وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مُوسَىٰٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مُخْلَصًا وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا 51
Translations
And mention in the Book, Moses. Indeed, he was chosen, and he was a messenger and a prophet.
Transliteration
Wa-dhkur fil-kitābi Mūsā, innahu kāna mukhlaṣan wa-kāna rasūlan nabiyyan
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad to mention Moses in the Quran, describing him as a chosen servant (mukhlas) and a messenger-prophet. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Moses exemplified sincerity and devotion to Allah's mission, serving as a model of steadfastness despite immense trials. This ayah establishes Moses as one of the greatest prophets, honored for his exclusive selection (ikhtisas) by Allah and his dual role as both messenger (rasul) and prophet (nabi).
Revelation Context
Surah Maryam was revealed in Mecca during a period when the Prophet faced intense opposition. The surah honors righteous figures from the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) to establish common ground and demonstrate the continuity of prophecy. Moses appears prominently as a messenger whose example of patience and faith would encourage the Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad said: 'The most superior people are: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus' (At-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Quran mentions in Surah Al-Ahzab (33:7) that Allah took a covenant from the prophets, with special mention of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus as those of strong will (Ulul-azm).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true greatness lies in sincere devotion to Allah's cause and steadfast commitment to one's purpose. Modern readers should recognize that fulfilling Allah's trust requires both internal sincerity (ikhlas) and external dedication, qualities exemplified by the prophets.