Signs) sent to him like those which were sent to Moses?" Do they not then reject (the Signs) which were formerly sent to Moses? They say: "Two kinds of sorcery each assisting the other!" And they say: "For us we reject all (such things)!"
49 Say: "Then bring ye a Book from Allah which is a better Guide than either of them that I may follow it! (Do) if ye are truthful!"
50 But if they hearken not to thee know that they only follow their own lusts: and who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts devoid of guidance from Allah? For Allah guides not people given to wrongdoing.
51 Now have We caused the word to reach them themselves in order that they may receive admonition.
53> And when it is recited to them they say: "We believe therein for it is the Truth from our Lord: indeed we have been Muslims [Muslimeen] (bowing to Allah's Will) from before this."
# There were Christians and Jews who recognised that Islam was a logical and natural development of Allah's revelations as given in earlier ages, and they not only welcomed and accepted Islam, but claimed, and rightly, that they had always been Muslims. In that sense Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus had all been Muslims#
*** At last, a bit of fresh air in the truth of the above interpretation.
At last, the interpreter admits, that those who believe in the Books of Revelation BEFORE Muhammad, were and are Muslimeen***
54> Twice will they be given their reward for that they have persevered that they avert Evil with Good and that they spend (in charity) out of what We have given them.
55 And when they hear vain talk they turn away therefrom and say: "To us our deeds and to you yours; peace be to you: we seek not the ignorant."
56 It is true thou wilt not be able to guide everyone whom thou lovest: but Allah guides those whom He will and He knows best those who receive guidance.
# 3388 The immediate occasion for this was the death of Abu Talib, an uncle whom the holy Prophet loved dearly and who had befriended and protected him. The Prophet was naturally anxious that he should die in the profession of the true Faith, but the pagan Quraish leaders persuaded him to remain true to the faith of his fathers. This was an occasion of disappointment and grief to the Prophet. We are told that in such circumstances we should not grieve. All whom we love do not necessarily share our views or beliefs. We must not judge. Allah will guide whom He pleases and as He pleases. He alone knows the true inwardness of things.#
*** Once more, the Quran asserts that the followers of Muhammad are PRE-DESTINED. That they have NO FREE WILL. This is contrary to the beliefs of the Jews ***
57 They say: "If we were to follow the guidance with thee we should be snatched away from our land." Have We not established for them a secure Sanctuary to which are brought as tribute fruits of all kinds? a provision from Ourselves? But most of them understand not.
58 And how many populations We destroyed which exulted in their life (of ease and plenty)! Now those habitations of theirs after them are deserted all but a (miserable) few! and We are their heirs!
*** Why would Allah, gloat over the death and destruction of his innocent creation?
They were PRE-DESTINED by himself to err; so why punish them?
Where, the reader should ask, is Allah's compassion and mercy, under these
circumsatnces? ***
59 Nor was thy Lord the one to destroy a population until He had sent to its Center an apostle rehearsing to them Our Signs: nor are We going to destroy a population except when its members practice iniquity.
60 The (material) things which ye are given are but the conveniences of this life and the glitter thereof; but that which is with Allah is better and more enduring: will ye not then be wise?
*** Muhammad's Quran is full of promises of fantastic rewards to the believers in the AFTERLIFE, more so than on LIFE on Earth.
It is of course clear, that he promises those of his followers who will not die in battle, rewards from the booty that they capture, but more than these, he promises them eternal rewards in his own version of Paradise.
A Paradise unlike the SPIRITUAL one of the Jews and Christians, since his, is a PHYSICAL one, where in his dead followers are rewarded with unlimited sensual and sexual pleasures***
28:61> Are (these two) alike? one to whom We have made a goodly promise and who is going to reach its (fulfillment) and one to whom we have given the good things of this life but who on the Day of Judgment is to be among those brought up (for punishment)?
62> That Day Allah will call to them and say: "Where are my `partners'? whom ye imagined (to be such)?"
63 Those against whom the charge will be proved will say: "Our Lord! these are the ones whom we led astray: we led them astray as we were astray ourselves: we free ourselves (from them) in Thy presence! It was not us they worshipped."
