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RationalWiki:Annotated Qur'an/The Narrative

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Annotated Qur'an
Sura 28: The Narrative
Word-by-word translation
Alternate translations and related tafsirs
Alternate translations
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Qur'an 28:1[edit]

Ta, Seen, Meem.

Qur'an 28:1 Notes[edit]

This chapter, alongside 28 others, starts with seemingly random Arabic letters. To this day, Islamic scholars are not sure what these letters mean. Why would God start over a quarter of his book's chapters with these ambiguous letters?

Qur'an 28:2[edit]

These are the Verses of the Clear Book.

Qur'an 28:2 Notes[edit]

The previous verse is anything but clear. People don't even know if it means anything at all, much less why it's there.

Qur'an 28:3[edit]

We narrate to you from the history of Moses and Pharaoh—in truth—for people who believe.

Qur'an 28:3 Notes[edit]

With how many times the Quran repeats this fairytale, God could have actually given enough details and historical evidence that any of it is real. For starters, which Pharaoh is in this story? Multiple Pharaohs existed with more historical evidence supporting their existence than this "Moses" fellow.

Qur'an 28:4[edit]

Pharaoh exalted himself in the land, and divided its people into factions. He persecuted a group of them, slaughtering their sons, while sparing their daughters. He was truly a corrupter.

Qur'an 28:4 Notes[edit]

If this is true, then this one Pharaoh is awful, though the historical evidence of such a slaughter is questionable at best. Either way, this guy's corruption and tyranny pale in comparison to God as this book describes him.

Qur'an 28:5[edit]

But We desired to favor those who were oppressed in the land, and to make them leaders, and to make them the inheritors.

Qur'an 28:5 Notes[edit]

So how exactly were they oppressed? How could they be oppressed when the all-powerful ruler of the universe "decided to favor" them.

Qur'an 28:6[edit]

And to establish them in the land; and to show Pharaoh, Hamaan, and their troops, the very thing they feared.

Qur'an 28:6 Notes[edit]

God could have just prevented Pharaoh's brutal commands from actually hurting anyone. He would still have the free will to want to cause so much death and destruction, but God could just make his lackeys not actually commit this act of genocide.

Qur'an 28:7[edit]

We inspired the mother of Moses: “Nurse him; then, when you fear for him, cast him into the river, and do not fear, nor grieve; We will return him to you, and make him one of the messengers.”

Qur'an 28:7 Notes[edit]

God presumably kept him safe in the river, but why bother with the river when God could have just made Moses safe with his mother.

Qur'an 28:8[edit]

Pharaoh’s household picked him up, to be an opponent and a sorrow for them. Pharaoh, Hamaan, and their troops were sinners.

Qur'an 28:8 Notes[edit]

This chapter already told us that Pharaoh, Hamaan, and their troops were awful people.

Qur'an 28:9[edit]

Pharaoh’s wife said, “An eye's delight for me and for you. Do not kill him; perhaps he will be useful to us, or we may adopt him as a son.” But they did not foresee.

Qur'an 28:9 Notes[edit]

She could have said that about any of the babies being slaughtered in this book, could she not? Is he special just for surviving in a river as a baby?

Qur'an 28:10[edit]

The heart of Moses’ mother became vacant. She was about to disclose him, had We not steadied her heart, that she may remain a believer.

Qur'an 28:10 Notes[edit]

She wouldn't disbelieve just because of her strong emotions for her dear son.

Qur'an 28:11[edit]

She said to his sister, “Trail him.” So she watched him from afar, and they were unaware.

Qur'an 28:11 Notes[edit]

Who was unaware? What kind of "Clear Book" is this?

Qur'an 28:12[edit]

We forbade him breastfeeding at first. So she said, “Shall I tell you about a family that can raise him for you, and will look after him?”

Qur'an 28:12 Notes[edit]

These truly are nothing but "the Verses of the Clear Book" indeed.

Qur'an 28:13[edit]

Thus We returned him to his mother, that she may be comforted, and not grieve, and know that God’s promise is true. But most of them do not know.

Qur'an 28:13 Notes[edit]

This is one of the more well-known stories in the two largest religions in the world. How can most people "not know" this?

Qur'an 28:14[edit]

And when he reached his maturity, and became established, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. Thus do We reward the virtuous.

