Table Of Contents

Meet the Key Figures in Surah Qasas: Roles, Significance & Takeaways

This Character Compendium offers a definitive resource on the rich tapestry of characters, figures, and archetypes within Surah Al-Qasas, the 28th chapter of the Holy Qur’an. A Makkan Surah, its name, “The Story,” refers to its central and most detailed narrative: the life story of Prophet Musa (Moses) `عليه السلام`. Revealed to console and strengthen the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, this Surah parallels Musa’s journey—from a state of weakness and fear in the face of the tyrant Pharaoh to one of divine empowerment and victory—with the struggles of the early Muslims. The chapter concludes with the powerful cautionary tale of Qarun, providing a timeless lesson on the trial of wealth. Each character card delves into the figure’s role, attributes, and the profound spiritual and moral lessons embedded in their journey.

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Ad-Dar al-Akhirah (The Abode of the Hereafter)

Brief Biography / Background

Ad-Dar al-Akhirah, the Abode of the Hereafter, is the Qur’anic term for the eternal life after death. It is the ultimate reality, the true home for which the life of this world is merely a preparation and a test. It encompasses the final judgment, Paradise, and Hellfire.

Role in the Surah

The Abode of the Hereafter is presented as the ultimate prize for the righteous and the ultimate motivation for correct conduct. The pious people of Qarun’s community advised him to use his wealth to seek this abode: “…But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter…” (Al-Qasas, 28:77). Its attainment is explicitly linked to humility and the rejection of corruption. The Surah concludes with a definitive statement about who is worthy of it: “That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.” (28:83).

Personality & Attributes

The Abode of the Hereafter is the archetype of the **ultimate goal and the true reality**. It represents permanence, justice, and the fulfillment of the divine promise. It is the criterion against which the fleeting nature of the worldly life is to be judged.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The primary goal of a believer’s life, including their use of wealth, should be to attain a good standing in the Hereafter.
• The two primary barriers to success in the Hereafter are arrogance (‘uluww) and the desire to spread corruption (fasad).
• True and final success belongs only to the righteous (muttaqin), those who are conscious of God.

Supporting References

This concluding principle ties together the two main stories of the Surah. Pharaoh desired “exaltedness upon the earth” and Qarun’s wealth led him to corruption. Both were thus disqualified from the Abode of the Hereafter. The verse provides a clear and timeless formula for eternal success: humility and righteousness.

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Al-Mufsidin (The Corrupters)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Mufsidin, the corrupters or those who spread mischief, is a Qur’anic archetype for people whose actions lead to social, moral, and spiritual decay. They are the enemies of order, justice, and righteousness (salah).

Role in the Surah

This title is used to describe some of the primary antagonists. Fir’awn (Pharaoh) is identified as a leader of the corrupters. More explicitly, Qarun is warned by his people not to follow their path: “…and do not seek corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like the corrupters.” (Al-Qasas, 28:77). Qarun’s exultation in his wealth and his arrogance are presented as a form of spreading corruption, as he tempted others and fostered a culture of materialism and ingratitude.

Personality & Attributes

The Corrupters are characterized by their **arrogance, their love of worldly power or wealth, and their disregard for the divine order**. Their actions are destabilizing and unjust. They are the ones whom “Allah does not like,” a statement of profound divine displeasure.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Seeking to spread corruption on earth is a grave sin that invites the anger of Allah.
• Arrogance and the misuse of blessings, whether political power or financial wealth, are forms of corruption.
• A believer’s duty is to be a source of “salah” (reformation and righteousness), the direct opposite of “fasad” (corruption).

Supporting References

The final verse of the Surah states that the Home of the Hereafter is for those who do not desire “corruption.” This establishes a clear dichotomy: the path of the corrupter leads to ruin in this life and the next, while the path of the reformer leads to the ultimate success.

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Al-Mustad’afin (The Oppressed)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Mustad’afin, the oppressed or those deemed weak, is the Qur’anic archetype for the downtrodden and persecuted people of a society. They are often the primary victims of the tyranny of the arrogant elite (Al-Mustakbirin).

Role in the Surah

This term is used to describe the state of the Children of Israel under the tyranny of Pharaoh. They are the ones whom Allah willed to favor and make leaders. The Surah opens by describing Pharaoh’s oppression, and then immediately states the divine plan: “And We wanted to confer favor upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors and establish them in the land…” (Al-Qasas, 28:5-6).

Personality & Attributes

The Oppressed are the archetype of the **wronged who are destined for divine victory**. They are characterized by their weakness and subjugation in a worldly sense, but they are the objects of Allah’s favor and will. Their story is one of a complete reversal of fortune, from the lowest of the low to the inheritors of the land.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Allah’s plan is to favor the oppressed and to grant them victory over their oppressors.
• The story of the Children of Israel is a timeless source of hope for all persecuted and downtrodden people.
• Worldly weakness is not a sign of divine displeasure; on the contrary, the oppressed are often the ones whom Allah has chosen to elevate.

Supporting References

This divine promise serves as the thesis statement for the entire story of Musa and Fir’awn. It informs the reader from the very beginning what the ultimate outcome will be. This provided immense hope and a powerful parallel for the small, oppressed community of early Muslims in Makkah, assuring them that their state of weakness was temporary.

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Al-Zalimun (The Wrongdoers)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Zalimun, the wrongdoers, is a comprehensive term for those who commit injustice (zulm). It encompasses disbelief, tyranny, and transgressing the limits set by Allah. They are the ones who have wronged their own souls by choosing the path of ruin.

Role in the Surah

This term is used to describe the tyrannical communities. Musa is warned not to be a supporter of the wrongdoers after he accidentally kills the Copt. The people of Madyan are described as a “wrongdoing people” from whom Musa was saved. Most significantly, Fir’awn and his armies are explicitly labeled as wrongdoers. On the Day of Judgment, the wrongdoers will find that their excuses are of no benefit to them. A definitive statement is made about their fate: “…indeed, the wrongdoers will not succeed.” (Al-Qasas, 28:37).

Personality & Attributes

The Wrongdoers are the archetype of those who are **arrogant, unjust, and destined for failure**. They are characterized by their rebellion against God’s commands and their oppression of others. Their defining trait is their ultimate lack of success (falah), both in this world and the next.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The path of injustice and wrongdoing is a path that is guaranteed to end in failure.
• A believer must never be a supporter or an assistant to those who are engaged in wrongdoing and oppression.
• The ultimate success is reserved for the righteous, not the wrongdoers.

Supporting References

The declaration that “the wrongdoers will not succeed” is a divine law (sunnah) that is demonstrated throughout the Surah. Pharaoh did not succeed. Qarun did not succeed. The story of Al-Qasas is a detailed historical proof of this unchangeable principle.