64 It will be said (to them): "Call upon your `partners' (for help)": they will call upon them but they will not listen to them; and they will see the Penalty (before them); (how they will wish) `If only they had been open to guidance!'
65> That Day (Allah) will call to them and say: "What was the answer ye gave to the apostles?"
66 Then the (whole) story that day will seem obscure to them (like light to the blind) and they will not be able (even) to question each other.
67> But any that (in this life) had repented believed and worked righteousness will have hopes to be among those who achieve salvation.
68> Thy Lord does create and choose as He pleases: no choice have they (in the matter): Glory to Allah! and far is He above the partners they ascribe (to Him)!
69> And thy Lord knows all that their hearts conceal and all that they reveal.
70> And He is Allah: there is no god but He. To him be praise at the first and at the last: for Him is the Command and to Him shall ye (all) be brought back.
71> Say: see ye? If Allah were to make the Night perpetual over you to the Day of Judgment what god is there other than Allah who can give you enlightenment? Will ye not then hearken?
72> Say: see ye? If Allah were to make the Day perpetual over you to the Day of Judgment what god is there other than Allah who can give you a Night in which ye can rest? Will ye not then see?
73> It is out of His Mercy that He has made for you Night and Day that ye may rest therein and that ye may seek of His Grace and in ;order that ye may be grateful.
74> The Day that He will call on them He will say: "Where are My `partners' whom ye imagined (to be such)?"
75 And from each people shall We draw a witness and We shall say: "Produce your Proof": then shall they know that the Truth is in Allah (alone) and the (lies) which they invented will leave them in the lurch."
28:76> Qarun was doubtless of the people of Moses; but he acted insolently towards them: such were the treasures We had bestowed on him that their very keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men: Behold his people said to him: "Exult not for Allah loveth not those who exult (in riches).
#3404 Qarun is identified with the Korah of the English Bible. His story is told in Num. xvi. 1-35. He and his followers, numbering 250 men, rose in rebellion against Moses and Aaron, on the ground that their position and fame in the congregation entitled them to quality in spiritual matters with the Priests,-that they were as holy as any, and they claimed to burn incense at the sacred Altar reserved for the Priests. They had an exemplary punishment: "the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods: they, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation." 3405 Qarun's boundless wealth is described in the Midrashim, or the Jewish compilations based on the oral teachings of the Synagogues, which however exaggerate the weight of the keys to be the equivalent of the load of 300 mules! 3406 Usbat: a body of men, here used indefinitely. It usually implies a body of 10 to 40 men. The old-fashioned keys were big and heavy, and if there were hundreds of treasure-chests, the keys must have been a great weight. As they were travelling in the desert, the treasures were presumably left behind in Egypt, and only the keys were carried. The disloyal Qarun had left his heart in Egypt, with his treasures.#
*** The interpreter's knowledge of the Torah and Rabbinical writings is superb, but he uses it only to his advantage for promoting his agenda, to extol the virtues of the Quran at the expense of the Torah, as well as to denigrate the Jews while elevating the Arabs.
He represents the ultimate intellectual and moral bankrupcy ***
28:77> "But seek with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on thee the Home of the Hereafter nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good as Allah has been good to thee and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief."
78> He said: "This has been given to me because of a certain knowledge which I have." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him (whole) generations which were superior to him in strength and greater in amount (of riches) they had collected? But the wicked are not called (immediately) to account for their sins.
79> So he went forth among his people in the (pride of his worldly) glitter. Said those whose aim is the Life of this World: "Oh that we had the like of what Qarun has got! For he is truly a lord of mighty good fortune."
80> But those who had been granted (true) knowledge said: "Alas for you! the reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is best for those who believe and work righteousness: but this none shall attain save those who steadfastly persevere (in good)."
81> Then We caused the earth to swallow him up and his house; and he had not (the least little) party to help him against Allah nor could he defend himself.
