وَلَمَّا تَوَجَّهَ تِلْقَآءَ مَدْيَنَ قَالَ عَسَىٰ رَبِّىٓ أَن يَهْدِيَنِى سَوَآءَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ 22
Translations
And when he directed himself toward Madyan, he said, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the sound way."
Transliteration
Wa-lamma tawajjaha tilqaa' madyana qala 'asa rabbi an yahdiyani sawaa' al-sabeel
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Prophet Musa's (peace be upon him) journey toward Madyan after fleeing Egypt, where he expresses his reliance upon Allah by saying, 'Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the right way.' According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this reflects Musa's trust in Divine guidance despite his uncertainty about the path ahead and his status as a fugitive. The phrase 'sawaa' al-sabeel' (the right/straight path) encompasses both physical guidance to safety and spiritual direction, demonstrating how a believer should maintain hope and dependence on Allah even in dire circumstances.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Musa's early life in Surah Al-Qasas, specifically after he fled Egypt following the incident where he killed the Copt. The surah is Meccan and presents stories of patience and divine providence. This particular verse shows Musa at a vulnerable moment, having left Egypt as a fugitive with no guarantee of safety, yet turning to Allah in supplication.
Related Hadiths
The concept of reliance on Allah (tawakkul) is emphasized in the hadith: 'Whoever places their trust in Allah, Allah will suffice them' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2347). Additionally, the hadith 'Trust in Allah, but tie your camel' illustrates the balance between active effort and reliance on Allah that Musa demonstrated by traveling while praying for guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that in moments of uncertainty and hardship, turning to Allah with sincere hope for His guidance is the path to security and success. Even when circumstances appear dire, maintaining faith and making du'a to Allah demonstrates the character of the righteous and often precedes Divine intervention and relief.
Related Ayahs
فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰٓ ءَالِهَتِهِمْ فَقَالَ أَلَا تَأْكُلُونَ
Then he turned to their gods and said, "Do you not eat?
قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّى وَءَاتَىٰنِى رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِهِۦ فَعُمِّيَتْ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنُلْزِمُكُمُوهَا وَأَنتُمْ لَهَا كَـٰرِهُونَ
He said, "O my people, have you considered: if I should be upon clear evidence from my Lord while He has given me mercy from Himself but it has been made unapparent to you, should we force it upon you while you are averse to it?
فَمَنِ ٱبْتَغَىٰ وَرَآءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْعَادُونَ
But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors -
لَقَدْ كَانَ فِى قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَـٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was it [i.e., the Qur’ān] a narration invented, but a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.