Qur'an 28:14 Notes[edit]

Explain what exactly made him virtuous, especially if he got "wisdom and knowledge" specifically because of his virtues.

Qur'an 28:15[edit]

Once he entered the city, unnoticed by its people. He found in it two men fighting—one of his own sect, and one from his enemies. The one of his sect solicited his assistance against the one from his enemies; so Moses punched him, and put an end to him. He said, “This is of Satan's doing; he is an enemy that openly misleads.”

Qur'an 28:15 Notes[edit]

Moses killed a man, intentionally or otherwise, and blames it on Satan. Does this excuse work for all accidental deaths?

Qur'an 28:16[edit]

He said, “My Lord, I have wronged myself, so forgive me.” So He forgave him. He is the Forgiver, the Merciful.

Qur'an 28:16 Notes[edit]

God claims to be "the Forgiver, the Merciful" so often in this book that those words have no real meaning. His decision to pardon someone for accidental murder doesn't help when he refuses to forgive the victimless sin of sincere disbelief.

Qur'an 28:17[edit]

He said, “My Lord, in as much as you have favored me, I will never be a supporter of the criminals.”

Qur'an 28:17 Notes[edit]

Most people would be traumatized for life if they accidentally ended a life. Is that the case for Moses as well?

Qur'an 28:18[edit]

The next morning, he went about in the city, fearful and vigilant, when the man who had sought his assistance the day before was shouting out to him. Moses said to him, “You are clearly a troublemaker.”

Qur'an 28:18 Notes[edit]

Moses chose to get involved in that earlier fight. It was his fist that ended a life.

Qur'an 28:19[edit]

As he was about to strike the one who was their enemy, he said, “O Moses, do you intend to kill me, as you killed someone yesterday? You only want to be a bully in the land, and do not want to be a peacemaker.”

Qur'an 28:19 Notes[edit]

That is fair considering that Moses came back so soon after accidentally killing a man and not showing utter remorse for it.

Qur'an 28:20[edit]

And a man came from the farthest part of the city running. He said, “O Moses, the authorities are considering killing you, so leave; I am giving you good advice.”

Qur'an 28:20 Notes[edit]

I would not have thought that this guy was giving "good advice" until he said as much explicitly.

Qur'an 28:21[edit]

So he left, fearful and vigilant. He said, “My Lord, deliver me from the wrongdoing people.”

Qur'an 28:21 Notes[edit]

What "wrongdoing" are the authorities guilty of committing? Are they in the wrong just for wanting to bring Moses to justice when they have every reason to believe that Moses is a murderer?

Qur'an 28:22[edit]

As he headed towards Median, he said, “Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the right way.”

Qur'an 28:22 Notes[edit]

You can hope all you want, Moses, but your god deliberately misguides more people than he guides.

Qur'an 28:23[edit]

And when he arrived at the waters of Median, he found there a crowd of people drawing water, and he noticed two women waiting on the side. He said, “What is the matter with you?” They said, “We cannot draw water until the shepherds depart, and our father is a very old man.”

Qur'an 28:23 Notes[edit]

Is their father one of the shepherds or what? Clarity!

Qur'an 28:24[edit]

So he drew water for them, and then withdrew to the shade, and said, “My Lord, I am in dire need of whatever good you might send down to me.”

Qur'an 28:24 Notes[edit]

With any luck, that would be better than the good things that God sent down so far.

Qur'an 28:25[edit]

Then, one of the two women approached him, walking bashfully. She said, “My father is calling you, to reward you for drawing water for us.” And when he came to him, and told him the story, he said, “Do not fear, you have escaped from the wrongdoing people.”

Qur'an 28:25 Notes[edit]

What story did Moses tell the old man? What did the old man see in the "wrongdoing people" to see them as actual wrongdoers?

Qur'an 28:26[edit]

One of the two women said, “Father, hire him; the best employee for you is the strong and trustworthy.”

Qur'an 28:26 Notes[edit]

Moses did a single favor and told a somewhat convincing story. The quantity of water (and ability to end a man in one punch without even intending it) may show his strength, but they went from complete strangers to total trust in a single conversation?

Qur'an 28:27[edit]

He said, “I want to marry you to one of these two daughters of mine, provided you work for me for eight years. But if you complete ten, that is up to you. I do not intend to impose any hardship on you. You will find me, God willing, one of the righteous.”

