قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى لَآ أَمْلِكُ إِلَّا نَفْسِى وَأَخِى ۖ فَٱفْرُقْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ 25
Translations
[Moses] said, "My Lord, indeed I do not possess [i.e., control] except myself and my brother, so part us from the defiantly disobedient people."
Transliteration
Qala Rabbi inni la amliku illa nafsi wa akhi, fafruq baynana wa bayna al-qawmi al-fasiqin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records the prayer of Musa (Moses) to Allah when facing the rebellion of the Israelites who refused to enter the promised land. Musa acknowledges his limited authority, stating he can only command himself and his brother Harun (Aaron), and thus appeals to Allah to separate the believers from the transgressors. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this reflects Musa's humility and reliance on divine judgment rather than his own power, demonstrating that true authority belongs to Allah alone.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative in Surah Al-Ma'idah discussing the story of the Israelites' rejection of Allah's command to enter the promised land (mentioned in Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:20-26). The broader context addresses themes of ingratitude, disobedience, and divine punishment, with this specific verse occurring when Musa realizes he cannot force his people to obey and turns to Allah in supplication.
Related Hadiths
The theme of trusting in Allah's judgment is supported by hadith: 'No soul can know what has been hidden for them of comfort for the eyes (in Paradise) as a reward for what they used to do' (Sahih Bukhari 4476). Additionally, Musa's example of relying on Allah is referenced in various hadith collections regarding the importance of du'a (supplication) in times of difficulty.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true leaders acknowledge the limits of their power and turn to Allah in prayer rather than relying solely on force or authority. For modern believers, it emphasizes that while we should fulfill our responsibilities with integrity, ultimate judgment and resolution belong to Allah, encouraging us to remain humble and steadfast in faith even when others reject guidance.
Related Ayahs
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."
مَا قُلْتُ لَهُمْ إِلَّا مَآ أَمَرْتَنِى بِهِۦٓ أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبَّكُمْ ۚ وَكُنتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا مَّا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِى كُنتَ أَنتَ ٱلرَّقِيبَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَأَنتَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
I said not to them except what You commanded me - to worship Allāh, my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You took me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are, over all things, Witness.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـُٔونَ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Indeed, those who have believed [in Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] and those [before him (ﷺ)] who were Jews or Sabeans or Christians - those [among them] who believed in Allāh and the Last Day and did righteousness - no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
قُل لَّا يَسْتَوِى ٱلْخَبِيثُ وَٱلطَّيِّبُ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ كَثْرَةُ ٱلْخَبِيثِ ۚ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَـٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
Say, "Not equal are the evil and the good, although the abundance of evil might impress you." So fear Allāh, O you of understanding, that you may be successful.