فَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنِ ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْبَحْرَ ۖ فَٱنفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍ كَٱلطَّوْدِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ 63
Translations
Then We inspired to Moses, "Strike with your staff the sea," and it parted, and each portion was like a great towering mountain.
Transliteration
Fa-awhayna ila Musa ani idrib bi-'asaka al-bahr, fa-infalaqa fa-kana kullu firqin ka-al-tawdi al-'azim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the miraculous parting of the Red Sea when Prophet Musa (Moses) struck it with his staff at Allah's command, splitting it into two towering walls of water. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that each separated portion became like a great mountain in height and firmness, allowing the Children of Israel to cross safely while the sea remained held in place by divine power—a demonstration of Allah's absolute control over creation and protection of His believers.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, a Meccan surah that recounts stories of past prophets and their nations. The context here relates to the narrative of Musa and his people's deliverance from Pharaoh's persecution, illustrating divine support for believers against oppressors. The surah emphasizes these historical accounts as evidence of Allah's power and as reassurance to Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslims facing their own trials.
Related Hadiths
The miraculous parting of the sea is referenced in various hadith collections. Sahih Bukhari includes narratives about the crossing of the sea where the scholars discuss how each wave became like a mountain. Additionally, the Tafsir traditions record that when Musa struck the water, it split into twelve paths, one for each tribe of Israel, as mentioned in Surah Ta-Ha (20:77) and supported by scholarly consensus in hadith interpretation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that when we face seemingly insurmountable obstacles in our path to righteousness, Allah's power transcends all barriers—what appears impossible to human capability becomes possible through divine will and obedience to guidance. It reminds believers that trials and difficulties are opportunities to witness Allah's majesty and develop unshakeable trust in His providence.