And We blessed him with Isaac and Jacob. We guided them all as We previously guided Noah and those among his descendants: David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. This is how We reward the good-doers.

And mention in the Book ˹O Prophet, the story of˺ Moses. He was truly a chosen man, and was a messenger and a prophet. (51) We called him from the right side of Mount Ṭûr, and drew him near, speaking ˹with him˺ directly. (52) And We appointed for him—out of Our grace—his brother, Aaron, as a prophet. (53)

There are messengers whose stories We have told you already and others We have not. And to Moses Allah spoke directly.

Indeed, We granted Moses and Aaron the decisive authority—a light and a reminder for the righteous,

And We certainly showed favour to Moses and Aaron, (114) and delivered them and their people from the great distress. (115) We helped them so it was they who prevailed. (116) We gave them the clear Scripture, (117) and guided them to the Straight Path. (118) And We blessed them ˹with honourable mention˺ among later generations: (119) “Peace be upon Moses and Aaron.” (120) Indeed, this is how We reward the good-doers. (121) They were truly ˹two˺ of Our faithful servants. (122)

We narrate to you ˹O Prophet˺ part of the story of Moses and Pharaoh in truth for people who believe. (3) Indeed, Pharaoh ˹arrogantly˺ elevated himself in the land and divided its people into ˹subservient˺ groups, one of which he persecuted, slaughtering their sons and keeping their women. He was truly one of the corruptors. (4) But it was Our Will to favour those who were oppressed in the land, making them models ˹of faith˺ as well as successors; (5) and to establish them in the land; and through them show Pharaoh, Hamân, and their soldiers ˹the fulfilment of˺ what they feared.  (6) We inspired the mother of Moses: “Nurse him, but when you fear for him, put him then into the river, and do not fear or grieve. We will certainly return him to you, and make him one of the messengers.” (7) And ˹it so happened that˺ Pharaoh’s people picked him up, only to become their enemy and source of grief. Surely Pharaoh, Hamân, and their soldiers were sinful. (8) Pharaoh’s wife said ˹to him˺, “˹This baby is˺ a source of joy for me and you. Do not kill him. Perhaps he may be useful to us or we may adopt him as a son.” They were unaware ˹of what was to come˺. (9) And the heart of Moses’ mother ached so much that she almost gave away his identity, had We not reassured her heart in order for her to have faith ˹in Allah’s promise˺. (10)

And she said to his sister, “Keep track of him!” So she watched him from a distance, while they were unaware. (11) And We had caused him to refuse all wet-nurses at first, so his sister suggested, “Shall I direct you to a family who will bring him up for you and take good care of him?” (12) This is how We returned him to his mother so that her heart would be put at ease, and not grieve, and that she would know that Allah’s promise is ˹always˺ true. But most people do not know. (13)

And when he reached full strength and maturity, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. This is how We reward the good-doers. (14) ˹One day˺ he entered the city unnoticed by its people. There he found two men fighting: one of his own people, and the other of his enemies. The man from his people called to him for help against his foe. So Moses punched him, causing his death. Moses cried, “This is from Satan’s handiwork. He is certainly a sworn, misleading enemy.” (15) He pleaded, “My Lord! I have definitely wronged my soul, so forgive me.” So He forgave him, ˹for˺ He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (16) Moses pledged, “My Lord! For all Your favours upon me, I will never side with the wicked.” (17) And so Moses became fearful, watching out in the city, when suddenly the one who sought his help the day before cried out to him again for help. Moses rebuked him, “Indeed, you are clearly a trouble-maker.” (18) Then when Moses was about to lay his hands on their foe, the enemy said, “O Moses! Do you intend to kill me as you killed a man yesterday? You only want to be a tyrant in the land. You do not intend to make peace!” (19) And there came a man, rushing from the farthest end of the city. He said, “O Moses! The chiefs are actually conspiring against you to put you to death, so leave ˹the city˺. I really advise you ˹to do so˺.” (20) So Moses left the city in a state of fear and caution, praying, “My Lord! Deliver me from the wrongdoing people.” (21)

