Commentary on the Koran: Surah 28 (No. Q028)

Pickthall Translation; English Standard Version used unless otherwise noted.

Introduction

Surah 28 Al-Qasas is called “the Story” or “the Narration” from verse 25. It was revealed at the last phase of the persecution of the church at Becca and at the time of the flight from Becca to Medina in 622 CE. Some Arabic writers even say that verse 85 was revealed during the flight and verses 52-55 were claimed to be revealed after the Flight at Al-Madinah. These texts are asserted to be edits. Verse 85 appears to be a later Hadithic edit to divert attention from the facts of the direction to Scripture from verses 52-55. Hence, the assertion of a later date to them, which appears spurious given the context.

The text concerns the trials of the life of Moses once again as we have seen from Surah 27 and those previously that relate to the story of Moses and his persecution following the story of the prophets and the elect and their place in the Resurrection.

Here the Surah encouraged the church by reference to the Exodus and the intervention of God through the Angel of the Presence given Israel as his inheritance (Deut. 32:8ff.). This Angel of the Presence was later to become the Messiah (1Cor. 10:4).

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28.1. Ta. Sin. Mim.

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

Here the Prophet refers again to Scripture.

Refer to Psalm 94:9, Psalm 147:5, Isaiah 42:21, Matthew 5:17 and John 16:13 at ayat 27.2 in Surah 27 above.

1John 3:19-20 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; ²⁰for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Mark 16:15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Here the Prophet likens Pharaoh to one who oppresses the people making division among them and making them castes or classes and effective sub tribes. This was an allusion to the persecution they were suffering under the idolatrous Qureysh at Becca.

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

28.4. 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.

Nehemiah 9:10 and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day.

Exodus 1:22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, "Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live."

Psalm 105:25 He turned their hearts to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants.

Acts 7:19 He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive.

28.5. 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,

28.6. And to establish them in the earth, and to show Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts that which they feared from them.

This grouping of Pharaoh with Haman the Agagite of the Book of Esther is no accident. Agag was a descendant of Amalek king of the Amalekites. The Amalekites were the successors of the ruling tribes among the Arabs from the A’ad to the Thamud to the Amalekites to the Himyarites and those that followed them symbolised by Al Hijr (Surah 15 Al Hijr above).

It is also possible that “Haman” was a traditional Agagite or Amalekite name of their rulers.

Exodus 3:21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty,

Esther 7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.

Isaiah 49:6 he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."

Isaiah 43:10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.

Psalm 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.

Refer to 1Corinthians 10:6,11 at ayat 17.41 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017).

The Israelites inherited the land of Canaan in the past but the Israel of the future will occupy much greater territory and as a composite people and a trading alliance from the Assyrians north of the Euphrates and the Israelites from the Euphrates to the River of Egypt, which will be 66 Km further south after the Messianic earthquake, and Egypt as the Southern part of the alliance. They will stretch from the coast at Lebanon and Gaza through to the Arabian Desert and include Jordan to Aqaba, and Sinai will be where the Red Sea now is.

The history is that Egypt feared that the Israelites, who were aliens in the land, would one day rule over them as had the Hyksos, while they were there, and hence oppressed them to prevent that from happening. Divine intervention led to the downfall of Egypt and the nations of Israel have ruled over them in recent centuries.

Again we come to the story of Moses and the oppression of the people and the murder of the children which is exactly what was happening at at Becca and later at Mecca after 699 CE. Here we see the reference to Haman again as the Amalekite ruler who is to be destroyed in the wars of the end because of the idolatry and idiocy of their leaders.

28.7. And We inspired the mother of Moses, saying: Suckle him and, when thou fearest for him, then cast him into the river and fear not nor grieve. Lo! We shall bring him back unto thee and shall make him (one) of Our messengers.

28.8. And the family of Pharaoh took him up, that he might become for them an enemy and a sorrow, Lo! Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts were ever sinning.

28.9. And the wife of Pharaoh said: (He will be) a consolation for me and for thee. Kill him not. Peradventure he may be of use to us, or we may choose him for a son. And they perceived not.

28.10. And the heart of the mother of Moses became void, and she would have betrayed him if We had not fortified her heart, that she might be of the believers.

