Explore Surah Ta-Ha, Chapter 20 of the Holy Quran, with complete text and insightful commentary. Discover the story of Prophet Musa, the call to faith, and the timeless lessons of patience, prayer, and guidance in clear and simple language.
Surah 20: Ta-Ha (Mystical Letters)
Introduction
Surah Ta-Ha is the 20th chapter of the Holy Qur’an. It was revealed in Makkah and has a total of 135 verses. The Surah is named after the two Arabic letters ‘Ta’ and ‘Ha’ that appear at the beginning of the chapter. Like other chapters that begin with disjointed letters, their exact meaning is known only to Allah.
This Surah focuses mainly on the story of Prophet Moses (Musa), peace be upon him. It describes his mission to guide Pharaoh and free the Children of Israel. The story highlights the power of Allah, the struggles of a prophet, and the importance of faith, patience, and trust in divine help. The confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh, the miracles, and the parting of the sea are all covered in detail.
Surah Ta-Ha also reminds the believers of the reality of the Day of Judgment and the consequences of turning away from God’s guidance. It emphasizes that the Qur’an was not sent to burden people, but as a reminder and a mercy.
The Surah was revealed at a time when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers were facing opposition in Makkah. It offered them encouragement, comfort, and proof that truth always prevails over falsehood. It is famously reported that the conversion of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) began when he heard the opening verses of this Surah.
Overall, Surah Ta-Ha teaches about divine mercy, the importance of following God’s guidance, and remaining firm in truth even in the face of hardship. 0 0 0
Surah 20: Ta-Ha (Mystical Letters): Text
In the Name of Allah—the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
1. Ta-Ha.
2. We have not sent the Qur’an down to you to make you suffer,
3. but only as a reminder for those who are mindful of God.
4. It is a revelation from the One who created the earth and the high heavens—
5. the Most Merciful, who is established above the Throne.
6. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on the earth, and all that is between them, and all that lies beneath the soil.
7. Whether you speak openly or keep your words hidden—He knows what is secret and what is even more hidden.
8. Allah—there is no god but Him. To Him belong the most beautiful names.
9. Has the story of Moses reached you?
10. When he saw a fire, he said to his family, ‘Wait here. I have seen a fire. Perhaps I can bring you a torch from it, or find some guidance at the fire.’
11. When he came to it, he was called: ‘O Moses!
12. I am your Lord, so take off your sandals. You are in the sacred valley of Tuwa.
13. I have chosen you, so listen to what is being revealed to you.
14. Truly, I am Allah. There is no god but Me, so worship Me and establish prayer to remember Me.
15. The Hour is surely coming—but I choose to keep it hidden—so that every soul will be rewarded for what it has done.
16. So do not let anyone who does not believe in it and follows their desires distract you from it, or you will be ruined.’
17. ‘And what is that in your right hand, O Moses?’
18. He said, ‘It is my staff. I lean on it, and with it I beat down leaves for my sheep. And I have other uses for it too.’
19. Allah said, ‘Throw it down, O Moses.’
20. So he threw it down—and it became a moving serpent.
21. Allah said, ‘Pick it up and don’t be afraid. We will return it to its former state.
22. Now put your hand into your garment—it will come out shining white, without any harm. These are two signs from your Lord to Pharaoh and his chiefs. They have truly gone too far.’
23. ‘We will show you some of Our greatest signs.
24. Go to Pharaoh—for he has truly transgressed.’
25. Moses said, ‘My Lord, open my heart for me,
26. and make my task easy for me,
27. and untie the knot from my tongue
28. so they may understand my speech.
29. And appoint for me a helper from my family—
30. Aaron, my brother.
31. Strengthen me through him
32. and make him share in my task,
33. so that we may glorify You much
34. and remember You much.
