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Koran 3 Parallels and differences in the depiction of prophets and stories common to the Qur’an, the Tanach, and the New Testament

Passages in the Qur’an in this Lesson: 21:105; 5:27-32; 36:13-83; 2:259-260; 20:9-97; 7:40; 87:14-19; 7:40; 2:293; 18:60-101; 19:2-38; 4:153-162; 12:1-111.

Personages in the Tanach and the New Testament referred to in the Qur’an:

Aaron=Harun

Abraham=Ibrahim

Adam

David=Da’ud

Elijah=Ilyas

Elisha=Al-Yasa

Enoch=Idris

Ezra=”Uzair

Goliath=Jalut

Haman

Harut and Marut

Isaac=Ishaq

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Ishmael=Isma’il

Jacob=Ya’qub=Isra’il

Jesus=’Isa

Jethro=Shu’aib

Job=Ayyub

John the Baptist=Yahya

Joseph=Yusuf

Korah=Qarun

Lot=Lut

Mary (Jesus’ Mother)=Maryan

Moses=Musa

Noah=Nuh

Pharaoh=Fir’aun

Solomon=Sulaiman

Terah=Azur

Zekariah=Zakariaya

Cain & Abel=Qabil & Habil

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Direct attributed allusive paraphrase quotations in the Qur’an from the New Testament and the Torah

From Psalm 37:9 in Surah Al-Anbiyah’ (The Prophets) 21:105:

105. And indeed We have written in Zabur (Psalms) [i.e. all the revealed Holy Books the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), the Qur'an] after (We have already written in) Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz (the Book, that is in the heaven with Allah), that My righteous slaves shall inherit the land (i.e. the land of Paradise).

Notice that the Koran uses the land as a metaphor for the afterlife, and in the Torah, the land refers,not metaphorically but actually, to the Land of Israel.

In the Jewish Publication Society translation Tanakh, 1985, Psalm 37:15:

Shun evil and do good, and you shall abide forever. For the Lord loves what is right. He does not abandon His faithful ones. They are preserved forever, while the children of the wicked will be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and abide forever in it.

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Surah Al-A’la (the Most High) 87:14-19

In this excerpt the holy books of Judaism and Christianity have a positive valence as scriptures of yore, the scriptures of Abraham and Moses, the common library of the Mesopotamian spiritual tradition

14. Indeed whosoever purifies himself (by avoiding polytheism and accepting Islamic Monotheism) shall achieve success,

15. And remembers (glorifies) the Name of his Lord (worships none but Allah), and prays (five compulsory prayers and Nawafil additional prayers).

16. Nay, you prefer the life of this world;

17. Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting.

18. Verily! This is in the former Scriptures,

19. The Scriptures of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Musa (Moses).

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F.E. Peters, Islam: A Guide for Jews and Christians, pp. 23-274:

“The Arabs have their Bible,” King Alfonso X advised his Castilian subjects in the mid-thirteenth century, “ which was translated from the Hebrew.” The king…was wrong, but his intentions were good, and his information in one respect was not so very far from the truth. The Quran was indeed “from the Hebrew,” although not translated, in the ordinary sense of that word, either by or for Muhammad. But some manner of translation had assuredly taken place between the scripture of the Hebrews and the audience that heard Muhammad proclaim the Word of God in Arabia in the seventh century of our era, a transfer of the spiritual goods of one established monotheist community into another that was struggling to come into being. Muhammad was aware of the transfer, as were some of his audience, and a number of them accused him of spiritual larceny [especially the Jewish tribes in Median and throughout Arabia].

In 1832 a German Jewish scholar, Abraham Geiger [one of the founders of Reform Judaism], reopened the question in a more secular mode. “What Did

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Muhammad Take from the Jews?” was the title of his doctoral dissertation…”

Muslims would [answer], Nothing [God dictates to Muhammad, and the Jews got it wrong, and didn’t follow it anyway]. And certainly the Jews would not have taught Muhammad to speak of the exalted status of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, as we find in the following Surah 19 further below.

It is worthwhile pointing out that the three monotheistic Holy Books are different in several significant respects. The Bible (Tanach) and the New Testament are clearly community projects elaborated over decades and centuries by many individuals….The Quran, in contrast, proceeded from the mouth of Muhammad, and his alone, over a rather precisely measured interval of twenty-two years...The community of Muslims, the umma, that issued form it was clearly Muhammad’s creation, shaped and guided by his powerful will, tended by his infinite care, and sustained by his extraordinary courage and determination.

Muhammad stated that he was merely a messenger or a warner, yet the social and political body that came

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forth from the preaching of the Quran would be unthinkable without Muhammad.

“The essence of Christianity—what distinguishes it from Judaism and Islam, the other monotheistic (one God) religions)—is its teaching that God, acting out of love for an often sinful humanity , sent his son, Jesus, to live on earth among men and women and to redeem them from their sins by suffering and dying on the cross.” [Arthur Goldschmidt, Jr. and Lawrence Davidson. A Concise History of the Middle East, 9th Ed. Westview Perseus. Chap. 2, p. 16 ff.].

Theologically, Christianity rests uniquely on Jesus’s redemptive work; Judaism may be unfathomable without Abraham and Moses; but Muhammad rises above his “story” as the source of his religious revelation, Islam.

What follows from the Tanach and then from Surah Al-Maidah, is the Jewish (and Christian) verseion of the story of Cain and Abel in the Book of Genesis and then the Qur’an take on the same story, though its source may be oral rather than form the Tanach itself (remember Muhammad is illiterate).

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Genesis 4:1-16 [From the New International Version]

1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” 8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” 

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10 The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 But the LORD said to him, “Not so ; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the LORD’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

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Surah Al-Ma’idah (The Table Spread with Food) 5:27-32 story of Cain and Abel=Qabil & Habil

27. And (O Muhammad  ) recite to them (the Jews) the story of the two sons of Adam [Habil (Abel) and Qabil (Cain)] in truth; when each offered a sacrifice (to Allah), it was accepted from the one but not from the other. The latter said to the former: "I will surely kill you." The former said: "Verily, Allah accepts only from those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious - see V.2:2)."

28. "If you do stretch your hand against me to kill me, I shall never stretch my hand against you to kill you, for I fear Allah; the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns, and all that exists)."

29. "Verily, I intend to let you draw my sin on yourself as well as yours, then you will be one of the dwellers of the Fire, and that is the recompense of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)."

30. So the Nafs (self) of the other (latter one) encouraged him and made fair-seeming to him the murder of his brother; he murdered him and became one of the losers.

31. Then Allah sent a crow who scratched the ground to show him to hide the dead body of his

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brother. He (the murderer) said: "Woe to me! Am I not even able to be as this crow and to hide the dead body of my brother?" Then he became one of those who regretted.

32. Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And indeed, there came to them Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs, even then after that many of them continued to exceed the limits (e.g. by doing oppression unjustly and exceeding beyond the limits set by Allah by committing the major sins) in the land!

The words in v. 32 reflect the rabbinic message that if one kills one person it is as if he kills all humankind, and if he saves one person it is as if he saves a world, which can be literally true, rather than hyperbole, when one considers the future generations issuing from that person or not depending on whether he or she lives or dies.

There is a strong contrast between the Qur’anic retelling and the Tanach. In Surah 5 the two sons of Adam, as soon as the result from their competition

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of offerings is known, emerge as personalities with definite viewpoints and commitments. Qabil (Cain) immediately threatens to kill Habil (Abel), and Habil retorts that Qabil and his offering were not deserving of God’s approval. Habil declares that he will not resist his brother’s assault, adding his own hope that for his evil act Qabil will be held accountable to God for his own and also for Habil’s sins. Qabil, his soul impelling him, fulfills his pledge, killing his brother and rendering himself a cursed man—one of the damned. This murder is a violation of God’s will for humanity, as will be all other subsequent unlawful killings…It is only when God sends a raven to educate Qabil about burial (he is perplexed about what to do with Habil’s corpse) is Qabil able to see his crime against his brother for what it is, and bewail his most profound shame, his act of murder.

Parables of Jesus paralleled in Surah Yah-Sin 6:13-83 in Acts 11:27-30 and Acts 21:10-14.

New Testament (NIV translation from Greek)

Acts 21:10-14

10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 

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11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” 

Acts 11:25-30

25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. 27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 

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29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Surah Yah-Sin (The letters Yah-Sin) 36:13-83

[ Verses 20 ff. follow the story of a proselytizer murdered, similar to the evangelist in the NT].

13. And put forward to them a similitude; the (story of the) dwellers of the town, [It is said that the town was Antioch (Antakiya)], when there came Messengers to them.

14. When We sent to them two Messengers, they belied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: "Verily! We have been sent to you as Messengers."

15. They (people of the town) said: "You are only human beings like ourselves, and the Most Beneficent (Allah) has revealed nothing, you are only telling lies."

16. The Messengers said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent as Messengers to you,

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17. "And our duty is only to convey plainly (the Message)."

18. They (people) said: "For us, we see an evil omen from you, if you cease not, we will surely stone you, and a painful torment will touch you from us."

19. They (Messengers) said: "Your evil omens be with you! (Do you call it "evil omen") because you are admonished? Nay, but you are a people Musrifun (transgressing all bounds by committing all kinds of great sins, and by disobeying Allah).

20. And there came running from the farthest part of the town, a man, saying: "O my people! Obey the Messengers;

21. "Obey those who ask no wages of you (for themselves), and who are rightly guided.

22. "And why should I not worship Him (Allah Alone) Who has created me and to Whom you shall be returned.

23. "Shall I take besides Him aliha (gods), if the Most Beneficent (Allah) intends me any harm, their intercession will be of no use for me whatsoever, nor can they save me?