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Allah (The One God)

Brief Biography / Background

Allah is the proper name for the One, True God, the sole Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all existence. Surah Al-Qasas is a profound testament to His meticulous planning, His absolute power, His justice, and His mercy towards His chosen servants.

Role in the Surah

Allah is the ultimate protagonist and the unseen director of every event in the Surah. He is the one who inspires Musa’s mother, orchestrates Musa’s adoption into the enemy’s household, and reunites him with his family. He speaks directly to Musa from the fire, commissions him as a prophet, and equips him with miracles. He is the one who drowns Pharaoh and his armies. He is the one who grants immense wealth to Qarun as a test, and the one who causes the earth to swallow him as a punishment. His plan is perfect and His control is absolute: “And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses…” (28:68).

Personality & Attributes

This Surah magnificently illustrates Allah’s attributes:

• Al-Hakim (The All-Wise): His intricate plan to save and prepare Musa is a testament to His perfect wisdom.
• Al-Qawiyy al-‘Aziz (The Strong, the Exalted in Might): His power is demonstrated in the destruction of Pharaoh and Qarun.
• Al-Latif (The Subtle and Kind): He orchestrates events in the most gentle and unseen ways to achieve His purpose.
• Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful): His care for Musa’s mother and his favor upon the oppressed are signs of His mercy.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must have absolute trust in the perfection of Allah’s plan, even when circumstances seem dire or make no sense.
• All power, wealth, and choice ultimately belong to Allah.
• The ultimate victory is always for Allah and His righteous servants.

Supporting References

The story of Musa’s infancy is a masterclass in the subtle workings of divine providence (tadbir). Every step of the plan—the inspiration, the chest, the river, the sister, the wet nurses—was a perfectly executed move in a divine strategy that the human actors were only partially aware of. It is the ultimate lesson in trusting the Planner.

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The Armies of Pharaoh

Brief Biography / Background

The Armies of Pharaoh were the military forces of ancient Egypt, the instrument of Pharaoh’s tyranny and the enforcers of his oppressive rule. They were a symbol of his worldly might and power.

Role in the Surah

The armies are mentioned as accomplices in Pharaoh’s arrogance and corruption. “Indeed, Pharaoh, Haman, and their soldiers were deliberate sinners.” (Al-Qasas, 28:8). They are the ones who pursued Musa and the Children of Israel to the sea, confident in their ability to crush the escapees. Their role is to be the military arm of the tyrant, and they share in his crime and his ultimate fate: “So We seized him and his soldiers and threw them into the sea. So see how was the end of the wrongdoers.” (28:40).

Personality & Attributes

The Armies of Pharaoh are the archetype of **those who blindly follow and enforce a tyrant’s will**. They are characterized by their complicity in sin and oppression. They are the instruments of a corrupt power, and as such, they share fully in its punishment.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Those who serve as soldiers or enforcers for a tyrannical regime share in the guilt of its leader.
• Blindly following orders that involve sin and oppression is not a valid excuse in the sight of Allah.
• No amount of military might can stand against the decree of God.

Supporting References

The Qur’an’s explicit inclusion of the “soldiers” alongside Pharaoh and Haman as “sinners” is a powerful moral statement. It makes it clear that responsibility is not limited to the one who gives the command, but extends to those who carry it out. Their collective drowning with their leader is a sign of their shared guilt and shared destiny.

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At-Tabut (The Chest/Ark)

Brief Biography / Background

At-Tabut, the Chest or the Ark, was the waterproof basket or vessel in which the infant Musa (عليه السلام) was placed by his mother and cast into the Nile River. It was the instrument of his salvation, guided by the hand of divine providence.

Role in the Surah

The Chest is the central object in the first part of the divine plan to save Musa. Allah inspires his mother: “…cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you…” (Al-Qasas, 28:7). The chest serves as a protective vessel, carrying the baby safely down the river until it comes to rest at the one place where he would be both discovered and safe: the palace of his enemy, Pharaoh. It is the vehicle of a seemingly paradoxical journey from mortal danger to the heart of safety.

Personality & Attributes

The Chest is an archetype of **divine protection and a vessel of hope**. It is a symbol of *tawakkul* (reliance on God) in action. It represents the principle that when a believer takes a difficult step in obedience to Allah, He provides a means of safety and brings about a perfect outcome.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The means of salvation can often come in the most unexpected forms.
• Placing one’s trust in Allah requires taking the necessary action and then leaving the outcome to Him.
• Allah’s plan is perfect; He can turn a journey into the heart of danger into the means of ultimate security.

Supporting References

The journey of the chest down the Nile is a powerful metaphor for the journey of a believer through life. One must cast oneself into the “river” of the divine decree, trusting that the “chest” of Allah’s protection will carry them safely to the shore He has destined for them.

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Bani Isra’il (The Children of Israel)

Brief Biography / Background

Bani Isra’il, the Children of Israel, are the descendants of Prophet Ya’qub (Jacob). In the context of this Surah, they are the community that was systematically oppressed, enslaved, and humiliated under the tyrannical rule of Pharaoh in Egypt.

Role in the Surah

Their role is that of the oppressed (Al-Mustad’afin) whom Allah willed to rescue and elevate. The Surah describes Pharaoh’s tyranny against them: “…he exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a sector among them, slaughtering their [newborn] sons and keeping their females alive.” (28:4). They are the reason for Musa’s mission. Allah’s divine plan is to make them the “leaders” and “inheritors” and to establish them in the land. Their story is a testament to the divine promise of victory for the oppressed.

Personality & Attributes

In this Surah, the Children of Israel are the archetype of the **oppressed and persecuted community destined for liberation**. They represent the weak and the powerless who become the recipients of Allah’s favor and the instruments of His justice against the tyrant.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The divine promise is with the oppressed, not the oppressor.
• The story of the liberation of the Children of Israel is a timeless source of hope and inspiration for any community facing persecution.
• Allah has the power to completely reverse the fortunes of a people, taking them from a state of utter humiliation to one of leadership and inheritance.

Supporting References

This narrative provided a powerful and direct parallel for the early Muslim community in Makkah. Like the Children of Israel, they were a small, weak, and persecuted group facing the tyranny of a much more powerful establishment (the Quraysh). The story of the exodus was a divine promise to them that their state of oppression was temporary and that victory and establishment in the land would be their ultimate end.

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The Coptic Egyptian (killed by Musa)

Brief Biography / Background

This was an Egyptian man from the ruling Coptic class, the party of Pharaoh. He was found by Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) fighting with an Israelite man.