35. Truly, You are always watching over us.
36. Allah said, ‘Your request have been granted, O Moses.
37. We had already favored you another time—
38. when We inspired your mother with what We inspired:
39. “Place him in a basket, and cast it into the river. Then the river will throw it onto the shore, and he will be taken by an enemy of Mine and an enemy of his.” I wrapped you in My love so that you may be brought up under My watchful eye.
40. When your sister walked along and said, “Shall I guide you to someone who will take care of him?” So We reunited you with your mother so her heart would be at ease and not grieve. Then you killed a man, but We saved you from sorrow and tried you with many trials. Then you stayed for years among the people of Midian. Then you came here, O Moses, as planned.
41. And I have chosen you for Myself.
42. Go, you and your brother, with My signs. Do not slack in remembering Me.
43. Go both of you to Pharaoh. He has truly crossed all limits.
44. Speak to him gently, so that he may pay heed or feel some fear.’
45. They said, ‘Our Lord, we fear he might harm us or act arrogantly against us.’
46. Allah said, ‘Do not be afraid. I am certainly with you both—I hear and see everything.
47. Go to him and say: “We are messengers from your Lord, so let the Children of Israel go with us and do not oppress them. We bring you a sign from your Lord. Peace be upon those who follow the guidance.
48. It has been revealed to us that punishment will fall on the one who denies and turns away.”‘
49. Pharaoh said, ‘So who is the Lord of you both, O Moses?’
50. Moses said, ‘Our Lord is the One who gave everything its form, and then guided it.’
51. Pharaoh said, ‘Then what about the former generations?’
52. Moses replied, ‘Their knowledge is with my Lord, in a Book. My Lord neither errs nor forgets.’
53. He is the One who made the earth a place for you to live, and made pathways in it for you, and sent down water from the sky. With it, We bring out different kinds of plants in pairs.
54. Eat and graze your cattle. Surely in this are signs for people of reason.
55. From the earth We created you, into it We will return you, and from it We will bring you out once again.
56. We certainly showed Pharaoh all Our signs, but he denied them and refused.
57. He said, ‘Have you come to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Moses?
58. Then we will surely bring you magic like it. So set an appointment between us and you—which neither we nor you will break—in a central place.’
59. Moses said, ‘Your meeting is on the day of the festival, and let the people be gathered in the morning.’
60. So Pharaoh turned away and gathered his plans, then came.
61. Moses said to them, ‘Woe to you! Do not invent lies about Allah, or He will destroy you with a punishment. Anyone who invents lies has truly failed.’
62. Then they argued with one another about their matter, and kept their talk secret.
63. They said, ‘These two are magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic and destroy your most excellent way of life.
64. So gather your plans and come forward in a line. Today, whoever wins will surely succeed.’
65. They said, ‘O Moses, will you throw first, or shall we throw first?’
66. Moses said, ‘You throw first.’ So they threw their ropes and staffs, and they appeared—through their magic—as if they were moving quickly.
67. Moses felt some fear within himself.
68. We said, ‘Do not be afraid! It is you who will win.
69. Throw what is in your right hand—it will swallow what they have made. What they have made is only a magician’s trick. Magicians will never succeed, no matter where they go.’
70. Then the magicians fell down in prostration. They said, ‘We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.’
71. Pharaoh said, ‘Do you believe in Him before I give you permission? He must be your master who taught you magic! I will surely cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm trees. You will know whose punishment is more severe and longer lasting!’
72. They said, ‘We will never prefer you over the clear signs that have come to us, nor over the One who created us. So do whatever you want. You can only decide matters in this worldly life.
73. We have believed in our Lord so that He may forgive us our sins and the magic you forced us to perform. Allah is better and more lasting.’
74. Truly, whoever comes to his Lord as a sinner—he will have Hell, where he will neither die nor live.
75. But whoever comes to Him as a believer, having done righteous deeds—those will have the highest ranks:
76. gardens of everlasting bliss beneath which rivers flow, staying there forever. That is the reward for those who purify themselves
77. And We certainly revealed to Moses: ‘Travel by night with My servants, and strike a dry path for them through the sea. Do not fear being overtaken, and do not be afraid.’