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24. "Then verily, I should be in plain error.

25. Verily! I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me!"

26.  It was said (to him when the disbelievers killed him): "Enter Paradise." He said: "Would that my people knew!

27. "That my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the honoured ones!"

28. And We sent not against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We send (such a thing).

29. It was but one Saihah (shout, etc.) and lo! They (all) were silent (dead-destroyed).

30. Alas for mankind! There never came a Messenger to them but they used to mock at him.

31. Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them.

32. And surely, all, everyone of them will be brought before Us.

33. And a sign for them is the dead land. We gave it life, and We brought forth from it grains, so that they eat thereof.

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34. And We have made therein gardens of date-palms and grapes, and We have caused springs of water to gush forth therein.

35. So that they may eat of the fruit thereof, and their hands made it not. Will they not, then, give thanks?

36. Glory be to Him, Who has created all the pairs of that which the earth produces, as well as of their own (human) kind (male and female), and of that which they know not.

37. And a sign for them is the night, We withdraw therefrom the day, and behold, they are in darkness.

38. And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.

39. And the moon, We have measured for it mansions (to traverse) till it returns like the old dried curved date stalk.

40. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit.

41. And an Ayah (sign) for them is that We bore their offspring in the laden ship [of Nuh (Noah)].

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42. And We have created for them of the like thereunto, so on them they ride.

43. And if We will, We shall drown them, and there will be no shout (or helper) for them (to hear their cry for help) nor will they be saved.

44. Unless it be a mercy from Us, and as an enjoyment for a while.

45. And when it is said to them: "Beware of that which is before you (worldly torments), and that which is behind you (torments in the Hereafter), in order that you may receive Mercy (i.e. if you believe in Allah's Religion - Islamic Monotheism, and avoid polytheism, and obey Allah with righteous deeds).

46. And never came an Ayah from among the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord to them, but they did turn away from it.

47. And when it is said to them: "Spend of that with which Allah has provided you," those who disbelieve say to those who believe: "Shall we feed those whom, if Allah willed, He (Himself) would have fed? You are only in a plain error."

48. And they say: "When will this promise (i.e. Resurrection) be fulfilled, if you are truthful?"

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49. They await only but a single Saihah (shout, etc.), which will seize them while they are disputing!

50. Then they will not be able to make bequest, nor they will return to their family.

51. And the Trumpet will be blown (i.e. the second blowing) and behold! From the graves they will come out quickly to their Lord.

52. They will say: "Woe to us! Who has raised us up from our place of sleep." (It will be said to them): "This is what the Most Beneficent (Allah) had promised, and the Messengers spoke truth!"

53. It will be but a single Saihah (shout, etc.), so behold! They will all be brought up before Us!

54. This Day (Day of Resurrection), none will be wronged in anything, nor will you be requited anything except that which you used to do.

55. Verily, the dwellers of the Paradise, that Day, will be busy in joyful things.

56. They and their wives will be in pleasant shade, reclining on thrones.

57. They will have therein fruits (of all kinds) and all that they ask for.

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58. (It will be said to them): Salamun (peace be on you), a Word from the Lord (Allah), Most Merciful.

59. (It will be said): "And O you Al-Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, disbelievers in the Islamic Monotheism, wicked evil ones, etc.)! Get you apart this Day (from the believers).

60. Did I not ordain for you, O Children of Adam, that you should not worship Shaitan (Satan). Verily, he is a plain enemy to you.

61. And that you should worship Me [Alone Islamic Monotheism, and set up not rivals, associate-gods with Me]. That is a Straight Path.

62. And indeed he (Satan) did lead astray a great multitude of you. Did you not, then, understand?

63. This is Hell which you were promised!

64. Burn therein this Day, for that you used to disbelieve.

65. This Day, We shall seal up their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their legs will bear witness to what they used to earn. (It is said that one's left thigh will be the first to bear the witness). [Tafsir At-Tabari, Vol. 22, Page 24]

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66. And if it had been Our Will, We would surely have wiped out (blinded) their eyes, so that they would struggle for the Path, how then would they see?

67. And if it had been Our Will, We could have transformed them (into animals or lifeless objects) in their places. Then they should have been unable to go forward (move about) nor they could have turned back. [As it happened with the Jews see Verse 7:166 The Qur'an].

68. And he whom We grant long life, We reverse him in creation (weakness after strength). Will they not then understand?

69. And We have not taught him (Muhammad  ) poetry, nor is it meet for him. This is only a Reminder and a plain Qur'an.

70. That he or it (Muhammad   or the Qur'an) may give warning to him who is living (a healthy minded the believer), and that Word (charge) may be justified against the disbelievers (dead, as they reject the warnings).

71. Do they not see that We have created for them of what Our Hands have created, the cattle, so that they are their owners.

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72. And We have subdued them unto them so that some of them they have for riding and some they eat.

73. And they have (other) benefits from them (besides), and they get (milk) to drink, will they not then be grateful?

74. And they have taken besides Allah aliha (gods), hoping that they might be helped (by those so called gods).

75. They cannot help them, but they will be brought forward as a troop against those who worshipped them (at the time of Reckoning).

76. So let not their speech, then, grieve you (O Muhammad  ). Verily, We know what they conceal and what they reveal.

77. Does not man see that We have created him from Nutfah (mixed male and female discharge semen drops). Yet behold! He (stands forth) as an open opponent.

[Surah Ya-Sin continues with parallel to Ezekiel’s Valley of Dry Bones, which follows]

78.   And he puts forth for Us a parable, and forgets his own creation. He says: "Who will

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give life to these bones when they have rotted away and became dust?"

79. Say: (O Muhammad  ) "He will give life to them Who created them for the first time! And He is the All-Knower of every creation!"

80. He, Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold! You kindle therewith.

81.  Is not He, Who created the heavens and the earth Able to create the like of them? Yes, indeed! He is the All-Knowing Supreme Creator.

82. Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, "Be!" and it is!

83. So Glorified is He and Exalted above all that they associate with Him, and in Whose Hands is the dominion of all things, and to Him you shall be returned.

[Notice in verse 36:78-79 above, as 2:259-260 below, there is the allegory as in Ezekiel’s Valley of Dry Bones, as in the following passage. However, in the Hebrew Bible it is a metaphor for the rebirth of the People of Israel in their homeland after exile in Babylonia (see Ezekiel 37:14 below at the end of the Dry Bones passage after the following Surah), whereas in the Qur’an

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it is about the Resurrection of the Dead before judgment at the End of Days.]

In Surah 2:259-260 parallels in Ezekiel 37:1-14

259. Or like the one who passed by a town and it had tumbled over its roofs. He said: "Oh! How will Allah ever bring it to life after its death?" So Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up (again). He said: "How long did you remain (dead)?" He (the man) said: "(Perhaps) I remained (dead) a day or part of a day". He said: "Nay, you have remained (dead) for a hundred years, look at your food and your drink, they show no change; and look at your donkey! And thus We have made of you a sign for the people. Look at the bones, how We bring them together and clothe them with flesh". When this was clearly shown to him, he said, "I know (now) that Allah is Able to do all things."

260. And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said, "My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead." He (Allah) said: "Do you not believe?" He [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: "Yes (I believe), but to be stronger in Faith." He said: "Take four birds, then cause them to incline towards you (then slaughter them, cut them into pieces), and then put a portion of them on every hill, and call them, they will come

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to you in haste. And know that Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise."

Ezekiel 37:1-14

1 The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ ” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 

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8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ ” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’ ”

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From the New Testament (Mark 10:23-31; Matthew 19:24) Jesus reciting proverb of it being easier for a camel passing through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter heaven, and its parallels in the Qur’an 7:40.

Surah Al-A’raf (The Heights) 7:40:

40. Verily, those who belie Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and treat them with arrogance, for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle (which is impossible). Thus do We recompense the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.).

Mark 10:23-31

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” 

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24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again,“Children, how hard it isto enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” 28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

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Mattthew 19:16-30

16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

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25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Sura Maryam (Miriam) 19:2-38

[The Story of the Virgin Birth of Jesus as it appears in the Qur’an].

2. (This is) a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His slave Zakariya (Zachariah).

3. When he called out his Lord (Allah) a call in secret,

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4. Saying: "My Lord! Indeed my bones have grown feeble, and grey hair has spread on my head, And I have never been unblest in my invocation to You, O my Lord!

5. "And Verily! I fear my relatives after me, since my wife is barren. So give me from Yourself an heir,

6. "Who shall inherit me, and inherit (also) the posterity of Ya'qub (Jacob) (inheritance of the religious knowledge and Prophethood, not the wealth, etc.). And make him, my Lord, one with whom You are Well-pleased!".

7. (Allah said) "O Zakariya (Zachariah)! Verily, We give you the glad tidings of a son, His name will be Yahya (John). We have given that name to none before (him)."

8. He said: "My Lord! How can I have a son, when my wife is barren, and I have reached the extreme old age."

9. He said: "So (it will be). Your Lord says; It is easy for Me. Certainly I have created you before, when you had been nothing!"

10. [Zakariya (Zachariah)] said: "My Lord! Appoint for me a sign." He said: "Your sign is that you shall

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not speak unto mankind for three nights, though having no bodily defect."

11. Then he came out to his people from Al-Mihrab (a praying place or a private room, etc.), he told them by signs to glorify Allah's Praises in the morning and in the afternoon.

12. (It was said to his son): "O Yahya (John)! Hold fast the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah)]." And We gave him wisdom while yet a child.

13. And (made him) sympathetic to men as a mercy (or a grant) from Us, and pure from sins [i.e. Yahya (John)] and he was righteous,

14. And dutiful towards his parents, and he was neither an arrogant nor disobedient (to Allah or to his parents).

15. And Salamun (peace) be on him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he will be raised up to life (again)!

