and the second part are, thematically and structurally, copies of each other. The story about Moses gives a much longer, more detailed description to introduce the theme, and the shorter story of Adam serves to summarize and repeat the theme already discussed. The introduction and conclusion paragraphs, including the verses where God addresses Muhammad, are the bookends to the sura, and bind the stories together. 1-8 Introduction This section is an introduction to the sura. It begins with God addressing Muhammad, then lists several of God's characteristics and praises Him. In this section, there is also a mention of the Quran as a reminder of God's existence, a theme that is seen throughout the Quran. One of the two verses in this sura mentioned in al-Wahidi's "Asbab al-Nuzul" is verse 2. According to al-Wahidi, God sent this verse to Muhammad because the Quraysh were saying that Muhammad was distressed because he left their religion, and that God only sent down the Quran to distress Muhammad. Verses 2–3: "It was not to distress you [Prophet] that We sent down the Qur'an to you, but as a reminder for those who hold God in awe…" Verse 8: "God—There is no god but Him—the most excellent names belong to Him." 9–98 The story of Moses This section recounts the story of Moses's encounter with Pharaoh, and how Moses's people were tested by God. Moses is originally tasked by God to go to Pharaoh, who has erred, and try to show him the right path. Verses 25-28: "He said, my Lord, open up my heart, and make my task easy for me. Loosen the knot in my tongue, so that they may understand my speech." Moses is triumphant over the Pharaoh because he is helped by God, but is then chased from the land by Pharaoh. After escaping, Moses leaves his people to confer with God. During his absence, his people are led awry by al-Samiri, and begin to worship a golden calf instead of God. Upon his return, Moses is furious. He exiles al-Samiri, and chastises his brother Aaron for allowing the people to worship anything other than the one true God. Samiri's provokation of Moses's disciples to worship a lowly calf beside the Almighty, clearly refuted God's grace as well as Moses and Aaron's preaching. Hence, Samiri's defiance that is quite similar to Iblis' or Satan's had earned him severe punishment from