وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ 49
Translations
And We certainly gave Moses the Scripture that perhaps they would be guided.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad ātaynā Mūsā al-Kitāba la'allahum yahtadūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah reminds the believers that He granted Prophet Musa (Moses) the Torah (al-Kitab) as a means of guidance for the Children of Israel. Ibn Kathir notes that despite this clear revelation and divine guidance, many of them still rejected it and turned away, highlighting the testing nature of knowledge and responsibility. The phrase 'la'allahum yahtadun' (perhaps they would be guided) emphasizes Allah's merciful intention in providing the Book, though guidance ultimately depends on sincere acceptance and adherence to its teachings.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Mu'minun's Meccan context where Allah is addressing the polytheists of Mecca about the reality of previous revelations. It serves as a reminder that prophets before Muhammad (ﷺ) were given clear scriptures, and the disbelievers' rejection of Muhammad's message follows the same pattern of rejecting divine guidance that occurred with previous peoples.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' relates to the principle that divine books are given for learning and guidance. Additionally, the hadith in Sunan An-Nasa'i about the Torah containing guidance and light reflects the Quranic affirmation of previous scriptures.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that receiving divine guidance is a blessing and trust from Allah, but knowledge alone is insufficient—sincere intention and active application of the teachings are essential for achieving true guidance. It also reminds us that rejecting clear truth is not a new phenomenon, but a recurring human tendency that requires vigilance against.
Related Ayahs
ثُمَّ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ تَمَامًا عَلَى ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ وَتَفْصِيلًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَّعَلَّهُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Then We gave Moses the Scripture, making complete [Our favor] upon the one who did good [i.e., Moses] and as a detailed explanation of all things and as guidance and mercy that perhaps in the meeting with their Lord they would believe.
وَٱلَّذِىٓ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ لَخَبِيرٌۢ بَصِيرٌ
And that which We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], of the Book is the truth, confirming what was before it. Indeed Allāh, of His servants, is Aware and Seeing.
وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ
Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination.
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَا ۜ
[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, who has sent down upon His Servant [Muḥammad (ﷺ)] the Book and has not made therein any deviance.