Surah Qasas

Surah Qasas is the twenty-eighth chapter of the Qur'an, revealed in the Meccan period. The Surah emphasizes the troubles of those that reject the Faith as well as the reward of those who do good and follow in Allah's path.

Surah Qasas talks about the story of Musa (May Allah be pleased with him). From this story we learn of the great presence of women in the life of Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) as well as the arrogance of the dictatorship of Pharaoh.

The first woman in his life was his mother. Allah swt reminds us of the great test she was made to face when the oppressive Pharaoh ordered midwives to kill all Israelite children. She hid her son and cared for him herself. And when Allah swt asked her to release him into the river for his safety, she obeyed. Except for her deep trust in Allah, she had no assurance of being reunited with her son. Allah swt rewarded her for her patience and reunited her with Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) and allowed her to help raise him. The second women, in verse 11, in the life of Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) was his sister who followed him down the river and negotiated with in the palace to be able to bring a women who could nurse young Musa, his mother. In verses 8 and 9, Allah swt also mentions the wife of Pharaoh who adopts the child and brings him up as a pious person despite the influence Pharaoh may have had on those around him. Allah swt also mentions the two daughters of Shuayb and how they helped him to find livelihood and a spouse. One of the two later became the wife of Prophet Musa. This story of Musa also emphasizes the extreme oppression of Pharaoh and how Allah swt blesses those that work in his way. Musa was raised in the palace of Pharaoh and was no doubt made to feel superior to him. Yet Allah gave him prophethood, commanded him to confront Pharaoh and enabled him to be able successful. Allah promises that those who oppress others will feel the punishment of it in this life and the hereafter.

Surah Qasas also talks about Qarun. Qarun was a man of extreme wealth and power; he fascinated people because of these two things. But Qarun did not attribute his success to Allah, were it belonged, rather he was arrogant and claimed to be responsible attaining his wealth and power. Sadly, we see similar conduct today. We must always remember that there is nothing on this earth that we can see or not see, touch or not touch, that has not been the result of Allah's decree. Each penny in from Him and we must remember to be humble and grateful for it. Qarun was not and so as easily as Allah gave it to him, He swt was able to take it away. Those who witnessed Qarun with his possessions were of two kinds. As Allah explains in verse 79 and 80, some held Qarun in great esteem merely for his wealth and power, while others recognized the test of wealth and power that Allah had placed on Qarun and remember the reward of the Hereafter is greater then any reward in this life. May Allah make us among those who recognize the test of Allah remember that this life is only a temporary abode.