قَالَ فَمَن رَّبُّكُمَا يَـٰمُوسَىٰ 49
Translations
[Pharaoh] said, "So who is the Lord of you two, O Moses?"
Transliteration
Qala faman rabbukuma ya Musa
Tafsir (Explanation)
Pharaoh responds to Moses and Aaron's call to worship Allah alone by arrogantly demanding to know who their Lord is. This question reflects Pharaoh's rejection of monotheism and his defiance, as he considered himself a deity or at least beyond submission to any higher power. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that Pharaoh's question was rhetorical and dismissive, designed to mock the message rather than genuinely seek understanding, exemplifying the spiritual blindness of those who reject divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Moses confronting Pharaoh in Egypt. After Moses and Aaron were instructed by Allah to go to Pharaoh with the message of monotheism (20:43-44), they present their call, and Pharaoh responds with this arrogant question. This sets the stage for the escalating conflict between Pharaoh's denial and Moses's prophetic mission throughout the surah.
Related Hadiths
The concept of recognizing Allah as the Lord is foundational to Islamic belief. A related hadith from Sahih Bukhari (No. 50) describes the Angel Gabriel asking the Prophet about Islam, Iman, and Ihsan, emphasizing that recognition of Allah's Lordship is central to faith. Additionally, Surah 20:50 immediately follows with Moses's response identifying Allah as 'our Lord who gave each thing its form and then guided it.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that arrogance and heedlessness prevent people from recognizing truth, even when presented clearly by prophets. Modern readers should reflect on how pride can blind the heart and prevent sincere questioning and acceptance of divine guidance.
Related Ayahs
طه
Ṭā, Hā.
إِنَّا قَدْ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْنَآ أَنَّ ٱلْعَذَابَ عَلَىٰ مَن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ
Indeed, it has been revealed to us that the punishment will be upon whoever denies and turns away.'"
إِذْ تَمْشِىٓ أُخْتُكَ فَتَقُولُ هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ مَن يَكْفُلُهُۥ ۖ فَرَجَعْنَـٰكَ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّكَ كَىْ تَقَرَّ عَيْنُهَا وَلَا تَحْزَنَ ۚ وَقَتَلْتَ نَفْسًا فَنَجَّيْنَـٰكَ مِنَ ٱلْغَمِّ وَفَتَنَّـٰكَ فُتُونًا ۚ فَلَبِثْتَ سِنِينَ فِىٓ أَهْلِ مَدْيَنَ ثُمَّ جِئْتَ عَلَىٰ قَدَرٍ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ
[And We favored you] when your sister went and said, 'Shall I direct you to someone who will be responsible for him?' So We restored you to your mother that she might be content and not grieve. And you killed someone, but We saved you from retaliation and tried you with a [severe] trial. And you remained [some] years among the people of Madyan. Then you came [here] at the decreed time, O Moses.
وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ أَعْمَىٰ
And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed [i.e., difficult] life, and We will gather [i.e., raise] him on the Day of Resurrection blind."