And as he made his way towards Midian, he said, “I trust my Lord will guide me to the right way.” (22) When he arrived at the well of Midian, he found a group of people watering ˹their herds˺. Apart from them, he noticed two women holding back ˹their herd˺. He asked ˹them˺, “What is the matter?” They replied, “We cannot water ˹our animals˺ until the ˹other˺ shepherds are done, for our father is a very old man.” (23) So he watered ˹their herd˺ for them, then withdrew to the shade and prayed, “My Lord! I am truly in ˹desperate˺ need of whatever provision You may have in store for me.”  (24) Then one of the two women came to him, walking bashfully. She said, “My father is inviting you so he may reward you for watering ˹our animals˺ for us.” When Moses came to him and told him his whole story, the old man said, “Have no fear! You are ˹now˺ safe from the wrongdoing people.” (25) One of the two daughters suggested, “O my dear father! Hire him. A strong, trustworthy person is definitely the best to hire.” (26) The old man proposed, “I wish to marry one of these two daughters of mine to you, provided that you stay in my service for eight years. If you complete ten, it will be ˹a favour˺ from you, but I do not wish to make it difficult for you. Allah willing, you will find me an agreeable man.” (27) Moses responded, “˹Then˺ it is ˹settled˺ between you and I. Whichever term I fulfill, there will be no ˹further˺ obligation on me. And Allah is a Witness to what we say.” (28)

Has the story of Moses reached you ˹O Prophet˺? (9) When he saw a fire, he said to his family, “Wait here, ˹for˺ I have spotted a fire. Perhaps I can bring you a torch from it, or find some guidance at the fire.” (10) But when he approached it, he was called, “O Moses! (11) It is truly I. I am your Lord! So take off your sandals, for you are in the sacred valley of Ṭuwa. (12) I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed: (13) ‘It is truly I. I am Allah! There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Me. So worship Me ˹alone˺, and establish prayer for My remembrance. (14) The Hour is sure to come. My Will is to keep it hidden, so that every soul may be rewarded according to their efforts. (15) So do not let those who disbelieve in it and follow their desires distract you from it, or you will be doomed.’” (16)

˹Allah added,˺ “And what is that in your right hand, O  Moses?” (17) He replied, “It is my staff! I lean on it, and with it I beat down ˹branches˺ for my sheep, and have other uses for it.” (18) Allah said, “Throw it down, O  Moses!” (19) So he did, then—behold!—it became a serpent, slithering. (20) Allah said, “Take it, and have no fear. We will return it to its former state. (21) And put your hand under your armpit, it will come out ˹shining˺ white, unblemished, as another sign, (22) so that We may show you some of Our greatest signs. (23) Go to Pharaoh, for he has truly transgressed ˹all bounds˺.” (24)

Moses prayed, “My Lord! Uplift my heart for me, (25) and make my task easy, (26) and remove the impediment from my tongue (27) so people may understand my speech, (28)

and grant me a helper from my family, (29) Aaron, my brother. (30) Strengthen me through him, (31) and let him share my task, (32) so that we may glorify You much (33) and remember You much, (34) for truly You have ˹always˺ been overseeing us.” (35) Allah responded, “All that you requested has been granted, O  Moses! (36)

Then after these ˹messengers˺ We sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh and his chiefs with Our signs. But they behaved arrogantly and were a wicked people. (75) When the truth came to them from Us, they said, “This is certainly pure magic!” (76) Moses responded, “Is this what you say about the truth when it has come to you? Is this magic? Magicians will never succeed.” (77) They argued, “Have you come to turn us away from the faith of our forefathers so that the two of you may become supreme in the land? We will never believe in you!” (78) Pharaoh demanded, “Bring me every skilled magician.” (79) When the magicians came, Moses said to them, “Cast whatever you wish to cast!” (80) When they did, Moses said, “What you have produced is mere magic, Allah will surely make it useless, for Allah certainly does not set right the work of the corruptors. (81) And Allah establishes the truth by His Words—even to the dismay of the wicked.” (82)

They said, “O Moses! Either you cast, or let us be the first to cast.” (65) Moses responded, “No, you go first.” And suddenly their ropes and staffs appeared to him—by their magic—to be slithering. (66) So Moses concealed fear within himself. (67) We reassured ˹him˺, “Do not fear! It is certainly you who will prevail. (68) Cast what is in your right hand, and it will swallow up what they have made, for what they have made is no more than a magic trick. And magicians can never succeed wherever they go.” (69) So the magicians fell down in prostration, declaring, “We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.” (70) Pharaoh threatened, “How dare you believe in him before I give you permission? He must be your master who taught you magic. I will certainly cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and crucify you on the trunks of palm trees. You will really see whose punishment is more severe and more lasting.” (71) They responded, “By the One Who created us! We will never prefer you over the clear proofs that have come to us. So do whatever you want! Your authority only covers the ˹fleeting˺ life of this world. (72) Indeed, we have believed in our Lord so He may forgive our sins and that magic you have forced us to practice. And Allah is far superior ˹in reward˺ and more lasting ˹in punishment˺.” (73)

