Sūrah Ṭāhā

This is Sūrah Ṭāhā. We have not revealed this Qur’ān to you that you be distressed. It is only a reminder for those who fear their Lord [without seeing Him]. It has been revealed in a very thorough manner by the being Who created the earth and [above you] these lofty skies. The very Merciful, He sits on the throne [of this universe]. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth and whatever is in between and whatever is below the earth, all are under His jurisdiction.

Whether you speak openly or secretly; nothing is hidden from Him because He knows what is said secretly and what is even more hidden. He is God; there is no deity besides Him. All good names belong to Him.

Has the story of Moses also reached you? When he saw a flame [from far away], he said to his family: “Wait here you people; I see something like fire. [I shall go there;] perhaps I can bring an ember for you or am able to find some information about the way from those sitting around the fire.”

Then when he reached near it, a voice called: “Moses! It is Me, your Lord. So, take off your shoes because you are in the sacred valley of Ṭuwā. And I have chosen you. So, intently listen to what is being revealed to you. Undoubtedly, I am God; there is no deity besides Me. So, worship Me and be diligent in the prayer to keep Me in remembrance. In reality, the Hereafter is sure to come – I shall strive to keep it hidden – it will come so that every person is rewarded for his deeds. Thus, anyone who does not believe in the Hereafter and follows his desires should not stop you from the prayer lest you perish.”

“And what is this in your hands, O Moses!” He replied: “This is my staff. I lean on it and through it bring down leaves for my flock. And I also have other uses for it.” God said: “Place it [on the ground,] O Moses.” At this, Moses placed the staff [on the ground]. So, suddenly he saw that it is a serpent running about. God said: “Pick it up and fear not. We shall now return it to its previous shape. And take your hand [a little] towards your arm. It will come out white without any illness, as a second sign. This is because [through these signs] We may show you some great signs of Ours.”

“[So, now] go to the Pharaoh. He has become a great tyrant.” Moses said: “Lord! Open my chest for me and make my task easy for me and free my tongue from its impediment so that people are able to understand what I say. And appoint a helper for me from my family – Aaron, my brother. Through him, strengthen my back and make him share my responsibility so that we are able to extol and glorify you as much as possible and spread your word far and wide. Indeed, you have been continuously watching over our affairs.” God said: “Your request is granted, O Moses!”

And [recall that] at another instance as well We have done a favour to you when We revealed to your mother what [at this time] is being revealed to you: “Put this child in a box; then place the box in the river.” Then the river should cast it on the bank so that he may pick it up who is My enemy also and of this child too. And I had shed a reflection of My love on you so that he too is forced to show affection to you and so that you be brought up under My supervision. At the time when your sister would go repeatedly [as a stranger]; then would say to them: “[If you say,] I can inform you of those people who can bring up this child?” In this way, We returned you to your mother so that her eyes are soothed and she does not remain sorrowful.

And [remember that] you had killed a person. Then We delivered you from that sorrow as well and fully tested you. Then [because of Our grace] you stayed for many years with the people of Madyan. Then you have reached [here] at a precisely appointed time, O Moses! And [now after passing through all these phases,] I have groomed you for [this special assignment] from Myself.

[After that, when Moses reached Egypt, God said:] “Go you and your brother with My signs and be careful to not be negligent in remembering Me. Go both of you to the Pharaoh. In reality, he has become very rebellious. So, speak to him softly; he may well pay heed or fear [My wrath].”

They said: “Our Lord! We fear that as soon as he hears this, he will be cruel to us or his rebelliousness may increase even further.” God said: “Fear not! I am with both of you. I hear and see [everything]. So, go to him and tell him: ‘We are messengers of your Lord; so let the Israelites go with us and do not harass them. We have brought to you a big sign of your Lord and [this message also that] peace is only on them who follow the guidance. It has been revealed to us that there is however torment for those who deny and turn away.’”

[They came over and communicated this message to him. At this,] the Pharaoh asked: “So, then who is the Lord of both of you, O Moses?!” He replied: “Our Lord is one who has given everything its physical existence; then gave guidance.” The Pharaoh said: “Then what is the situation of the previous nations?” Moses replied: “Their knowledge is secure with my Lord in a register. My Lord neither errs nor forgets,” – He Who has made the earth a cradle for you and made in it pathways for you and sent down water from the heavens; then from it We produced various types of diverse plants. Eat and graze your cattle. Surely, there are great signs in this for those who have intellect. [If you understand, then the fact is that] from this very earth We have created you, to it We shall return you and from it bring you out again.¹

We showed the Pharaoh all Our signs. In spite of this, he kept on denying and did not listen. He said: “Moses! Have you come to us to turn us out from our land by a spell of your magic? If this is the case, we too shall bring a similar magic against you. So, make a promise between us and yourself, some place in the middle. Neither shall we breach it nor shall you.”

