إِذْ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّكَ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ 38
Translations
When We inspired to your mother what We inspired,
Transliteration
Idh awhayna ila ummiká má yúhá
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's revelation to the mother of Musa (Moses) instructing her to place her infant son in a basket and cast him into the river to protect him from Pharaoh's persecution. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'what is revealed' (má yúhá) specifically refers to the divine command to save Musa through this seemingly dangerous action, which would ultimately lead to his safety in Pharaoh's own household. This demonstrates Allah's perfect wisdom in orchestrating the protection of His chosen prophets through means that appear irrational to human understanding.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Taha as part of Allah's address to Prophet Musa, recounting the miraculous events of his birth and early life during his encounter with Allah at Mount Sinai. The context emphasizes how Allah preserved Musa from the infanticide decree of Pharaoh, setting the stage for his future prophethood and mission to liberate the Children of Israel.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain detailed accounts of Musa's birth narrative in their sections on the Children of Israel, confirming the Quranic account of Pharaoh's persecution and Allah's protection of the prophets.
Themes
Key Lesson
Even when circumstances appear dire or illogical from a human perspective, Allah's plan is perfect and merciful for those who trust in Him. Believers should have unwavering confidence that Allah protects His servants through means seen and unseen, and that apparent calamities may contain hidden blessings and divine purpose.
Related Ayahs
تَنزِيلًا مِّمَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ ٱلْعُلَى
A revelation from He who created the earth and highest heavens,
وَلَقَدْ أَرَيْنَـٰهُ ءَايَـٰتِنَا كُلَّهَا فَكَذَّبَ وَأَبَىٰ
And We certainly showed him [i.e., Pharaoh] Our signs - all of them - but he denied and refused.
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.
قَالُوٓا۟ إِنْ هَـٰذَٰنِ لَسَـٰحِرَٰنِ يُرِيدَانِ أَن يُخْرِجَاكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُم بِسِحْرِهِمَا وَيَذْهَبَا بِطَرِيقَتِكُمُ ٱلْمُثْلَىٰ
They said, "Indeed, these are two magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic and do away with your most exemplary way [i.e., religion or tradition].