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
وَإِن تَجْهَرْ بِٱلْقَوْلِ فَإِنَّهُۥ يَعْلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ وَأَخْفَى
And if you speak aloud - then indeed, He knows the secret and what is [even] more hidden.
فَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ ٱلشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا ۖ وَمِنْ ءَانَآئِ ٱلَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْ وَأَطْرَافَ ٱلنَّهَارِ لَعَلَّكَ تَرْضَىٰ
So be patient over what they say and exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and during periods of the night [exalt Him] and at the ends of the day, that you may be satisfied.
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ أَتَتْكَ ءَايَـٰتُنَا فَنَسِيتَهَا ۖ وَكَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ تُنسَىٰ
[Allāh] will say, "Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot [i.e., disregarded] them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten."
وَلَقَدْ قَالَ لَهُمْ هَـٰرُونُ مِن قَبْلُ يَـٰقَوْمِ إِنَّمَا فُتِنتُم بِهِۦ ۖ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى وَأَطِيعُوٓا۟ أَمْرِى
And Aaron had already told them before [the return of Moses], "O my people, you are only being tested by it, and indeed, your Lord is the Most Merciful, so follow me and obey my order."