قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ فَلَنْ أَكُونَ ظَهِيرًا لِّلْمُجْرِمِينَ 17
Translations
He said, "My Lord, for the favor You bestowed upon me, I will never be an assistant to the criminals."
Transliteration
Qala Rabbi bima an'amta 'alayya falan akuna zahiran lil-mujrimin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents Prophet Musa's resolute declaration to Allah: 'My Lord, because You have bestowed favor upon me, I will never be a helper to the criminals.' Musa refuses to assist those who commit wrongdoing, establishing that divine blessings obligate the recipient to maintain moral integrity and distance themselves from sin. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Musa's statement reflects profound gratitude (shukr) for Allah's favors, which manifests as steadfast refusal to participate in or support transgression.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the narrative of Musa's early life in Egypt, specifically after he unintentionally killed a Coptic man while defending an Israelite. The broader context shows Musa's spiritual awakening and moral development—he seeks refuge in Midian and reflects on his actions. This statement demonstrates his commitment to justice and righteousness even when vulnerable and fleeing for his life.
Related Hadiths
The principle of commanding good and forbidding evil (al-amr bil-ma'ruf wa-an-nahi 'an al-munkar) is emphasized in Sahih Muslim (1218) where the Prophet ﷺ stated: 'Whoever sees an evil action, let them change it with their hand; if they cannot, then with their tongue; if they cannot, then with their heart—and that is the weakest of faith.' This relates to Musa's refusal to support criminals.
Themes
Key Lesson
True gratitude for Allah's blessings manifests through moral conduct and refusing to compromise one's principles, even when vulnerable or facing hardship. This ayah teaches that divine favor creates responsibility—we must use our blessings to uphold justice rather than participate in or enable wrongdoing.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالُوٓا۟ إِن نَّتَّبِعِ ٱلْهُدَىٰ مَعَكَ نُتَخَطَّفْ مِنْ أَرْضِنَآ ۚ أَوَلَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّهُمْ حَرَمًا ءَامِنًا يُجْبَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِ ثَمَرَٰتُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ رِّزْقًا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And they [i.e., the Quraysh] say, "If we were to follow the guidance with you, we would be swept from our land." Have We not established for them a safe sanctuary to which are brought the fruits of all things as provision from Us? But most of them do not know.
فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُ وَجُنُودَهُۥ فَنَبَذْنَـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ ۖ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
So We took him and his soldiers and threw them into the sea. So see how was the end of the wrongdoers.
وَمَا كُنتَ بِجَانِبِ ٱلطُّورِ إِذْ نَادَيْنَا وَلَـٰكِن رَّحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ لِتُنذِرَ قَوْمًا مَّآ أَتَىٰهُم مِّن نَّذِيرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
And you were not at the side of the mount when We called [Moses] but [were sent] as a mercy from your Lord to warn a people to whom no warner had come before you that they might be reminded.
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِى فَٱغْفِرْ لِى فَغَفَرَ لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
He said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me," and He forgave him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.