Role in the Surah

The killing of this man is the pivotal event that changes the course of Musa’s life, forcing him to flee Egypt. Musa intervened in the fight on the side of the oppressed Israelite, and with a single blow, he accidentally killed the Egyptian. “So he struck him and dispatched him. [Moses] said, ‘This is from the work of Satan…'” (Al-Qasas, 28:15). This act, and the subsequent fear of retribution, is what led to his flight to Madyan, where he would spend a decade being prepared for his prophetic mission.

Personality & Attributes

The Coptic Egyptian is the archetype of the **oppressor and the catalyst for a divine plan**. His unjust fight with the Israelite was a symptom of the systemic oppression of his people. His death, while an unintended tragedy, was the event that set in motion the entire chain of events that would lead to Musa’s prophethood and the eventual downfall of the Coptic regime.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Even the past mistakes of a righteous person can be utilized by Allah as part of His greater plan.
• Musa’s immediate remorse and turning to Allah for forgiveness is a model of sincere repentance.
• The story demonstrates that a single, unplanned event can completely alter the trajectory of one’s life, and a believer must trust in the ultimate wisdom of Allah’s decree.

Supporting References

Musa’s prayer after this event, “My Lord, for the favor You bestowed upon me, I will never be an assistant to the criminals,” (28:17) is a powerful vow. It shows that his mistake, rather than breaking him, solidified his resolve to always stand on the side of justice and against the party of the wrongdoers.

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The Counsel from the Farthest End of the City

Brief Biography / Background

This was a man, a secret believer from within Pharaoh’s city, who learned of the plot by the Egyptian elites to arrest and execute Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) for the killing of the Coptic man. He is an example of faith existing even in the heart of a tyrannical system.

Role in the Surah

His role is to be the agent of divine rescue. While Musa was in a state of fear and vigilance, this man came with a crucial and urgent warning. “And a man came from the farthest end of the city, running. He said, ‘O Moses, indeed the eminent ones are conspiring against you to kill you, so leave [the city]; indeed, I am to you of the sincere advisors.'” (Al-Qasas, 28:20). His timely advice is what prompted Musa’s immediate escape from Egypt, thus saving his life.

Personality & Attributes

He is the archetype of the **sincere advisor and the courageous believer**. He is characterized by his courage, his loyalty to the truth, and his willingness to risk his own safety to protect a servant of God. He is a man of action (“running”) who did not remain silent in the face of injustice. He is a true “nasiheen” (sincere advisor).

Major Lessons & Morals

• Allah can place allies for the believers in the most unexpected of places, even within the heart of the enemy’s power structure.
• Sincere advice is a great blessing, and one should heed the words of a trustworthy counselor.
• A single act of courage by an individual can change the course of history.

Supporting References

This man’s warning was a direct means by which Allah saved Musa’s life. It is another example of the theme that Allah’s plan often works through human agents who are inspired to do the right thing at the right time. His story is a testament to the power and importance of speaking up against injustice and protecting the righteous.

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The Father of the Two Women

Brief Biography / Background

This is the righteous and elderly man who lived in Madyan, the father of the two young women whom Musa (عليه السلام) helped at the well. While the Qur’an does not name him, Islamic tradition has often identified him with the Prophet Shu’ayb (عليه السلام), though this is not definitively stated.

Role in the Surah

His role is to be the one who provides refuge, employment, and eventually a family for Musa after his long and weary flight from Egypt. After hearing of Musa’s noble act of helping his daughters, he sends for him. He listens to Musa’s story, reassures him (“‘Do not fear; you have escaped from the wrongdoing people.'”), and then makes him a fair offer of employment for a period of eight or ten years, with one of his daughters in marriage as the reward. “He said, ‘Indeed, I wish to wed you one of these, my two daughters, on [the condition] that you serve me for eight years; but if you complete ten, it is from you…'” (28:27).

Personality & Attributes

He is the archetype of the **righteous patriarch, the wise elder, and the just employer**. He is characterized by his wisdom, his piety, his concern for his daughters’ welfare, and his fairness in dealing with Musa. He recognizes Musa’s qualities of being “strong and trustworthy” and makes him a clear and honorable proposal.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A righteous father is one who is concerned with finding a pious and trustworthy husband for his daughters.
• Business and employment agreements should be made with clarity and justice, with all terms laid out clearly from the beginning.
• Providing refuge and help to those in need is a noble characteristic of a righteous man.

Supporting References

His story provides a beautiful transition in Musa’s life. He moves from a state of fear and loneliness as a fugitive to a state of security, employment, and family life. This period of stability in Madyan was a crucial part of his preparation for the great task of prophethood that was to come.

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Fir’awn (Pharaoh)

Brief Biography / Background

Fir’awn, Pharaoh, the king of ancient Egypt, is the ultimate Qur’anic archetype of the arrogant and tyrannical ruler. He was a man so deluded by his worldly power that he oppressed his people, enslaved the Children of Israel, and ultimately challenged the authority of the Lord of the worlds.

Role in the Surah

Fir’awn is the primary antagonist in the story of Musa. The Surah opens by describing his tyranny: “Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a sector among them, slaughtering their [newborn] sons…” (28:4). He is the one from whom Musa is saved as a baby, and ironically, he is the one who raises his own future nemesis in his own house. When Musa returns as a prophet, Fir’awn responds with mockery, arrogance, and threats, leading to his ultimate and humiliating destruction by drowning in the sea.

Personality & Attributes

Fir’awn is the embodiment of **extreme arrogance (kibr), tyranny, cruelty, and spiritual blindness**. He is a master of oppression and a symbol of worldly power in rebellion against divine authority. He is so deluded that he believes he and his minister Haman can build a tower to reach the God of Musa.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Unchecked power is the ultimate corrupting force and a path to rebellion against God.
• The plans of the wicked, no matter how clever they seem, are encompassed by the perfect plan of Allah. (Pharaoh tried to kill all the boys, but Allah made him raise the very boy who would destroy him).

* The fate of Pharaoh is a timeless lesson: no matter how mighty a tyrant seems, their power is nothing before the power of Allah.

Supporting References

His story in this Surah is a masterclass in divine irony. Every action he takes to secure his power is the very action that undermines it. He kills the boys out of fear of a prophecy, but Allah saves the prophesied child and places him in his own lap. This is a perfect demonstration of the verse, “But the plotting of evil does not encompass except its own people.”

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Haman

Brief Biography / Background

Haman was the chief minister, vizier, and high official in the court of Pharaoh. He was Pharaoh’s close confidant and the primary accomplice in his tyranny and his grand, arrogant schemes.

