إِذْ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّكَ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ 38
Translations
When We inspired to your mother what We inspired,
Transliteration
Idh awhayna ila ummiká má yúhá
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's revelation to the mother of Musa (Moses) instructing her to place her infant son in a basket and cast him into the river to protect him from Pharaoh's persecution. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'what is revealed' (má yúhá) specifically refers to the divine command to save Musa through this seemingly dangerous action, which would ultimately lead to his safety in Pharaoh's own household. This demonstrates Allah's perfect wisdom in orchestrating the protection of His chosen prophets through means that appear irrational to human understanding.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Taha as part of Allah's address to Prophet Musa, recounting the miraculous events of his birth and early life during his encounter with Allah at Mount Sinai. The context emphasizes how Allah preserved Musa from the infanticide decree of Pharaoh, setting the stage for his future prophethood and mission to liberate the Children of Israel.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain detailed accounts of Musa's birth narrative in their sections on the Children of Israel, confirming the Quranic account of Pharaoh's persecution and Allah's protection of the prophets.
Themes
Key Lesson
Even when circumstances appear dire or illogical from a human perspective, Allah's plan is perfect and merciful for those who trust in Him. Believers should have unwavering confidence that Allah protects His servants through means seen and unseen, and that apparent calamities may contain hidden blessings and divine purpose.
Related Ayahs
فَلَنَأْتِيَنَّكَ بِسِحْرٍ مِّثْلِهِۦ فَٱجْعَلْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكَ مَوْعِدًا لَّا نُخْلِفُهُۥ نَحْنُ وَلَآ أَنتَ مَكَانًا سُوًى
Then we will surely bring you magic like it, so make between us and you an appointment, which we will not fail to keep and neither will you, in a place assigned."
فَتَوَلَّىٰ فِرْعَوْنُ فَجَمَعَ كَيْدَهُۥ ثُمَّ أَتَىٰ
So Pharaoh went away, put together his plan, and then came [to Moses].
قَالُوا۟ لَن نُّؤْثِرَكَ عَلَىٰ مَا جَآءَنَا مِنَ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنَا ۖ فَٱقْضِ مَآ أَنتَ قَاضٍ ۖ إِنَّمَا تَقْضِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَآ
They said, "Never will we prefer you over what has come to us of clear proofs and [over] He who created us. So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree for this worldly life.
جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ
Gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of one who purifies himself.