The Majestic Quran

28. Al-Qasas The Story This chapter was revealed in the late Makkan period, just before the Ascension of the Prophet r in the tenth year of his mission. It relates several stories from the life of Moses to show that history keeps repeating despite the passage of time. A convincing consolation for the Messenger r and his followers. It opens by describing the Pharaoh’s oppression of the Israelites, and his policy of “divide and rule”. This is the amazing story of the survival of baby Moses at a time when Pharaoh’s policy to kill all newborns was ruthlessly enforced. The Pharaoh is most likely Ramesses II, roughly from 1300 bc. God not only protected Moses , but made him grow up like a prince in the opulent surroundings of Pharaoh’s palace. The story highlights the weakness of a worldly king unable to distinguish between foe and friend, yet claiming to be “Almighty God”, revealing the extent to which powerful men and women are deceived. The chapter then relates the incident when Moses killed an Egyptian in defence of an Israelite … Moses was about to be arrested but managed to escape. He hurriedly left Egypt, and travelled to Madyan in the Arabian desert. The Prophet Jethro gave Moses work, in return for marriage to his daughter, so Moses married a non-Israelite woman. Moses , who was raised as a prince in a palace, became a poor shepherd in the desert – a sharp contrast in lifestyle. The Divine Plan has its own way of unfolding reality. Moses was being trained for the role of leadership, looking after a flock of sheep. Not much different from caring for an uncouth and undisciplined community. After ten years, Moses returns to Egypt. On the way he passes Mount Sinai, where he is commissioned as a prophet to invite the