Surah 20.
Taha.
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.
Purpose of the Quran.
Ta. ha.
This Quran was not sent down to cause you distress, but as a reminder for those who fear God. It is a revelation from the One who created the earth and the high heavens, the Most Merciful, established on the Throne. To Him belongs everything in the heavens, the earth, and all that lies between, including what is beneath the soil. You don’t need to speak loudly; He knows the secret and what is even more hidden. God—there is no deity but Him—has the most beautiful names.
The Call of Moses.
Has the story of Moses reached you? He saw a fire and said to his family, “Stay here; I see a fire. Perhaps I can bring you a burning branch or find guidance at the fire.” When he approached it, a voice called, “Moses, I am your Lord. Take off your sandals; you are in the sacred valley of Tuwa. I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed. I am God; there is no deity but Me. Worship Me and establish prayer to remember Me. The Hour is coming—I keep it hidden—so every soul may be rewarded for its efforts. Don’t let those who disbelieve and follow their desires turn you away, or you will be ruined.”
Moses’ Mission and Signs.
“What is in your right hand, Moses?” He said, “It is my staff; I lean on it, manage my sheep with it, and use it for other things.” God said, “Throw it down, Moses.” He threw it, and it became a slithering snake. God said, “Pick it up; don’t be afraid. We will restore it to its original form. Now, press your hand to your side—it will come out white, unharmed, as another sign to show Pharaoh and his people, who are rebellious.”
Moses’ Plea and Aaron’s Role.
Moses said, “My Lord, open my heart, make my task easy, and untie the knot in my tongue so they understand my speech. Give me a helper from my family, Aaron, my brother. Strengthen me through him and let him share my task so we may glorify You and remember You often. You see all we do.” God said, “Your request is granted, Moses. We already favored you before when We inspired your mother to place you in a basket and set you on the river. Your sister followed and said, ‘Shall I guide you to someone to nurse him?’ So We returned you to your mother to comfort her. Later, you killed a man, but We saved you from distress and tested you thoroughly. You stayed years among the people of Midian, then came here as destined, Moses. I have chosen you for Myself.”
Command to Confront Pharaoh.
“Go, you and Aaron, with My signs, and don’t weaken in remembering Me. Go to Pharaoh; he has transgressed. Speak gently to him; perhaps he will take heed or fear God.” Moses said, “Our Lord, we fear he will oppress us or act arrogantly.” God said, “Don’t fear; I am with you, hearing and seeing. Tell him, ‘We are messengers of your Lord. Let the Children of Israel go with us and don’t oppress them. We bring you a sign from your Lord. Peace be upon those who follow guidance. It has been revealed to us that punishment awaits those who deny and turn away.’”
Dialogue with Pharaoh.
Pharaoh said, “Who is this Lord of yours, Moses?” Moses said, “Our Lord is the One who gave everything its form and then guided it.” Pharaoh said, “What about the previous generations?” Moses said, “Knowledge of them is with my Lord in a record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets. He spread the earth for you, made paths, and sent rain from the sky to grow diverse plants for you and your livestock to eat. When the great event comes, and hearts rise to throats in fear, there will be no hiding from it.”Pharaoh said, “Have you come to drive us from our land with your magic, Moses? We’ll bring magic to match it. Set a time for a contest.” Moses said, “Let it be on the festival day, when people gather in the morning.”
The Contest with the Magicians.
Pharaoh gathered his magicians. They said, “Will we be rewarded if we win?” He said, “Yes, and you’ll be among my closest.” On the day, the magicians said, “Moses, will you throw first, or shall we?” Moses said, “You throw.” They threw their ropes and staffs, which seemed to move by their magic, and Moses felt fear within. God said, “Don’t fear; you have the upper hand. Throw what’s in your right hand—it will swallow their illusions. Their magic is mere trickery and will fail.” The magicians threw down their ropes and staffs, but when Moses threw his staff, it swallowed their illusions. The magicians fell in prostration, saying, “We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.”
Pharaoh’s Defiance and the Magicians’ Faith.
Pharaoh said, “You believe in him before I permit you? He must be your leader who taught you magic. I’ll cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and crucify you on palm trunks. You’ll see whose punishment is worse and lasts longer.” The magicians said, “We won’t prefer you over the clear signs we’ve seen or the One who created us. Do what you will; you only rule this worldly life. We believe in our Lord, hoping He forgives our sins and the magic you forced us to perform. God is better and everlasting.” Whoever comes to their Lord as a wrongdoer will have Hell, where they neither die nor live. But whoever comes as a believer, having done good, will have the highest ranks—gardens of eternity with rivers flowing beneath, where they abide forever. That’s the reward for those who purify themselves.
The Exodus and Pharaoh’s Pursuit.
God said to Moses, “Travel by night with My servants; you’ll be pursued.” Pharaoh sent agents to the cities, saying, “These are just a small band, but they’ve enraged us. We’re well-prepared.” So We drove them from gardens, springs, treasures, and fine homes—such was their fate—and gave it to the Children of Israel. Pharaoh’s forces pursued them at sunrise. When the two groups saw each other, Moses’ people said, “We’re doomed!” Moses said, “No, my Lord is with me; He will guide me.” We inspired Moses, “Strike the sea with your staff.” It parted, each side like a great mountain. We brought the others near, saved Moses and his people, and drowned the rest. This is a sign, but most don’t believe. Your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
The Covenant with the Children of Israel.