28.11. And she said unto his sister: Trace him. So she observed him from afar, and they perceived not.

28.12. And We had before forbidden foster-mothers for him, so she said: Shall I show you a household who will rear him for you and take care of him?

28.13. So We restored him to his mother that she might be comforted and not grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allah is true. But most of them know not.

Refer to Exodus 2:2-10 at ayat 20.41 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 20 (No. Q020).

Note here the text at 28:15 used caste rather than nation or tribe and alludes again to the divisions of the Beccans with the church being persecuted. This system of caste is present today among the Arab tribes and clans.

28.14. And when he reached his full strength and was ripe, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. Thus do We reward the good.

28.15. And he entered the city at a time of carelessness of its folk, and he found therein two men fighting, one of his own caste, and the other of his enemies; and he who was of his caste asked him for help against him who was of his enemies. So Moses struck him with his fist and killed him. He said: This is of the devil's doing. Lo! he is an enemy, a mere misleader.

28.16. He said: My Lord! Lo! I have wronged my soul, so forgive me. Then He forgave him. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

28.17. He said: My Lord! Forasmuch as Thou hast favoured me, I will nevermore be a supporter of the guilty.

28.18. And morning found him in the city, fearing, vigilant, when behold! he who had appealed to him the day before cried out to him for help. Moses said unto him: Lo! thou art indeed a mere hothead.

28.19. And when he would have fallen upon the man who was an enemy unto them both, he said: O Moses! Wouldst thou kill me as thou didst kill a person yesterday. Thou wouldst be nothing but a tyrant in the land, thou wouldst not be of the reformers.

28.20. And a man came from the uttermost part of the city, running. He said: O Moses! Lo! the chiefs take counsel against thee to slay thee; therefor escape. Lo! I am of those who give thee good advice.

28.21. So he escaped from thence, fearing, vigilant. He said: My Lord! Deliver me from the wrongdoing folk.

28.22. And when he turned his face toward Midian, he said: Peradventure my Lord will guide me in the right road.

28.23. And when he came unto the water of Midian he found there a whole tribe of men, watering. And he found apart from them two women keeping back (their flocks). He said: What aileth you? The two said: We cannot give (our flocks) to drink till the shepherds return from the water; and our father is a very old man.

28.24. So he watered (their flock) for them. Then he turned aside into the shade, and said: My Lord! I am needy of whatever good Thou sendest down for me.

28.25. Then there came unto him one of the two women, walking shyly. She said: Lo! my father biddeth thee, that he may reward thee with a payment for that thou didst water (the flock) for us. Then, when he came unto him and told him the (whole) story, he said: Fear not! Thou hast escaped from the wrongdoing folk.

28.26. One of the two women said: O my father! Hire him! For the best (man) that thou canst hire in the strong, the trustworthy.

28.27. He said: Lo! I fain would marry thee to one of these two daughters of mine on condition that thou hirest thyself to me for (the term of) eight pilgrimages. Then if thou completest ten it will be of thine own accord, for I would not make it hard for thee. Allah willing, thou wilt find me of the righteous.

28.28. He said: That (is settled) between thee and me. Whichever of the two terms I fulfil, there will be no injustice to me, and Allah is Surety over what we say.

Refer to Exodus 2:11-15 at ayat 20.41 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 20 (No. Q020).

Exodus 2:16-25 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. ¹⁷The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock.¹⁸When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, "How is it that you have come home so soon today?" ¹⁹They said, "An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock." ²⁰He said to his daughters, "Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread." ²¹And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. ²²She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land." ²³During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. ²⁴And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. ²⁵God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.

28.29. Then, when Moses had fulfilled the term, and was travelling with his housefolk, he saw in the distance a fire and said unto his housefolk: Bide ye (here). Lo! I see in the distance a fire; peradventure I shall bring you tidings thence, or a brand from the fire that ye may warm yourselves.

28.30. And when he reached it, he was called from the right side of the valley in the blessed field, from the tree: O Moses! Lo! I, even I, am Allah, the Lord of the Worlds;

See Exodus 3:1-6 at ayat 20.13 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 20 (No. Q020).

28.31. Throw down thy staff. And when he saw it writhing as it had been a demon, he turned to flee headlong, (and it was said unto him): O Moses! Draw nigh and fear not. Lo! thou art of those who are secure.

