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
فَيَذَرُهَا قَاعًا صَفْصَفًا
And He will leave it [i.e., the earth] a level plain;
وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْجِبَالِ فَقُلْ يَنسِفُهَا رَبِّى نَسْفًا
And they ask you about the mountains, so say, "My Lord will blow them away with a blast.
فَأْتِيَاهُ فَقُولَآ إِنَّا رَسُولَا رَبِّكَ فَأَرْسِلْ مَعَنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَلَا تُعَذِّبْهُمْ ۖ قَدْ جِئْنَـٰكَ بِـَٔايَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۖ وَٱلسَّلَـٰمُ عَلَىٰ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ
So go to him and say, 'Indeed, we are messengers of your Lord, so send with us the Children of Israel and do not torment them. We have come to you with a sign from your Lord. And peace will be upon he who follows the guidance.
قَالَ ءَامَنتُمْ لَهُۥ قَبْلَ أَنْ ءَاذَنَ لَكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكَبِيرُكُمُ ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱلسِّحْرَ ۖ فَلَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُم مِّنْ خِلَـٰفٍ وَلَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ فِى جُذُوعِ ٱلنَّخْلِ وَلَتَعْلَمُنَّ أَيُّنَآ أَشَدُّ عَذَابًا وَأَبْقَىٰ
[Pharaoh] said, "You believed him [i.e., Moses] before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and you will surely know which of us is more severe in [giving] punishment and more enduring."