78. Then Pharaoh followed them with his soldiers, but the sea overwhelmed them and drowned them.
79. Pharaoh misled his people and did not guide them.
80. O Children of Israel, We saved you from your enemy, and We made a promise to you on the right side of the mountain, and We sent down to you manna and quails.
81. Eat from the good things We have provided for you, but do not go beyond limits in it, or My anger will fall on you. And anyone on whom My anger falls has surely fallen.
82. Yet I am truly Forgiving to anyone who repents, believes, and does good deeds, and then stays on the right path.
83. ‘O Moses, what made you come ahead of your people in such a hurry?’
84. He said, ‘They are close behind me, and I rushed to You, my Lord, so that You would be pleased.’
85. Allah said, ‘But We have tested your people after you left, and Samiri has led them astray.’
86. So Moses returned to his people in anger and sorrow. He said, ‘O my people, did your Lord not make you a good promise? Was the time too long for you? Or did you want anger from your Lord to fall on you, so you broke your promise to me?’
87. They said, ‘We did not break our promise to you by our own will. We were made to carry loads of people’s jewelry and threw them into the fire. That is what Samiri suggested.’
88. Then he made a calf for them—a lifeless body that made a lowing sound. They said, ‘This is your god and the god of Moses, but he forgot.’
89. Did they not see that it could not return a word to them, nor could it do them any harm or good?
90. Aaron had already told them before, ‘O my people! You are only being tested with this. Your Lord is the Most Merciful. So follow me and obey my command.’
91. But they said, ‘We will not stop worshipping it until Moses comes back to us.’
92. Moses said, ‘O Aaron! What stopped you, when you saw them going astray,
93. from following me? Did you disobey my command?’
94. He said, ‘O son of my mother! Do not grab my beard or my head. I was afraid you would say, “You have caused division among the Children of Israel, and did not follow my word.”‘
95. Moses said, ‘And what is your case, O Samiri?’
96. He said, ‘I saw what they did not see, so I took a handful from the messenger’s footprint and threw it into the fire. That is what my soul inspired me to do.’
97. Moses said, ‘Then go away! It is decreed for you in this life to say, “Do not touch me!” And you have an appointed time that you will not miss. Now look at your “god” to which you were so devoted—we will burn it, and scatter its remains into the sea.’
98. Your only god is Allah—there is no god but Him. He knows everything.
99. This is how We relate to you some of the stories of what happened before. And We have given you a reminder from Us.
100. Whoever turns away from it will surely bear a heavy burden on the Day of Judgment—
101. staying under it forever. What a terrible load to carry on the Day!
102. On the Day when the Trumpet is blown, We will gather the sinful ones that Day with their eyes darkened.
103. They will whisper to each other, ‘You only stayed [in the world] for ten days.’
104. We know best what they will say, when the most reasonable of them will say, ‘You only stayed a day.’
105. They ask you about the mountains. Say, ‘My Lord will crush them completely,
106. and leave the earth a level plain—
107. with no hills or valleys.’
108. On that Day, everyone will follow the call of the Caller, with no turning away. All voices will be hushed before the Most Merciful, and you will hear nothing but whispers.
109. No one will be able to intercede then—except the one to whom the Most Merciful has given permission and whose words He approves.
110. He knows what is before them and what is behind them, while they cannot grasp Him with their knowledge.
111. All faces will be humbled before the Ever-Living, the All-Sustaining. And the one who carried wrongdoing will have failed.
112. But whoever did good deeds while being a believer will have no fear of injustice or unfair treatment.
113. This is how We have sent it down in clear Arabic, and We have explained in it many warnings—so they may be mindful, or it may awaken them to remembrance.