Role in the Surah

Haman is mentioned alongside Pharaoh as a partner in crime and a co-recipient of the divine punishment. The Surah states that Allah willed to show them both the very thing they feared. “…and show Pharaoh and Haman and their soldiers through them that which they were fearing.” (Al-Qasas, 28:6). He is the one whom Pharaoh commands to carry out his most arrogant project: “And Pharaoh said, ‘O eminent ones… So kindle for me, O Haman, [a fire] upon the clay and make for me a tower that I may look at the God of Moses…'” (28:38).

Personality & Attributes

Haman is the archetype of the **evil minister and the sycophantic enabler of tyranny**. He is characterized by his loyalty to his corrupt master and his active participation in his schemes. He is the one who facilitates Pharaoh’s delusions of grandeur, the chief engineer of his arrogant projects.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Those who serve as ministers and advisors to a tyrant share in his guilt and will share in his punishment.
• It is a grave sin to enable the arrogance of a ruler and to help them in their projects of disbelief and oppression.

* The story of Haman is a warning to all those in positions of influence not to become accomplices to injustice.

Supporting References

The Qur’an’s mention of Haman by name, as a minister involved in construction in ancient Egypt, is considered by many to be a point of historical accuracy that was not known from other sources at the time of revelation. He, along with Pharaoh and the armies, forms the unholy trinity of worldly power that stands in opposition to the divine authority represented by Musa.

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Harun (Aaron) `عليه السلام`

Brief Biography / Background

Harun (عليه السلام) was the elder brother of Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) and a prophet of Allah in his own right. He was appointed by Allah to be a helper and spokesman for Musa due to his eloquence, a direct answer to Musa’s prayer.

Role in the Surah

Harun’s appointment is mentioned as a specific request from Musa to Allah. After being commissioned as a prophet, Musa expresses his fear that his people will deny him and that he is not eloquent enough for the task. He prays: “And my brother Aaron is more eloquent than me in tongue, so send him with me as a support, verifying me. Indeed, I fear that they will deny me.” (Al-Qasas, 28:34). Allah immediately grants this prayer, confirming that He will strengthen Musa through his brother and that they will both be given authority.

Personality & Attributes

Harun is the archetype of the **eloquent spokesman and the divinely-appointed supporter**. He is the one whose strength in speech complements Musa’s strength in action and leadership. He represents the importance of brotherhood and mutual support in the difficult task of calling to the truth.

Major Lessons & Morals

• It is a sign of wisdom to recognize one’s own weaknesses and to ask Allah for the right kind of support.
• Teamwork and collaboration are essential for success in any great cause, especially in the path of da’wah.

* A believer should seek out and value companions who can support them and verify their commitment to the truth.

Supporting References

The immediate granting of Musa’s prayer for Harun is a sign of Allah’s immense mercy and His desire for His messengers to succeed. It shows that Allah equips His servants with the specific tools and companions they need to overcome the challenges they will face.

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The Household of Pharaoh

Brief Biography / Background

The Household of Pharaoh (Aal Fir’awn) refers to the family, servants, and courtiers living in the palace of the king of Egypt. They were the ones who discovered the infant Musa in the chest floating on the Nile.

Role in the Surah

Their role is to be the unwitting instruments of Allah’s plan. They are the ones who rescue the very child their king was trying to destroy. “And the family of Pharaoh picked him up [from the river] that he would become for them an enemy and a cause of grief. Indeed, Pharaoh and Haman and their soldiers were deliberate sinners.” (Al-Qasas, 28:8). They picked him up with the intention of perhaps adopting him, but in the divine decree, their action was destined to bring about their own downfall.

Personality & Attributes

The Household of Pharaoh is an archetype of **unwitting agents in a divine plan**. They are characterized by their heedlessness. They saw a baby in a chest and acted on their immediate instincts, completely unaware that they were nurturing the very prophecy their master feared.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Allah’s plan is perfect and often works in ways that are ironic and completely contrary to the plans of men.
• The enemies of Allah can be made the very instruments of His will, raising and nurturing the one who will bring about their demise.

* This story is the ultimate lesson in trusting the divine plan, showing that Allah can bring safety from the very heart of danger.

Supporting References

The Surah highlights the divine irony of the situation. Their act of picking him up was destined “that he would become for them an enemy and a cause of grief.” The outcome was written from the very first moment. This serves as a powerful testament to the absolute control and knowledge of Allah over all affairs.

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The Inheritors of the Earth

Brief Biography / Background

The Inheritors of the Earth are the archetype of the righteous, oppressed believers who are promised ultimate victory, leadership, and dominion in the land as a reward for their steadfastness. This refers specifically to the Children of Israel in this context, but the principle is universal.

Role in the Surah

They are the stated beneficiaries of the divine plan. The Surah opens by establishing Allah’s will for them: “And We wanted to confer favor upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors.” (Al-Qasas, 28:5). The entire story of Musa and Pharaoh is the unfolding of this promise. The destruction of the oppressors leads directly to the empowerment and inheritance of the oppressed.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype represents the **divinely-favored and ultimately victorious community**. They are characterized by their initial weakness and their final empowerment. Their story is a journey from oppression to inheritance, a testament to the divine law of justice.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The divine promise is with the oppressed, not the oppressor.
• Ultimate inheritance and leadership on earth are a gift from Allah to His patient and righteous servants.

* The story is a timeless source of hope, assuring believers that their period of weakness is a prelude to a state of establishment and security, by the will of Allah.

Supporting References

This verse, known as the “Ayat al-Istikhlaf” (Verse of Succession), provided a powerful parallel and promise to the early, oppressed Muslim community in Makkah. It assured them that just as the weak Children of Israel were made to inherit the land from the powerful Pharaoh, the weak community of believers would be made to inherit the land from the powerful Quraysh.

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The Israelite who Fought

Brief Biography / Background

This was a man from the Children of Israel, the oppressed faction in Egypt. He is mentioned on two consecutive days in disputes with the ruling Egyptians.

Role in the Surah

He is the one for whom Musa first intervened, which resulted in the accidental killing of the Coptic man. The very next day, Musa finds the same Israelite man fighting again. When Musa is about to intervene once more, the Israelite, thinking Musa is going to strike him, panics and exposes Musa’s secret. “He said, ‘O Moses, do you intend to kill me as you killed a soul yesterday? You only want to be a tyrant in the land…'” (Al-Qasas, 28:19). His outburst is what alerts the authorities to Musa’s identity as the killer, forcing him to flee.

Personality & Attributes

The Israelite is an archetype of a **troublemaker and an ungrateful person**. He is characterized by his quarrelsome nature. Despite being helped by Musa the day before, he repays him by publicly exposing him and accusing him of being a “tyrant,” the very quality of their enemy, Pharaoh.

Major Lessons & Morals

• One should be careful about whom they help and get involved with, as not everyone is grateful or deserving of support.
• The story shows how an ungrateful and foolish “ally” can sometimes cause more damage than an open enemy.
• Musa’s intention was to be a reformer, but this man’s accusation twisted his image into that of a tyrant.

