قَالَ أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكَ بِشَىْءٍ مُّبِينٍ 30
Translations
[Moses] said, "Even if I brought you something [i.e., proof] manifest?"
Transliteration
Qala awa law ji'taka bi shay'in mubin
Tafsir (Explanation)
Pharaoh responds to Moses' initial call to faith by asking, 'Even if you brought me something clear (and manifest)?' This rhetorical question reveals Pharaoh's stubborn rejection and closed heart—he is essentially challenging Moses to produce a sign while already determined not to believe. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this demonstrates the arrogance of those who reject truth despite evidence, as Pharaoh's question implies conditional acceptance that he has no genuine intention of honoring.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Moses confronting Pharaoh in Egypt (Surah Ash-Shu'ara, verses 10-68). The context depicts Moses presenting himself as a messenger of Allah to Pharaoh, and this ayah marks Pharaoh's defiant response. The surah presents this confrontation as a historical reminder of how tyrants have rejected divine guidance throughout history.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly comments on this specific ayah, Surah Al-A'raf 7:105-111 contains the parallel account of Moses and Pharaoh, and Sahih Bukhari records hadiths about Pharaoh's rejection of faith despite witnessing clear signs.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns against the spiritual disease of hardened hearts—when people are determined to reject truth, they will rationalize away even the clearest evidence. Modern believers should examine their own hearts for similar pride and closed-mindedness, ensuring they remain open to divine guidance.
Related Ayahs
سَنُرِيهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فِى ٱلْـَٔافَاقِ وَفِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۗ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?
وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ ءَايَتَيْنِ ۖ فَمَحَوْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَجَعَلْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلنَّهَارِ مُبْصِرَةً لِّتَبْتَغُوا۟ فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلِتَعْلَمُوا۟ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلْحِسَابَ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَصَّلْنَـٰهُ تَفْصِيلًا
And We have made the night and day two signs, and We erased the sign of the night and made the sign of the day visible that you may seek bounty from your Lord and may know the number of years and the account [of time]. And everything We have set out in detail.
وَفِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ
And in yourselves. Then will you not see?
هَلْ فِى ذَٰلِكَ قَسَمٌ لِّذِى حِجْرٍ
Is there [not] in [all] that an oath [sufficient] for one of perception?