قَالَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِنِّى ٱصْطَفَيْتُكَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ بِرِسَـٰلَـٰتِى وَبِكَلَـٰمِى فَخُذْ مَآ ءَاتَيْتُكَ وَكُن مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ 144
Translations
[Allāh] said, "O Moses, I have chosen you over the people with My messages and My words [to you]. So take what I have given you and be among the grateful."
Transliteration
Qala ya Musa inni istafaytuka 'ala an-nasi bi-risalati wa bi-kalam fahkudh ma atytuka wa kun min ash-shakirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses Musa (Moses) after his return from Mount Sinai, declaring that He has chosen him above all people through His messages and direct speech (Kalam Allah). This ayah emphasizes Musa's unique station as one of the five greatest messengers (Ulul-'Azm) who communicated directly with Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that 'istafaytuka' (chosen you) denotes exclusive selection for prophethood and closeness to Allah, while 'bi-kalam' refers to Allah speaking to Musa directly without intermediary—a distinction that elevated Musa's rank among the prophets.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the narrative of Musa's forty-day absence on Mount Sinai receiving the Torah (Tawrah). Upon his return, he discovers the Israelites have fashioned a golden calf in his absence. After his initial anger and reproach, Allah consoles him with this statement, reminding him of his chosen status and divine favor, contextualizing his responsibility and consoling his distress over his people's transgression.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said regarding the Messengers of Strong Will: 'Five messengers were given strong determination: Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, 'Isa, and I.' (Sahih Muslim 165). Additionally, Musa is mentioned in numerous hadiths as one of the closest to Allah, such as in the night journey (Isra') where he is encountered in the fifth heaven (Sunan an-Nasa'i).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that divine favor brings commensurate responsibility, and that true honor lies not in worldly prestige but in being chosen for service to Allah. Modern believers should recognize that whatever gifts or positions Allah grants require gratitude and faithful stewardship in fulfilling their purpose.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ أَمَرَ رَبِّى بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَٱدْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأَكُمْ تَعُودُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "My Lord has ordered justice and that you direct yourselves [to the Qiblah] at every place [or time] of prostration, and invoke Him, sincere to Him in religion." Just as He originated you, you will return [to life] -
ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۗ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Follow, [O mankind], what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other than Him any allies. Little do you remember.
قُل لَّآ أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِى نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَلَوْ كُنتُ أَعْلَمُ ٱلْغَيْبَ لَٱسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ ٱلْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِىَ ٱلسُّوٓءُ ۚ إِنْ أَنَا۠ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Say, "I hold not for myself [the power of] benefit or harm, except what Allāh has willed. And if I knew the unseen, I could have acquired much wealth, and no harm would have touched me. I am not except a warner and a bringer of good tidings to a people who believe."
۞ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَلْقِ عَصَاكَ ۖ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ
And We inspired to Moses, "Throw your staff," and at once it devoured what they were falsifying.