Supporting References

His panicked accusation is what triggers the next stage of the divine plan. It is his foolishness that leads directly to the “man from the farthest end of the city” coming to warn Musa, prompting his escape. This shows how even the negative and foolish actions of people are ultimately encompassed within the perfect plan of Allah.

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The Keys to Qarun’s Treasures

Brief Biography / Background

The Keys to Qarun’s Treasures were not the treasures themselves, but the very keys to the storehouses where the treasures were kept. They are used in the Qur’an as a symbol of the unimaginable and burdensome scale of Qarun’s wealth.

Role in the Surah

The Keys are mentioned to provide a tangible and awe-inspiring image of Qarun’s fortune. The Surah states that he was given so much wealth “that indeed, its keys would burden a band of strong men.” (Al-Qasas, 28:76). The message is that if the mere keys were so heavy, one can only imagine the staggering scale of the treasures themselves.

Personality & Attributes

The Keys are an archetype of **burdensome and overwhelming worldly wealth**. They represent a fortune that is so vast it becomes a physical and spiritual burden. They are a symbol of a blessing that, due to arrogance, became a curse.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Extreme wealth can be a heavy burden if it is not managed with gratitude and for the sake of Allah.
• The story uses this powerful image to highlight the sheer scale of the blessing that Qarun was ungrateful for.
• One should not be impressed by the “keys” of the wealthy, but should remember that true richness is in the Hereafter.

Supporting References

The imagery is profoundly effective. It bypasses the need to describe the treasures themselves and instead focuses on the logistical problem of simply managing access to them. It is a unique and powerful literary device to convey the concept of unimaginable wealth, which in turn makes Qarun’s subsequent arrogance and ultimate downfall all the more impactful as a lesson.

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Musa `عليه السلام`

Brief Biography / Background

Musa (عليه السلام) is one of the five greatest messengers of Allah. His life story is the most detailed of any prophet in the Qur’an, serving as a comprehensive case study in divine providence, the struggle against tyranny, and the challenges of leadership.

Role in the Surah

Surah Al-Qasas, “The Story,” is almost entirely dedicated to narrating his life in a beautiful, chronological sequence. It covers his perilous birth, his miraculous salvation, his upbringing in Pharaoh’s palace, his mistake and flight to Madyan, his ten years of service there, his commissioning as a prophet at the burning bush, his confrontation with Pharaoh, the victory over the tyrant, and his status as a recipient of the Book. He is the central human protagonist, a man whose entire life was visibly “under the eye” and care of Allah.

Personality & Attributes

Musa is the archetype of the **divinely-nurtured prophet and the liberator of the oppressed**. He is portrayed with profound humanity: he feels fear, makes mistakes, feels remorse, and expresses his needs to God. He is also a model of courage, justice, strength, trustworthiness (qawiyyun amin), and profound reliance on Allah. His life is a journey from being a fugitive to becoming a triumphant messenger of God.

Major Lessons & Morals

• When Allah chooses a person for a great mission, He prepares and nurtures them through a series of trials and experiences, even from birth.
• A believer should place their absolute trust in Allah’s plan, which works in subtle and often ironic ways to bring about the best outcome.
• Strength and trustworthiness are the two key qualities of a righteous and effective individual.

Supporting References

The Surah is a source of immense comfort and strength for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the believers. Musa’s story—being a weak, oppressed individual who was granted victory over the greatest tyrant on earth—is a direct parallel and a divine promise that the weak and oppressed Muslims of Makkah would also be granted victory over the arrogant Quraysh.

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Musa’s Mother

Brief Biography / Background

Musa’s Mother was a righteous woman from the Children of Israel. She lived in a time of terror, when Pharaoh was systematically killing all newborn Israelite boys. She became the first and most crucial agent in Allah’s intricate plan to save her son.

Role in the Surah

Her story is a powerful lesson in faith and divine reassurance. She receives a direct inspiration from Allah with a command and a promise: to place her infant son in a chest and cast him into the river. Allah promises to return him to her. Her human emotion is described with great empathy: “And the heart of Moses’ mother became empty [of all else]. She was about to reveal him were it not that We had strengthened her heart that she might be of the believers.” (28:10). Her obedience and patience are rewarded when her son is miraculously returned to her, as she is hired by the palace to be his official wet nurse.

Personality & Attributes

She is the archetype of the **trusting and devoted mother whose faith overcomes her fear**. She is characterized by her maternal love and anxiety, but also by her profound strength of faith, which is a direct gift from Allah (“We had strengthened her heart”). She is a model of complete reliance on Allah’s promise.

Major Lessons & Morals

• In moments of extreme fear and anxiety, a believer should turn to Allah, who is the only one who can strengthen and pacify the heart.
• Allah’s promises are true. If one takes a difficult step in obedience to Him, He will fulfill His end of the bargain.
• The story is a profound comfort for every mother, showing that Allah is keenly aware of a mother’s heart and is the ultimate protector of her children.

Supporting References

The story provides one of the clearest examples of *tawakkul* (reliance on God) in the Qur’an. It required an extraordinary level of faith for a mother to cast her newborn into a river. Her reward was equally extraordinary: not only was her son saved, but he was returned to her in a way that she could nurse him openly and be paid for it, completely safe from the tyrant’s decree.

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Musa’s Sister

Brief Biography / Background

Musa’s Sister was a quick-witted and brave young woman who played a crucial role in the divine plan to save her infant brother, Musa (عليه السلام). She acted as the family’s lookout and intelligence agent.

Role in the Surah

Her role is to be the second human agent in the plan to reunite Musa with his mother. At her mother’s instruction, she follows the path of the chest containing her brother. The Surah says, “And she said to his sister, ‘Follow him.’ So she watched him from a distance while they perceived not.” (28:11). After the baby is rescued by Pharaoh’s household and refuses all the wet nurses, it is Musa’s sister who cleverly and courageously steps forward to suggest a solution: “So she said, ‘Shall I direct you to a household who will be responsible for him for you while they are to him sincere?'” (28:12).

Personality & Attributes

She is an archetype of the **clever, brave, and resourceful believer**. She is characterized by her loyalty to her family, her courage in approaching the court of the tyrant, and her intelligence in phrasing her suggestion in a way that would not arouse suspicion. She acts with subtlety and purpose.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Believers should be intelligent, resourceful, and proactive in carrying out their duties.
• Even a young person can play a vital and courageous role in the fulfillment of a divine plan.
• The story demonstrates the importance of family solidarity and working together for a righteous cause.