[The Qur’an’s presentation of Maryam (Mary), mother of ‘Isa (Jesus), contains the account of the angelic announcement that she, a virgin, would give birth to a sinless son, and described the event itself taking place in the vicinity of a nourishing palm tree. Maryam’s protector is

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Zachariah, the Temple priest and father of Yahya (John the Baptist). There is implied Muslim criticism of Christians, who “blasphemously” misidentified ‘Isa (Jesus) and erred in believing Maryam (Mary) as a god-bearer. Jesus is not Emanuel (God is with us) but an emissary of the Most High].

[Surah 19 continues below].

16. And mention in the Book (the Qur'an, O Muhammad   , the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east.

17. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibrael (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.

18. She said: "Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent (Allah) from you, if you do fear Allah."

19. (The angel) said: "I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son."

20. She said: "How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?"

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21. He said: "So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me (Allah): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah).' "

22. So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem).

23. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: "Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!"

24. Then [the babe 'Iesa (Jesus) or Jibrael (Gabriel)] cried unto her from below her, saying: "Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a water stream under you;

25. "And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you."

26. "So eat and drink and be glad, and if you see any human being, say: 'Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) so I shall not speak to any human being this day.'"

27. Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: "O Mary! Indeed

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you have brought a thing Fariya (an unheard mighty thing).

28. "O sister (i.e. the like) of Harun (Aaron) [not the brother of Musa (Moses), but he was another pious man at the time of Maryam (Mary)]! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor your mother was an unchaste woman."

29. Then she pointed to him. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?"

30. "He ['Iesa (Jesus)] said: Verily! I am a slave of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;"

31. "And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salat (prayer), and Zakat, as long as I live."

32. "And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest.

33. "And Salam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!"

34. Such is 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). (it is) a statement of truth, about which they doubt (or dispute).

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35.  It befits not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son [this refers to the slander of Christians against Allah, by saying that 'Iesa (Jesus) is the son of Allah]. Glorified (and Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). When He decrees a thing, He only says to it, "Be!" and it is.

36. ['Iesa (Jesus) said]: "And verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (Alone). That is the Straight Path. (Allah's Religion of Islamic Monotheism which He did ordain for all of His Prophets)." [Tafsir At-Tabari]

37. Then the sects differed [i.e. the Christians about 'Iesa (Jesus)], so woe unto the disbelievers [those who gave false witness by saying that 'Iesa (Jesus) is the son of Allah] from the meeting of a great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection, when they will be thrown in the blazing Fire).

38. How clearly will they (polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) see and hear, the Day when they will appear before Us! But the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) today are in plain error.

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[The description in the Qur’an of the crucifixion is as an illusion as portrayed in the following excerpt of Surah 4. Note how the Jews are the more criticized of the two non-Muslim groups (the other being Christian), though the version here does not match with the Gospel accounts, except in so far as they are both critical of the Jews. God recasts a cosmic event, which, in Christianity, is seen providentially from the human viewpoint, into God’s “vision” of it in Islam. The event seen by God becomes a restatement of the shahadah: la’ila’ha illa-Lla’h, There is no God but Allah].

Sura An-Nisa’ (The Women) 4:153-162:

153. The people of the Scripture (Jews) ask you to cause a book to descend upon them from heaven.  Indeed they asked Musa (Moses) for even greater than that, when they said: "Show us Allah in public," but they were struck with thunder clap and lightning for their wickedness. Then they worshipped the calf even after clear proofs, evidences, and signs had come to them. (Even) so We forgave them. And We gave Musa (Moses) a clear proof of authority.

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154. And for their covenant, We raised over them the Mount and (on the other occasion) We said: "Enter the gate prostrating (or bowing) with humility;" and We commanded them: "Transgress not (by doing worldly works on) the Sabbath (Saturday)." And We took from them a firm covenant .

155. Because of their breaking the covenant, and of their rejecting the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, and of their killing the Prophets unjustly, and of their saying: "Our hearts are wrapped (with coverings, i.e. we do not understand what the Messengers say)" - nay, Allah has set a seal upon their hearts because of their disbelief, so they believe not but a little.

156. And because of their (Jews) disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary) a grave false charge (that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse);

[The concern in the following verse is to assert that contrary to the Jews’ assertion that they had killed Jesus (this “assertion” is only found in the New Testament—let it be on our heads, etc.--, not in a Jewish text), they did not, because, as some Moslem commentators

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opined, a follower of Jesus volunteered in his place and was killed and crucified, in that order in the Qur’an text, as Muslims understood crucifixion took place after the victim was killed. Another commentator suggested the crucified one was Jesus, who miraculously took on Jesus’ appearance].

157. And because of their saying (in boast), "We killed Messiah 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah," - but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of 'Iesa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not [i.e.  'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) ]:

[The following verse is the source of the Islamic belief that Jesus ascended directly to God after death, or, to be consistent with the previous verse, without the intervening event of his death. Islamic tradition holds that Jesus will return at the end of time to fight the Antichirst and will thereafter eventually die and be resurrected with the rest of humanity].

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158. But Allah raised him ['Iesa (Jesus)] up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he is in the heavens). And Allah is Ever All-Powerful, All-Wise.

159. And there is none of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), but must believe in him ['Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), as only a Messenger of Allah and a human being], before his ['Iesa (Jesus) or a Jew's or a Christian's] death (at the time of the appearance of the angel of death). And on the Day of Resurrection, he ['Iesa (Jesus)] will be a witness against them.

160. For the wrong-doing of the Jews, We made unlawful to them certain good foods which has been lawful to them, and for their hindering many from Allah's Way;

161. And their taking of Riba (usury) though they were forbidden from taking it and their devouring of men's substance wrongfully (bribery, etc.). And We have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful torment.

162. But those among them who are well-grounded in knowledge, and the believers, believe in what has been sent down to you (Muhammad  ) and what

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was sent down before you, and those who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat and believe in Allah and in the Last Day, it is they to whom We shall give a great reward.

[Regarding Moses and the Exodus and the Episode of the Golden CalfIn Surah 20 parallels to Exodus 32:4 regarding the golden calf and the Samaritan here Samiri or Samin].

Exodus 32:1-14

1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” 2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” 

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5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD.” 6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. 7 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’ 9 “I have seen these people,” the LORD said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” 11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them

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in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’ ” 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened

Surah Ta-Ha (The letters Ta-Ha) 20:9-97

[85-97 contains the relevant passage with the addition of the mysterious Samiri, or Samaritan. The previous material is a summary of the Exodus story up until the episode of the Golden Calf].

9. And has there come to you the story of Musa (Moses)?

10. When he saw a fire, he said to his family: "Wait! Verily, I have seen a fire, perhaps I can bring you some burning brand therefrom, or find some guidance at the fire."

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11. And when he came to it (the fire), he was called by name: "O Musa (Moses)!

12. "Verily! I am your Lord! So take off your shoes, you are in the sacred valley, Tuwa.

13. "And I have chosen you. So listen to that which is inspired to you.

14. "Verily! I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) for My Remembrance.

15. "Verily, the Hour is coming and My Will is to keep it hidden that every person may be rewarded for that which he strives.

16. "Therefore, let not the one who believes not therein (i.e. in the Day of Resurrection, Reckoning, Paradise and Hell, etc.), but follows his own lusts, divert you therefrom, lest you perish.

17. "And what is that in your right hand, O Musa (Moses)?"

18. He said: "This is my stick, whereon I lean, and wherewith I beat down branches for my sheep, and wherein I find other uses."

19. (Allah) said: "Cast it down, O Musa (Moses)!"

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20. He cast it down, and behold! It was a snake, moving quickly.

21. Allah said:"Grasp it, and fear not, We shall return it to its former state,

22. "And press your (right) hand to your (left) side, it will come forth white (and shining), without any disease as another sign,

23. "That We may show you (some) of Our Greater Signs.

24. "Go to Fir'aun (Pharaoh)! Verily, he has transgressed (all bounds in disbelief and disobedience, and has behaved as an arrogant, and as a tyrant)."

25. [Musa (Moses)] said: "O my Lord! Open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence, contentment, and boldness).

26. "And ease my task for me;

27. "And make loose the knot (the defect) from my tongue, (i.e. remove the incorrectness from my speech) [That occurred as a result of a brand of fire which Musa (Moses) put in his mouth when he was an infant]. [Tafsir At-Tabari, Vol. 16, Page 159].

28. "That they understand my speech,

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29. "And appoint for me a helper from my family,

30. "Harun (Aaron), my brother;

31. "Increase my strength with him,

32. "And let him share my task (of conveying Allah's Message and Prophethood),

33. "That we may glorify You much,

34. "And remember You much,

35. "Verily! You are of us Ever a Well-Seer."

36. Allah said: "You are granted your request, O Musa (Moses)!

37. "And indeed We conferred a favour on you another time (before).

38. "When We inspired your mother with that which We inspired.

39. "Saying: 'Put him (the child) into the Tabut (a box or a case or a chest) and put it into the river (Nile), then the river shall cast it up on the bank, and there, an enemy of Mine and an enemy of his shall take him.' And I endued you with love from Me, in order that you may be brought up under My Eye,

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40. "When your sister went and said: 'Shall I show you one who will nurse him?' So We restored you to your mother, that she might cool her eyes and she should not grieve. Then you did kill a man, but We saved you from great distress and tried you with a heavy trial. Then you stayed a number of years with the people of Madyan (Midian). Then you came here according to the fixed term which I ordained (for you), O Musa (Moses)!

41. "And I have Istana'tuka,  for Myself.

42. "Go you and your brother with My Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), and do not, you both, slacken and become weak in My Remembrance.

