Al-Qasas · Makki · ayah 14 of 88

Al-Qasas 28:14

وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ وَٱسْتَوَىٰٓ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

“And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgement and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.”

Saheeh International

Essence

Grown to full strength and level maturity, Musa was given judgement and knowledge: the reward Allah gives all who do good.

A reflection

The one word Yusuf's version does not have

This ayah nearly repeats 12:22, said of Yusuf. Its fuller treatment lives there: the knot pulled tight in ashudd, and the refrain about those who do good. Here one word is added: wa-stawā, and he stood level.

The lexicons picture the root as rough ground levelled flat, and a youth who has reached his full height. One commentator separates the two phrases. Ashudd is the peak of bodily strength; istawā is the completion of the mind. Early reports place it around forty. Musa had both, body and judgement brought level, before the gift came.

The full entry has 2 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.