28.32. Thrust thy hand into the bosom of thy robe it will come forth white without hurt. And guard thy heart from fear. Then these shall be two proofs from your Lord unto Pharaoh and his chiefs. Lo! they are evil-living folk.

Refer Exodus 4:2-7 at ayat 20.21 & 20.23 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 20 (No. Q020).

Exodus 4:8 "If they will not believe you," God said, "or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign.

Isaiah 41:13 For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

28.33. He said: My Lord! Lo! I killed a man among them and I fear that they will kill me.

Refer to Exodus 2:11-15 at ayat 20.41 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 20 (No. Q020).

Exodus 4:19 And the LORD said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead."

28.34. My brother Aaron is more eloquent than me in speech. Therefor send him with me as a helper to confirm me. Lo! I fear that they will give the lie to me.

28.35. He said: We will strengthen thine arm with thy brother, and We will give unto you both power so that they cannot reach you for Our portents. Ye twain, and those who follow you, will be the winners.

Refer to Exodus 4:14-17 at ayat 20.37 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 20 (No. Q020).

Those who heed the words of the prophets are on a sure path that leads to victory.

28.36. But when Moses came unto them with Our clear tokens, they said: This is naught but invented magic. We never heard of this among our fathers of old.

Refer to Exodus 7:10-13 at ayat 20.70 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 20 (No. Q020).

See Hebrews 1:1 at ayat 28.47 below.

28.37. And Moses said: My Lord is Best Aware of him who bringeth guidance from His presence, and whose will be the sequel of the Home (of bliss). Lo! wrong-doers will not be successful.

Exodus 4:15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do.

Exodus 34:7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." (RSV)

Numbers 14:18 'The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.'

Deuteronomy 33:3 Yes, he loved his people, all his holy ones were in his hand; so they followed in your steps, receiving direction from you,

Ecclesiastes 9:1 But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.

Psalm 37:9 For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

Proverbs 10:30 The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

28.38. And Pharaoh said: O chiefs! I know not that ye have a god other than me, so kindle for me (a fire), O Haman, to bake the mud; and set up for me a lofty tower in order that I may survey the God of Moses; and lo! I deem him of the liars.

28.39. And he and his hosts were haughty in the land without right, and deemed that they would never be brought back to Us.

28.40. Therefor We seized him and his hosts, and abandoned them unto the sea. Behold the nature of the consequence for evil-doers!

28.41. And We made them patterns that invite unto the Fire, and on the Day of Resurrection they will not be helped.

28.42. And We made a curse to follow them in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be among the hateful.

Note here that we have the introduction of Haman again with Pharaoh and an illusion to the tower of Babel to reach God of heaven as was done in Babel in the lands of the Arabs in the plain of Shinar. It is a direct reference to the Amalekites and their successors the Himyarites and successor sub tribe up to the time of the Prophet.

Refer to 1Corinthians 10:6,11 at ayat 17.41 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017).

See Nehemiah 9:10 at ayat 28.4 above.

Daniel 12:2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

Romans 14:12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Exodus 15:4 Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.

Psalm 34:16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

Refer to Revelation 21:8 at ayat 17.10 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017).

28.43. And We verily gave the Scripture unto Moses after We had destroyed the generations of old: clear testimonies for mankind, and a guidance and a mercy, that haply they might reflect.

Here the Prophet refers to the Scriptures as being given by God to Moses. Thus it is impossible that it refers to the Qur’an alone.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Psalm 85:10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

See Deuteronomy 29:29 at ayat 21.15 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 21 (No. Q021).

28.44. And thou (Muhammad) wast not on the western side (of the Mount) when We expounded unto Moses the commandment, and thou wast not among those present;

Exodus 24:12 The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction."

Exodus 31:18 And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

All the believers that have studied the Scriptures were not present when the Scriptures were expounded to Moses, neither are we witnesses to the events that transpired at that time. God was there in the Holy Spirit with his messenger the Angel of the Presence who spoke to Moses and gave him the Laws of God.

28.45. But We brought forth generations, and their lives dragged on for them. And thou wast not a dweller in Midian, reciting unto them Our revelations, but We kept sending (messengers to men).

Here we see that God sent messengers continually and reminds the Prophet that he was not sent to Midian nor to the other areas to where the prophets were sent.

2Chronicles 24:19 Yet he sent prophets among them to bring them back to the LORD. These testified against them, but they would not pay attention.

