Sürah Al-Qaṣaṣ, (Arabic: القصص) meaning “The Stories” is the 28th Surah / Chapter with 88 ayat/verses, part of Juzʼ 20 of Al Qur'an. The Surah takes its name from verse 25 in which the word Al-Qasas occurs. Lexically, qasas means to relate events in their proper sequence. Thus, from the viewpoint of the meaning too, this word can be a suitable title for this Surah, for the detailed story of the Prophet Musa (Moses عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) has been related in it and draws lessons about power, oppression, divine planning, and ultimate justice.. It also includes the story of Qarun, the notorious rich man, in verses 76 to 83, explaining how Qarun was proud of himself thinking that his huge wealth was earned by his own science, denying the grace of God on him, and being destroyed by God later with his wealth underground.
We have already shared the Tafseer / Exegesis of the Surah which can be read from links given below:
Herein under we will only present a condensed overview of the entire Sūrah, for the scope of this post is to only to introduce the Sūrah and provide links to some of the selected verses from this Sūrah for selective reading / references. The following bird eye view includes the context, major themes and subjects and lessons that we can learn from this Sūrah, followed by references to some of the selected verses already published.
Core Theme of Surah Al-Qaṣaṣ
Allah controls history, power, and outcomes—He supports the oppressed, humbles tyrants, and fulfills His promises in ways humans cannot foresee.
The surah reassures believers that: (1) Oppression is temporary, (2) Divine planning is subtle but decisive, and (3) Worldly power and wealth are tests, not signs of truth.
Major Themes
- Divine Plan vs. Human Power: Pharaoh represents absolute tyranny; While Prophet Musa represents weakness backed by Allah. It shows what humans plan to destroy, Allah may raise to leadership.
- Support of the Oppressed (Mustadʿafīn): A defining Qur’anic principle: Allah sides with the oppressed when they remain faithful.
- Wealth as a Trial (Story of Qārūn): Material success without gratitude leads to arrogance and destruction.
- Migration (Hijrah) and Trust in Allah: Prophet Musa’s flight from Egypt mirrors the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)’s coming Hijrah from Makkah.
- True Guidance comes only from Allah: Even prophets cannot guide whom they love without Allah’s will.
Some of the Most Important Verses
- 28:4 – Nature of Tyranny: “Indeed Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a group among them…” A timeless description of how tyrants rule: divide, weaken, and oppress.
- 28:5–6 – Promise to the Oppressed: “We intended to favor those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and inheritors.” - One of the strongest Qur’anic assurances of divine justice.
- 28:7 – Trust in Allah: “Do not fear, nor grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and make him among the messengers.” - Allah reassures Prophet Musa’s mother—faith before miracles.
- 28:14 – Wisdom before Prophethood: “And when he reached maturity and was established, We bestowed upon him wisdom and knowledge.” - Preparation precedes responsibility.
- 28:21 – Reliance on Allah: “So he left it, fearful and vigilant. He said, ‘My Lord, save me from the wrongdoing people.’” - Duʿāʾ at moments of fear.
- 28:26 – Trustworthiness & Strength: “Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy.” A Qur’anic principle for leadership and employment.
- 28:56 – Guidance is from Allah Alone: “Indeed, you do not guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He wills.” Consolation to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regarding his uncle Abū Ṭālib.
- 28:76–82 – The Story of Qārūn:
- “Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant.” (28:76) - That is wealth without humility leads to ruin.
- Qārūn is mentioned as Korah (Hebrew: קֹרַח Qōraḥ, son of Izhar, is an individual who appears in the Biblical Book of Numbers of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible), known for leading a rebellion against Prophet Moses.
- 28:83 – Final Moral Principle: “That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not seek exaltedness or corruption on earth.” The concluding ethical criterion of success.
Why this surah is especially relevant today
This Surah is extraordinarily relevant today for the tyranny and suppression of the poor nations at the hands of the rich and powerful nations is at increase. Even in the face of declining justice system in many a country, the oppressed are being persecuted at the hands of the rich and powerful. Thus this Surah:
- Speaks to people facing injustice, authoritarianism, and inequality
- Warns against equating wealth or power with truth
- Teaches patience, trust, and moral integrity under pressure
Surah Al-Qaṣaṣ therefore teaches that Allah’s plan prevails over tyranny, true success lies in humility and faith, and the oppressed—if steadfast—will ultimately inherit dignity and leadership.
Now let us share herein under some of the selected ayat / verses from this surah already published:
- Verse 16: My Lord! I have indeed inflicted wrong on myself, so do forgive me
- Verse 24: My Lord, I am truly in great need of any good that You might send down to me
- Verse 76: Do not show conceit for Allah does not like the conceited
- Verse 77: Desire not corruption in the land for Allah does not like the corrupter
- Verse 77: Seek an abode in the Hereafter - but forget not your share in this world
In time we will add more verses and their explanation, In Sha Allah.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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