Qur'an 28:27 Notes[edit]

If you do one favor and tell a convincing story where you're the good guy, then you can also get this valuable deal. For just eight years, you too can marry a total stranger.

Qur'an 28:28[edit]

He said, “Let this be an agreement between you and me. Whichever of the two terms I fulfill, there shall be no reprisal against me; and God is witness over what we say.”

Qur'an 28:28 Notes[edit]

Also, did either of the women have a say in this decision?

Qur'an 28:29[edit]

When Moses had completed the term, and departed with his family, he noticed a fire by the side of the Mount. He said to his family, “Stay here, I have glimpsed a fire. Perhaps I can bring you some information from there, or an ember from the fire, that you may warm yourselves.”

Qur'an 28:29 Notes[edit]

This story glosses over eight years at least.

Qur'an 28:30[edit]

When he reached it, he was called from the right side of the valley, at the Blessed Spot, from the bush: “O Moses, it is I, God, the Lord of the Worlds.

Qur'an 28:30 Notes[edit]

Moses hears a fire talking to him and immediately believes it because of course he does.

Qur'an 28:31[edit]

Throw down your staff.” And when he saw it wiggling, as if it were possessed, he turned his back to flee, and did not look back. “O Moses, come forward, and do not fear, you are perfectly safe.

Qur'an 28:31 Notes[edit]

The burning bush is the most realistic part of this story. People who hear a fire talking to them and see a stick turn to a snake must be smoking something.

Qur'an 28:32[edit]

Put your hand inside your pocket, and it will come out white, without blemish. And press your arm to your side, against fear. These are two proofs from your Lord, to Pharaoh and his dignitaries. They are truly sinful people.”

Qur'an 28:32 Notes[edit]

What is he smoking and where can I get some?

Qur'an 28:33[edit]

He said, “My Lord, I have killed one of them, and I fear they will kill me.

Qur'an 28:33 Notes[edit]

God could have allowed Moses to get involved with that fight in a way that didn't result in a death. This way, nobody would see him as a murderer and want to punish him with the death penalty.

Qur'an 28:34[edit]

And my brother Aaron, he is more eloquent than me, so send him with me, to help me, and to confirm my words, for I fear they will reject me.”

Qur'an 28:34 Notes[edit]

It took this story long enough to even acknowledge the main character's brother.

Qur'an 28:35[edit]

He said, “We will strengthen your arm with your brother, and We will give you authority, so they will not touch you. By virtue of Our signs, you and those who follow you will be the triumphant.”

Qur'an 28:35 Notes[edit]

What signs point to any part of this story being real?

Qur'an 28:36[edit]

But when Moses came to them with Our signs, clear and manifest, they said, “This is nothing but fabricated magic, and We never heard of this from our ancestors of old.”

Qur'an 28:36 Notes[edit]

Could that indicate that those "signs" aren't actually "clear and manifest" as this book insists multiple times? Just like the "signs" pointing to the truth of Islam, they must be so utterly unconvincing and equally applicable to any other gods.

Qur'an 28:37[edit]

Moses said, “My Lord is well aware of him who brings guidance from Him, and him who will have the sequel of the abode. The wrongdoers will not succeed.”

Qur'an 28:37 Notes[edit]

He said that, unable to actually substantiate his baseless claims.

Qur'an 28:38[edit]

Pharaoh said, “O nobles, I know of no god for you other than me. So fire-up the bricks for me O Hamaan, and build me a tower, that I may ascend to the God of Moses, though I think he is a liar.”

Qur'an 28:38 Notes[edit]

Did any Pharaohs ever actually claim to be literal gods with no others? Pharaohs were considered divine but not the only gods in their religions. Also, how is that any better or worse than the prophets of this religion? They claimed to have a direct connection the one and only supreme being in the universe. They used this feigned connection to exert authority and control over their followers. Muhammad in particular is a nasty example of this blatant hypocrisy. He may not have told people to literally worship him, but he did tell people to obey his every command because he is far closer to this fabled God than any other human, and this includes the other prophets who did the same thing.

Qur'an 28:39[edit]

He and his troops acted arrogantly in the land, with no justification. They thought they would not be returned to Us.