43. "Go, both of you, to Fir'aun (Pharaoh), verily, he has transgressed (all bounds in disbelief and disobedience and behaved as an arrogant and as a tyrant).

44. "And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear Allah."

45. They said: "Our Lord! Verily! We fear lest he should hasten to punish us or lest he should transgress (all bounds against us)."

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46. He (Allah) said: "Fear not, verily! I am with you both, hearing and seeing.

47. "So go you both to him, and say: 'Verily, we are Messengers of your Lord, so let the Children of Israel go with us, and torment them not; indeed, we have come with a sign from your Lord! And peace will be upon him who follows the guidance!

48. 'Truly, it has been revealed to us that the torment will be for him who denies [believes not in the Oneness of Allah, and in His Messengers, etc.], and turns away.'(from the truth and obedience of Allah)"

49. Fir'aun (Pharaoh) said: "Who then, O Musa (Moses), is the Lord of you two?"

50. [Musa (Moses)] said: "Our Lord is He Who gave to each thing its form and nature, then guided it aright."

51. [Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] said: "What about the generations of old?"

52. [Musa (Moses)] said: "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord, in a Record. My Lord is neither unaware nor He forgets, "

53. Who has made earth for you like a bed (spread out); and has opened roads (ways and paths etc.)

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for you therein; and has sent down water (rain) from the sky. And We have brought forth with it various kinds of vegetation.

54. Eat and pasture your cattle, (therein); verily, in this are proofs and signs for men of understanding.

55. Thereof (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again.

56. And indeed We showed him [Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] all Our Signs and Evidences, but he denied and refused.

57. He [Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] said: "Have you come to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Musa (Moses)?

58. "Then verily, we can produce magic the like thereof; so appoint a meeting between us and you, which neither we, nor you shall fail to keep, in an open wide place where both shall have a just and equal chance (and beholders could witness the competition)."

59. [Musa (Moses)] said: "Your appointed meeting is the day of the festival, and let the people assemble when the sun has risen (forenoon)."

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60. So Fir'aun (Pharaoh) withdrew, devised his plot and then came back.

61. Musa (Moses) said to them: "Woe unto you! Invent not a lie against Allah, lest He should destroy you completely by a torment. And surely, he who invents a lie (against Allah) will fail miserably."

62. Then they debated with one another what they must do, and they kept their talk secret.

63. They said: "Verily! These are two magicians. Their object is to drive you out from your land with magic, and overcome your chiefs and nobles.

64. "So devise your plot, and then assemble in line. And whoever overcomes this day will be indeed successful."

65. They said:"O Musa (Moses)! Either you throw first or we be the first to throw?"

66. [Musa (Moses)] said: "Nay, throw you (first)!" Then behold, their ropes and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as though they moved fast.

67. So Musa (Moses) conceived a fear in himself.

68. We (Allah) said: "Fear not! Surely, you will have the upper hand.

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69. "And throw that which is in your right hand! It will swallow up that which they have made. That which they have made is only a magician's trick, and the magician will never be successful, no matter whatever amount (of skill) he may attain."

70. So the magicians fell down prostrate. They said: "We believe in the Lord of Harun (Aaron) and Musa (Moses)."

71. [Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] said: "Believe you in him [Musa (Moses)] before I give you permission? Verily! He is your chief who taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you on the trunks of date-palms, and you shall surely know which of us [I (Fir'aun - Pharaoh) or the Lord of Musa (Moses) (Allah)] can give the severe and more lasting torment."

72. They said: "We prefer you not over the clear signs that have come to us, and to Him (Allah) Who created us. So decree whatever you desire to decree, for you can only decree (regarding) this life of the world.

73. "Verily! We have believed in our Lord, that He may forgive us our faults, and the magic to which you did compel us. And Allah is better as regards

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reward in comparison to your [Fir'aun's (Pharaoh)] reward, and more lasting (as regards punishment in comparison to your punishment)."

74. Verily! Whoever comes to his Lord as a Mujrim (criminal, polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah and His Messengers, sinner, etc.), then surely, for him is Hell, therein he will neither die nor live.

75. But whoever comes to Him (Allah) as a believer (in the Oneness of Allah, etc.), and has done righteous good deeds, for such are the high ranks (in the Hereafter),

76. 'Adn (Edn) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), under which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever: such is the reward of those who purify themselves [(by abstaining from all kinds of sins and evil deeds) which Allah has forbidden and by doing all that which Allah has ordained)].

77. And indeed We inspired Musa (Moses) (saying): "Travel by night with Ibadi (My slaves) and strike a dry path for them in the sea, fearing neither to be overtaken [by Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] nor being afraid (of drowning in the sea)."

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78. Then Fir'aun (Pharaoh) pursued them with his hosts, but the sea-water completely overwhelmed them and covered them up.

79. And Fir'aun (Pharaoh) led his people astray, and he did not guide them.

80. O Children of Israel! We delivered you from your enemy, and We made a covenant with you on the right side of the Mount, and We sent down to you Al-Manna and quails,

81. (Saying) eat of the Taiyibat (good lawful things) wherewith We have provided you, and commit no oppression therein, lest My Anger should justly descend on you. And he on whom My Anger descends, he is indeed perished.

82. And verily, I am indeed Forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them, (till his death).

83. "And what made you hasten from your people, O Musa (Moses)?"

84. He said: "They are close on my footsteps, and I hastened to You, O my Lord, that You might be pleased."

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85. (Allah) said: "Verily! We have tried your people in your absence, and As-Samiri has led them astray."

86. Then Musa (Moses) returned to his people in a state of anger and sorrow. He said: "O my people! Did not your Lord promise you a fair promise? Did then the promise seem to you long in coming? Or did you desire that wrath should descend from your Lord on you, so you broke your promise to me (i.e disbelieving in Allah and worshipping the calf)?"

87. They said: "We broke not the promise to you, of our own will, but we were made to carry the weight of the ornaments of the [Fir'aun's (Pharaoh)] people, then we cast them (into the fire), and that was what As-Samiri suggested."

88. Then he took out (of the fire) for them a statue of a calf which seemed to low. They said: "This is your ilah (god), and the ilah (god) of Musa (Moses), but [Musa (Moses)] has forgotten (his god).'"

89. Did they not see that it could not return them a word (for answer), and that it had no power either to harm them or to do them good?

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90. And Harun (Aaron) indeed had said to them beforehand: "O my people! You are being tried in this, and verily, your Lord is (Allah) the Most Beneficent, so follow me and obey my order."

91. They said: "We will not stop worshipping it (i.e. the calf), until Musa (Moses) returns to us."

92. [Musa (Moses)] said: "O Harun (Aaron)! What stopped you when you saw them going astray;

93. "That you followed me not (according to my advice to you)? Have you then disobeyed my order?"

94. He [Harun (Aaron)] said: "O son of my mother! Seize (me) not by my beard, nor by my head! Verily, I feared lest you should say: 'You have caused a division among the Children of Israel, and you have not respected my word!' "

95. [Musa (Moses)] said: "And what is the matter with you. O Samiri? (i.e. why did you do so?)"

96. (Samiri) said: "I saw what they saw not, so I took a handful (of dust) from the hoof print of the messenger [Jibrael's (Gabriel) horse] and threw it [into the fire in which were put the ornaments of the Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) people, or

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into the calf]. Thus my inner-self suggested to me."

97. Musa (Moses) said: "Then go away! And verily, your (punishment) in this life will be that you will say: "Touch me not (i.e.you will live alone exiled away from mankind); and verily (for a future torment), you have a promise that will not fail. And look at your ilah (god), to which you have been devoted. We will certainly burn it, and scatter its particles in the sea."

Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2:293

While the Torah speaks with special admiration of the Jewish people for doing what God wants even before they hear the commandments (Na’aseh v’nishmah, we will do and we will hear, the Qur’an reverses both the sentiments and the words to tie the golden calf with the disobedience and noncompliance to God of Israel.]

93. And (remember) when We took your covenant and We raised above you the Mount (saying), "Hold firmly to what We have given you and hear (Our Word). They said, "We have heard and disobeyed." And their hearts absorbed (the worship of) the calf because of their disbelief.

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Say: "Worst indeed is that which your faith enjoins on you if you are believers."

[The following are several Islamic legends using the character of Moses (for instance, his humility and sincerity) and other biblical characters in relation to several other—Khidr or al-Khidr (the green one) and Dhu’l-Qarnayn (the two horned)-- characters clearly part of a pre-Islamic Arabic tradition, and not part of a Jewish tradition. These are examples of stories based on the existence of the character of the prophet Moses but without basis in the Tanach.]

Surah Al-Khaf (The Cave) 18: 60-101

60. And (remember) when Musa (Moses) said to his boy-servant: "I will not give up (travelling) until I reach the junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in travelling."

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61. But when they reached the junction of the two seas, they forgot their fish, and it took its way through the sea as in a tunnel.

62. So when they had passed further on (beyond that fixed place), Musa (Moses) said to his boy-servant: "Bring us our morning meal; truly, we have suffered much fatigue in this, our journey."

63. He said:"Do you remember when we betook ourselves to the rock? I indeed forgot the fish, none but Shaitan (Satan) made me forget to remember it. It took its course into the sea in a strange (way)!"

64. [Musa (Moses)] said: "That is what we have been seeking." So they went back retracing their footsteps.

[Who is Khidr? He was said to have been the name al-Khidr, the Green One, because wherever he prayed or stood, everything around him became green, that is, renewed with life. Some Sufis consider him to be an eternal and mysterious mystical master who still guide or even initiates certain people into the Sufi path through dreams and visions. Khidr is widely considered a prophet, or an angel. Moses follows him and seeks knowledge from him.