Moses said: “With you is the promise of the day of festivity and that [for this] people shall be made to gather early in the day.” [When this commitment was finalized,] the Pharaoh withdrew from that place and gathered all his manoeuvres, then came for combat. [On that day, when people gathered,] Moses [warned them before the contest]: “O Wretched Ones! Do not impute falsehood to God [by associating partners with Him] so that He may uproot you through a calamity. [Remember that] whoever imputes falsehood to God shall not succeed.”

At this, they began mutually debating and secretly advising one another. [Finally,] they said: “Both of them are surely very adept magicians. They want to turn you out from your land through their magic and put an end to this exemplary style of your life. So, bring together your schemes; then come united [against them] and [fully understand that] today only he shall succeed who dominates.”

The magicians said: “Moses! Either you throw down or it can be that we throw down first?” Moses said: “No! In fact, you throw down.” [They threw down;] so, all of a sudden their ropes and their staffs, because of magic, seemed to him as if they were running. At this, Moses felt a little scared in his heart. We said: “Fear not! Certainly, it is you who shall remain dominant and that which is in your hands cast it [on the ground]. Whatever they have fashioned, it will swallow it right now. [Because] whatever they have fashioned is mere deception of a magician and from wherever a magician may come, he shall never succeed [against the truth].” Ultimately, it transpired that the magicians fell down in prostration. They instinctively said: “We have professed faith in the Lord of Moses and Aaron.” (65-70).

[At this,] the Pharaoh said: “You have attested to him without even my permission? Surely, that person is your mentor who has taught magic to you. So, I am now going to have your hands and feet severed from opposite directions and [in front of everyone] surely crucify you on trunks of palm trees. You shall very well know whose punishment among us is more stern and more lasting.”

The magicians replied: “We shall certainly not give you preference over those clear signs that have come before us nor over the Being Who has created us. So, do what you want to. Whatever you can do relates to this world. We have professed faith in our Lord so that He may forgive our sins and also forgive the magic to which you have compelled us. God only is better and eternal.”

In reality, whoever comes before his Lord as a wrongdoer, for him is Hell. He shall neither die nor live in it. Contrary to this, those who come before Him as believers, who have done righteous deeds, then it is such people for whom there are high ranks, orchards of eternal residence beneath which streams flow. They shall live in them forever. And this is the reward of those who adopt purity.²

[After this, some time passed until the truth was conclusively conveyed. Then] We revealed to Moses: “Set off with My servants at night. Then when [you encounter] the sea, make a dry path for them [with your staff; you will be able to safely go across]. You will neither have any danger to get caught by anyone nor any fear of drowning.” Then when they set off, the Pharaoh followed him with his armies. Then he and his armies were covered by the sea with that which covered them. In reality, the Pharaoh had but led astray his nation; he had not shown [it] the right path.

O Israelites! In this manner, We had delivered you from this enemy of yours and promised you the sacred side of Ṭūr and sent down upon you mann and salwā [with the guidance:] “Eat of the pure things given by Us and do not show defiance regarding them lest My wrath descends on you and [remember that] he on whom My wrath descends is certain to fall. However, those who repent, accept faith and do good deeds, then adhere to guidance, for them I am very Forgiving.” (80-82)

[Then it happened that Moses, in order to fulfil that promise, arrived before time. God said:] “And why have you left your people and come over early, O Moses?” He replied: “Those people are also right behind me and Lord! I have come early to earn your pleasure.” God said: “Now, if this is the case, then listen that We have put your nation in a trial behind you and Sāmirī has led it astray.” At this, Moses returned to his nation in great anger and sorrow. He [went and] said to them: “People of My Nation! Had not your Lord made a very good promise with you? Then, has a lot of time passed on you or did you want that your Lord’s wrath descend on you; for this reason, you have broken My covenant?”

They replied: “We did not break our promise with you out of our own will. In fact, it happened that we had been made to carry the burden of people’s jewellery. Then [at their demand] we cast it off and in this way Sāmirī has showed this trick.”

So, [from their jewellery] Sāmirī extracted a calf [made] for them, a body from which the sound of a bull would come out. At this, they said: “It is this which is your god and that of Moses, but he has forgotten it.” [Alas!] Then did they not see that neither can it respond to any of their words nor can it inflict them with any harm or give benefit.

Aaron had already said to them: “O People of My Nation! You have been put to trial through this calf. Your Lord in reality is the Most Merciful God. Hence you should follow me and listen to me.” But they said: “We shall keep worshipping this calf until Moses comes back to us.”

[So, after asking the leaders of the nation,] Moses [turned to Aaron and] said: “Aaron! When you saw them going astray, what stopped you from not following me? Then have you disobeyed My directive?” Aaron replied: “O the one given birth to by my mother! Grasp not my beard nor my head. I feared that you [will come and] say: ‘You have created a rift among the Israelites and have not given regard to what I said.’”

