وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَسُلْطَـٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ 23
Translations
And We did certainly send Moses with Our signs and a clear authority
Transliteration
Wa-laqad arsalnā Mūsā bi-āyātinā wa-sulṭānin mubīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah sent Prophet Moses with clear signs (miracles) and manifest authority as evidence of his divine mission. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that the 'ayāt' (signs) refer to the miraculous proofs such as the staff, the glowing hand, and the parting of the sea, while 'sulṭān' (authority/proof) denotes the irrefutable evidence of his prophethood that left no room for doubt among those who witnessed them.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Ghafir, which discusses divine mercy, warning, and the stories of past prophets. It is positioned within a narrative addressing the disbelief of the Quraysh by reminding them of how Moses was sent with undeniable proofs to Pharaoh and his people, serving as a historical lesson for those who reject the message of Prophet Muhammad.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 3400: The Prophet Muhammad mentioned the ten miracles granted to Moses (the staff, the hand, the sea, etc.). Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah 4019 discusses how prophets were sent with signs as proof of their truthfulness.
Themes
Key Lesson
Just as Moses was equipped with undeniable signs to guide his people, believers today should recognize the signs of Allah in creation and revelation as guidance for faith. This ayah reminds us that divine truth comes with clear evidence, and rejecting it despite such clarity carries grave consequences.
Related Ayahs
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُرِىٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ مَلَكُوتَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَلِيَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُوقِنِينَ
And thus did We show Abraham the realm of the heavens and the earth that he would be among the certain [in faith].
قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا غَيْرَ ذِى عِوَجٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ
[It is] an Arabic Qur’ān, without any deviance that they might become righteous.
وَمَا لَنَآ أَلَّا نَتَوَكَّلَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ وَقَدْ هَدَىٰنَا سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَلَنَصْبِرَنَّ عَلَىٰ مَآ ءَاذَيْتُمُونَا ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ
And why should we not rely upon Allāh while He has guided us to our [good] ways. And we will surely be patient against whatever harm you should cause us. And upon Allāh let those who would rely [indeed] rely."
قُلْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَوْ لَا تُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦٓ إِذَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ يَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا
Say, "Believe in it or do not believe." Indeed, those who were given knowledge before it - when it is recited to them, they fall upon their faces in prostration,