Zechariah 1:4 Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.' But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD.

28.46. And thou was not beside the Mount when We did call; but (the knowledge of it is) a mercy from thy Lord that thou mayst warn a folk unto whom no warner came before thee, that haply they may give heed.

Refer to 2Timothy 3:16 at ayat 20.6 and 2Peter 3:9 at ayat 20.129 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 20 (No. Q020).

See Amos 3:7 at ayat 21.15 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 21 (No. Q021).

Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

God has revealed Scripture to us so we are warned thereby and we can avoid the pitfalls that lie in our walk on this earth. So also the Muhammads or church councils are raised up year by year to direct the Churches of God in Scripture and prophets are raised among them as required over the years until the times of the end.

28.47. Otherwise, if disaster should afflict them because of that which their own hands have sent before (them), they might say: Our Lord! Why sentest Thou no messenger unto us, that we might have followed Thy revelations and been of the believers?

Mankind has been warned by messengers sent to them and they are now without any excuse whatsoever. The warnings of all the prophets have been recorded and written down. Man just needs to pick up the inspired books and read them and heed the warnings.

Hebrews 1:1-2 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. ¹⁹For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. ²⁰For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

28.48. But when there came unto them the Truth from Our presence, they said: Why is he not given the like of what was given unto Moses? Did they not disbelieve in that which was given unto Moses of old? They say: Two magics that support each other; and they say: Lo! in both we are disbelievers.

Luke 16:31 He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'

28.49. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Then bring a scripture from the presence of Allah that giveth clearer guidance than these two (that) I may follow it, if ye are truthful.

See Matthew 5:17 at ayat 27.2 in Surah 27 above.

Refer to 2Timothy 3:16 at ayat 20.6 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 20 (No. Q020).

Psalm 119:100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

28.50. And if they answer thee not, then know that what they follow is their lusts. And who goeth farther astray than he who followeth his lust without guidance from Allah. Lo! Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.

See 1John 2:16 at ayat 28.61 below.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ¹⁰“I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Proverbs 5:23 He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.

Psalm 81:12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.

Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Refer to Revelation 21:8 at ayat 17.10 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017).

28.51. And now verily We have caused the Word to reach them, that haply they may give heed.

See 2Chronicles 24:19 at ayat 28.45 above.

Psalm 107:43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

Hosea 14:9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

28.52. Those unto whom We gave the Scripture before it, they believe in it,

28.53. And when it is recited unto them, they say: We believe in it. Lo! it is the Truth from our Lord. Lo! even before it we were of those who surrender (unto Him).

28.54. These will be given their reward twice over, because they are steadfast and repel evil with good, and spend of that wherewith We have provided them,

John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Ephesians 1:18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

1Peter 1:4-5 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

28.55. And when they hear vanity they withdraw from it and say: Unto us our works and unto you your works. Peace be unto you! We desire not the ignorant.

Amos 5:14-15 Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. ¹⁵Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Refer to Ezekiel 18:20 at ayat 17.13 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017).

28.56. Lo! thou (O Muhammad) guidest not whom thou lovest, but Allah guideth whom He will. And He is Best Aware of those who walk aright.

So the calling is not by respect of persons but by the selection and will of God.

Romans 9:15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

Psalm 14:2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.

See Hebrews 4:13 at ayat 20.7 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 20 (No. Q020).

28.57. And they say: If we were to follow the Guidance with thee we should be torn out of our land. Have We not established for them a sure sanctuary, whereunto the produce of all things is brought (in trade), a provision from Our presence? But most of them know not.

Mark 10:29-30 Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, ³⁰who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

2Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

28.58. And how many a community have We destroyed that was thankless for its means of livelihood! And yonder are their dwellings, which have not been inhabited after them save a little. And We, even We, were the inheritors.

28.59. And never did thy Lord destroy the townships, till He had raised up in their mother(-town) a messenger reciting unto them Our revelations. And never did We destroy the townships unless the folk thereof were evil-doers.

These warnings are to the Arabs and all the lands associated with them and the Qur’an and over the last days they destroy themselves through evil and then fight the Messiah at his return.

See Amos 3:7 at ayat 21.15 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 21 (No. Q021).

2Timothy 3:2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

Daniel 2:47 The king answered and said to Daniel, "Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery."

