وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَسُلْطَـٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ 96
Translations
And We did certainly send Moses with Our signs and a clear authority
Transliteration
Wa-laqad arsalnā Mūsā bi-āyātinā wa-sultānin mubīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah affirms that He sent Prophet Moses with clear signs (miracles) and manifest authority to convince Pharaoh and his people of the truth of his message. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the 'clear signs' (āyāt) refer to the nine miracles given to Moses, while 'manifest authority' (sultānin mubīn) denotes undeniable proof and divine backing. This ayah emphasizes that Allah equipped His messengers with sufficient evidence, making their rejection a matter of willful stubbornness rather than lack of clarity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Hud, a Meccan chapter that recounts stories of previous prophets and their struggles against their peoples' disbelief. It is placed within the narrative of Moses and Pharaoh (11:96-99), serving to reassure the Prophet Muhammad that just as Moses was sent with clear proofs despite opposition, Muhammad too has been given divine signs. The context emphasizes the pattern of divine guidance throughout history.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad said: 'Moses was given nine signs (miracles)' (Sahih Muslim 2286). Additionally, Surah Al-Isra 17:101 explicitly mentions these nine signs, reinforcing the theme of prophetic miracles as evidence of divine truth.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah provides clear, undeniable evidence for His message through His prophets, and rejection of that evidence is a choice made by those who refuse to believe. For modern believers, it reinforces that guidance is abundantly available, and accountability lies with those who consciously reject it.