Qur'an 28:39 Notes[edit]

Meanwhile, the "prophets" who "acted arrogantly in the land" are the good guys because their ridiculous "justification" is that God chose to talk to them and only them. According to "the Clear Book", God literally creates each and every human while knowing each and every thought that they ever think. Denying this is denying that God is all-powerful and all-knowing at all times, though the mere concept of an all-powerful and all-knowing being is incomprehensibly ridiculous.

Qur'an 28:40[edit]

So We seized him, and his troops, and We threw them into the sea. Observe, therefore, what was the end of the oppressors.

Qur'an 28:40 Notes[edit]

What archaeological evidence can people see today to verify that a pharaoh and his troops actually drowned in a mass flood, much less one that resulted from a man splitting an entire sea? What geological evidence can people see to verify that any seas ever split at any point in human history only to come back together quickly enough to drown an entire army?

Qur'an 28:41[edit]

And We made them leaders calling to the Fire. And on Resurrection Day, they will not be saved.

Qur'an 28:41 Notes[edit]

This is truly the "most Merciful" and "most Forgiving" being that "the Clear Book" constantly praises.

Qur'an 28:42[edit]

And We pursued them in this world with a curse. And on Resurrection Day, they will be among the despised.

Qur'an 28:42 Notes[edit]

What evidence can people see to know what a curse even is and verify that they ever happened?

Qur'an 28:43[edit]

We gave Moses the Scripture after We had annihilated the previous generations; as an illumination for mankind, and guidance, and mercy, so that they may remember.

Qur'an 28:43 Notes[edit]

God admits that he "annihilated the previous generations" and somehow uses words like "illumination", "guidance", and "mercy" to describe the ramblings of a cult leader who may or may not have ever existed.

Qur'an 28:44[edit]

You were not on the Western Side when We decreed the command to Moses, nor were you among the witnesses.

Qur'an 28:44 Notes[edit]

Perhaps this is a fictional story with no real-world witnesses?

Qur'an 28:45[edit]

But We established many generations, and time took its toll on them. Nor were you among the people of Median, reciting Our revelations to them. But We kept sending messengers.

Qur'an 28:45 Notes[edit]

Why does God keep sending messengers? Any all-powerful beings can instantly make themselves known without the need for middlemen.

Qur'an 28:46[edit]

Nor were you by the side of the Mount when We proclaimed. Rather, it was a mercy from your Lord, that you may warn people who received no warner before you, so that they may take heed.

Qur'an 28:46 Notes[edit]

God doesn't need a "warner" to speak for him, much less have this "warner" be a human being who sounds less convincing than those warning of the dangers of Islam. People of other faiths frequently warn believers of the dangers of Islam and how Muslims will suffer eternally because they happened to see the wrong religion as somehow true.

Qur'an 28:47[edit]

Otherwise, if a calamity befell them as a result of what their hands have perpetrated, they would say, “Our Lord, if only You had sent us a messenger, we would have followed Your revelations, and been among the believers.”

Qur'an 28:47 Notes[edit]

God doesn't even need to send anybody. He can just communicate with every single human directly in a way that literally everybody would understand. He could have sent these "revelations" directly to each and every human by just making everybody believe. God refuses to do that and send "prophets" who fail to stand out from other cult leaders.

Qur'an 28:48[edit]

But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, “If only he was given the like of what was given to Moses.” Did they not disbelieve in what was given to Moses in the past? They said, “Two works of magic backing one another.” And they said, “We are disbelieving in both.”

Qur'an 28:48 Notes[edit]

Anybody can say a true statement without proper evidence. The statement itself may be true, but skeptics would be in the right to take such a statement with a grain of Lot's wife without any evidence to the statement's validity.

Qur'an 28:49[edit]

Say, “Then bring a scripture from God, more conductive to guidance than both, and I will follow it, if you are truthful.”

Qur'an 28:49 Notes[edit]

Many people have written books far more beautiful and useful than the Bible or the Quran without all the contradictions, falsehoods, ambiguity, or repetition. God either refuses to make a more beautiful book than these human authors or lacks the ability to do so.

Qur'an 28:50[edit]

But if they fail to respond to you, know that they follow their fancies. And who is more lost than him who follows his fancy without guidance from God? God does not guide the unjust people.

