Sūrah Al-Qaṣaṣ The Stories
القصص
88 verses, Makkī. The most complete account of Mūsā ﷺ from his birth, through Pharaoh's palace, the killing of the Egyptian, flight to Madyan, marriage to Shuʿayb's ﷺ daughter, the Burning Bush, the return to Egypt, the Exodus, and the destruction of Qārūn. A surah of divine providence working through apparent human decisions.
Surah Overview
Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr
"And We inspired the mother of Mūsā" (28:7): "Nurse him and when you fear for him, cast him into the river do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed We will return him to you and make him of the messengers." Ibn Kathīr: three commands, two prohibitions, two promises all in one verse. And all were fulfilled.
Qārūn's destruction (28:76–82): Qārūn was of the people of Mūsā ﷺ but he transgressed against them. He was given such treasures that the keys of his treasuries would burden a strong group. He said: "I was given it only because of knowledge I have." Ibn Kathīr: arrogance over divine provision then the earth swallowed him and his dwellings.
- Mūsā returned to his mother (28:12–13): The infant Mūsā refused all wet nurses until his sister suggested the mother. Allah had forbidden other milk for him. She nursed him and her eyes were cooled and she did not grieve. Ibn Kathīr: the promise "We will return him to you" was fulfilled within hours of the casting.
- Mūsā's refuge in Madyan (28:22–28): He arrived at the watering of Madyan two women waiting apart. He watered their flocks for them, then sat in the shade and said: "My Lord, I am in need of whatever good You might send down to me." One of the women came back her father wished to reward him. He married her after serving her father for eight or ten years.
- Qārūn's lesson (28:83): "That home of the Hereafter We assign it to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the good outcome is for the righteous." Ibn Kathīr: the opposite of Qārūn not arrogance but humility, not hoarding but giving.
- The guidance of two guides (28:56): "Indeed you do not guide whom you love but Allah guides whom He wills." Revealed regarding Abū Ṭālib ؓ the Prophet's ﷺ uncle who protected him but died without accepting Islam. Guidance is Allah's alone.
- "Everything will perish except His face" (28:88): Do not call upon another god besides Allah there is no god but Him. Everything will be destroyed except His face. For Him is the judgment and to Him you will be returned. Ibn Kathīr: the last verse the summary of the entire surah and of all of existence.