نَتلو عَلَيكَ مِن نَبَإِ موسىٰ وَفِرعَونَ بِالحَقِّ لِقَومٍ يُؤمِنونَ

We narrate to you the story of Moses and Pharaoh, with truth, for a people who believe.

إِنَّ فِرعَونَ عَلا فِي الأَرضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهلَها شِيَعًا يَستَضعِفُ طائِفَةً مِنهُم يُذَبِّحُ أَبناءَهُم وَيَستَحيي نِساءَهُم ۚ إِنَّهُ كانَ مِنَ المُفسِدينَ

Pharaoh exalted himself in the land, dividing its people into sects. He oppressed a group among them, slaughtering their sons while sparing their women. He was among the corruptors.

وَنُريدُ أَن نَمُنَّ عَلَى الَّذينَ استُضعِفوا فِي الأَرضِ وَنَجعَلَهُم أَئِمَّةً وَنَجعَلَهُمُ الوارِثينَ

Yet, We intended to show favor upon those oppressed in the land, and make them leaders, and make them the inheritors.

وَنُمَكِّنَ لَهُم فِي الأَرضِ وَنُرِيَ فِرعَونَ وَهامانَ وَجُنودَهُما مِنهُم ما كانوا يَحذَرونَ

And to establish them in the land. And to show Pharaoh, Haman, and their troops from them what they were fearing.

وَأَوحَينا إِلىٰ أُمِّ موسىٰ أَن أَرضِعيهِ ۖ فَإِذا خِفتِ عَلَيهِ فَأَلقيهِ فِي اليَمِّ وَلا تَخافي وَلا تَحزَني ۖ إِنّا رادّوهُ إِلَيكِ وَجاعِلوهُ مِنَ المُرسَلينَ

We inspired Moses’ mother: “Suckle him, and if you fear for him, cast him into the river, and don’t fear nor grieve. We will return him to you and make him one of the messengers.”

وَقالَتِ امرَأَتُ فِرعَونَ قُرَّتُ عَينٍ لي وَلَكَ ۖ لا تَقتُلوهُ عَسىٰ أَن يَنفَعَنا أَو نَتَّخِذَهُ وَلَدًا وَهُم لا يَشعُرونَ

Pharaoh’s wife said, “He is a delight to my eyes and yours. Don’t kill him; perhaps he may benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son.” However, they didn’t foresee.

وَأَصبَحَ فُؤادُ أُمِّ موسىٰ فارِغًا ۖ إِن كادَت لَتُبدي بِهِ لَولا أَن رَبَطنا عَلىٰ قَلبِها لِتَكونَ مِنَ المُؤمِنينَ

The heart of Moses’ mother was filled with anxiety—she almost disclosed his identity, if We had not strengthened her heart, so that she could be among the believers.

وَقالَت لِأُختِهِ قُصّيهِ ۖ فَبَصُرَت بِهِ عَن جُنُبٍ وَهُم لا يَشعُرونَ

And she said to his sister, “Follow him.” So she watched him from a distance while they perceived not.

وَحَرَّمنا عَلَيهِ المَراضِعَ مِن قَبلُ فَقالَت هَل أَدُلُّكُم عَلىٰ أَهلِ بَيتٍ يَكفُلونَهُ لَكُم وَهُم لَهُ ناصِحونَ

And We had forbidden foster-mothers for him. She said, “Shall I point out to you a household that could look after him for you?”

فَرَدَدناهُ إِلىٰ أُمِّهِ كَي تَقَرَّ عَينُها وَلا تَحزَنَ وَلِتَعلَمَ أَنَّ وَعدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَلـٰكِنَّ أَكثَرَهُم لا يَعلَمونَ

And so, We returned him to his mother, to bring her joy, alleviate her sorrow, and reassure her that God’s promise is true. Yet, most of them don’t understand.