نَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكَ مِن نَّبَإِ مُوسَىٰ وَفِرْعَوْنَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ 3
Translations
We recite to you from the news of Moses and Pharaoh in truth for a people who believe.
Transliteration
Natlū ʿalayka min nabāʾi Mūsā wa-Firʿawna bil-ḥaqqi liqawmin yuʾminūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses the Prophet Muhammad, stating that He recites to him the true account of the story of Musa (Moses) and Pharaoh. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this introduction emphasizes that the narrative being presented is established in truth and certainty, not mere speculation or fabrication. The phrase 'for people who believe' indicates that this account is especially meaningful and instructive for those who have faith and are willing to reflect upon its lessons.
Revelation Context
This ayah opens the narrative section of Surah Al-Qasas (revealed in Mecca), which focuses on the story of Prophet Musa as a central theme. The surah was revealed during the Meccan period when the Prophet and believers faced opposition from the Quraysh, and the story of Musa's struggle against Pharaoh served as an inspiring parallel to their own circumstances. The emphasis on 'truth' (bil-ḥaqqi) counters contemporary Arab skepticism about the authenticity of Quranic narratives.
Related Hadiths
Hadith from Sahih Muslim (#2286) where the Prophet said: 'The best of stories is that of the Quran' (Aḥsan al-ḥadīth al-Qurʾān), and Surah Al-Qasas exemplifies this by presenting the detailed story of Musa with profound wisdom.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Quranic narratives are not merely historical tales but divinely-guided truths meant to strengthen faith and provide practical wisdom for navigating trials. Modern readers should recognize that stories of prophets facing opposition offer timeless guidance for maintaining conviction during adversity.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ سَنَشُدُّ عَضُدَكَ بِأَخِيكَ وَنَجْعَلُ لَكُمَا سُلْطَـٰنًا فَلَا يَصِلُونَ إِلَيْكُمَا ۚ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أَنتُمَا وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكُمَا ٱلْغَـٰلِبُونَ
[Allāh] said, "We will strengthen your arm through your brother and grant you both supremacy so they will not reach you. [It will be] through Our signs; you and those who follow you will be the predominant."
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ هُم بِهِۦ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it - they are believers in it.
فَلَمَّآ أَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يَبْطِشَ بِٱلَّذِى هُوَ عَدُوٌّ لَّهُمَا قَالَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ أَتُرِيدُ أَن تَقْتُلَنِى كَمَا قَتَلْتَ نَفْسًۢا بِٱلْأَمْسِ ۖ إِن تُرِيدُ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَ جَبَّارًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا تُرِيدُ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُصْلِحِينَ
And when he wanted to strike the one who was an enemy to both of them, he said, "O Moses, do you intend to kill me as you killed someone yesterday? You only want to be a tyrant in the land and do not want to be of the amenders."
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى قَتَلْتُ مِنْهُمْ نَفْسًا فَأَخَافُ أَن يَقْتُلُونِ
He said, "My Lord, indeed I killed from among them someone, and I fear they will kill me.