Supporting References

Her story, combined with her mother’s, shows a beautiful synergy between divine inspiration and human effort. The mother’s trust in God was complemented by the sister’s intelligent and courageous action, and together, they became the means through which Allah fulfilled His promise to return the baby “that she might be content and not grieve.”

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The Pious from the People of the Scripture

Brief Biography / Background

This archetype refers to the sincere and knowledgeable individuals among the Jews and Christians of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ time who, upon hearing the Qur’an, immediately recognized its divine truth due to its consistency with the scriptures they already possessed.

Role in the Surah

They are presented as a proof against the stubborn disbelievers of Makkah. After the Quraysh reject the Qur’an, the Surah points to this other group as a positive example. “Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it – they are believers in it. And when it is recited to them, they say, ‘We have believed in it. Indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed, we were, before it, Muslims [in submission to Allah].'” (Al-Qasas, 28:52-53). They are the ones who will be given their reward twice for their patience and their good conduct.

Personality & Attributes

This group is the archetype of the **sincere and knowledgeable seeker of truth**. They are characterized by their humility, their intellectual honesty, and their ability to recognize the truth regardless of its source. They repel evil with good and are not drawn into the vain speech of the ignorant.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A person with sincere knowledge of previous revelations should be the first to recognize the truth of the Qur’an.
• The message of all divine books is a single, consistent truth of submission (Islam).
• Those who believe in the previous scriptures and then embrace the Qur’an will have a double reward for their faith.

Supporting References

These verses are understood to refer to specific righteous individuals like Abdullah ibn Salam from the Jews of Madinah and the delegation of Christians from Abyssinia, who all recognized the truth of the Prophet’s message and embraced Islam. Their conversion served as a powerful testament to the Qur’an’s authenticity.

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The Pious from Qarun’s People

Brief Biography / Background

This is a small group of wise and righteous individuals from among the Children of Israel who were not impressed or deluded by the spectacular wealth of Qarun. They possessed knowledge and a correct, God-centric worldview.

Role in the Surah

Their role is to be the voice of wisdom and faith in the face of widespread materialism. When the masses saw Qarun’s parade and wished they had similar wealth, this pious group provided a crucial reminder and a reorientation of values. “But those who had been given knowledge said, ‘Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for those who believe and do righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient.'” (Al-Qasas, 28:80).

Personality & Attributes

This group is the archetype of the **knowledgeable, patient, and wise minority**. They are characterized by their immunity to the temptations of worldly glamour. Their “knowledge” (‘ilm) gave them the insight to see the true and lasting value of Allah’s reward over the fleeting and dangerous wealth of Qarun. They are the patient ones (As-Sabirun).

Major Lessons & Morals

• True knowledge provides a person with the correct perspective, allowing them to see the superiority of the Hereafter over the present world.
• In a society obsessed with materialism, it is the duty of those with knowledge to remind others of the true meaning of success.
• The ability to resist the temptation of wealth and to remain content with the promise of Allah is a station granted only to “the patient.”

Supporting References

Their voice acts as the moral compass of the story. They are the ones who provide the correct commentary on the events as they unfold. Their wisdom is vindicated when the earth swallows Qarun, at which point the very same people who were envious of him now thank Allah that they were not in his place. The pious minority was proven right.

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Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)

Brief Biography / Background

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is the final messenger of Allah, to whom the Qur’an was revealed. Surah Al-Qasas was revealed to him in Makkah to provide him and his followers with a detailed historical parallel to their own struggle, strengthening their hearts with the promise of ultimate victory.

Role in the Surah

He is the one to whom “The Story” (Al-Qasas) is being narrated. The Surah reassures him that the detailed knowledge of Musa’s life he is receiving is a direct revelation from Allah, not something he could have known on his own. “And you were not on the western side [of the mount] when We decreed to Moses the command, nor were you of the witnesses.” (28:44). The Surah concludes with a direct, powerful command to him, confirming his mission and forbidding him from ever being a supporter of the disbelievers. It gives him his ultimate focus: “And do not invoke with Allah another deity. There is no deity except Him. Everything will be destroyed except His Face.” (28:88).

Personality & Attributes

As the addressee of the Surah, the Prophet ﷺ is the archetype of the **divinely-taught messenger who is heir to the prophetic tradition**. The Surah serves to connect his struggle directly to the struggle of Musa, framing him as the inheritor of the same divine mission. He is the one commanded to be a caller to his Lord and a bastion of pure monotheism.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The detailed stories in the Qur’an are a proof of its divine origin, as the Prophet had no natural way of knowing such specific historical details.
• The struggle of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was a replay of the same divine pattern seen in the life of Musa.
• The core mission of every believer, following the Prophet, is to call to their Lord and to hold fast to the principle of Tawhid above all else.

Supporting References

The Surah’s address to the Prophet is deeply comforting. By narrating Musa’s story, it is implicitly telling the Prophet: “Just as we cared for Musa from birth, We are caring for you. Just as We gave him victory over the tyrant, We will give you victory. Just as We returned him to his homeland, We will return you to yours.” This final point is a subtle prophecy of his eventual triumphant return to Makkah.

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Qarun (Korah)

Brief Biography / Background

Qarun, or Korah, was a man from the Children of Israel during the time of Prophet Musa (عليه السلام). He was granted immense, unprecedented wealth by Allah, so much so that the keys to his treasures were a burden for a group of strong men. His wealth, however, led him to become arrogant and oppressive towards his own people.

Role in the Surah

The story of Qarun serves as the Surah’s powerful epilogue, a final lesson on the trial of wealth. He is introduced as one who was arrogant towards his people. When they advised him not to exult, he arrogantly attributed his wealth to his own genius: “He said, ‘I was only given it because of knowledge I have.'” (Al-Qasas, 28:78). He paraded his wealth and splendor, tempting the materialistic among his people. His ultimate fate was a sudden and humiliating punishment: “And We caused the earth to swallow him and his home. And he had no company to aid him against Allah, nor was he of those who [could] defend themselves.” (28:81).

Personality & Attributes

Qarun is the ultimate archetype of the **arrogant and ungrateful capitalist**. He is characterized by his **pride, insolence, and delusion of self-sufficiency**. He is the epitome of one who forgets the Giver and becomes infatuated with the gift. He is a corrupting influence, tempting others with his worldly glamour.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Wealth is a great test (fitnah) from Allah; it can be a source of good if met with gratitude, or a source of ruin if met with arrogance.
• Never attribute your success to your own genius or knowledge; all blessings are from Allah.
• The purpose of wealth is to “seek the Home of the Hereafter” and to “do good,” not to exult and spread corruption.

Supporting References

His story is the perfect counterpoint to the story of Pharaoh. Pharaoh was destroyed for his arrogant claim to political power, while Qarun was destroyed for his arrogant claim to economic self-sufficiency. Together, they are timeless warnings against the two greatest temptations of power and wealth.

