وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ وَٱسْتَوَىٰٓ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 14
Translations
And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgement and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.
Transliteration
Wa-lammā balagha ashuddahu wa-istawa ātaynāhu hukman wa-'ilmā. Wa-kadhalika najzī al-muhsinīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the stage when Prophet Mūsā (Moses) reached full maturity and physical/mental development, at which point Allah blessed him with both judicial wisdom (hukm) and knowledge ('ilm). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this refers to when Mūsā attained the capacity for prophethood and leadership, demonstrating that Allah rewards those who do good with comprehensive spiritual and intellectual gifts. The verse establishes a universal principle: "Thus do We reward those who do good," extending the lesson beyond Mūsā to all believers.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Mūsā's life in Surah Al-Qasas, specifically describing his maturation in Egypt after being raised in Pharaoh's household. It contextualizes the period before his migration to Madyan and his eventual call to prophethood, showing how Allah prepared him through growth and knowledge for his divine mission.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi 3895). This relates to the theme of developing good character ('ilm and hukm) as a foundation for righteousness.
Themes
Key Lesson
Allah grants wisdom and deep understanding to those who develop themselves spiritually and intellectually, combining both knowledge and practical judgment. Believers should recognize that personal growth and cultivation of character are pathways through which Allah empowers us for greater responsibility and service.
Related Ayahs
وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَىْءٍ فَمَتَـٰعُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتُهَا ۚ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
And whatever thing you [people] have been given - it is [only for] the enjoyment of worldly life and its adornment. And what is with Allāh is better and more lasting; so will you not use reason?
نَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكَ مِن نَّبَإِ مُوسَىٰ وَفِرْعَوْنَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
We recite to you from the news of Moses and Pharaoh in truth for a people who believe.
مَن جَآءَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُۥ خَيْرٌ مِّنْهَا ۖ وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجْزَى ٱلَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا۟ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ إِلَّا مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with a good deed will have better than it; and whoever comes with an evil deed - then those who did evil deeds will not be recompensed except [as much as] what they used to do.
فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فِى زِينَتِهِۦ ۖ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا يَـٰلَيْتَ لَنَا مِثْلَ مَآ أُوتِىَ قَـٰرُونُ إِنَّهُۥ لَذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ
So he came out before his people in his adornment. Those who desired the worldly life said, "Oh, would that we had like what was given to Qārūn. Indeed, he is one of great fortune."