Qur'an 28:50 Notes[edit]

God is the one who made "unjust people" exactly as they are. He said so in "the Clear Book" numerous times. Lost are those who believe that the Quran, a book rife with all of the aforementioned flaws, is "guidance" from an all-knowing being of any sort.

Qur'an 28:51[edit]

We have delivered the Word to them, that they may remember.

Qur'an 28:51 Notes[edit]

God has not delivered evidence that "the Word" actually came from him. The aforementioned flaws are only evidence against this idea.

Qur'an 28:52[edit]

Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it believe in it.

Qur'an 28:52 Notes[edit]

Billions of people can believe in "the Scripture" without it being true, especially when "the Scripture" contradicts itself constantly.

Qur'an 28:53[edit]

When it is recited to them, they say, “We have believed in it; it is the truth from our Lord; we were Muslims prior to it.”

Qur'an 28:53 Notes[edit]

They can say that and be sincerely mistaken.

Qur'an 28:54[edit]

These will be given their reward twice, because they persevered; and they counter evil with good; and from Our provisions to them, they give.

Qur'an 28:54 Notes[edit]

God pretends to know what "evil" and "good" even are. He explicitly endorses slavery, military conquest, and domestic abuse. He demands the death penalty for homosexuals and apostates, punishing both with infinite torture. He has no problems deceiving billions of humans and punishing them for thinking exactly what they were predestined to think. If such a cosmic tyrant isn't evil, then what is?

Qur'an 28:55[edit]

And when they hear vain talk, they avoid it, and say, “We have our deeds, and you have your deeds; peace be upon you; we do not desire the ignorant.”

Qur'an 28:55 Notes[edit]

This book is rife with "vain talk" and should be questioned for that reason alone.

Qur'an 28:56[edit]

You cannot guide whom you love, but God guides whom He wills, and He knows best those who are guided.

Qur'an 28:56 Notes[edit]

Muhammad is just coping with the undeniable fact that people can see right past his nonsense.

Qur'an 28:57[edit]

And they say, “If we follow the guidance with you, we will be snatched from our land.” Did We not establish for them a Safe Sanctuary, to which are brought all kinds of fruits, as provision from Ourselves? But most of them do not know.

Qur'an 28:57 Notes[edit]

God is the reason why "most of them do not know" information that they will apparently burn forever for not knowing.

Qur'an 28:58[edit]

And how many a city did We destroy for turning unappreciative of its livelihood? Here are their homes, uninhabited after them, except for a few. And We became the Inheritors.

Qur'an 28:58 Notes[edit]

Based on archaeological evidence, that number is zero. Ancient ruins and abandoned homes don't point to God as the default conclusion.

Qur'an 28:59[edit]

Your Lord never destroys cities without first sending a messenger in their midst, reciting to them Our revelations. And We never destroy the cities, unless their people are wrongdoers.

Qur'an 28:59 Notes[edit]

"Your Lord never destroys cities" should be the entire verse. That is the only truth in this entire verse.

Qur'an 28:60[edit]

Whatever thing you are given is but the material of this world, and its glitter. But what is with God is better, and longer lasting. Do you not comprehend?

Qur'an 28:60 Notes[edit]

God constantly brags about blinding people from the truth, so of course he should know who does or doesn't comprehend the utter nonsense here.

Qur'an 28:61[edit]

Can someone to whom We have made a fine promise—which he will attain—be equal to someone to whom We have given enjoyments in this world, but who will be, on Resurrection Day, among the arraigned?

Qur'an 28:61 Notes[edit]

Some imaginary being may "have made a fine promise" to some people, but a promise from such a deity means nothing, especially when that deity constantly brags about misguiding most people who ever existed just to torture them.

Qur'an 28:62[edit]

On the Day when He will call to them, and say, “Where are My associates whom you used to claim?”

Qur'an 28:62 Notes[edit]

They are entirely in people's heads, just like God.

Qur'an 28:63[edit]

Those against whom the sentence is justified will say, “Our Lord, these are they whom we misled. We misled them, as we were misled. We beg Your forgiveness; it was not us they used to worship.”

Qur'an 28:63 Notes[edit]

Surely, this "most Forgiving" and "most Merciful" overlord would forgive those who beg for it, right? He claims numerous times to be more "Forgiving" and "Merciful" than any human ever, and this includes those humans who have enough compassion to spare anybody from an eternity of agony.