Genesis 6:13 And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

Deuteronomy 6:10 And when the LORD your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, ¹¹and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, ¹²then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Refer to 2Chronicles 36:15-16 at ayat 21.15 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 21 (No. Q021).

Various communities were removed from their land and possessions because they did not heed the warning of the messenger sent to them. God has always given the evildoers adequate warning before destroying them. Yet subsequent generations who inherited cities they did not build and assets they did not work for have continued with their wicked deeds and will reap the dire consequences of their willful disobedience. This world is degenerate and the sin is everywhere posing as righteousness.

28.60. And whatsoever ye have been given is a comfort of the life of the world and an ornament thereof; and that which Allah hath is better and more lasting. Have ye then no sense?

28.61. Is he whom We have promised a fair promise which he will find (true) like him whom We suffer to enjoy awhile the comfort of the life of the world, then on the Day of Resurrection he will be of those arraigned?

1John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. ¹⁷And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

2Corinthians 4:18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Refer to Revelation 20:12 at ayat 17.15 and 2Corinthians 5:10 at ayat 17.36 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017).

28.62. On the day when He will call unto them and say: Where are My partners whom ye imagined?

Psalm 89:6-7 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD, ⁷a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?

Psalm 97:9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

2Kings 19:18 and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed.

1Corinthians 8:5-6 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— ⁶yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

28.63. Those concerning whom the Word will have come true will say: Our Lord! These are they whom we led astray. We led them astray even as we ourselves were astray. We declare our innocence before Thee: us they never worshipped.

28.64. And it will be said: Cry unto your (so-called) partners (of Allah). And they will cry unto them, and they will give no answer unto them, and they will see the Doom. Ah, if they had but been guided!

28.65. And on the Day when He will call unto them and say: What answer gave ye to the messengers?

28.66. On that day (all) tidings will be dimmed for them, nor will they ask one of another,

Isaiah 9:16 for those who guide this people have been leading them astray, and those who are guided by them are swallowed up.

Matthew 15:14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.

Jeremiah 23:13 In the prophets of Samaria I saw an unsavory thing: they prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray.

Amos 2:4 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have rejected the law of the LORD, and have not kept his statutes, but their lies have led them astray, those after which their fathers walked.

Jeremiah 16:19 O LORD, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth and say: "Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit.

Habakkuk 2:18 What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols!

The prophets were sent to many peoples and their writings are preserved for posterity. They are not lost. God is not blasphemed.

28.67. But as for him who shall repent and believe and do right, he haply may be one of the successful.

Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, (RSV)

1Peter 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

28.68. Thy Lord bringeth to pass what He willeth and chooseth. They have never any choice. Glorified be Allah and Exalted above all that they associate (with Him)!

See Psalm 97:9 at ayat 28.62 above.

Psalm 115:3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.

Job 42:2 I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Psalm 33:10 The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.

28.69. And thy Lord knoweth what their breasts conceal, and what they publish.

Psalm 94:11 the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

Psalm 139:2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.

Psalm 139:4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

Isaiah 29:15 Ah, you who hide deep from the LORD your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”

Job 34:22 There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves.

28.70. And He is Allah; there is no God save Him. His is all praise in the former and the latter (state), and His is the command, and unto Him ye will be brought back.

See Romans 14:12 at ayat 28.42 above.

2Samuel 7:22 Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

1Samuel 2:2 There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.

Refer to John 5:28-29 at ayat 21.47 and Revelation 4:11 at ayat 21.20 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 21 (No. Q021).

28.71. Say: Have ye thought, if Allah made night everlasting for you till the Day of Resurrection, who is a god beside Allah who could bring you light? Will ye not then hear?

28.72. Say: Have ye thought, if Allah made day everlasting for you till the Day of Resurrection, who is a god beside Allah who could bring you night wherein ye rest? Will ye not then see?

28.73. Of His mercy hath He appointed for you night and day, that therein ye may rest, and that ye may seek His bounty, and that haply ye may be thankful.

Genesis 1:16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars.

Psalm 104:23 Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.

Proverbs 21:30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.

See Job 42:2 at ayat 28.68 above.

28.74. And on the Day when He shall call unto them and say: Where are My partners whom ye pretended?

Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Judges 10:14 Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.”

Jeremiah 2:28 But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you, in your time of trouble; for as many as your cities are your gods, O Judah.

