۞ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِىٓ إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ 52
Translations
And We inspired to Moses, "Travel by night with My servants; indeed, you will be pursued."
Transliteration
Wa awhayna ila Musa an asri bi ibadi innakum muttaba'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commanded Prophet Musa (Moses) to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt during the night, instructing him that Pharaoh's armies would pursue them. This ayah marks the pivotal moment of the Exodus, where Allah directly revealed to Musa the command to depart with the believers under his leadership. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that 'asri' (journey by night) signifies both the physical journey and the spiritual liberation from oppression, while the warning of pursuit prepared Musa for the trials ahead and demonstrated Allah's foreknowledge and protection.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, a Meccan surah that extensively narrates the story of Musa and Pharaoh. It contextualizes the divine command given to Musa at the moment of deliverance, appearing within the detailed account of the conflict between Musa and Pharaoh (ayat 10-68). The surah emphasizes this narrative to provide comfort to Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslims facing persecution in Mecca.
Related Hadiths
The story of the Exodus is referenced in numerous ahadith about the night journey and deliverance. Related to divine commands and obedience: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), emphasizing the importance of following divine guidance as Musa followed Allah's command.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that when facing oppression or difficulty, obedience to Allah's clear guidance is the path to deliverance, and that Allah's foreknowledge of our challenges is a source of comfort and reassurance. It reminds us that following the divine command may require courage and immediate action, trusting that Allah will support those who submit to His will.
Related Ayahs
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَأَوْرَثْنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ
And We had certainly given Moses guidance, and We caused the Children of Israel to inherit the Scripture
وَءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَجَعَلْنَـٰهُ هُدًى لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَلَّا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ مِن دُونِى وَكِيلًا
And We gave Moses the Scripture and made it a guidance for the Children of Israel that you not take other than Me as Disposer of affairs,
كَذَٰلِكَ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ مَا قَدْ سَبَقَ ۚ وَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكَ مِن لَّدُنَّا ذِكْرًا
Thus, [O Muḥammad], We relate to you from the news of what has preceded. And We have certainly given you from Us a message [i.e., the Qur’ān].
قَدْ نَرَىٰ تَقَلُّبَ وَجْهِكَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ ۖ فَلَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ قِبْلَةً تَرْضَىٰهَا ۚ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۚ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُۥ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ لَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا يَعْمَلُونَ
We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Muḥammad], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face [i.e., yourself] toward al-Masjid al-Ḥarām. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces [i.e., yourselves] toward it [in prayer]. Indeed, those who have been given the Scripture [i.e., the Jews and the Christians] well know that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allāh is not unaware of what they do.