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The Repentant Ones (who desired Qarun’s wealth)

Brief Biography / Background

This group represents the masses, the ordinary people among the Children of Israel who were initially dazzled and tempted by the spectacular wealth and splendor of Qarun. They are the archetype of those who are impressed by worldly glamour.

Role in the Surah

Their role is to demonstrate the transformative power of witnessing divine justice. Initially, upon seeing Qarun’s parade, they exclaim with envy: “Oh, would that we had like what was given to Qarun. Indeed, he is one of great fortune.” (Al-Qasas, 28:79). However, the very next morning, after witnessing the earth swallow Qarun and his home, they undergo a complete and immediate transformation. Their envy turns to fear and gratitude: “And those who had wished for his position the previous day began to say, ‘Ah, it is as though Allah extends provision to whom He wills of His servants… Were it not that Allah was gracious to us, He would have caused it to swallow us.'” (28:82).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **impressionability and its capacity for immediate repentance**. They are initially **materialistic and short-sighted**, but they are not arrogant deniers. When a clear and terrifying sign comes to them, their hearts are open enough to immediately recognize their error and turn back to the truth. They are the repentant masses.

Major Lessons & Morals

• It is natural to be impressed by worldly wealth, but a believer must be reminded by those with knowledge of the superiority of the Hereafter.
• Witnessing the sudden downfall of the arrogant can be a powerful and immediate cause for repentance and gratitude.
• A believer should be grateful for their own state and not be envious of the worldly fortunes of the corrupt, as that fortune may be a path to their ruin.

Supporting References

Their story provides a beautiful conclusion to the tale of Qarun. It shows that the punishment of the wicked serves not only as a retribution for them, but also as a profound and life-altering lesson for all who witness it. Their final statement, “Ah, it is as though the disbelievers do not succeed,” is the perfect summary of the entire Surah’s message.

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The Sacred Valley

Brief Biography / Background

The Sacred Valley, identified in Surah Taha as “Tuwa,” is the blessed location at the foot of Mount Tur (Sinai) where Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) received his first revelation and was commissioned as a prophet by Allah.

Role in the Surah

It is the setting for the pivotal moment of Musa’s life: his first direct communion with his Creator. After seeing a fire, he approaches it. “But when he came to it, he was called from the right side of the valley in a blessed spot – from the tree, ‘O Moses, indeed I am Allah, Lord of the worlds.'” (Al-Qasas, 28:30). It is on this hallowed ground that he is spoken to by Allah, given his two great miracles (the staff and the shining hand), and entrusted with the mission of prophethood.

Personality & Attributes

The Sacred Valley is the archetype of a **blessed and sanctified place (buq’ah mubarakah)**. It is a location where the veil between the divine and the worldly was drawn back. It represents the hallowed ground where a human being is chosen and honored with the burden and light of prophecy.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Allah can bestow His blessing and sanctity upon specific places on Earth, making them sites of great historical and spiritual significance.
• The journey of a prophet, and by extension every believer, often begins with a profound personal encounter with the divine.
• The signs of God are real, and one must be open to receiving them when they appear.

Supporting References

The detail that the call came “from the tree” is significant. It demonstrates that Allah is not physically located in any object, but can manifest His signs and His speech from within His creation as He wills, without the creation itself being divine. The tree was the locus of the manifestation, not the source of the speech.

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The Shining Hand of Musa

Brief Biography / Background

The Shining Hand (Yad Bayda’) was one of the two great initial miracles given to Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) at the Sacred Valley. It was a direct, personal, and undeniable sign of his prophethood.

Role in the Surah

The Shining Hand is mentioned as the second of the two proofs he was to take to Pharaoh. Allah commands him: “Insert your hand into the opening of your garment; it will come out white without disease. And draw in your arm close to you [to be secure] from fear.” (Al-Qasas, 28:32). This miracle, along with the staff, formed the core of his irrefutable evidence against the tyranny and disbelief of Pharaoh. They were two “proofs from your Lord.”

Personality & Attributes

The Shining Hand is an archetype of a **clear, undeniable, and personal divine sign**. It represents the light of truth and the purity of the prophetic mission. It was a brilliant and beautiful miracle that stood in contrast to the dark and deceptive magic of Pharaoh’s court.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Allah supports His prophets with clear and undeniable proofs to strengthen their own hearts and to serve as evidence for their people.
• The signs of the prophets are real and pure, and are meant to be a clear demonstration of the power of the Lord.
• The command to draw his arm in “from fear” is a beautiful sign of divine comfort, as if Allah is teaching him a physical action to calm his human anxiety when presenting such an awesome sign.

Supporting References

The phrase “without disease” (min ghayri su’) is crucial. It distinguishes this miraculous white light from the whitening of the skin caused by diseases like leprosy, ensuring that the sign could not be misinterpreted or dismissed as a natural ailment. It was a pure light, a direct sign from the Lord.

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The Staff of Musa

Brief Biography / Background

The Staff of Musa (‘Asa) was an ordinary shepherd’s staff that, by the command of Allah, became one of the greatest miracles and signs given to Prophet Musa (عليه السلام). It was a direct, physical proof of his prophethood and the power of his Lord.

Role in the Surah

The staff’s transformation into a serpent is one of the “two proofs” given to Musa at the Sacred Valley. It is the sign that he is to present to Pharaoh and his people. While other Surahs detail its use in the contest with the magicians and the parting of the sea, this Surah focuses on its role as his primary credential as a messenger sent from the Lord of the Worlds.

Personality & Attributes

The Staff is an archetype of **divine power manifested in an ordinary object**. It represents the principle that the power lies not in the object itself, but in the command of Allah. It is a symbol of the truth, which can appear formidable and powerful to those who oppose it.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Allah can place His signs and miracles in the most humble and ordinary of objects.
• The tools a believer uses are made powerful not by their own nature, but by the will and permission of Allah.
• The signs given to the prophets are irrefutable proofs of their divine mission.

Supporting References

The staff’s transformation from an inert object into a living, moving serpent is a powerful lesson in the nature of creation. It demonstrates that the One who can give “life” to a wooden staff can surely give life to the dead on the Day of Resurrection, a recurring theme in the Qur’an.

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Those who Desire the Worldly Life

Brief Biography / Background

This is the archetype of the materialistic person, the masses who are dazzled by worldly glamour and success. Their primary aspiration is to attain the same level of wealth and status that they see in others, and they measure success by a purely worldly standard.

