أَنْ أَرْسِلْ مَعَنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ 17
Translations
[Commanded to say], "Send with us the Children of Israel."'"
Transliteration
An arsil ma'ana bani Isra'il
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah contains Musa's (Moses) plea to Pharaoh to send the Children of Israel with him, representing the core demand for liberation from slavery. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this statement encapsulates the fundamental message of Musa to Pharaoh—a request grounded in divine command to free an oppressed people. The phrase reflects the beginning of the confrontation between truth and tyranny, where Musa presents his mission with clarity and conviction despite facing the world's most powerful ruler at that time.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, a Meccan surah that recounts the stories of various prophets and their struggles against their peoples' disbelief. The specific context here is the narrative of Musa's encounter with Pharaoh, establishing the historical precedent of divine struggle against oppression. This narrative was revealed to comfort the Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslim community who faced persecution in Mecca.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Bukhari records that the Prophet Muhammad said the most honorable of generations is the generation of Musa and those who believed with him, emphasizing the significance of Musa's mission and those who responded to his call for liberation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that standing up for justice and the rights of the oppressed is a sacred duty rooted in divine command, not merely a political or social agenda. Modern believers should draw inspiration from Musa's unwavering commitment to his mission despite facing the most powerful opposition, reminding us that faith combined with clear purpose can challenge even the greatest injustices.