Qur'an 28:64[edit]

And it will be said, “Call on your partners.” And they will call on them, but they will not respond to them. And they will see the suffering. If only they were guided.

Qur'an 28:64 Notes[edit]

"If only they were guided."



Why is God, the being who deliberately chose to misguide them in the first place, saying this? He could

Qur'an 28:65[edit]

On the Day when He will call to them, and say, “What did you answer the Messengers?”

Qur'an 28:65 Notes[edit]

Muhammad, the final messenger according to this book, died centuries ago. Even back when he was alive, most people around the round globe would never have heard of him. What answer could people have given a guy who started a certain religion in a distant part of the world when it didn't become a major religion until well after his death to say nothing of the other "Messengers". Plus, even as Christianity and Islam became the two biggest religions in the world, not everybody has heard about them.

Qur'an 28:66[edit]

They will be blinded by the facts on that Day, and they will not question each other.

Qur'an 28:66 Notes[edit]

They will be dead in an eternal slumber.

Qur'an 28:67[edit]

But he who repents, and believes, and does righteous deeds, may well be among the winners.

Qur'an 28:67 Notes[edit]

Leave it to a petty crybaby to claim that sincere disbelief is a sin and that repentance is remotely appropriate.

Qur'an 28:68[edit]

Your Lord creates whatever He wills, and He chooses. The choice is not theirs. Glory be to God, and exalted be He above the associations they make.

Qur'an 28:68 Notes[edit]

"The choice is not theirs" according to "the Clear Book", but God still holds them accountable for reasons that utterly defy human reasoning.

Qur'an 28:69[edit]

And your Lord knows what their hearts conceal, and what they reveal.

Qur'an 28:69 Notes[edit]

He already claimed to be all-knowing and has no need to repeat this obvious falsehood.

Qur'an 28:70[edit]

And He is God. There is no god but He. To Him belongs all praise in this life, and in the next. And His is the decision, and to Him you will be returned.

Qur'an 28:70 Notes[edit]

Cool story, bro. Can you prove it. Can you send those "signs" that you constantly claim to have?

Qur'an 28:71[edit]

Say, “Have you considered? Had God made the night perpetual over you until the Day of Resurrection, which god other than God will bring you illumination? Do you not hear?”

Qur'an 28:71 Notes[edit]

God would need to be real to extinguish the sun and keep people in an eternal night, though there are other gods who seem just as real as God and could provide illumination in such an event. We hear nonsense and can see why it's nonsense.

Qur'an 28:72[edit]

Say, “Have you considered? Had God made the day perpetual over you until the Day of Resurrection, which god other than God will bring you night to rest in? Do you not see?”

Qur'an 28:72 Notes[edit]

The previous annotation applies here, presumably by having multiple suns shining on the round earth at once. God claims to have created this planet and should know everything about it.

Qur'an 28:73[edit]

It is out of His mercy that He made for you the night and the day, that you may rest in it, and seek some of His bounty; and that you may give thanks.

Qur'an 28:73 Notes[edit]

Did he make the sun deadly to so many people "out of His mercy" or what? What about the parts of the world that experience continuous nighttime for months at a time?

Qur'an 28:74[edit]

On the Day when He will call to them, and say, “Where are My associates whom you used to claim?”

Qur'an 28:74 Notes[edit]

Again, they are in people's heads, just like God.

Qur'an 28:75[edit]

And We will draw out from every community a witness, and say, “Produce your evidence.” Then they will realize that the truth is God’s, and those they used to invent have forsaken them.

Qur'an 28:75 Notes[edit]

In the meantime, God, how about you go ahead and "produce your evidence" instead of just claiming credit for anything you want? You take credit for the night and the day. You take credit for the creation of the heavens and earth. Go ahead and "produce your evidence" if you are truthful. You claim to know everything, so you know exactly what would convince each and every human whom you created. You claim to send "signs" down to everybody, so this should be a total cakewalk.

Qur'an 28:76[edit]

Quaroon belonged to the clan of Moses, but he oppressed them. We had given him treasures, the keys of which would weigh down a group of strong men. His people said to him, “Do not exult; God does not love the exultant.

Qur'an 28:76 Notes[edit]

Back to the Moses fairytale?

