Translation of the meanings of surah Taa-Haa (1)

(1) (1) Ṭā, Hā.[831]

[831]- See footnote to 2:1

(2) (2) We have not sent down to you the Qur’ān that you be distressed

(3) (3) But only as a reminder for those who fear [Allāh] -

(4) (4) A revelation from He who created the earth and highest heavens,

(5) (5) The Most Merciful [who is] above the Throne established.[832]

[832]- i.e., having ascendancy over all creation. See footnotes to 2:19 and 7:54

(6) (6) To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is on the earth and what is between them and what is under the soil.

(7) (7) And if you speak aloud - then indeed, He knows the secret and what is [even] more hidden.

(8) (8) Allāh - there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names.

(9) (9) And has the story of Moses reached you? -

(10) (10) When he saw a fire and said to his family, "Stay here; indeed, I have perceived a fire; perhaps I can bring you a torch or find at the fire some guidance."

(11) (11) And when he came to it, he was called, "O Moses,

(12) (12) Indeed, I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. Indeed, you are in the blessed valley of Ṭuwā.

(13) (13) And I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed [to you].

(14) (14) Indeed, I am Allāh. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.

(15) (15) Indeed, the Hour is coming - I almost conceal it[833] - so that every soul may be recompensed according to that for which it strives.

[833]- Meaning that Allāh (Subḥānahu wa ta‘ālā) keeps knowledge of the Hour hidden from everyone except Himself.

(16) (16) So do not let one avert you from it[834] who does not believe in it and follows his desire, for you [then] would perish.

[834]- From preparation for the Hour or for the Hereafter.

(17) (17) And what is that in your right hand, O Moses?"

(18) (18) He said, "It is my staff; I lean upon it, and I bring down leaves for my sheep and I have therein other uses."

(19) (19) [Allāh] said, "Throw it down, O Moses."

(20) (20) So he threw it down, and thereupon it was a snake, moving swiftly.

(21) (21) [Allāh] said, "Seize it and fear not; We will return it to its former condition.

(22) (22) And draw in your hand to your side; it will come out white without disease - another sign,

(23) (23) That We may show you [some] of Our greater signs.

(24) (24) Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed [i.e., tyrannized]."

(25) (25) [Moses] said, "My Lord, expand [i.e., relax] for me my breast [with assurance]

(26) (26) And ease for me my task

(27) (27) And untie the knot from my tongue

(28) (28) That they may understand my speech.

(29) (29) And appoint for me a minister [i.e., assistant] from my family -

(30) (30) Aaron, my brother.

(31) (31) Increase through him my strength

(32) (32) And let him share my task

(33) (33) That we may exalt You much

(34) (34) And remember You much.

(35) (35) Indeed, You are of us ever Seeing."

(36) (36) [Allāh] said, "You have been granted your request, O Moses.

(37) (37) And We had already conferred favor upon you another time,

(38) (38) When We inspired to your mother what We inspired,

(39) (39) [Saying], 'Cast him into the chest and cast it into the river, and the river will throw it onto the bank; there will take him an enemy to Me and an enemy to him.' And I bestowed upon you love from Me[835] that you would be brought up under My eye [i.e., observation and care].

[835]- Allāh put love of Moses into the hearts of the people.

(40) (40) [And We favored you] when your sister went and said, 'Shall I direct you to someone who will be responsible for him?' So We restored you to your mother that she might be content and not grieve. And you killed someone,[836] but We saved you from retaliation and tried you with a [severe] trial. And you remained [some] years among the people of Madyan. Then you came [here] at the decreed time, O Moses.

[836]- The Copt who died after being struck by Moses.

(41) (41) And I produced you for Myself.[837]

[837]- Allāh had already selected Moses and made him strong in body and character according to the requirements of his mission.

(42) (42) Go, you and your brother, with My signs and do not slacken in My remembrance.

(43) (43) Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed.

(44) (44) And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allāh]."

(45) (45) They said, "Our Lord, indeed we are afraid that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress."

(46) (46) [Allāh] said, "Fear not. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see.

(47) (47) So go to him and say, 'Indeed, we are messengers of your Lord, so send with us the Children of Israel and do not torment them. We have come to you with a sign from your Lord. And peace[838] will be upon he who follows the guidance.

[838]- i.e., safety and security from Allāh's punishment.

