نَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكَ مِن نَّبَإِ مُوسَىٰ وَفِرْعَوْنَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ 3
Translations
We recite to you from the news of Moses and Pharaoh in truth for a people who believe.
Transliteration
Natlū ʿalayka min nabāʾi Mūsā wa-Firʿawna bil-ḥaqqi liqawmin yuʾminūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses the Prophet Muhammad, stating that He recites to him the true account of the story of Musa (Moses) and Pharaoh. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this introduction emphasizes that the narrative being presented is established in truth and certainty, not mere speculation or fabrication. The phrase 'for people who believe' indicates that this account is especially meaningful and instructive for those who have faith and are willing to reflect upon its lessons.
Revelation Context
This ayah opens the narrative section of Surah Al-Qasas (revealed in Mecca), which focuses on the story of Prophet Musa as a central theme. The surah was revealed during the Meccan period when the Prophet and believers faced opposition from the Quraysh, and the story of Musa's struggle against Pharaoh served as an inspiring parallel to their own circumstances. The emphasis on 'truth' (bil-ḥaqqi) counters contemporary Arab skepticism about the authenticity of Quranic narratives.
Related Hadiths
Hadith from Sahih Muslim (#2286) where the Prophet said: 'The best of stories is that of the Quran' (Aḥsan al-ḥadīth al-Qurʾān), and Surah Al-Qasas exemplifies this by presenting the detailed story of Musa with profound wisdom.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Quranic narratives are not merely historical tales but divinely-guided truths meant to strengthen faith and provide practical wisdom for navigating trials. Modern readers should recognize that stories of prophets facing opposition offer timeless guidance for maintaining conviction during adversity.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعًا يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَآئِفَةً مِّنْهُمْ يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ وَيَسْتَحْىِۦ نِسَآءَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a sector among them, slaughtering their [newborn] sons and keeping their females alive. Indeed, he was of the corrupters.
مَن جَآءَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُۥ خَيْرٌ مِّنْهَا ۖ وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجْزَى ٱلَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا۟ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ إِلَّا مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with a good deed will have better than it; and whoever comes with an evil deed - then those who did evil deeds will not be recompensed except [as much as] what they used to do.
وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ رَبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن جَآءَ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ مِنْ عِندِهِۦ وَمَن تَكُونُ لَهُۥ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلدَّارِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
And Moses said, "My Lord is more knowing [than we or you] of who has come with guidance from Him and to whom will be succession in the home. Indeed, wrongdoers do not succeed."
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِى فَرَضَ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لَرَآدُّكَ إِلَىٰ مَعَادٍ ۚ قُل رَّبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ مَن جَآءَ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَمَنْ هُوَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
Indeed, [O Muḥammad], He who imposed upon you the Qur’ān will take you back to a place of return. Say, "My Lord is most knowing of who brings guidance and who is in clear error."