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which he achieves with diligence and humility; he is Moses’ guide and mentor.

The association of al-Khidr with Alexander the Great stems from the fact that the Khidr narrative in the Qur’an precedes that of Dhul-Qarnayn, who is identified with Alexander…Al-Khidr is considered immortal, like Elijah, Jesus, and Idris. He is a protector of travelers, a rescuer, and a saint. In hagiographies Khidr gives to humankind initiation, guidance and liturgies.].

65. Then they found one of Our slaves, unto whom We had bestowed mercy from Us, and whom We had taught knowledge from Us.

66. Musa (Moses) said to him (Khidr) "May I follow you so that you teach me something of that knowledge (guidance and true path) which you have been taught (by Allah)?"

67. He (Khidr) said: "Verily! You will not be able to have patience with me!

68. "And how can you have patience about a thing which you know not?"

69. Musa (Moses) said: "If Allah will, you will find me patient, and I will not disobey you in aught."

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70. He (Khidr) said: "Then, if you follow me, ask me not about anything till I myself mention it to you."

71. So they both proceeded, till, when they embarked the ship, he (Khidr) scuttled it. Musa (Moses) said: "Have you scuttled it in order to drown its people? Verily, you have committed a thing "Imra" (a Munkar - evil, bad, dreadful thing)."

72. He (Khidr) said: "Did I not tell you, that you would not be able to have patience with me?"

73. [Musa (Moses)] said: "Call me not to account for what I forgot, and be not hard upon me for my affair (with you)."

74. Then they both proceeded, till they met a boy, he (Khidr) killed him. Musa (Moses) said: "Have you killed an innocent person who had killed none? Verily, you have committed a thing "Nukra" (a great Munkar - prohibited, evil, dreadful thing)!"

[One can interpret this passage allegorically (ta’wil) as the journey of the soul. The ship broken by Khidr (the representative of esoteric and timeless truth) represents the body broken by spiritual exercises and asceticism, and the

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slain boy represents the lower soul inclined to evil, which is slain by overcoming the passions, then the repaired wall symbolizes the soul at peace, which can be restored through the perfecting of character and virtue once the bodily passions and the lower soul have been subdued].

75. (Khidr) said: "Did I not tell you that you can have no patience with me?"

76. [Musa (Moses)] said: "If I ask you anything after this, keep me not in your company, you have received an excuse from me."

[The various acts that Khidr performs, as above, which are shocking to Moses, are not acts that he did upon his own account, but rather acts that he does at God’s command, and their meaning are left to the revelation below, verses 78 ff.].

77. Then they both proceeded, till, when they came to the people of a town, they asked them for food, but they refused to entertain them. Then they found therein a wall about to collapse and he (Khidr) set it up straight. [Musa (Moses)] said: If you had wished, surely, you could have taken wages for it!"

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78. (Khidr) said: "This is the parting between me and you, I will tell you the interpretation of (those) things over which you were unable to hold patience.

79. "As for the ship, it belonged to Masakin (poor people) working in the sea. So I wished to make a defective damage in it, as there was a king after them who seized every ship by force.

[Khidr explains that his damaging of the ship was actually his way of saving it, for tyrannical king was seizing all sound vessels].

80. "And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief.

[The slaying of the youth is explained as a means of sparing his parents grief and distress over the rebellion and disbelief he would exhibit later in life!]

81. "So we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one better in righteousness and near to mercy.

82. "And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the town; and there was under it a treasure belonging to them; and their father was a righteous man, and your Lord intended that they should attain

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their age of full strength and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of those (things) over which you could not hold patience."

[Khidr explains that the wall was about to fall in a place where the inherited treasure belonging to two orphans boys was buried. By repairing and straightening the wall, Khidr made it possible for the boys to access their treasure when they grew up].

[What follows is the story of Dhul-Qarnain (litera]lly, he of the two horns), the man whose travels encompassed the east and the west (the directions being the two horns of the earth). He is widely identified as a youth from Rum (the West), namely Alexander the Great, though some identify him with the Persian King Cyrus, the Great, a righteous servant of God to whom God granted sovereignty, knowledge and wisdom, or a prophet or an angel].

83. And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say: "I shall recite to you something of his story."

84. Verily, We established him in the earth, and We gave him the means of everything.

85. So he followed a way.

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86. Until, when he reached the setting place of the sun, he found it setting in a spring of black muddy (or hot) water. And he found near it a people. We (Allah) said (by inspiration): "O Dhul-Qarnain! Either you punish them, or treat them with kindness."

87. He said: "As for him (a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah) who does wrong, we shall punish him; and then he will be brought back unto his Lord; Who will punish him with a terrible torment (Hell).

88. "But as for him who believes (in Allah's Oneness) and works righteousness, he shall have the best reward, (Paradise), and we (Dhul-Qarnain) shall speak unto him mild words (as instructions)."

89. Then he followed another way,

90. Until, when he came to the rising place of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We (Allah) had provided no shelter against the sun.

91. So (it was)! And We knew all about him (Dhul-Qarnain).

92. Then he followed (another) way,

93. Until, when he reached between two mountains, he found, before (near) them (those two mountains), a people who scarcely understood a word.

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94. They said: "O Dhul-Qarnain! Verily! Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) are doing great mischief in the land. Shall we then pay you a tribute in order that you might erect a barrier between us and them?"

95. He said: "That (wealth, authority and power) in which my Lord had established me is better (than your tribute). So help me with strength (of men), I will erect between you and them a barrier.

96. "Give me pieces (blocks) of iron," then, when he had filled up the gap between the two mountain-cliffs, he said: "Blow," till when he had made it (red as) fire, he said: "Bring me molten copper to pour over it."

97. So they [Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog)] were made powerless to scale it or dig through it.

98. Dhul-Qarnain) said: "This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the Promise of my Lord comes, He shall level it down to the ground. And the Promise of my Lord is ever true."

[What follows “On that Day” means on the Last Day, before the Resurrection but after the slaying of the Antichirst. Those who are left to surge against one another will be either Gog and Magog and human beings, or human beings and

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jinn. The trumpet is said to be blown by Seraphiel (Israfil) or one of the other archangels.

99. And on that Day [i.e. the Day Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) will come out], We shall leave them to surge like waves on one another, and the Trumpet will be blown, and We shall collect them all together.

100. And on that Day We shall present Hell to the disbelievers, plain to view,

101. (To) Those whose eyes had been under a covering from My Reminder (this Qur'an), and who could not bear to hear (it).

[Common biblical images of veiled eyes as symbolic of being spiritually blind and deaf, and therefore imperivous to the revealed messages of the prophets].

Surah An-Nami (The Ants) 27:7-58 [This Surah transitions from incidents in Moses’ life, the staff that became a snake, and the whiteness of his chest (transposed from his sister Miriam having temporarily been punished by

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God with tza’arat, or leprosy-like condition, to David and thence to the Solomon’s ability to talk with the animals (here, the ants), Then we encounter yet another new character, not found in the Tanach, the Arabian prophet Salih of the Thamud, verse 45 ff.].

7. (Remember) when Musa (Moses) said to his household: "Verily! I have seen a fire, I will bring you from there some information, or I will bring you a burning brand, that you may warm yourselves."

8. But when he came to it, he was called: "Blessed is whosoever is in the fire, and whosoever is round about it! And glorified be Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).

9. "O Musa (Moses)! Verily! It is I, Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

10. "And throw down your stick!" But when he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he turned in flight, and did not look back. (It was said): "O Musa (Moses)! Fear not, verily! The Messengers fear not in front of Me.

11. "Except him who has done wrong and afterwards has changed evil for good, then surely, I am Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

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12. "And put your hand into your bosom, it will come forth white without hurt. (These are) among the nine signs (you will take) to Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and his people, they are a people who are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).

13. But when Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) came to them, clear to see, they said: "This is a manifest magic."

14. And they belied them (those Ayat) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their ownselves were convinced thereof [i.e. those (Ayat) are from Allah, and Musa (Moses) is the Messenger of Allah in truth, but they disliked to obey Musa (Moses), and hated to believe in his Message of Monotheism]. So see what was the end of the Mufsidun (disbelievers, disobedient to Allah, evil-doers, liars.).

15. And indeed We gave knowledge to Dawud (David) and Sulaiman (Solomon), and they both said: "All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has preferred us above many of His believing slaves!"

16. And Sulaiman (Solomon) inherited (the knowledge of) Dawud (David). He said: "O mankind! We have been taught the language of birds, and on

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us have been bestowed all things. This, verily, is an evident grace (from Allah)."

17. And there were gathered before Sulaiman (Solomon) his hosts of jinns and men, and birds, and they all were set in battle order (marching forwards).

18. Till, when they came to the valley of the ants, one of the ants said: "O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulaiman (Solomon) and his hosts crush you, while they perceive not."

19. So he [Sulaiman (Solomon)] smiled, amused at her speech and said: "My Lord! Inspire and bestow upon me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves."

20. He inspected the birds, and said: "What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?

21. "I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason."

22. But the hoopoe stayed not long, he (came up and) said: "I have grasped (the knowledge of a

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thing) which you have not grasped and I have come to you from Saba' (Sheba) with true news.

23. "I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a great throne.

24. "I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah, and Shaitan (Satan) has made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and has barred them from (Allah's) Way, so they have no guidance,"

25. Al-La (this word has two interpretations) (A) [As Shaitan (Satan) has barred them from Allah's Way] so that they do not worship (prostrate before) Allah, or (B) So that they may worship (prostrate before) Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. [Tafsir At-Tabari, Vol. 19, Page 149]

26. Allah, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!

27. [Sulaiman (Solomon)] said: "We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are (one) of the liars.