We made a covenant with the Children of Israel: “Worship none but God, be good to parents, relatives, orphans, and the needy; speak kindly to people, establish prayer, and give charity.” But they broke the covenant, except a few, and turned away. When We brought them to the mountain and made it tower above them, saying, “Hold fast to what We’ve given you and obey,” they said, “We hear and disobey.” Their hearts were filled with love for the calf because of their disbelief. Say, “How wretched is what your faith commands if you are believers.”
The Story of the Calf and the Samiri.
Say, “If you think the afterlife is yours alone, excluding others, then wish for death if you’re truthful.” But they’ll never wish for it because of what their hands have done; God knows the wrongdoers. You’ll find them clinging to life more than anyone, even idol-worshippers. Each would love to live a thousand years, but long life won’t save them from punishment. God sees all they do. Whoever turns away from the Quran, We appoint a devil to haunt them, leading them astray, though they think they’re guided. When they come to Us, they’ll say to their devil, “If only there were a vast distance between us!” What a wretched companion.
The Role of the Quran and Its Rejecters.
Those who don’t believe in the Hereafter won’t benefit from their deeds on the Day when We gather them, blind, saying, “Our Lord, why are we blind when we could see before?” He will say, “You forgot Our signs, so today you’re forgotten.” That’s how We repay those who transgress and deny their Lord’s signs. Their punishment in the Hereafter is worse and more lasting. Don’t they see how many generations We destroyed before them, whose ruins they walk among? There are signs in this for those with understanding. Without your Lord’s prior decree and a set term, their punishment would’ve come already. So bear patiently what they say, glorify your Lord before sunrise and sunset, and praise Him in the night and at the day’s ends, that you may find contentment.
Warning Against Worldly Temptations.
Don’t let the wealth and children of disbelievers impress you; God intends to punish them through these in this life, and their souls will depart while they disbelieve. They say, “Why doesn’t he bring us a sign from his Lord?” Haven’t clear proofs come in the scriptures before? If We had destroyed them with punishment before, they’d say, “Why didn’t You send a messenger?” So We sent you as a bearer of good news and a warner. Whoever turns away bears their own burden; those who do good do so for themselves. Your Lord is never unjust to His servants.
The Story of Adam and Guidance.
They say, “Why doesn’t he bring a sign?” Say, “Signs are with God alone; I’m only a clear warner.” Isn’t it enough that We sent down the Book recited to them? It’s a mercy and reminder for believers. Say, “God is enough as a witness between me and you; He knows everything in the heavens and earth. Those who believe in falsehood and deny God will be the losers.” They ask you to hasten the punishment. Without a set term, it would’ve come already. It will come suddenly when they least expect it. The punishment will seize them whether they’re awake or asleep—woe to them that Day.
The Test of Adam and the Promise of Guidance.
We said, “Adam, live with your wife in the Garden. Eat freely wherever you wish, but don’t approach this tree, or you’ll be wrongdoers.” But Satan whispered, saying, “Adam, shall I show you the tree of immortality and unending power?” They ate from it, their nakedness appeared, and they began covering themselves with leaves. Their Lord called, “Didn’t I forbid you that tree and warn you Satan is your enemy?” They said, “Our Lord, we wronged ourselves. If You don’t forgive us, we’ll be lost.” He said, “Go down, as enemies to one another. You’ll have a place on earth for a time.” He said, “There you’ll live, die, and be brought forth.” Children of Adam, We sent down clothing to cover your nakedness and as adornment, but the clothing of righteousness is best. That’s one of God’s signs, so you may remember.
Final Admonition and Call to Guidance.
