Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

One may learn from Surat Al–Qasas how to trust Allah’s (SWT) promise. In the third
ayah only the believers were addressed because they are the ones who believe in
Allah’s (SWT) promise in what can be translated as, “We rehearse to thee some of
the story of Musa and Fir’aun in Truth, for people who believe” (TMQ, 28: 3).
In the forth ayah we find out that Musa (AS) and the believers with him were in a
difficult situation just like Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) in what can be translated as,
“Truly Fir’aun elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sections,
depressing a small group among them: their sons he slew, but he kept alive their
females: for he was indeed a maker of mischief.” (TMQ, 28: 4).
Few words portraying Pharaoh’s power and the Children’s of Israel’s weakness.
However, the fifth ayah brings Allah’s (SWT) promise in what can be translated as,
precaution “And We wished to be gracious to those who were being depressed on
the land, to make them leaders (in faith) and make them heirs” and another
greater promise of power “To establish a firm place for them in the land, and to
show Fir’aun, Haman, and their hosts, at their hands, the very things against
which they were wary.” (TMQ, 28: 5,6). Such was Pharaoh’s will and Allah’s
(SWT) will. Will Allah’s (SWT) will come true
Musa’s (AS) mother
After the ayahs which portray Pharaoh’s oppression and the ayahs of Allah’s (SWT)
promised victory, the seventh ayah says what can be translated as, “So We sent this
inspiration to the mother of Musa: “Suckle (thy child),” (TMQ, 28: 7) as if this
verse marks the beginning of promise’s fulfillment, how
After referring to Pharaoh’s power and oppression and hinting at the necessity for
change, the Surah moves to completely a different situation : a mother feeding her
child, so what is the link This states that victory starts from mothers who feed their
children, with the milk, adhering to religion and trust in Allah’s (SWT) promise.
What is wonderful about such an ayah is that it did not tell Musa’s (AS) mother:
(when thou hast fears about him, hide him) or (embrace him) but it said what can be
translated as, “but when thou hast fears about him, cast him into the river,”
(TMQ, 28: 7) it is meant to tell her ‘throw him into the river and have trust in Allah
(SWT), why Because He says what can be translated as, “for We shall restore him
to thee, and We shall make him one of Our Messengers.”“ (TMQ, 28: 7). It is the
story a nation’s birth, which started with a child thrown into the river and a mother’s
trust in Allah’s (SWT) promise.
Women’s role in the defense of religion
Surat Al-Qasas highlights women’s role in bringing victory to religion. The main
leading figures in the Surah who helped Musa (AS) carrying out his role were four
women: the first was Musa’s (AS) mother in what can be translated as, “So We sent
this inspiration to the mother of Musa” (TMQ, 28: 7) who protected Musa (AS)
through her behavior which resulted from her deep faith in Allah’s (SWT) promise.
Then was his sister in what can be translated as, “And she said to the sister of
(Musa), “Follow him,” so she (the sister) watched him in the character of a
stranger, and they knew not. Thus did We restore him to his mother, that her
eye might be comforted, that she might not grieve, and that she might know that