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 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."
۞ فَلَمَّا قَضَىٰ مُوسَى ٱلْأَجَلَ وَسَارَ بِأَهْلِهِۦٓ ءَانَسَ مِن جَانِبِ ٱلطُّورِ نَارًا قَالَ لِأَهْلِهِ ٱمْكُثُوٓا۟ إِنِّىٓ ءَانَسْتُ نَارًا لَّعَلِّىٓ ءَاتِيكُم مِّنْهَا بِخَبَرٍ أَوْ جَذْوَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَصْطَلُونَ
And when Moses had completed the term and was traveling with his family, he perceived from the direction of the mount a fire. He said to his family, "Stay here; indeed, I have perceived a fire. Perhaps I will bring you from there [some] information or burning wood from the fire that you may warm yourselves."
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم مُّوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا بَيِّنَـٰتٍ قَالُوا۟ مَا هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّفْتَرًى وَمَا سَمِعْنَا بِهَـٰذَا فِىٓ ءَابَآئِنَا ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
But when Moses came to them with Our signs as clear evidences, they said, "This is not except invented magic, and we have not heard of this [religion] among our forefathers."
فَلَمَّآ أَتَىٰهَا نُودِىَ مِن شَـٰطِئِ ٱلْوَادِ ٱلْأَيْمَنِ فِى ٱلْبُقْعَةِ ٱلْمُبَـٰرَكَةِ مِنَ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ أَن يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
But when he came to it, he was called from the right side of the valley in a blessed spot - from the tree, "O Moses, indeed I am Allāh, Lord of the worlds."