114. Exalted is Allah, the True King. Do not rush with the Qur’an before its revelation is completed to you, and say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’
115. And We had surely made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We found no determination in him.
116. When We said to the angels, ‘Bow down to Adam,’ they all bowed except Iblis. He refused.
117. Then We said, ‘O Adam, this is an enemy to you and to your wife. So do not let him drive you both out of Paradise, or you will suffer.
118.You will not go hungry there or be naked,
119. and you will not be thirsty or suffer from the sun’s heat.’
120. But Satan whispered to him, saying, ‘O Adam, shall I show you the tree of eternity and a kingdom that never fades away?’
121. So they both ate from it, and their private parts became exposed to them, and they began covering themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Adam disobeyed his Lord, so he went astray.
122. Then his Lord chose him, accepted his repentance, and guided him.
123. He said, ‘Both of you go down from here—all of you—as enemies to one another. But when guidance comes to you from Me, then whoever follows My guidance will not go astray, nor suffer.
124. But whoever turns away from My reminder will have a life of hardship, and We will raise him blind on the Day of Judgment.’
125. He will say, ‘My Lord, why have You raised me blind, when I used to see?’
126. He will say, ‘Just as Our signs came to you and you ignored them, today you are being ignored.’
127. And that is how We repay those who go too far and do not believe in the signs of their Lord. And the punishment of the Hereafter is much more severe and lasting.
128. Is it not a lesson for them—how many generations We destroyed before them, through whose homes they now walk? Surely in this are signs for people of understanding.
129. If it were not for a word already decided by your Lord, and a fixed term, the punishment would have come right away.
130. So be patient with what they say. And glorify your Lord with praise before sunrise and before sunset. And glorify Him during parts of the night and at the ends of the day, so that you may be content.
131. Do not look longingly at the worldly wealth We have given to some of them—this is only for their testing. What your Lord gives you is better and longer lasting.
132. And command your family to pray, and be constant in it. We do not ask you for any provision—it is We who provide for you. And the good end belongs to those who are mindful.
133. They say, ‘Why does he not bring us a sign from his Lord?’ Has a clear proof not already come to them in what was in the former scriptures?
134. If We had destroyed them with punishment before it, they would have said, ‘Our Lord, why did You not send us a messenger so we could follow Your signs before we were humiliated and disgraced?’
125. Say, ‘Everyone is waiting, so you wait too. You will soon know who is on the straight path and who has been rightly guided.’ 0 0 0
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Comment
Surah Ta-Ha is a powerful reminder of Allah’s mercy, guidance, and justice. One of its main lessons is that the Qur’an was not sent to burden us, but to guide us gently toward the truth. This is made clear from the very beginning of the Surah, where Allah says: “We have not sent the Qur’an down to you to make you suffer.” (Verse 2)
The central theme of the Surah is the story of Prophet Musa (Moses), peace be upon him. His journey—from being called by Allah in the sacred valley of Tuwa, to facing Pharaoh with courage, to leading the Israelites out of slavery—is full of lessons in faith, patience, and the importance of trusting in Allah during trials. Musa’s honest fears, his humble prayers, and his deep dependence on Allah show the human side of a prophet and remind us that seeking help from God is never a weakness—it is the way to true strength.
Pharaoh’s arrogance and refusal to accept the truth represent the consequences of pride, injustice, and power used against the truth. On the other hand, the faith of the magicians, who believed in Allah even under threat of death, teaches us that truth can enter the hearts of people when they witness sincere signs—even if they were once enemies of it.
Another important part of the Surah is the warning to those who turn away from Allah’s reminder. Allah says that whoever forgets His guidance will live a difficult life and be raised blind on the Day of Judgment. This shows the deep connection between living with faith and finding peace in this world and the next.
In the end, the Surah reminds the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and all believers to be patient, to keep praying, and to remain firm. It tells us not to be distracted by the wealth and luxury of this world, and that real success lies in staying close to Allah.
