فَأْتِيَاهُ فَقُولَآ إِنَّا رَسُولَا رَبِّكَ فَأَرْسِلْ مَعَنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَلَا تُعَذِّبْهُمْ ۖ قَدْ جِئْنَـٰكَ بِـَٔايَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۖ وَٱلسَّلَـٰمُ عَلَىٰ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ 47
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Fa'atiyāhu faqūlā innā rasūlā rabbika fa'arsil ma'anā banī isrā'īl wa lā tu'aḏḏibhum qad ji'nāka bi'āyatin min rabbika wa assalāmu 'alā mani attaba'a al-hudā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records the command given to Musa and Harun to approach Pharaoh and deliver Allah's message, identifying themselves as messengers of the Lord and demanding the release of the Children of Israel. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that despite the perilous nature of their mission, they were instructed to present the signs (miracles) as evidence of their divine commission and to conclude with a greeting of peace for those who follow guidance, showing the eloquence and wisdom of their approach.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Meccan Surah Taha, which narrates the story of Musa's call to prophethood and his subsequent mission to Pharaoh. It directly follows Allah's preparation of Musa and Harun for their momentous task, contextualizing the specific instructions they received before confronting one of history's most tyrannical rulers.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3391) narrates the incident of Musa being sent to Pharaoh, emphasizing the courage required to deliver Allah's message to oppressive rulers. Additionally, various hadiths discuss the virtue of inviting to Allah's path with wisdom and clear proofs, as exemplified by Musa and Harun's approach.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that delivering truth to those in power requires courage, clarity, and adherence to divine guidance rather than personal fear or political calculation. It reminds us that inviting others to righteousness should be done with wisdom, presenting clear evidence, and extending peace to those willing to follow guidance, regardless of worldly circumstances.
Related Ayahs
فَقُلْنَا يَـٰٓـَٔادَمُ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا عَدُوٌّ لَّكَ وَلِزَوْجِكَ فَلَا يُخْرِجَنَّكُمَا مِنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ فَتَشْقَىٰٓ
So We said, "O Adam, indeed this is an enemy to you and to your wife. Then let him not remove you from Paradise so you would suffer.
وَلَقَدْ قَالَ لَهُمْ هَـٰرُونُ مِن قَبْلُ يَـٰقَوْمِ إِنَّمَا فُتِنتُم بِهِۦ ۖ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى وَأَطِيعُوٓا۟ أَمْرِى
And Aaron had already told them before [the return of Moses], "O my people, you are only being tested by it, and indeed, your Lord is the Most Merciful, so follow me and obey my order."
إِنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ ءَاتِيَةٌ أَكَادُ أُخْفِيهَا لِتُجْزَىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍۭ بِمَا تَسْعَىٰ
Indeed, the Hour is coming - I almost conceal it - so that every soul may be recompensed according to that for which it strives.
إِنَّآ ءَامَنَّا بِرَبِّنَا لِيَغْفِرَ لَنَا خَطَـٰيَـٰنَا وَمَآ أَكْرَهْتَنَا عَلَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلسِّحْرِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ
Indeed, we have believed in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and what you compelled us [to do] of magic. And Allāh is better and more enduring."