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28. "Go you with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them, then draw back from them, and see what (answer) they return."

29. She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is delivered to me a noble letter,

30. "Verily! It is from Sulaiman (Solomon), and verily! It (reads): In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful;

31. "Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allah with full submission)' "

32. She said: "O chiefs! Advise me in (this) case of mine. I decide no case till you are present with me."

33. They said: "We have great strength, and great ability for war, but it is for you to command; so think over what you will command."

34. She said: "Verily! Kings, when they enter a town (country), they despoil it, and make the most honourable amongst its people low. And thus they do.

35. "But verily! I am going to send him a present, and see with what (answer) the messengers return."

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36. So when (the messengers with the present) came to Sulaiman (Solomon), he said: "Will you help me in wealth? What Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your gift!"

37. [Then Sulaiman (Solomon) said to the chief of her messengers who brought the present]: "Go back to them. We verily shall come to them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from there in disgrace, and they will be abased."

38. He said: "O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?"

39. An Ifrit (strong) from the jinns said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work."

40. One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: "I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!" then when [Sulaiman (Solomon)] saw it placed before him, he said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his ownself, and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his ownself).

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Certainly! My Lord is Rich (Free of all wants), Bountiful."

41. He said: "Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will be guided (to recognise her throne), or she will be one of those not guided."

42. So when she came, it was said (to her): "Is your throne like this?" She said: "(It is) as though it were the very same." And [Sulaiman (Solomon) said]: "Knowledge was bestowed on us before her, and we were submitted to Allah (in Islam as Muslims before her)."

43. And that which she used to worship besides Allah has prevented her (from Islam), for she was of a disbelieving people.

44. It was said to her: "Enter As-Sarh" [(a glass surface with water underneath it) or a palace], but when she saw it, she thought it was a pool, and she (tucked up her clothes) uncovering her legs, Sulaiman (Solomon) said: "Verily, it is Sarh [(a glass surface with water underneath it) or a palace] paved smooth with slab of glass." She said: "My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, and I submit (in Islam, together with Sulaiman (Solomon), to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)."

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45. And indeed We sent to Thamud their brother Salih (Saleh), saying: "Worship Allah (Alone and none else). Then look! They became two parties (believers and disbelievers) quarreling with each other."

[Salih wa an Arabian prophet sent to his people, the Thamud, descendants of Noah’s son Shem. The Thamud were said to inhabit a high rocky plain known as al-Hijr locaed in western Arabia, between the Hijaz and Syria].

46. He said: "O my people! Why do you seek to hasten the evil (torment) before the good (Allah's Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allah, that you may receive mercy?"

47. They said: "We augur ill omen from you and those with you." He said: "Your ill omen is with Allah; nay, but you are a people that are being tested."

48. And there were in the city nine men (from the sons of their chiefs), who made mischief in the land, and would not reform.

49. They said: "Swear one to another by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his household, and afterwards we will surely say to his near relatives: 'We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily! We are telling the truth.'"

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50. So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.

51. Then see how was the end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together.

52. These are their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayah (a lesson or a sign) for people who know.

53. And We saved those who believed, and used to fear Allah, and keep their duty to Him.

54. And (remember) Lout (Lot)! When he said to his people . Do you commit Al-Fahishah (evil, great sin, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, sodomy, etc.) while you see (one another doing evil without any screen, etc.)?"

55. "Do you approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, but you are a people who behave senselessly."

56. There was no other answer given by his people except that they said: "Drive out the family of Lout (Lot) from your city. Verily, these are men who want to be clean and pure!"

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57. So We saved him and his family, except his wife. We destined her to be of those who remained behind.

58. And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). So evil was the rain of those who were warned.

The entire Surah 12 is devoted to Joseph

Surah Yusuf (Prophet Joseph) 12:1-111 12. Surah Yusuf (Prophet Joseph)

[I have made bold all those passages in the following Surah that are large deviations from the Biblical story of Joseph which takes up the entire

last four chapters of the Book of Genesis (Bereshit) and is the longest continuous narrative (self-

contained story) in the entire Torah. Only the story of King David is of much greater length in the entire Tanach (Jewish Bible). The story as presented in

this Surah is also remarkable in its relatively faithful rendition of the story found in the Torah, as

compared to some of the other stories we have studied in this lesson. However the opening and

closing verses in this Surah make clear that rather

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than copying either the written Torah story or paraphrasing an oral version Muhammad is getting this story for Allah’s Qur’an directly as dictated by

Allah through the angle Gabriel].

1. Alif-Lam-Ra. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings].

These are the Verses of the Clear Book (the Qur'an that makes clear the legal and illegal things, legal laws, a guidance and a blessing).

2. Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an in order that you may understand.

3. We relate unto you (Muhammad  ) the best of stories through Our Revelations unto you, of this Qur'an. And before this (i.e. before the coming of Divine Inspiration to you), you were among those who knew nothing about it (the Qur'an).

4. (Remember) when Yusuf (Joseph) said to his father: "O my father! Verily, I saw (in a dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon, I saw them prostrating themselves to me."

5. He (the father) said: "O my son! Relate not your vision to your brothers, lest they arrange a plot

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against you. Verily! Shaitan (Satan) is to man an open enemy!

6. "Thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of dreams (and other things) and perfect His Favour on you and on the offspring of Ya'qub (Jacob), as He perfected it on your fathers, Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ishaque (Isaac) aforetime! Verily, your Lord is All-Knowing, All-Wise."

7. Verily, in Yusuf (Joseph) and his brethren, there were Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) for those who ask.

8. When they said: "Truly, Yusuf (Joseph) and his brother (Benjamin) are loved more by our father than we, but we are 'Usbah (a strong group). Really, our father is in a plain error.

9. "Kill Yusuf (Joseph) or cast him out to some (other) land, so that the favour of your father may be given to you alone, and after that you will be righteous folk (by intending repentance before committing the sin)."

10. One from among them said: "Kill not Yusuf (Joseph), but if you must do something, throw him

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down to the bottom of a well, he will be picked up by some caravan of travellers."

11. They said: "O our father! Why do you not trust us with Yusuf (Joseph), - when we are indeed his well-wishers?"

12. "Send him with us tomorrow to enjoy himself and play, and verily, we will take care of him."

13. He [Ya'qub (Jacob)] said: "Truly, it saddens me that you should take him away. I fear lest a wolf should devour him, while you are careless of him."

14. They said: "If a wolf devours him, while we are 'Usbah (a strong group) (to guard him), then surely, we are the losers."

15. So, when they took him away, they all agreed to throw him down to the bottom of the well, and We inspired in him:"Indeed, you shall (one day) inform them of this their affair, when they know (you) not."

16. And they came to their father in the early part of the night weeping.

17. They said:"O our father! We went racing with one another, and left Yusuf (Joseph) by our belongings and a wolf devoured him; but you will never believe us even when we speak the truth."

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18. And they brought his shirt stained with false blood. He said: "Nay, but your ownselves have made up a tale. So (for me) patience is most fitting. And it is Allah (Alone) Whose help can be sought against that which you assert."

19. And there came a caravan of travellers; they sent their water-drawer, and he let down his bucket (into the well). He said: "What good news! Here is a boy." So they hid him as merchandise (a slave). And Allah was the All-Knower of what they did.

20. And they sold him for a low price, - for a few Dirhams (i.e. for a few silver coins). And they were of those who regarded him insignificant.

21. And he (the man) from Egypt who bought him, said to his wife: "Make his stay comfortable, may be he will profit us or we shall adopt him as a son." Thus did We establish Yusuf (Joseph) in the land, that We might teach him the interpretation of events. And Allah has full power and control over His Affairs, but most of men know not.

22. And when he [Yusuf (Joseph)] attained his full manhood, We gave him wisdom and knowledge (the Prophethood), thus We reward the Muhsinun (doers of good - see V.2:112).

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[In later Muslim tradition Zulaykh is the wife of the man from Egypt [Potiphar in the Tanach] who bought Joseph. She is emblematic of both the desirous woman and a lovesick soul (nafs in Arabic) who cannot resist the handsome Joseph. In later Muslim tradition her love is transformed allegorized into the image human love which mirrors the believer’s spiritual quest to love entirely the “fashioner”—God the Creator].

23. And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him (to do an evil act), she closed the doors and said: "Come on, O you." He said: "I seek refuge in Allah (or Allah forbid)! Truly, he (your husband) is my master! He made my stay agreeable! (So I will never betray him). Verily, the Zalimun (wrong and evil-doers) will never be successful."

24. And indeed she did desire him and he would have inclined to her desire, had he not seen the evidence of his Lord. Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves.

25. So they raced with one another to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back. They both

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found her lord (i.e. her husband) at the door. She said: "What is the recompense (punishment) for him who intended an evil design against your wife, except that he be put in prison or a painful torment?"

26. He [Yusuf (Joseph)] said: "It was she that sought to seduce me," - and a witness of her household bore witness (saying): "If it be that his shirt is torn from the front, then her tale is true and he is a liar!

27. "But if it be that his shirt is torn from the back, then she has told a lie and he is speaking the truth!"

28. So when he (her husband) saw his [(Yusuf's (Joseph)] shirt torn at the back; (her husband) said: "Surely, it is a plot of you women! Certainly mighty is your plot!

29. "O Yusuf (Joseph)! Turn away from this! (O woman!) Ask forgiveness for your sin. Verily, you were of the sinful."

30. And women in the city said: "The wife of Al-'Aziz is seeking to seduce her (slave) young man, indeed she loves him violently; verily we see her in plain error."

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31. So when she heard of their accusation, she sent for them and prepared a banquet for them; she gave each one of them a knife (to cut the foodstuff with), and she said [(to Yusuf (Joseph)]: "Come out before them." Then, when they saw him, they exalted him (at his beauty) and (in their astonishment) cut their hands. They said: "How perfect is Allah (or Allah forbid)! No man is this! This is none other than a noble angel!"