Qur'an 28:77[edit]

But seek, with what God has given you, the Home of the Hereafter, and do not neglect your share of this world. And be charitable, as God has been charitable to you. And do not seek corruption in the land. God does not like the seekers of corruption.”

Qur'an 28:77 Notes[edit]

God condones slavery and violent conquests. God prescribes the death penalty to homosexuals and apostates. This religion is corruption. That being said, this is not meant as an attack to believing Muslims, just on a religion that many Muslims don't even know is as horrific as it is.

Qur'an 28:78[edit]

He said, “I was given all this on account of knowledge I possess.” Did he not know that God destroyed many generations before him, who were stronger than he, and possessed greater riches? But the guilty will not be asked about their sins.

Qur'an 28:78 Notes[edit]

God is the one who made him rich and arrogant. This is the thing with all-powerful beings. Everything goes back to them and their decisions.

Qur'an 28:79[edit]

And he went out before his people in his splendor. Those who desired the worldly life said, “If only we possessed the likes of what Quaroon was given. He is indeed very fortunate.”

Qur'an 28:79 Notes[edit]

What is the moral of this story? Is it not to have immense wealth? Is it not to vainly show wealth? Is it to thank God each and every little thing?

Qur'an 28:80[edit]

But those who were given knowledge said, “Woe to you! The reward of God is better for those who believe and do righteous deeds.” Yet none attains it except the steadfast.

Qur'an 28:80 Notes[edit]

Why was not everybody "given knowledge" again?

Qur'an 28:81[edit]

So We caused the earth to cave in on him and his mansion. He had no company to save him from God, and he could not defend himself.

Qur'an 28:81 Notes[edit]

What exactly is the moral here?

Qur'an 28:82[edit]

Those who had wished they were in his position the day before were saying, “Indeed, it is God who spreads the bounty to whomever He wills of His servants, and restricts it. Had God not been gracious to us, He would have caved in on us. No wonder the ungrateful never prosper.”

Qur'an 28:82 Notes[edit]

This verse suggests that God was not being gracious to Quaroon. This is supposed to be "the most Gracious" being, right?

Qur'an 28:83[edit]

That Home of the Hereafter—We assign it for those who seek no superiority on earth, nor corruption. And the outcome is for the cautious.

Qur'an 28:83 Notes[edit]

Muhammad and other prophets fail to meet that standard.

Qur'an 28:84[edit]

Whoever brings a virtue will receive better than it. But whoever brings evil—the evildoers will be rewarded only according to what they used to do.

Qur'an 28:84 Notes[edit]

What does "evil" even mean to God?

Qur'an 28:85[edit]

Most certainly, the One Who has ordained the Quran for you will ultimately bring you back home to Mecca. Say, “My Lord knows best who has come with true guidance and who is clearly astray.”

Qur'an 28:85 Notes[edit]

Is the afterlife to take place specifically in Mecca? Is that the home of all believing Muslims? Is that where Heaven is located? Notably, the original verse in Arabic doesn't mention Mecca, though several translations clarify that this "home" is Mecca.

Qur'an 28:86[edit]

You never expected this Book to be revealed to you, but it came only as a mercy from your Lord. So never side with the disbelievers in their disbelief.

Qur'an 28:86 Notes[edit]

I would expect better from an omniscient omnipotent creator of the universe. Whoever wrote the Quran is clearly not omniscient when it comes to what "mercy" even means. A real mercy would be to abolish Hell altogether and not just reveal a repetitive, contradictory, ambiguous book that doesn't even convince most people.

Qur'an 28:87[edit]

Do not let them turn you away from the revelations of Allah after they have been sent down to you. Rather, invite all to the Way of your Lord, and never be one of the polytheists.

Qur'an 28:87 Notes[edit]

God chooses to let a fallible human do the work instead of inviting people himself because he wants most people to turn the invitation down and be misled. That, or he doesn't exist beyond the people who believe in him.

Qur'an 28:88[edit]

And do not invoke any other god with Allah. There is no god worthy of worship except Him. Everything is bound to perish except He Himself. All authority belongs to Him. And to Him you will all be returned.

Qur'an 28:88 Notes[edit]

Better yet is simply not invoking any gods, not even Allah. The same reasons to reject those gods apply to him, after all.