Role in the Surah

This group appears in the story of Qarun. When they witness his spectacular parade of wealth and adornments, they are overcome with envy and desire. Their immediate reaction is: “And those who desired the worldly life said, ‘Oh, would that we had like what was given to Qarun. Indeed, he is one of great fortune.'” (Al-Qasas, 28:79). Their role is to represent the voice of materialism, which is immediately countered by the voice of the knowledgeable believers.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **short-sightedness, materialism, and envy**. They are easily impressed by outward displays of wealth. Their definition of “great fortune” (dhu hazzin ‘azim) is entirely limited to worldly possessions. They are the audience for whom Qarun’s *fitnah* (trial) is most potent.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer should not be envious of the worldly wealth of the arrogant and corrupt, as it may be the very cause of their ruin.
• The desire for the worldly life, if unchecked, can blind a person to the true and lasting value of the reward of the Hereafter.

* It is crucial to listen to the reminders of the knowledgeable, who can provide the correct perspective when one is dazzled by the glamour of the world.

Supporting References

The story beautifully illustrates their subsequent repentance. After Qarun is swallowed by the earth, these same people immediately realize their error and express profound gratitude that they were not in his place. Their story is a journey from envy to gratitude, prompted by witnessing the terrifying justice of Allah.

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The Treasures of Qarun

Brief Biography / Background

The Treasures of Qarun were the immense and legendary riches possessed by the arrogant Qarun. They were the source of his pride, the symbol of his worldly success, and the ultimate cause of his downfall.

Role in the Surah

The Treasures are the centerpiece of the trial of wealth. Their unimaginable scale is hinted at by the description of their keys. Qarun’s pride in these treasures is what leads him to be ungrateful and arrogant. He parades them before his people, a deliberate act of showing off his splendor: “So he came out before his people in his adornment.” (28:79). Ultimately, however, these treasures could not save him; the earth swallowed both him and his home, and by extension, his treasures.

Personality & Attributes

The Treasures are the archetype of **worldly wealth as a test (fitnah)**. They represent the ultimate material blessing, but they become a curse due to their owner’s arrogance. They are a symbol of the deceptive allure of materialism.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Wealth is a test from Allah. It can be a tool for good or a source of immense arrogance.
• No amount of wealth can protect a person from the punishment of Allah.
• The true value of wealth is in using it to seek the Hereafter, not in parading it with pride.

Supporting References

The story powerfully demonstrates that the same treasures that were a source of envy for the people one day became the cause of their fear and gratitude the next. The downfall of Qarun taught them a permanent lesson about the true nature of wealth and the power of God.

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The Two Women at the Well

Brief Biography / Background

These were two righteous young women, the daughters of a noble and elderly man in the land of Madyan. They were found by Musa (عليه السلام) at a well, holding back their flock because they were too modest to crowd and jostle with the male shepherds.

Role in the Surah

Their role is to be the means by which Musa finds refuge and a new life in Madyan. Seeing their plight, Musa helps them by watering their flock. This simple act of chivalry impresses one of the women, who returns to him with a message from her father. She approaches him with modesty: “Then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness. She said, ‘Indeed, my father invites you that he may reward you for having watered for us.'” (28:25). It is through this encounter that Musa is introduced to their father, which leads to his employment and marriage.

Personality & Attributes

The Two Women are the archetype of **modesty (haya’), dignity, and righteousness**. They are characterized by their shyness and their responsible nature (caring for their family’s flock). The one who approaches Musa is a model of dignified and purposeful interaction with a non-mahram man.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Modesty (haya’) is a defining characteristic of a righteous woman.
• A simple act of kindness and helping those in need can be the doorway to immense blessings from Allah.
• The story provides a beautiful example of the proper and dignified etiquette of interaction between men and women.

Supporting References

The description of the woman walking “with shyness” (‘ala istihya’) is praised in Tafsir literature as a perfect and concise image of modesty in action. She was not reclusive, as she came to deliver a message, but her demeanor was defined by a noble sense of modesty and dignity.

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The Wife of Pharaoh

Brief Biography / Background

The Wife of Pharaoh, known in Islamic tradition as Asiya, was a righteous and believing woman who was married to the greatest tyrant on earth. She is considered one of the four greatest women in the history of Islam.

Role in the Surah

Her role is to be the agent of mercy and protection in the heart of the enemy’s fortress. When the infant Musa is taken from the river into the palace, it is she who intervenes to save his life. She says to Pharaoh, “‘[He will be] a comfort of the eye for me and for you. Do not kill him; perhaps he may benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son.'” (Al-Qasas, 28:9). Her words are what convince Pharaoh to spare the baby. She acted as Musa’s adoptive mother, and it was through her that Allah’s plan to have Musa raised in the palace was fulfilled.

Personality & Attributes

The Wife of Pharaoh is the archetype of the **righteous believer living in a corrupt environment**. She is characterized by her compassion, her wisdom, and her courage. Her heart was filled with an immediate love for the infant Musa, a love that was placed there by Allah. She is a model of faith that shines brightly even in the darkest of places.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A person’s faith is not determined by their environment or their spouse. It is possible to be a sincere believer even in the house of the greatest disbeliever.
• Allah can place mercy and compassion in the hearts of whomever He wills to bring about His plan.
• The words and actions of a single righteous woman can have the power to change the course of history.

Supporting References

The Qur’an mentions her in another Surah (At-Tahrim) as a prime example for all believers, a woman whose faith was so strong that she prayed, “My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.”

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The Wrongdoer’s Ally (in a dispute)

Brief Biography / Background

This is the archetype of a person who assists or takes the side of a wrongdoer in a conflict. In the story of Musa, this refers to the Coptic Egyptian who was fighting against the Israelite man.

Role in the Surah

This character’s role is to be the embodiment of the systemic oppression that was taking place in Egypt. He was from the “party” of Musa’s enemy, and the Israelite was from Musa’s “party.” When Musa sees this man oppressing the Israelite, his sense of justice is aroused, and he intervenes. The verse describes the man as being **”from his enemy”**, clearly identifying him as part of the oppressive faction. Musa’s intervention on behalf of the oppressed leads to the man’s accidental death.

Personality & Attributes

This character is defined by his role as an **oppressor and an agent of injustice**. He is a representative of the wrongdoing people from whom Musa had to flee and against whom he would later return as a prophet.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer’s natural inclination should be to side with the oppressed against the oppressor.
• After making a mistake, Musa vows to Allah, **”I will never be an assistant to the criminals,”** (28:17) establishing a key principle for all believers.
• One must not be a supporter, an ally, or an enabler of those who are engaged in wrongdoing and injustice.

Supporting References

The fight between these two men was not a mere personal dispute; it was a microcosm of the larger social conflict between the ruling, oppressive Copts and the subjugated, oppressed Israelites. Musa’s intervention was an act against this systemic injustice, an early sign of the role he would later play as the liberator of his people.