Moses said: “And what is your matter, Sāmirī?” He replied: “I saw that which others did not; then, [in accordance with it,] I picked up a handful [of dust] from the footprints of God’s messenger; then cast it into the calf. Thus had my soul prompted me.” Moses said: “If this is the case, then be off with you. Now, for life, you will continue to say: ‘No one should touch me,’ and [after death,] there is another promised time too for you which will never be deferred from you in any way. And look at this deity to which you strongly had attached yourself. It is our verdict that we shall burn it now; then scatter it while setting it adrift in the sea. [People!] Only God is your deity; there is no other deity except Him. His knowledge embraces everything.”³

In this way [O Prophet], do We narrate to you anecdotes of the past and for this We have given you a reminder specially from Our self. Those who turn away from it will bear a heavy burden on the Day of Judgement and forever shall they bear its consequences and on the Day of Judgement it will be a very nasty burden for them. The Day the trumpet shall be blown and We shall gather the wrongdoers with their eyes turning blue [because of fear]. They will secretly say to one another: “You have hardly remained [in the world] for ten days.” We very well know what they will say when he who [they regard] among them to be the most capable in estimating will say: “You have not remained for more than a day.”

They ask you about the mountains [as to what will happen to them on that Day]. Say: My Lord will scatter them away in the form of dust; then leave the earth in the form of a barren land such that you will not see any bend or mound in it. On that Day, everyone will follow the one who calls out. They shall not the slightest deviate from him and all voices shall be lowered before the Most Merciful God. So, you will only be able to hear a hushed whisper. On that Day, intercession will be of no avail except if the Merciful allows someone and approves of him to say something. [This is because] He knows whatever is in front of them and behind them, and their knowledge cannot grasp Him. Everyone’s faces will be bent down before that Ever-Living and Ever-Existing being. [On that Day,] humiliation is for those who will be carrying the burden of oppression. Contrary to this, he who does righteous deeds, and with this also has faith, shall however not fear any injustice or wrong [on that Day].

[O Prophet!] We have revealed this reminder in this way in the form of an Arabic Qur’ān and have mentioned My warning in it in various ways so that these people remain secure from God’s wrath or it may produce some thought in them. So, exalted is God, the real king. [He shall reveal it in the gradual way He has prescribed for it in accordance with His wisdom.] And see you should not show haste in acquiring the Qur’ān before its revelation is complete and keep praying: Lord! Increase my knowledge further.

[This is because the responsibility you have been sent to fulfil is burdensome.] Before this, We had imposed the responsibility of a promise on Adam. But he forgot and We did not find him strong-willed. Recall when We asked the angels: “Prostrate before Adam.” So, they prostrated but Iblīs did not comply. He refused. At this, We said: “Adam! He is an enemy to you and to your wife. So, this should not happen that he is able to expel you and your wife from this orchard. Then you end up deprived. Here you have the comfort of not being hungry nor do you need any clothes; neither does thirst bother you nor do you feel the sun bother you.” But Satan tempted him. He said: “Adam! Should I inform you of a tree which has eternal life and of a kingdom which shall never perish?” So, [at his temptation, Adam and Eve] both ate that tree’s fruit. At this, their hidden parts became evident to them and [in order to hide them] both began covering themselves with the leaves of that orchard. In this way, Adam disobeyed his Lord and strayed from the right path. Then his Lord chose him. So, He graciously accepted his repentance and showed him the way. He said: “Both you groups get down from here, together. You shall remain enemies of one another. Then if there comes to you a guidance from Me, follow it because he who follows My guidance will neither go astray nor will be deprived. And he who turns away from My reminder, for him is a life of affliction and on the Day of Judgement, We shall raise him as a blind person. He will say: “Lord! Why did you raise me blind? I was one who had eyesight?” God will reply: “Our revelations came to you and you had similarly ignored them. Today you shall be ignored likewise.” Thus shall We reward those who exceeded the limits and did not profess faith in the revelations of their Lord and the torment of the Hereafter is more severe and more lasting.⁴

Then were these people not able to obtain guidance from the fact that We have destroyed many nations before them whose settlements they now walk about? In reality, there are many signs in this for those who have intellect. [O Prophet!] Had a matter not been decreed earlier by your Lord and there was not a prescribed time [of respite], then a torment would have surely visited [them because of the attitude they have adopted]. So, show patience on whatever they say and keep extolling your Lord while glorifying Him before the sun rises and before it sets and glorify him in the night times too and on the margins of the day also. This is because [as a reward for this] you are showered [with God’s favours]. And do not even glance at the resources of worldly pleasures We have given some of their groups in it for their trial, and [remember that] your Lord’s sustenance is better and lasting. Urge your people to the prayer and adhere to it yourself also. We do not ask for any sustenance from you [for them so that for it you may need to look at the means and resources of anyone]. It is We Who shall provide sustenance to you. [We require piety from you] and success in the end is for piety.

They insist: “Why does he not bring a sign from his Lord for us?” Has not the testimony of what they have in the earlier scriptures reached them? Had We destroyed them even before this through some torment, they would have said: “Lord! Why did You not send a messenger to us that we may have followed Your revelations before being humiliated and disgraced?” Tell them: Each one is waiting; so, you also wait. Then soon you will know who is treading the right path and who the wrong one and who has the reached the destination and who has wandered astray.