ٱذْهَبْ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ طَغَىٰ 24
Translations
Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed [i.e., tyrannized]."
Transliteration
Idhhab ilā Fir'awna innahu ṭaghā
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands Prophet Musa to go to Pharaoh and confront him about his tyranny and transgression. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah marks the beginning of Musa's divine mission to deliver the message of monotheism to Pharaoh, despite knowing of his arrogance and rebellion against Allah's signs. The word 'ṭaghā' (transgressed) emphasizes Pharaoh's habitual exceeding of bounds in disbelief and oppression, setting the stage for the confrontation between divine guidance and human arrogance.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Ta-Ha, which is a Meccan surah revealed during the early Meccan period. It is part of the narrative where Allah reassures Musa and empowers him for his mission after Musa had fled Egypt. The context shows Allah's command to Musa immediately after he had cast down his staff and witnessed miracles, preparing him psychologically and spiritually for the challenging task ahead.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Bukhari contains narrations about Musa's mission and his confrontations with Pharaoh. Additionally, the hadith regarding the command to convey the message even if it reaches only one person (related in Sunan Ibn Majah and others) reflects the principle of this ayah—that the Prophet must deliver Allah's message regardless of the recipient's status or arrogance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must be willing to stand against injustice and oppression by delivering truth, even when facing powerful or arrogant opponents, trusting in Allah's support and ultimate justice. This ayah teaches that proximity to power or status of an opponent should not deter one from fulfilling their responsibility to command what is right and forbid what is wrong.
Related Ayahs
أَنِ ٱقْذِفِيهِ فِى ٱلتَّابُوتِ فَٱقْذِفِيهِ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ فَلْيُلْقِهِ ٱلْيَمُّ بِٱلسَّاحِلِ يَأْخُذْهُ عَدُوٌّ لِّى وَعَدُوٌّ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَلْقَيْتُ عَلَيْكَ مَحَبَّةً مِّنِّى وَلِتُصْنَعَ عَلَىٰ عَيْنِىٓ
[Saying], 'Cast him into the chest and cast it into the river, and the river will throw it onto the bank; there will take him an enemy to Me and an enemy to him.' And I bestowed upon you love from Me that you would be brought up under My eye [i.e., observation and care].
إِنِّىٓ أَنَا۠ رَبُّكَ فَٱخْلَعْ نَعْلَيْكَ ۖ إِنَّكَ بِٱلْوَادِ ٱلْمُقَدَّسِ طُوًى
Indeed, I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. Indeed, you are in the blessed valley of Ṭuwā.
فَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ ٱلشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا ۖ وَمِنْ ءَانَآئِ ٱلَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْ وَأَطْرَافَ ٱلنَّهَارِ لَعَلَّكَ تَرْضَىٰ
So be patient over what they say and exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and during periods of the night [exalt Him] and at the ends of the day, that you may be satisfied.
فَلَمَّآ أَتَىٰهَا نُودِىَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ
And when he came to it, he was called, "O Moses,