وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِىٓ ءَامَنَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱتَّبِعُونِ أَهْدِكُمْ سَبِيلَ ٱلرَّشَادِ 38
Translations
And he who believed said, "O my people, follow me; I will guide you to the way of right conduct.
Transliteration
Wa qāla alladhī āmana yā qawmi ittabi'ūnī ahdikum sabīla ar-rashād
Tafsir (Explanation)
The believing man (the mumin from Pharaoh's household) addresses his people, urging them to follow him so he may guide them to the path of righteousness. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this represents sincere advice and dawah (preaching), as the believer prioritizes spiritual guidance over worldly status, demonstrating the courage required to publicly call people toward truth despite living among disbelievers. This ayah emphasizes that true leadership is found in guiding others toward moral and spiritual rectitude, not in authority or power.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the story of the believer from Pharaoh's household (40:28-45), a Meccan surah revealed during the period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad. The narrative illustrates how a person of faith operates within a hostile environment, providing historical and spiritual encouragement to the early Muslims facing persecution. The broader context shows this believer advocating for belief in Allah and warning against the fate of those who reject divine signs.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Also related: 'Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward similar to those who follow this guidance' (Sahih Muslim 1893), reflecting the merit of the believer's dawah in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true leadership and influence come from guiding others toward righteousness and truth, not from worldly power or social status. For believers today, it demonstrates the importance of using whatever platform or position we have—no matter how humble—to sincerely call others toward the path of Allah with wisdom and compassion.