ٱذْهَبْ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ طَغَىٰ 24
Translations
Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed [i.e., tyrannized]."
Transliteration
Idhhab ilā Fir'awna innahu ṭaghā
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands Prophet Musa to go to Pharaoh and confront him about his tyranny and transgression. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah marks the beginning of Musa's divine mission to deliver the message of monotheism to Pharaoh, despite knowing of his arrogance and rebellion against Allah's signs. The word 'ṭaghā' (transgressed) emphasizes Pharaoh's habitual exceeding of bounds in disbelief and oppression, setting the stage for the confrontation between divine guidance and human arrogance.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Ta-Ha, which is a Meccan surah revealed during the early Meccan period. It is part of the narrative where Allah reassures Musa and empowers him for his mission after Musa had fled Egypt. The context shows Allah's command to Musa immediately after he had cast down his staff and witnessed miracles, preparing him psychologically and spiritually for the challenging task ahead.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Bukhari contains narrations about Musa's mission and his confrontations with Pharaoh. Additionally, the hadith regarding the command to convey the message even if it reaches only one person (related in Sunan Ibn Majah and others) reflects the principle of this ayah—that the Prophet must deliver Allah's message regardless of the recipient's status or arrogance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must be willing to stand against injustice and oppression by delivering truth, even when facing powerful or arrogant opponents, trusting in Allah's support and ultimate justice. This ayah teaches that proximity to power or status of an opponent should not deter one from fulfilling their responsibility to command what is right and forbid what is wrong.
Related Ayahs
فَأُلْقِىَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ سُجَّدًا قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِرَبِّ هَـٰرُونَ وَمُوسَىٰ
So the magicians fell down in prostration. They said, "We have believed in the Lord of Aaron and Moses."
قَالُوا۟ لَن نَّبْرَحَ عَلَيْهِ عَـٰكِفِينَ حَتَّىٰ يَرْجِعَ إِلَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ
They said, "We will never cease being devoted to it [i.e., the calf] until Moses returns to us."
قَالَ بَلْ أَلْقُوا۟ ۖ فَإِذَا حِبَالُهُمْ وَعِصِيُّهُمْ يُخَيَّلُ إِلَيْهِ مِن سِحْرِهِمْ أَنَّهَا تَسْعَىٰ
He said, "Rather, you throw." And suddenly their ropes and staffs seemed to him from their magic that they were moving [like snakes].
إِذْ رَءَا نَارًا فَقَالَ لِأَهْلِهِ ٱمْكُثُوٓا۟ إِنِّىٓ ءَانَسْتُ نَارًا لَّعَلِّىٓ ءَاتِيكُم مِّنْهَا بِقَبَسٍ أَوْ أَجِدُ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ هُدًى
When he saw a fire and said to his family, "Stay here; indeed, I have perceived a fire; perhaps I can bring you a torch or find at the fire some guidance."