And We surely inspired Moses, ˹saying,˺ “Leave with My servants ˹at night˺ and strike a dry passage for them across the sea. Have no fear of being overtaken, nor be concerned ˹of drowning˺.” (77) Then Pharaoh pursued them with his soldiers—but how overwhelming were the waters that submerged them! (78) And ˹so˺ Pharaoh led his people astray, and did not guide ˹them rightly˺. (79)

We brought the Children of Israel across the sea. Then Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them unjustly and oppressively. But as Pharaoh was drowning, he cried out, “I believe that there is no god except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am ˹now˺ one of those who submit.” (90) ˹He was told,˺ “Now ˹you believe˺? But you always disobeyed and were one of the corruptors. (91) Today We will preserve your corpse so that you may become an example for those who come after you. And surely most people are heedless of Our examples!” (92)

We appointed for Moses thirty nights then added another ten—completing his Lord’s term of forty nights. Moses commanded his brother Aaron, “Take my place among my people, do what is right, and do not follow the way of the corruptors.” (142) When Moses came at the appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he asked, “My Lord! Reveal Yourself to me so I may see You.” Allah answered, “You cannot see Me! But look at the mountain. If it remains firm in its place, only then will you see Me.” When his Lord appeared to the mountain, He levelled it to dust and Moses collapsed unconscious. When he recovered, he cried, “Glory be to You! I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of the believers.” (143) Allah said, “O Moses! I have ˹already˺ elevated you above all others by My messages and speech. So hold firmly to what I have given you and be grateful.” (144) We wrote for him on the Tablets ˹the fundamentals˺ of everything; commandments and explanations of all things. ˹We commanded,˺ “Hold to this firmly and ask your people to take the best of it. I will soon show ˹all of˺ you the home of the rebellious. (145) I will turn away from My signs those who act unjustly with arrogance in the land. And even if they were to see every sign, they still would not believe in them. If they see the Right Path, they will not take it. But if they see a crooked path, they will follow it. This is because they denied Our signs and were heedless of them. (146) The deeds of those who deny Our signs and the meeting ˹with Allah˺ in the Hereafter will be in vain. Will they be rewarded except for what they have done?” (147) In the absence of Moses, his people made from their ˹golden˺ jewellery an idol of a calf that made a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to the ˹Right˺ Path? Still they took it as a god and were wrongdoers. (148) Later, when they were filled with remorse and realized they had gone astray, they cried, “If our Lord does not have mercy on us and forgive us, we will certainly be losers.” (149) When Moses returned to his people, ˹totally˺ furious and sorrowful, he said, “What an evil thing you committed in my absence! Did you want to hasten your Lord’s torment?” Then he threw down the Tablets and grabbed his brother by the hair, dragging him closer. Aaron pleaded, “O son of my mother! The people overpowered me and were about to kill me. So do not ˹humiliate me and˺ make my enemies rejoice, nor count me among the wrongdoing people.” (150) Moses prayed, “My Lord! Forgive me and my brother! And admit us into Your mercy. You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.” (151)

˹Allah asked,˺ “Why have you come with such haste ahead of your people, O  Moses?” (83) He replied, “They are close on my tracks. And I have hastened to You, my Lord, so You will be pleased.” (84) Allah responded, “We have indeed tested your people in your absence, and the Sâmiri has led them astray.” (85) So Moses returned to his people, furious and sorrowful. He said, “O my people! Had your Lord not made you a good promise? Has my absence been too long for you? Or have you wished for wrath from your Lord to befall you, so you broke your promise to me?”  (86) They argued, “We did not break our promise to you of our own free will, but we were made to carry the burden of the people’s ˹golden˺ jewellery, then we threw it ˹into the fire˺, and so did the Sâmiri.” (87) Then he moulded for them an idol of a calf that made a lowing sound. They said, “This is your god and the god of Moses, but Moses forgot ˹where it was˺!” (88) Did they not see that it did not respond to them, nor could it protect or benefit them? (89) Aaron had already warned them beforehand, “O my people! You are only being tested by this, for indeed your ˹one true˺ Lord is the Most Compassionate. So follow me and obey my orders.” (90) They replied, “We will not cease to worship it until Moses returns to us.” (91)