32. She said: "This is he (the young man) about whom you did blame me (for his love), and I did seek to seduce him, but he refused. And now if he refuses to obey my order, he shall certainly be cast into prison, and will be one of those who are disgraced."

33. He said:"O my Lord! Prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. Unless You turn away their plot from me, I will feel inclined towards them and be one (of those who commit sin and deserve blame or those who do deeds) of the ignorants."

34. So his Lord answered his invocation and turned away from him their plot. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

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35. Then it appeared to them, after they had seen the proofs (of his innocence) to imprison him for a time.

[While the dreams are different in the Torah story, the dreamers do approach Joseph in prison as represented here in the Qur’an].

36. And there entered with him two young men in the prison. One of them said: "Verily, I saw myself (in a dream) pressing wine." The other said: "Verily, I saw myself (in a dream) carrying bread on my head and birds were eating thereof." (They said): "Inform us of the interpretation of this. Verily, we think you are one of the Muhsinun (doers of good - see V.2:112)."

37. He said: "No food will come to you (in wakefulness or in dream) as your provision, but I will inform (in wakefulness) its interpretation before it (the food) comes. This is of that which my Lord has taught me. Verily, I have abandoned the religion of a people that believe not in Allah and are disbelievers in the Hereafter (i.e. the Kan'aniun of Egypt who were polytheists and used to worship sun and other false deities).

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38. "And I have followed the religion of my fathers , - Ibrahim (Abraham), Ishaque (Isaac) and Ya'qub (Jacob), and never could we attribute any partners whatsoever to Allah. This is from the Grace of Allah to us and to mankind, but most men thank not (i.e. they neither believe in Allah, nor worship Him).

39. "O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the Irresistible?

40. "You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgement) is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.

41. "O two companions of the prison! As for one of you, he (as a servant) will pour out wine for his lord (king or master) to drink; and as for the other, he will be crucified and birds will eat from his head. Thus is the case judged concerning which you both did inquire."

42. And he said to the one whom he knew to be saved: "Mention me to your lord (i.e. your king, so as to get me out of the prison)." But Shaitan (Satan)

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made him forget to mention it to his Lord [or Satan made [(Yusuf (Joseph)] to forget the remembrance of his Lord (Allah) as to ask for His Help, instead of others]. So [Yusuf (Joseph)] stayed in prison a few (more) years.

[It is his own forgetfulness, that keeps the redeemed servant from mentioning Joseph to Pharaoh].

43. And the king (of Egypt) said: "Verily, I saw (in a dream) seven fat cows, whom seven lean ones were devouring - and of seven green ears of corn, and (seven) others dry. O notables! Explain to me my dream, if it be that you can interpret dreams."

44. They said: "Mixed up false dreams and we are not skilled in the interpretation of dreams."

45. Then the man who was released (one of the two who were in prison), now at length remembered and said: "I will tell you its interpretation, so send me forth."

46. (He said): "O Yusuf (Joseph), the man of truth! Explain to us (the dream) of seven fat cows whom seven lean ones were devouring, and of seven green ears of corn, and (seven) others dry, that I may return to the people, and that they may know."

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47. [(Yusuf (Joseph)] said: "For seven consecutive years, you shall sow as usual and that (the harvest) which you reap you shall leave in ears, (all) - except a little of it which you may eat.

48. "Then will come after that, seven hard (years), which will devour what you have laid by in advance for them, (all) except a little of that which you have guarded (stored).

49. "Then thereafter will come a year in which people will have abundant rain and in which they will press (wine and oil)."

50. And the king said: "Bring him to me." But when the messenger came to him, [Yusuf (Joseph)] said: "Return to your lord and ask him, 'What happened to the women who cut their hands? Surely, my Lord (Allah) is Well-Aware of their plot.'"

51. (The King) said (to the women): "What was your affair when you did seek to seduce Yusuf (Joseph)?" The women said: "Allah forbid! No evil know we against him!" The wife of Al-'Aziz said: "Now the truth is manifest (to all), it was I who sought to seduce him, and he is surely of the truthful."

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52. [Then Yusuf (Joseph) said: "I asked for this enquiry] in order that he (Al-'Aziz) may know that I betrayed him not in secret. And, verily! Allah guides not the plot of the betrayers.

53. "And I free not myself (from the blame). Verily, the (human) self is inclined to evil, except when my Lord bestows His Mercy (upon whom He wills). Verily, my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

54. And the king said: "Bring him to me that I may attach him to my person." Then, when he spoke to him, he said: "Verily, this day, you are with us high in rank and fully trusted."

55. [Yusuf (Joseph)] said: "Set me over the storehouses of the land; I will indeed guard them with full knowledge" (as a minister of finance in Egypt, in place of Al-'Aziz who was dead at that time).

56. Thus did We give full authority to Yusuf (Joseph) in the land, to take possession therein, as when or where he likes. We bestow of Our Mercy on whom We please, and We make not to be lost the reward of Al-Muhsinun (the good doers - see V.2:112).

57. And verily, the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believe and used to fear Allah and

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keep their duty to Him (by abstaining from all kinds of sins and evil deeds and by performing all kinds of righteous good deeds).

58. And Yusuf's (Joseph) brethren came and they entered unto him, and he recognized them, but they recognized him not.

59. And when he had furnished them forth with provisions (according to their need), he said: "Bring me a brother of yours from your father; (he meant Benjamin). See you not that I give full measure, and that I am the best of the hosts?

60. "But if you bring him not to me, there shall be no measure (of corn) for you with me, nor shall you come near me."

61. They said: "We shall try to get permission (for him) from his father, and verily, we shall do it."

62. And [Yusuf (Joseph)] told his servants to put their money (with which they had bought the corn) into their bags, so that they might know it when they go back to their people, in order that they might come back.

63. So, when they returned to their father, they said: "O our father! No more measure of grain shall we get (unless we take our brother). So send our

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brother with us, and we shall get our measure and truly we will guard him."

64. He said: "Can I entrust him to you except as I entrusted his brother [Yusuf (Joseph)] to you aforetime? But Allah is the Best to guard, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy."

65. And when they opened their bags, they found their money had been returned to them. They said: "O our father! What (more) can we desire? This, our money has been returned to us, so we shall get (more) food for our family, and we shall guard our brother and add one more measure of a camel's load. This quantity is easy (for the king to give)."

66. He [Ya'qub (Jacob)] said: "I will not send him with you until you swear a solemn oath to me in Allah's Name, that you will bring him back to me unless you are yourselves surrounded (by enemies, etc.)," And when they had sworn their solemn oath, he said: "Allah is the Witness over what we have said."

67. And he said: "O my sons! Do not enter by one gate, but enter by different gates, and I cannot avail you against Allah at all. Verily! The decision rests only with Allah. In him, I put my trust and let all those that trust, put their trust in Him."

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68. And when they entered according to their father's advice, it did not avail them in the least against (the Will of) Allah, it was but a need of Ya'qub's (Jacob) inner-self which he discharged. And verily, he was endowed with knowledge because We had taught him, but most men know not.

69. And when they went in before Yusuf (Joseph), he betook his brother (Benjamin) to himself and said: "Verily!I am your brother, so grieve not for what they used to do."

70. So when he had furnished them forth with their provisions, he put the (golden) bowl into his brother's bag, then a crier cried: "O you (in) the caravan! Surely, you are thieves!"

71. They, turning towards them, said: "What is it that you have missed?"

72. They said: "We have missed the (golden) bowl of the king and for him who produces it is (the reward of) a camel load; I will be bound by it."

73. They said: "By Allah! Indeed you know that we came not to make mischief in the land, and we are no thieves!"

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74. They [Yusuf's (Joseph) men] said: "What then shall be the penalty of him, if you are (proved to be) liars."

75. They [Yusuf's (Joseph) brothers] said: "The penalty should be that he, in whose bag it is found, should be held for the punishment (of the crime). Thus we punish the Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.)!"

76. So he [Yusuf (Joseph)] began (the search) in their bags before the bag of his brother. Then he brought it out of his brother's bag. Thus did We plan for Yusuf (Joseph). He could not take his brother by the law of the king (as a slave), except that Allah willed it. (So Allah made the brothers to bind themselves with their way of "punishment, i.e. enslaving of a thief.") We raise to degrees whom We please, but over all those endowed with knowledge is the All-Knowing (Allah).

77. They [(Yusuf's (Joseph) brothers] said: "If he steals, there was a brother of his [Yusuf (Joseph)] who did steal before (him)." But these things did Yusuf (Joseph) keep in himself, revealing not the secrets to them. He said (within himself): "You are in worst case, and Allah knows best the truth of what you assert!"

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78. They said: "O ruler of the land! Verily, he has an old father (who will grieve for him); so take one of us in his place. Indeed we think that you are one of the Muhsinun (good-doers - see V.2:112)."

79. He said: "Allah forbid, that we should take anyone but him with whom we found our property. Indeed (if we did so), we should be Zalimun (wrong-doers)."

80. So, when they despaired of him, they held a conference in private. The eldest among them said: "Know you not that your father did take an oath from you in Allah's Name, and before this you did fail in your duty with Yusuf (Joseph)? Therefore I will not leave this land until my father permits me, or Allah decides my case (by releasing Benjamin) and He is the Best of the judges.

81. "Return to your father and say, 'O our father! Verily, your son (Benjamin) has stolen, and we testify not except according to what we know, and we could not know the unseen!

82. "And ask (the people of) the town where we have been, and the caravan in which we returned, and indeed we are telling the truth."