(48) (48) Indeed, it has been revealed to us that the punishment will be upon whoever denies and turns away.'"

(49) (49) [Pharaoh] said, "So who is the Lord of you two, O Moses?"

(50) (50) He said, "Our Lord is He who gave each thing its form and then guided [it]."

(51) (51) [Pharaoh] said, "Then what is the case of the former generations?"

(52) (52) [Moses] said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets."

(53) (53) [It is He] who has made for you the earth as a bed [spread out] and inserted therein for you roadways and sent down from the sky, rain and produced thereby categories of various plants.

(54) (54) Eat [therefrom] and pasture your livestock. Indeed in that are signs for those of intelligence.

(55) (55) From it [i.e., the earth] We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will extract you another time.

(56) (56) And We certainly showed him [i.e., Pharaoh] Our signs - all of them - but he denied and refused.

(57) (57) He said, "Have you come to us to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Moses?

(58) (58) Then we will surely bring you magic like it, so make between us and you an appointment, which we will not fail to keep and neither will you, in a place assigned."[839]

[839]- Literally, "marked," as to be known. Another meaning is "a place midway [between us]" or "a level place."

(59) (59) [Moses] said, "Your appointment is on the day of the festival when the people assemble at mid-morning."[840]

[840]- So that the signs of Allāh would be seen clearly.

(60) (60) So Pharaoh went away, put together his plan, and then came [to Moses].

(61) (61) Moses said to them [i.e., the magicians summoned by Pharaoh], "Woe to you! Do not invent a lie against Allāh or He will exterminate you with a punishment; and he has failed who invents [such falsehood]."

(62) (62) So they disputed over their affair among themselves and concealed their private conversation.

(63) (63) They said, "Indeed, these are two magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic and do away with your most exemplary way [i.e., religion or tradition].

(64) (64) So resolve upon your plan and then come [forward] in line. And he has succeeded today who overcomes."

(65) (65) They said, "O Moses, either you throw or we will be the first to throw."

(66) (66) He said, "Rather, you throw." And suddenly their ropes and staffs seemed to him from their magic that they were moving [like snakes].

(67) (67) And he sensed within himself apprehension, did Moses.

(68) (68) We [i.e., Allāh] said, "Fear not. Indeed, it is you who are superior.

(69) (69) And throw what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted. What they have crafted is but the trick of a magician, and the magician will not succeed wherever he is."

(70) (70) So the magicians fell down in prostration.[841] They said, "We have believed in the Lord of Aaron and Moses."

[841]- After they had seen the miracles which Allāh had given Moses and that they were realities and not merely impressions of magic.

(71) (71) [Pharaoh] said, "You believed him [i.e., Moses] before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and you will surely know which of us is more severe in [giving] punishment and more enduring."

(72) (72) They said, "Never will we prefer you over what has come to us of clear proofs and [over] He who created us.[842] So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree for this worldly life.

[842]- This phrase has also been interpreted as an oath, i.e., "...by Him who created us."

(73) (73) Indeed, we have believed in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and what you compelled us [to do] of magic. And Allāh is better and more enduring."[843]

[843]- In reward and in punishment.

(74) (74) Indeed, whoever comes to his Lord as a criminal - indeed, for him is Hell; he will neither die therein nor live.

(75) (75) But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds - for those will be the highest degrees [in position]:

(76) (76) Gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of one who purifies himself.[844]

[844]- From all uncleanliness, the greatest of which is worship and obedience to other than Allāh.

(77) (77) And We had inspired to Moses, "Travel by night with My servants and strike for them a dry path through the sea; you will not fear being overtaken [by Pharaoh] nor be afraid [of drowning]."

(78) (78) So Pharaoh pursued them with his soldiers, and there covered them from the sea that which covered them,[845]

[845]- i.e., not only the water but that which only Allāh knows - terror, pain, regret, etc.

(79) (79) And Pharaoh led his people astray and did not guide [them].

(80) (80) O Children of Israel, We delivered you from your enemy, and We made an appointment with you[846] at the right side of the mount, and We sent down to you manna and quails,

[846]- i.e., with your prophet, to receive the scripture for you.

(81) (81) [Saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you and do not transgress [or oppress others] therein, lest My anger should descend upon you. And he upon whom My anger descends has certainly fallen [i.e., perished]."

(82) (82) But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.