Surah Ta-Ha is full of wisdom, emotional depth, and timeless guidance. It speaks to the soul—offering comfort in pain, hope in hardship, and clarity in confusion. 0 0 0
Ta-Ha: Additional Study
Frequently Asked Questions on Surah Ta-Ha
Q1. What is Surah Ta-Ha about?
Surah Ta-Ha focuses mainly on the story of Prophet Musa (Moses), his mission to guide Pharaoh, and the lessons of faith, patience, and reliance on Allah.
Q2. Why is it called Surah Ta-Ha?
The name Ta-Ha comes from the mystical Arabic letters at the beginning of the Surah. Like other disjointed letters in the Quran, their precise meaning is known only to Allah.
Q3. How many verses are in Surah Ta-Ha?
Surah Ta-Ha contains 135 verses and is classified as a Meccan Surah.
Q4. What are the main themes of Surah Ta-Ha?
The themes of Surah Ta-Ha include the mission of Prophet Musa, the rejection of Pharaoh, the importance of prayer, the guidance of the Quran, and the final judgment.
Q5. Why is Surah Ta-Ha important?
Surah Ta-Ha is important because it teaches reliance on Allah in times of difficulty, highlights the power of divine guidance, and reminds believers of the purpose of life.
Q6. What lesson does Surah Ta-Ha teach about Prophet Musa?
Surah Ta-Ha shows that Prophet Musa faced many challenges, but with patience and Allah’s help, he was able to overcome Pharaoh’s tyranny and guide his people.
Q7. When was Surah Ta-Ha revealed?
Surah Ta-Ha was revealed in Makkah during the early years of the Prophet Muhammad’s mission, focusing on faith, patience, and hope.
Q8. What is the message of Surah Ta-Ha for believers today?
The message of Surah Ta-Ha is to remain steadfast in prayer, trust Allah’s wisdom, and follow His guidance even in the face of trials. 0 0 0
The Ballad of Surah Ta-Ha
In the silence of the desert night,
Surah Ta-Ha came with light.
Not to weigh the hearts with pain,
But mercy sent, a guiding chain.
Upon the mountain, Musa stood,
A wanderer seeking what was good.
A flame he saw, it burned so high,
A sign of Allah, the Lord Most High.
“Remove your sandals, sacred ground,
I am your Lord, the truth profound.
Go forth to Pharaoh, proud and wild,
Speak with kindness, not with guile.”
Musa trembled, his voice unsure,
“Grant me my brother, strong and pure.
Loosen my tongue, my fear erase,
Together we’ll call them to Your grace.”
To Pharaoh’s court they made their plea,
“Let the people of Israel free.
Believe in Allah, the Lord of all,
Leave your pride, and hear His call.”
Pharaoh laughed with mocking tone,
“My power is mine, I rule alone.”
But signs appeared, so vast, so clear,
Yet arrogance closed his heart with fear.
The staff was cast—it turned to snake,
The waters split, the earth did shake.
The hand of Musa shone so bright,
Yet Pharaoh’s heart denied the light.
Then came the day by the roaring sea,
When Pharaoh’s army sought victory.
But waves obeyed Allah’s command,
And drowned the tyrant and his band.
The children crossed, the path was wide,
Delivered safe to the other side.
But soon they strayed, their faith grew cold,
Chasing a calf of glittering gold.
Musa returned with anger, grief,
“Did you forget your Lord, your belief?
Was not His mercy plain to see,
When He saved you from tyranny?”
Surah Ta-Ha tells this tale so true,
A lesson for me, a lesson for you.
That wealth and power will fade away,
But prayer and patience light the way.
It calls the soul to bow and pray,
To trust in Allah, both night and day.
The Quran, a lantern shining bright,
Guides the faithful through the night.
Surah Ta-Ha ends with this command,
Hold fast the Book, with heart and hand.
Remember the Day when all shall rise,
And meet their Lord beyond the skies.
So let this story reach your heart,
A timeless guide, a sacred chart.
For those who seek the path to stay,
Surah Ta-Ha will light the way. 0 0 0
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