the angels striking their faces and backs. A parallel is His saying: “I will show you My signs, so do not ask Me to hasten them” (al-Anbiya 37). Mujahid said (1): He will show you His signs in the heavens, the earth, and within yourselves, as He says: “We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves” (Fussilat 53). “And you will recognize them”: that is, you will recognize the signs and proofs. “And your Lord is not unaware of what you do”: He has promised them recompense for their deeds.

Surah al-Qasas

Meccan, except for His saying, exalted is He: “Those to whom We gave the Scripture,” up to His saying: “We do not seek the ignorant.” It also contains a verse revealed between Mecca and Medina: “Indeed, He who imposed the Quran upon you will surely bring you back to a place of return” (2).

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

“Ta-Sin-Mim. (1) These are the verses of the Clear Book. (2) We recite to you, in truth, some of the account of Moses and Pharaoh for a people who believe. (3) Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and divided its people into factions, oppressing one group among them, slaughtering their sons and sparing their women. Indeed, he was among the corrupters. (4)”

“Ta-Sin-Mim.”

“These are the verses of the Clear Book. We recite to you, in truth”—that is, truthfully—“some of the account of Moses and Pharaoh, for a people who believe,” who affirm the truth of the Quran.

“Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself”: he was arrogant, tyrannical, and haughty “in the land”—the land of Egypt—“and divided its people into factions”: groups and classes in service and forced labour. “Oppressing one group among them”: by this group He meant the Children of Israel. He then explained this oppression, saying: “Slaughtering their sons and sparing their women.” He called this oppression because they were incapable and too weak to defend themselves against it. “Indeed, he was among the corrupters.”