Moses scolded ˹his brother˺, “O Aaron! What prevented you, when you saw them going astray, (92) from following after me? How could you disobey my orders?” (93) Aaron pleaded, “O son of my mother! Do not seize me by my beard or ˹the hair of˺ my head. I really feared that you would say, ‘You have caused division among the Children of Israel, and did not observe my word.’” (94) Moses then asked, “What did you think you were doing, O  Sâmiri?” (95) He said, “I saw what they did not see, so I took a handful ˹of dust˺ from the hoof-prints of ˹the horse of˺ the messenger-angel ˹Gabriel˺ then cast it ˹on the moulded calf˺. This is what my lower-self tempted me into.” (96) Moses said, “Go away then! And for ˹the rest of your˺ life you will surely be crying, ‘Do not touch ˹me˺!’ Then you will certainly have a fate that you cannot escape. Now look at your god to which you have been devoted: we will burn it up, then scatter it in the sea completely.” (97) ˹Then Moses addressed his people,˺ “Your only god is Allah, there is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him. He encompasses everything in ˹His˺ knowledge.” (98)

And ˹remember˺ when Moses said to his people, “O my people! Remember Allah’s favours upon you when He raised prophets from among you, made you sovereign, and gave you what He had never given anyone in the world. (20) O  my people! Enter the Holy Land which Allah has destined for you ˹to enter˺. And do not turn back or else you will become losers.” (21) They replied, “O Moses! There is an enormously powerful people there, so we will never ˹be able to˺ enter it until they leave. If they do, then we will enter!” (22) Two God-fearing men—who had been blessed by Allah—said, “Surprise them through the gate. If you do, you will certainly prevail. Put your trust in Allah if you are ˹truly˺ believers.” (23) ˹Yet˺ they said, “O Moses! ˹Still˺ we will never enter as long as they remain there. So go—both you and your Lord—and fight; we are staying right here!” (24) Moses pleaded, “My Lord! I have no control over anyone except myself and my brother. So set us apart from the rebellious people.” (25) Allah replied, “Then this land is forbidden to them for forty years, during which they will wander through the land. So do not grieve for the rebellious people.” (26)

And ˹remember˺ when Moses said to his young assistant, “I will never give up until I reach the junction of the two seas, even if I travel for ages.” (60) But when they ˹finally˺ reached the point where the seas met, they forgot their ˹salted˺ fish, and it made its way into the sea, slipping away ˹wondrously˺. (61) When they had passed further, he said to his assistant, “Bring us our meal! We have certainly been exhausted by today’s journey.” (62) He replied, “Do you remember when we rested by the rock? ˹That is when˺ I forgot the fish. None made me forget to mention this except Satan. And the fish made its way into the sea miraculously.” (63) Moses responded, “That is ˹exactly˺ what we were looking for.” So they returned, retracing their footsteps. (64) There they found a servant of Ours, to whom We had granted mercy from Us and enlightened with knowledge of Our Own. (65) Moses said to him, “May I follow you, provided that you teach me some of the right guidance you have been taught?” (66) He said, “You certainly cannot be patient ˹enough˺ with me. (67) And how can you be patient with what is beyond your ˹realm of˺ knowledge?” (68) Moses assured ˹him˺, “You will find me patient, Allah willing, and I will not disobey any of your orders.” (69)

He responded, “Then if you follow me, do not question me about anything until I ˹myself˺ clarify it for you.” (70) So they set out, but after they had boarded a ship, the man made a hole in it. Moses protested, “Have you done this to drown its people? You have certainly done a terrible thing!” (71) He replied, “Did I not say that you cannot have patience with me?” (72) Moses pleaded, “Excuse me for forgetting, and do not be hard on me.” (73) So they proceeded until they came across a boy, and the man killed him. Moses protested, “Have you killed an innocent soul, who killed no one? You have certainly done a horrible thing.” (74) He answered, “Did I not tell you that you cannot have patience with me?” (75) Moses replied, “If I ever question you about anything after this, then do not keep me in your company, for by then I would have given you enough of an excuse.” (76) So they moved on until they came to the people of a town. They asked them for food, but the people refused to give them hospitality. There they found a wall ready to collapse, so the man set it right. Moses protested, “If you wanted, you could have demanded a fee for this.” (77) He replied, “This is the parting of our ways. I will explain to you what you could not bear patiently. (78)

“As for the ship, it belonged to some poor people, working at sea. So I intended to damage it, for there was a ˹tyrant˺ king ahead of them who seizes every ˹good˺ ship by force. (79) “And as for the boy, his parents were ˹true˺ believers, and we feared that he would pressure them into defiance and disbelief. (80) So we hoped that their Lord would give them another, more virtuous and caring in his place. (81) “And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and under the wall was a treasure that belonged to them, and their father had been a righteous man. So your Lord willed that these children should come of age and retrieve their treasure, as a mercy from your Lord. I did not do it ˹all˺ on my own. This is the explanation of what you could not bear patiently.”  (82)