83. He [Ya'qub (Jacob)] said: "Nay, but your ownselves have beguiled you into something. So

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patience is most fitting (for me). May be Allah will bring them (back) all to me. Truly He! only He is All-Knowing, All-Wise."

84. And he turned away from them and said: "Alas, my grief for Yusuf (Joseph)!" And he lost his sight because of the sorrow that he was suppressing.

85. They said: "By Allah! You will never cease remembering Yusuf (Joseph) until you become weak with old age, or until you be of the dead."

86. He said: "I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you know not.

87. "O my sons! Go you and enquire about Yusuf (Joseph) and his brother, and never give up hope of Allah's Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of Allah's Mercy, except the people who disbelieve."

88. Then, when they entered unto him [Yusuf (Joseph)], they said: "O ruler of the land! A hard time has hit us and our family, and we have brought but poor capital, so pay us full measure and be charitable to us. Truly, Allah does reward the charitable."

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89. He said: "Do you know what you did with Yusuf (Joseph) and his brother, when you were ignorant?"

90. They said: "Are you indeed Yusuf (Joseph)?" He said: "I am Yusuf (Joseph), and this is my brother (Benjamin). Allah has indeed been gracious to us. Verily, he who fears Allah with obedience to Him (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds), and is patient, then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the Muhsinun (good-doers - see V.2:112) to be lost."

91. They said: "By Allah! Indeed Allah has preferred you above us, and we certainly have been sinners."

92. He said: "No reproach on you this day, may Allah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!

the face 93. "Go with this shirt of mine, and cast it over of my father, he will become clear-sighted, and bring to me all your family."

94. And when the caravan departed, their father said: "I do indeed feel the smell of Yusuf (Joseph), if only you think me not a dotard (a person who has weakness of mind because of old age)."

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95. They said: "By Allah! Certainly, you are in your old error."

96. Then, when the bearer of the glad tidings arrived, he cast it (the shirt) over his face, and he became clear-sighted. He said: "Did I not say to you, 'I know from Allah that which you know not.' "

97. They said: "O our father! Ask forgiveness (from Allah) for our sins, indeed we have been sinners."

98. He said: "I will ask my Lord for forgiveness for you, verily He! Only He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful."

99. Then, when they entered unto Yusuf (Joseph), he betook his parents to himself and said: "Enter Egypt, if Allah wills, in security."

100. And he raised his parents to the throne and they fell down before him prostrate. And he said: "O my father! This is the interpretation of my dream aforetime! My Lord has made it come true! He was indeed good to me, when He took me out of the prison, and brought you (all here) out of the bedouin-life, after Shaitan (Satan) had sown enmity between me and my brothers. Certainly, my Lord is the Most Courteous and Kind unto whom He will. Truly He! Only He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

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101. "My Lord! You have indeed bestowed on me of the sovereignty, and taught me the interpretation of dreams; The (only) Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Wali (Protector, Helper, Supporter, Guardian, etc.) in this world and in the Hereafter, cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous."

102. This is of the news of the Ghaib (unseen) which We reveal by Inspiration to you (O Muhammad ). You were not (present) with them when they arranged their plan together, and (also, while) they were plotting.

103. And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly.

104. And no reward you (O Muhammad ) ask of them (those who deny your Prophethood) for it, it(the Qur'an) is no less than a Reminder and an advice unto the 'Alamin (men and jinns).

105. And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth they pass by, while they are averse therefrom.

106. And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him [i.e. they are Mushrikun -polytheists - see Verse 6: 121].

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107. Do they then feel secure from the coming against them of the covering veil of the Torment of Allah, or of the coming against them of the (Final) Hour, all of a sudden while they perceive not?

108. Say (O Muhammad ): "This is my way; I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allah i.e to the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge. And Glorified and Exalted be Allah (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am not of the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah; those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals or partners to Allah)."

109. And We sent not before you (as Messengers) any but men, whom We inspired from among the people of townships. Have they not travelled through the earth and seen what was the end of those who were before them? And verily, the home of the Hereafter is the best for those who fear Allah and obey Him (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds). Do you not then understand?

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110. (They were reprieved) until, when the Messengers gave up hope and thought that they were denied (by their people), then came to them Our Help, and whomsoever We willed were delivered. And Our Punishment cannot be warded off from the people who are Mujrimun (criminals, disobedients to Allah, sinners, disbelievers, polytheists).

111.  Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur'an) is not a forged statement but a confirmation of the Allah's existing Books [the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel) and other Scriptures of Allah] and a detailed explanation of everything and a guide and a Mercy for the people who believe.

Surah 37:114-182 on Moses and Aaron, Lot, etc. (Jonah was in the first part the Surah, and Abraham in the part preceding v. 114).

[Surah 37 vv. 114-122 on Moses and Aaron].

114. And, indeed We gave Our Grace to Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron).

115. And We saved them and their people from the great distress;

116. And helped them, so that they became the victors;

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117. And We gave them the clear Scripture;

118. And guided them to the Right Path;

119. And We left for them (a goodly remembrance) among generations (to come) in later times;

120. Salamun (peace) be upon Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron)!"

121. Verily, thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - see V.2:112).

122. Verily! They were two of Our believing slaves.

[vv. 123-132 on Elias=Elijah].

123. And verily, Iliyas (Elias) was one of the Messengers.

124. When he said to his people: "Will you not fear Allah?

125. "Will you call upon Ba'l (a well- known idol of his nation whom they used to worship) and forsake the Best of creators,

126. "Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers?"

127. But they denied him [Iliyas (Elias)], so they will certainly be brought forth (to the punishment),

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128. Except the chosen slaves of Allah.

129. And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among generations (to come) in later times;

130. Salamun (peace) be upon Ilyasin (Elias)!"

131. Verily, thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers, who perform good deeds totally for Allah's sake only - see V.2:112).

132. Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.

[vv. 133-138 on Lot].

133. And verily, Lout (Lot) was one of the Messengers.

134. When We saved him and his family, all,

135. Except an old woman (his wife) who was among those who remained behind.

136. Then We destroyed the rest [i.e. the towns of Sodom at the place of the Dead Sea (now) in Palestine]. [See the "Book of History" by Ibn Kathir].

137. Verily, you pass by them in the morning.

138. And at night; will you not then reflect?

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[In vv. 139-148 only in the passages on Jonah is that the people repent vv. 147j-148. Interestingly they, the pagan Ninevites, in the capital of Assyria, are the only non-Jews addressed by a Jewish prophet].

139. And, verily, Yunus (Jonah) was one of the Messengers.

140. When he ran to the laden ship,

141. He (agreed to) cast lots, and he was among the losers,

142. Then a (big) fish swallowed him and he had done an act worthy of blame.

143. Had he not been of them who glorify Allah,

144. He would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till the Day of Resurrection.

145. But We cast him forth on the naked shore while he was sick,

146. And We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him.

147. And We sent him to a hundred thousand (people) or even more.

148. And they believed; so We gave them enjoyment for a while.

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[vv. 149-163 is a challenge to the worldview of idolators of the Prophet Muhammad’s time, and a refutation of the Divine powers they ascribe to the angels in vv. 164-166].

149. Now ask them (O Muhammad  ): "Are there (only) daughters for your Lord and sons for them?"

150. Or did We create the angels females while they were witnesses?

151. Verily, it is of their falsehood that they (Quraish pagans) say:

152. "Allah has begotten off spring or children (i.e. angels are the daughters of Allah)?" And, verily, they are liars!

153. Has He (then) chosen daughters rather than sons?

154. What is the matter with you? How do you decide?

155. Will you not then remember?

156. Or is there for you a plain authority?

157. Then bring your Book if you are truthful!

158. And they have invented a kinship between Him and the jinns, but the jinns know well that they have

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indeed to appear (before Him) (i.e. they will be brought for accounts).

159. Glorified is Allah! (He is Free) from what they attribute unto Him!

160. Except the slaves of Allah, whom He choses (for His Mercy i.e. true believers of Islamic Monotheism who do not attribute false things unto Allah).

161. So, verily you (pagans) and those whom you worship (idols).

162. Cannot lead astray [turn away from Him (Allah) anyone of the believers],

163. Except those who are predestined to burn in Hell!

164. There is not one of us (angels) but has his known place (or position);

[v. 165, “we stand in rows”, hence name of surah]

165. Verily, we (angels), we stand in rows for the prayers (as you Muslims stand in rows for your prayers);

166. Verily, we (angels), we are they who glorify (Allah's Praises i.e. perform prayers).

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[The Surah ends vv.167-182 with a final address to the disbelievers and a promise that the Prophet and his followers will triumph, as did the other prophets mentioned in the Surah].

167. And indeed they (Arab pagans) used to say;

168. "If we had a reminder as had the men of old (before the coming of Prophet Muhammad   as a Messenger of Allah).

169. "We would have indeed been the chosen slaves of Allah (true believers of Islamic Monotheism)!"

170. But (now that the Qur'an has come) they disbelieve therein (i.e. in the Qur'an and in Prophet Muhammad   , and all that which he brought, the Divine Revelation), so they will come to know!

171. And, verily, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our slaves, the Messengers,

172. That they verily would be made triumphant.

173. And that Our hosts, they verily would be the victors.

174. So turn away (O Muhammad  ) from them for a while,

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175. And watch them and they shall see (the punishment)!

176. Do they seek to hasten on Our Torment?

177. Then, when it descends into their courtyard (i.e. near to them), evil will be the morning for those who had been warned!

178.  So turn (O Muhammad  ) away from them for a while,

179. And watch and they shall see (the torment)!

180. Glorified be your Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they attribute unto Him!

181. And peace be on the Messengers!

182. And all the praise and thanks be to Allah, Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).