وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ وَٱسْتَوَىٰٓ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 14
Translations
And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgement and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.
Transliteration
Wa-lammā balagha ashuddahu wa-istawa ātaynāhu hukman wa-'ilmā. Wa-kadhalika najzī al-muhsinīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the stage when Prophet Mūsā (Moses) reached full maturity and physical/mental development, at which point Allah blessed him with both judicial wisdom (hukm) and knowledge ('ilm). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this refers to when Mūsā attained the capacity for prophethood and leadership, demonstrating that Allah rewards those who do good with comprehensive spiritual and intellectual gifts. The verse establishes a universal principle: "Thus do We reward those who do good," extending the lesson beyond Mūsā to all believers.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Mūsā's life in Surah Al-Qasas, specifically describing his maturation in Egypt after being raised in Pharaoh's household. It contextualizes the period before his migration to Madyan and his eventual call to prophethood, showing how Allah prepared him through growth and knowledge for his divine mission.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi 3895). This relates to the theme of developing good character ('ilm and hukm) as a foundation for righteousness.
Themes
Key Lesson
Allah grants wisdom and deep understanding to those who develop themselves spiritually and intellectually, combining both knowledge and practical judgment. Believers should recognize that personal growth and cultivation of character are pathways through which Allah empowers us for greater responsibility and service.
Related Ayahs
فَإِن لَّمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَكَ فَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يَتَّبِعُونَ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ ۚ وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ بِغَيْرِ هُدًى مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
But if they do not respond to you - then know that they only follow their [own] desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allāh? Indeed, Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
وَهُوَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ فِى ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ وَلَهُ ٱلْحُكْمُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
And He is Allāh; there is no deity except Him. To Him is [due all] praise in the first [life] and the Hereafter. And His is the [final] decision, and to Him you will be returned.
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مَنْ إِلَـٰهٌ غَيْرُ ٱللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِضِيَآءٍ ۖ أَفَلَا تَسْمَعُونَ
Say, "Have you considered: if Allāh should make for you the night continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allāh could bring you light? Then will you not hear?"
وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ هُوَ وَجُنُودُهُۥ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا يُرْجَعُونَ
And he was arrogant, he and his soldiers, in the land, without right, and they thought that they would not be returned to Us.