قَالَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِنِّى ٱصْطَفَيْتُكَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ بِرِسَـٰلَـٰتِى وَبِكَلَـٰمِى فَخُذْ مَآ ءَاتَيْتُكَ وَكُن مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ 144
Translations
[Allāh] said, "O Moses, I have chosen you over the people with My messages and My words [to you]. So take what I have given you and be among the grateful."
Transliteration
Qala ya Musa inni istafaytuka 'ala an-nasi bi-risalati wa bi-kalam fahkudh ma atytuka wa kun min ash-shakirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses Musa (Moses) after his return from Mount Sinai, declaring that He has chosen him above all people through His messages and direct speech (Kalam Allah). This ayah emphasizes Musa's unique station as one of the five greatest messengers (Ulul-'Azm) who communicated directly with Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that 'istafaytuka' (chosen you) denotes exclusive selection for prophethood and closeness to Allah, while 'bi-kalam' refers to Allah speaking to Musa directly without intermediary—a distinction that elevated Musa's rank among the prophets.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the narrative of Musa's forty-day absence on Mount Sinai receiving the Torah (Tawrah). Upon his return, he discovers the Israelites have fashioned a golden calf in his absence. After his initial anger and reproach, Allah consoles him with this statement, reminding him of his chosen status and divine favor, contextualizing his responsibility and consoling his distress over his people's transgression.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said regarding the Messengers of Strong Will: 'Five messengers were given strong determination: Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, 'Isa, and I.' (Sahih Muslim 165). Additionally, Musa is mentioned in numerous hadiths as one of the closest to Allah, such as in the night journey (Isra') where he is encountered in the fifth heaven (Sunan an-Nasa'i).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that divine favor brings commensurate responsibility, and that true honor lies not in worldly prestige but in being chosen for service to Allah. Modern believers should recognize that whatever gifts or positions Allah grants require gratitude and faithful stewardship in fulfilling their purpose.
Related Ayahs
فَلَنَقُصَّنَّ عَلَيْهِم بِعِلْمٍ ۖ وَمَا كُنَّا غَآئِبِينَ
Then We will surely relate [their deeds] to them with knowledge, and We were not [at all] absent.
قَالَ أَلْقُوا۟ ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَلْقَوْا۟ سَحَرُوٓا۟ أَعْيُنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَٱسْتَرْهَبُوهُمْ وَجَآءُو بِسِحْرٍ عَظِيمٍ
He said, "Throw," and when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people and struck terror into them, and they presented a great [feat of] magic.
فَوَسْوَسَ لَهُمَا ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ لِيُبْدِىَ لَهُمَا مَا وُۥرِىَ عَنْهُمَا مِن سَوْءَٰتِهِمَا وَقَالَ مَا نَهَىٰكُمَا رَبُّكُمَا عَنْ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَا مَلَكَيْنِ أَوْ تَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰلِدِينَ
But Satan whispered to them to make apparent to them that which was concealed from them of their private parts. He said, "Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or become of the immortal."
أَوَلَمْ يَنظُرُوا۟ فِى مَلَكُوتِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَىْءٍ وَأَنْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ قَدِ ٱقْتَرَبَ أَجَلُهُمْ ۖ فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍۭ بَعْدَهُۥ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Do they not look into the realm of the heavens and the earth and everything that Allāh has created and [think] that perhaps their appointed time has come near? So in what statement [i.e., message] hereafter will they believe?