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
قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلُ رَبَّنَا هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أَغْوَيْنَآ أَغْوَيْنَـٰهُمْ كَمَا غَوَيْنَا ۖ تَبَرَّأْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ۖ مَا كَانُوٓا۟ إِيَّانَا يَعْبُدُونَ
Those upon whom the word will have come into effect will say, "Our Lord, these are the ones we led to error. We led them to error just as we were in error. We declare our disassociation [from them] to You. They did not used to worship [i.e., obey] us."
وَلَا تَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ ۘ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ كُلُّ شَىْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُۥ ۚ لَهُ ٱلْحُكْمُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
And do not invoke with Allāh another deity. There is no deity except Him. Everything will be destroyed except His Face. His is the judgement, and to Him you will be returned.
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?
وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَرْضِعِيهِ ۖ فَإِذَا خِفْتِ عَلَيْهِ فَأَلْقِيهِ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ وَلَا تَخَافِى وَلَا تَحْزَنِىٓ ۖ إِنَّا رَآدُّوهُ إِلَيْكِ وَجَاعِلُوهُ مِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
And We inspired to the mother of Moses, "Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him [one] of the messengers."