Children of Adam, don’t let Satan tempt you as he did your parents, removing them from the Garden and stripping their clothing to expose their shame. He and his forces see you from where you can’t see them. We made devils allies of disbelievers. When they do evil, they say, “We found our fathers doing this, and God commanded it.” Say, “God doesn’t command evil. Do you say about God what you don’t know?” Say, “My Lord commands justice. Face Him alone in every place of worship, call on Him sincerely, and as He created you, so you’ll return.” Some He guides; others deserve misguidance, taking devils as allies instead of God, thinking they’re guided. Children of Adam, dress well at every place of worship, eat and drink, but don’t waste—He dislikes the wasteful. Say, “Who forbids the adornments and good provisions God has provided for His servants?” Say, “They are for believers in this life, and purely for them on the Day of Resurrection.” Thus We explain the signs for those who understand.Say, “My Lord forbids only indecencies, open or hidden, sin, unjust oppression, associating partners with God without authority, and saying about God what you don’t know.” Every community has a term; when it arrives, they can’t delay or hasten it. Children of Adam, when messengers come from among you reciting My signs, those who fear God and reform will have no fear or grief. But those who deny Our signs and act arrogantly will be in the Fire, abiding forever. Who is more unjust than one who invents lies about God or denies His signs? They’ll receive their share as decreed until Our messengers come to take their souls, saying, “Where are those you called on besides God?” They’ll say, “They’ve left us,” admitting they were disbelievers. God will say, “Enter the Fire with the communities of jinn and humans before you.” Each time a group enters, they curse their predecessors, until all are gathered, and the later ones say, “Our Lord, these misled us; give them double punishment.” He’ll say, “Double for all,” but you don’t know.The first will say to the last, “You’re no better than us; taste the punishment for what you did.” Those who deny God’s signs and arrogantly reject them will find the gates of heaven closed, never entering until a camel passes through the eye of a needle. That’s how We repay the wicked. Hell will be their bed, with coverings above; that’s how We repay wrongdoers. But those who believe and do good—We don’t burden a soul beyond its capacity—will be in gardens with rivers flowing beneath, abiding forever. We’ll remove any ill feelings from their hearts; rivers will flow beneath them, and they’ll say, “Praise be to God who guided us here. Without His guidance, we’d be lost. Our Lord’s messengers brought the truth.” A voice will call, “This is the Garden you’ve inherited for your deeds.” The people of the Garden will call to the people of the Fire, “We’ve found our Lord’s promise true; have you found His promise true?” They’ll say, “Yes.” A caller will declare, “God’s curse is on the wrongdoers who turned others from God’s path, sought to make it crooked, and denied the Hereafter.”Between them is a barrier. On the heights are people who recognize everyone by their marks, calling to the people of the Garden, “Peace be upon you.” They haven’t entered it but hope to. When their eyes turn to the people of the Fire, they’ll say, “Our Lord, don’t place us with the wrongdoers.” The people on the heights will call to those they recognize, saying, “Your wealth and arrogance didn’t help you. Are these the ones you swore God wouldn’t favor? Enter the Garden, free of fear and grief.” The people of the Fire will call to the people of the Garden, “Pour some water or provisions on us.” They’ll say, “God has forbidden them to disbelievers who took their religion as amusement and were deluded by worldly life.” Today We forget them as they forgot this Day and denied Our signs.
Conclusion and Universal Message.
We brought them a Book, explaining it with knowledge, as guidance and mercy for believers. Are they waiting for its fulfillment? When it comes, those who ignored it will say, “Our Lord’s messengers brought the truth. Are there intercessors to plead for us, or can we be sent back to act differently?” They’ve lost themselves, and their inventions have abandoned them. Your Lord is God, who created the heavens and earth in six days, then established Himself on the Throne, managing all affairs. No one intercedes except by His permission. That is God, your Lord, so worship Him. Will you not remember? To Him is your return; His promise is true. He begins creation and repeats it to reward the righteous and give disbelievers a painful punishment. Those who say, “Our Lord is God,” and stay steadfast will have angels descend, saying, “Don’t fear or grieve; rejoice in the Garden you were promised. We are your protectors in this life and the Hereafter, where you’ll have all your soul desires and all you ask for, as a welcome from the Forgiving, the Merciful.”Who is better in speech than one who calls to God, does good, and says, “I am among those who submit”? Good and evil are not equal. Repel evil with good, and your enemy may become a close friend. Only the patient achieve this, only those greatly favored. If Satan tempts you, seek refuge in God; He is Hearing, Knowing. Among His signs are the night, day, sun, and moon. Don’t prostrate to the sun or moon, but to God, who created them, if you worship Him. If they’re too proud, those with your Lord glorify Him night and day, untiring. Among His signs is the earth, barren, then revived by rain, teeming with life. He who revives it can revive the dead; He is capable of everything. Those who distort Our signs aren’t hidden from Us. Is one cast into the Fire better, or one who comes safely on the Day of Resurrection? Do as you wish; He sees all you do.Those who deny the Reminder when it comes to them—it’s an unassailable Book, untouched by falsehood, from a Wise, Praiseworthy Lord. Nothing is said to you that wasn’t said to messengers before. Your Lord is Forgiving, but His punishment is severe. If We had sent it in a foreign tongue, they’d say, “Why aren’t its verses clear? A foreign book for Arabs?” Say, “It’s guidance and healing for believers; disbelievers have deafness in their ears and blindness to it, as if called from afar.” We gave Moses the Book, but it was disputed. Without your Lord’s prior word, it would’ve been settled. They doubt it deeply.Whoever does good, it’s for themselves; whoever does evil, it’s against themselves. Your Lord isn’t unjust to His servants. Knowledge of the Hour is with Him alone. No fruit emerges, no female conceives or delivers, except by His knowledge. On the Day He calls, “Where are My partners?” they’ll say, “None of us bear witness to that.” Their false gods will abandon them, and they’ll realize there’s no escape. People never tire of asking for good, but when harm touches them, they despair. When We grant mercy after hardship, they say, “This is my due; the Hour won’t come.” But when their deeds confront them, how wretched their return. It’s clear your Lord is God, who created the heavens and earth and all between, and you’ll bear witness you were warned.
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