قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ فَلَنْ أَكُونَ ظَهِيرًا لِّلْمُجْرِمِينَ 17
Translations
He said, "My Lord, for the favor You bestowed upon me, I will never be an assistant to the criminals."
Transliteration
Qala Rabbi bima an'amta 'alayya falan akuna zahiran lil-mujrimin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents Prophet Musa's resolute declaration to Allah: 'My Lord, because You have bestowed favor upon me, I will never be a helper to the criminals.' Musa refuses to assist those who commit wrongdoing, establishing that divine blessings obligate the recipient to maintain moral integrity and distance themselves from sin. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Musa's statement reflects profound gratitude (shukr) for Allah's favors, which manifests as steadfast refusal to participate in or support transgression.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the narrative of Musa's early life in Egypt, specifically after he unintentionally killed a Coptic man while defending an Israelite. The broader context shows Musa's spiritual awakening and moral development—he seeks refuge in Midian and reflects on his actions. This statement demonstrates his commitment to justice and righteousness even when vulnerable and fleeing for his life.
Related Hadiths
The principle of commanding good and forbidding evil (al-amr bil-ma'ruf wa-an-nahi 'an al-munkar) is emphasized in Sahih Muslim (1218) where the Prophet ﷺ stated: 'Whoever sees an evil action, let them change it with their hand; if they cannot, then with their tongue; if they cannot, then with their heart—and that is the weakest of faith.' This relates to Musa's refusal to support criminals.
Themes
Key Lesson
True gratitude for Allah's blessings manifests through moral conduct and refusing to compromise one's principles, even when vulnerable or facing hardship. This ayah teaches that divine favor creates responsibility—we must use our blessings to uphold justice rather than participate in or enable wrongdoing.
Related Ayahs
فَخَرَجَ مِنْهَا خَآئِفًا يَتَرَقَّبُ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ نَجِّنِى مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
So he left it, fearful and anticipating [apprehension]. He said, "My Lord, save me from the wrongdoing people."
فَأَصْبَحَ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ خَآئِفًا يَتَرَقَّبُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَنصَرَهُۥ بِٱلْأَمْسِ يَسْتَصْرِخُهُۥ ۚ قَالَ لَهُۥ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّكَ لَغَوِىٌّ مُّبِينٌ
And he became inside the city fearful and anticipating [exposure], when suddenly the one who sought his help the previous day cried out to him [once again]. Moses said to him, "Indeed, you are an evident, [persistent] deviator."
فَجَآءَتْهُ إِحْدَىٰهُمَا تَمْشِى عَلَى ٱسْتِحْيَآءٍ قَالَتْ إِنَّ أَبِى يَدْعُوكَ لِيَجْزِيَكَ أَجْرَ مَا سَقَيْتَ لَنَا ۚ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُۥ وَقَصَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْقَصَصَ قَالَ لَا تَخَفْ ۖ نَجَوْتَ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness. She said, "Indeed, my father invites you that he may reward you for having watered for us." So when he came to him and related to him the story, he said, "Fear not. You have escaped from the wrongdoing people."
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِنْ عِندِنَا قَالُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُوتِىَ مِثْلَ مَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰٓ ۚ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ قَالُوا۟ سِحْرَانِ تَظَـٰهَرَا وَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا بِكُلٍّ كَـٰفِرُونَ
But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, "Why was he not given like that which was given to Moses?" Did they not disbelieve in that which was given to Moses before? They said, "[They are but] two works of magic supporting each other, and indeed we are, in both, disbelievers."