Tafseer of The Forgiver · Ghafir · 40:23
And We did certainly send Moses with Our signs and a clear authority
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
The explanation of the saying of the Exalted: وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَى بِآيَاتِنَا وَسُلْطَانٍ مُبِينٍ ("And indeed, We sent Mūsā with Our signs and a clear authority") (40:23).
The Exalted, whose praise is sublime, says this as a consolation to His Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ for what he endured from the polytheists of his people, the Quraysh, by informing him of what Mūsā endured of the denial of those to whom he was sent, and by giving him the glad tidings that He raises him above them and brings down the doom of misfortune upon whoever turns against him and opposes him — just as His unfailing way was with Mūsā, peace be upon him, when He raised him up and destroyed his enemy Firʿawn. ( وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَى بِآيَاتِنَا ) ("And indeed, We sent Mūsā with Our signs"): that is, with His proofs. ( وَسُلْطَانٍ مُبِينٍ ) ("and a clear authority"): as Bishr related to us, saying: Yazīd related to us, saying: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda: ( وَسُلْطَانٍ مُبِينٍ ) ("and a clear authority"): that is, a clear excuse. He says: and His clear proofs, which demonstrate to whoever sees them that it is a verified proof of that to which Mūsā calls.