28.75. And We shall take out from every nation a witness and We shall say: Bring your proof. Then they will know that Allah hath the Truth, and all that they invented will have failed them.

These are the revelations of future prophets taken out from the nations in order to provide witness to them for the Salvation of the Gentiles; and this responsibility rests with the Churches of God and their Muhammads as God directs them in the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 7:9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

Psalm 119:160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Psalm 21:11 Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed.

See Jeremiah 16:19 at ayat 28.66 above.

28.76. Now Korah was of Moses' folk, but he oppressed them; and We gave him so much treasure that the stores thereof would verily have been a burden for a troop of mighty men. When his own folk said unto him: Exult not; lo! Allah loveth not the exultant;

28.77. But seek the abode of the Hereafter in that which Allah hath given thee and neglect not thy portion of the world, and be thou kind even as Allah hath been kind to thee, and seek not corruption in the earth; lo! Allah loveth not corrupters,

28.78. He said: I have been given it only on account of knowledge I possess. Knew he not that Allah had destroyed already of the generations before him men who were mightier than him in strength and greater in respect of following? The guilty are not questioned of their sins.

28.79. Then went he forth before his people in his pomp. Those who were desirous of the life of the world said: Ah, would that we had the like of what hath been given unto Korah! Lo! he is lord of rare good fortune.

28.80. But those who had been given knowledge said: Woe unto you! The reward of Allah for him who believeth and doeth right is better, and only the steadfast will obtain it.

28.81. So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling-place. Then he had no host to help him against Allah, nor was he of those who can save themselves.

28.82. And morning found those who had coveted his place but yesterday crying: Ah, welladay! Allah enlargeth the provision for whom He will of His slaves and straiteneth it (for whom He will). If Allah had not been gracious unto us He would have caused it to swallow us (also). Ah, welladay! the disbelievers never prosper.

The biblical account of the rebellion of Korah is detailed in Numbers chapter 16.

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Psalm 5:5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.

Psalm 34:14 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

1Thessalonians 5:21-22 but test everything; hold fast what is good. ²²Abstain from every form of evil.

Psalm 97:10 O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 1:5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

Psalm 52:5 But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah.

Psalm 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.

Jeremiah 17:10 "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."

See 1Peter 1:4-5 at ayat 28.54 above.

28.83. As for that Abode of the Hereafter We assign it unto those who seek not oppression in the earth, nor yet corruption. The sequel is for those who ward off (evil).

28.84. Whoso bringeth a good deed, he will have better than the same; while as for him who bringeth an ill-deed, those who do ill-deeds will be requited only what they did.

Here we have the inserted text edited well after the Hijrah of 622.

28.85. Lo! He Who hath given thee the Qur'an for a law will surely bring thee home again. Say: My Lord is Best Aware of him who bringeth guidance and him who is in error manifest.

It was placed here because of the reference to Scripture in verse 86.

28.86. Thou hadst no hope that the Scripture would be inspired in thee; but it is a mercy from thy Lord, so never be a helper to the disbelievers.

28.87. And let them not divert thee from the revelations of Allah after they have been sent down unto thee; but call (mankind) unto thy Lord, and be not of those who ascribe partners (unto Him).

28.88. And cry not unto any other god along with Allah. There is no God save Him. Everything will perish save His countenance. His is the command, and unto Him ye will be brought back.

See 1Peter 1:4-5 at ayat 28.54 and Job 42:2 at ayat 28.68 above.

Ephesians 2:6-7 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 5:10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.

See Deuteronomy 29:29 at ayat 21.15 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 21 (No. Q021).

Refer to 2Timothy 3:16 at ayat 20.6 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 20 (No. Q020).

Job 28:24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.

Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Romans 9:15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Romans 13:12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Refer to Isaiah 46:9-10 at ayat 20.8 and Luke 4:8 at ayat 20.14 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 20 (No. Q020).

Daniel 4:35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?"

Psalm 102:26 They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,

Ecclesiastes 12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

The Surah is a direct reference to the faith and persecution of Moses by Pharaoh and the linking of the Amalekites under Haman as a direct tribal reference to the Arabs from the Amalekites onwards to the time of the Prophet, referring also to S15 Al Hijr and the persecution of the elect at Becca under the Prophet.

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