وَٱصْطَنَعْتُكَ لِنَفْسِى 41
Translations
And I produced you for Myself.
Transliteration
Wa-iftanaytuka li-nafsi
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses Musa (Moses), saying 'And I have chosen you for Myself,' affirming that Musa was specially selected by Allah for the great responsibility of prophethood and delivering the message to Pharaoh and the Israelites. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this selection was based on Allah's divine wisdom and Musa's unique qualifications of character, piety, and strength, making him the ideal messenger for his time. The phrase 'li-nafsi' (for Myself) emphasizes the intimate relationship between Allah and His chosen prophet, highlighting the honor and trust placed upon him.
Revelation Context
This verse occurs during Allah's conversation with Musa at Mount Sinai (Tur), immediately after the fire episode and Musa's removal of his sandals. It comes as part of Allah's preparation of Musa for his mission, establishing his prophetic authority and the divine mandate he carries before sending him to confront Pharaoh.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding the prophets' excellence: 'The most superior of all people is Musa,' and there are multiple hadiths affirming Musa's special status as one of the greatest prophets (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). Additionally, Hadith Qudsi relates Allah's special selection of certain servants for His purposes.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that true honor comes from being chosen by Allah for a sacred purpose, and that bearing responsibility in service to Allah's will is the greatest distinction. It encourages believers to recognize that whatever role Allah assigns them—whether great or small—is a form of divine selection worthy of gratitude and careful fulfillment.