82 And those who had envied his position the day before began to say on the morrow: "Ah! it is indeed Allah Who enlarges the provision or restricts it to any of His servants He pleases! Had it not been that Allah was gracious to us He could have caused the earth to swallow us up! Ah! those who reject Allah will assuredly never prosper."
83> That House of the Hereafter We shall give to those who intend not high-handedness or mischief on earth: and the End is (best) for the righteous.
84> If any does good the reward to him is better than his deed; but if any does evil the doers of evil are only punished (to the extent) of their deeds.
85> Verily He Who ordained the Qur'an for thee will bring thee back to the Place of Return. Say: "My Lord knows best who it is that brings true guidance and who is in manifest error."
#3415 That is: order in His wisdom and mercy that the Qur-an should be revealed, containing guidance for conduct in this life and the next, and further ordered that it should be read out and taught and its principles observed in practice. It is because of this teaching and preaching that the holy Prophet was persecuted, but as Allah sent the Qur-an, He will see that those who follow it will not eventually suffer, but be restored to happiness in the Place of Return, for which see next note. 3416 Place of Return: (1) a title of Makkah; (2) the occasion when we shall be restored to the Presence of our Lord. It is said that this verse was revealed at Juhfa, on the road from Makkah to Madinah, a short distance from Makkah on the Hijrat journey. The Prophet was sad at heart, and this was given as consolation to him. If this was the particular occasion, the general meaning would refer the Place of Return to the occasion of the Resurrection, when all true values will be restored, however they may be disturbed by the temporary interference of evil in this life. 3617 Allah's greatness and infinitude are such that He can create and cherish not only a whole mass, but each individual soul, and He can follow its history and doings until the final Judgment. This shows not only Allah's glory and Omniscience and Omnipotence: it also shows the value of each individual soul in His eyes, and lifts individual responsibility right up into relations with Him.#
*** The concepts of the Resurrection and of the End of Days are, of course, from Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament ***
86 And thou hadst not expected that the Book would be sent to thee except as a Mercy from thy Lord: therefore lend not thou support in any way to those who reject (Allah's Message).
#3418 Revelation and the preaching of Truth may in the beginning bring persecution, conflict, and sorrow in its train; but in reality it is the truest mercy from Allah, which comes even without our expecting it, as it came to the Prophets without their consciously asking for it. This is proved in the history of Moses related in this Sura, and the history of the holy Prophet which it is meant to illustrate. 3419 If Allah's Message is unpalatable to evil and is rejected by it, those who accept it may (in their natural human feelings) sometimes wonder that such should be the case, and whether it is really Allah's Will that the conflict which ensues should be pursued. Any such hesitation would lend unconscious support to the aggressions of evil and should be discarded. The servant of Allah stands forth boldly as His Mujahid (fighter of the good fight), daring all, and knowing that Allah is behind him.#
*** Contrary to the often repeated lies by the followers of Muhammad, regarding the concept of JIHAD, it has very little to do with attaining a higher level of spirituality, but everything to do with killing, murder, plunder and war, 'in the path of Allah' ***
87 And let nothing keep thee back from the Signs of Allah after they have been revealed to thee: and invite (men) to thy Lord and be not of the company of those who join gods with Allah.
88> And call not besides Allah on another god. There is no god but He. Everything (that exists) will perish except His own Face. To him belongs the Command and to him will ye (all) be brought back.
*** The reader should be aware of the following points:
1 There are numerous (between brackets) words, names and expressions, without which, many of the verses are otherwise, almost incomprehensible.
These shortcomings as well as the numerous grammatical errors, must make the reader wonder, if they could ever be the product of divine revelations.
2 Without the numerous and exhaustive explanations given by the interpreter, regarding the meaning, background and context of the verses based entirely upon his references to the Biblical versions of events - it would be almost impossible to comprehend what the Quran is 'talking' about.
3 There is not a single verse in the story above, that represents the original version of events, as described in the Bible.
4 Many of the most important stories, are patched and jumbled up, from different Biblical ones, both in Time and Space, and cannot possibly be 'revelations' by the angel Gabriel ***
