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
وَأَنَّكَ لَا تَظْمَؤُا۟ فِيهَا وَلَا تَضْحَىٰ
And indeed, you will not be thirsty therein or be hot from the sun."
وَمَن يَأْتِهِۦ مُؤْمِنًا قَدْ عَمِلَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱلدَّرَجَـٰتُ ٱلْعُلَىٰ
But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds - for those will be the highest degrees [in position]:
فَرَجَعَ مُوسَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ غَضْبَـٰنَ أَسِفًا ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ أَلَمْ يَعِدْكُمْ رَبُّكُمْ وَعْدًا حَسَنًا ۚ أَفَطَالَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْعَهْدُ أَمْ أَرَدتُّمْ أَن يَحِلَّ عَلَيْكُمْ غَضَبٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَأَخْلَفْتُم مَّوْعِدِى
So Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved. He said, "O my people, did your Lord not make you a good promise? Then, was the time [of its fulfillment] too long for you, or did you wish that wrath from your Lord descend upon you, so you broke your promise [of obedience] to me?"
كَىْ نُسَبِّحَكَ كَثِيرًا
That we may exalt You much