وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ تِسْعَ ءَايَـٰتٍۭ بَيِّنَـٰتٍ ۖ فَسْـَٔلْ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِذْ جَآءَهُمْ فَقَالَ لَهُۥ فِرْعَوْنُ إِنِّى لَأَظُنُّكَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ مَسْحُورًا 101
Translations
And We had certainly given Moses nine evident signs, so ask the Children of Israel [about] when he came to them and Pharaoh said to him, "Indeed I think, O Moses, that you are affected by magic."
Transliteration
Wa-laqad ātaynā Mūsā tis'a āyātin bayyinātin, fa-sal banī Isrāʾīl idhā jāʾahum, faqāla lahu Firʿawn, innī la-aẓunnuka yā Mūsā masḥūrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah granted Prophet Musa (Moses) nine clear signs and miracles as proof of his prophethood when he came to Pharaoh's people. The Qur'an instructs the reader to ask the Children of Israel about these miracles, which served as undeniable evidence of Allah's power and Musa's divine mission. Despite witnessing these clear proofs, Pharaoh arrogantly dismissed them, attributing Musa's miraculous abilities to sorcery rather than acknowledging the truth—a rejection rooted in pride and disbelief.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Isra, a Meccan surah revealed during the Meccan period. The context addresses the Meccan polytheists who, like Pharaoh of old, were rejecting the clear signs brought by Prophet Muhammad. By referencing the nine miracles given to Musa, Allah reminds the Meccans of historical precedent: those who reject clear signs face destruction, while drawing a parallel between Pharaoh's arrogance and the obstinacy of the Meccan disbelievers.
Related Hadiths
Ibn Mas'ud reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned the nine signs/miracles of Musa in various contexts. Additionally, Surah Ta-Ha (20:42-56) provides detailed descriptions of these nine signs. A related hadith in Sahih Bukhari discusses how Pharaoh called Musa a sorcerer (sāḥir), illustrating the theme of rejection despite clear evidence.
Themes
Key Lesson
Even the most manifest signs and miracles cannot compel belief in those whose hearts are hardened by arrogance and denial; true guidance requires both external evidence and an open, receptive heart willing to submit to Allah's truth.
Related Ayahs
ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِم مُّوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَإِي۟هِۦ فَظَلَمُوا۟ بِهَا ۖ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
Then We sent after them Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his establishment, but they were unjust toward them. So see how was the end of the corrupters.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهَآ إِذْ يَتَنَـٰزَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ ۖ فَقَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ عَلَيْهِم بُنْيَـٰنًا ۖ رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًا
And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allāh is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they disputed among themselves about their affair and [then] said, "Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them." Said those who prevailed in the matter, "We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid."
ٱلنَّجْمُ ٱلثَّاقِبُ
It is the piercing star
قَالُوا۟ نُرِيدُ أَن نَّأْكُلَ مِنْهَا وَتَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُنَا وَنَعْلَمَ أَن قَدْ صَدَقْتَنَا وَنَكُونَ عَلَيْهَا مِنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ
They said, "We wish to eat from it and let our hearts be reassured and know that you have been truthful to us and be among its witnesses."