فَسَقَىٰ لَهُمَا ثُمَّ تَوَلَّىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلظِّلِّ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى لِمَآ أَنزَلْتَ إِلَىَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ 24
Translations
So he watered [their flocks] for them; then he went back to the shade and said, "My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need."
Transliteration
Fasaqaa lahuma thumma tawallaa ilaz-zill faqaala rabbi inni lima anzalta ilayya min khayrin faqir
Tafsir (Explanation)
After Musa (Moses) watered the flocks for the two women, he withdrew to the shade and made a heartfelt supplication to Allah, expressing his desperate need and poverty before his Lord despite any good that had come to him. This demonstrates Musa's humility and complete reliance on Allah (tawakkul), recognizing that all provision and goodness ultimately comes from the Divine. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this prayer reflects the character of a righteous servant who, despite performing a good deed, remains conscious of his utter dependence on Allah's mercy and sustenance.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Musa's journey after fleeing Egypt, when he arrived in Madyan (Midian) as a fugitive with no wealth or provisions. The context shows Musa's encounter with two women at a well, his assistance to them, and his subsequent supplication—establishing the foundational character traits that would define his prophethood: compassion, humility, and unwavering trust in Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) 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)—relating to Musa's kindness. Additionally, 'Whoever is merciful, even to the creatures on earth, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Judgment' (Sunan Abu Dawud 4723)—reflecting the compassion shown in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
True strength lies not in self-sufficiency but in humble recognition of our complete dependence on Allah's mercy and provision. Even when performing good deeds, a believer should maintain consciousness of their own need and poverty before Allah, approaching Him with sincere supplication rather than pride in their actions.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا۟ ٱللَّغْوَ أَعْرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَقَالُوا۟ لَنَآ أَعْمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ لَا نَبْتَغِى ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ
And when they hear ill speech, they turn away from it and say, "For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. Peace will be upon you; we seek not the ignorant."
وَمَا كُنتَ تَرْجُوٓا۟ أَن يُلْقَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۖ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ ظَهِيرًا لِّلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And you were not expecting that the Book would be conveyed to you, but [it is] a mercy from your Lord. So do not be an assistant to the disbelievers.
أَفَمَن وَعَدْنَـٰهُ وَعْدًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ لَـٰقِيهِ كَمَن مَّتَّعْنَـٰهُ مَتَـٰعَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ هُوَ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْضَرِينَ
Then is he whom We have promised a good promise which he will meet [i.e., obtain] like he for whom We provided enjoyment of worldly life [but] then he is, on the Day of Resurrection, among those presented [for punishment in Hell]?
وَإِذَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦٓ إِنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مُسْلِمِينَ
And when it is recited to them, they say, "We have believed in it; indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed we were, [even] before it, Muslims [i.e., submitting to Allāh]."