An-Nisaa 4:164
Surah An-Nisaa, Verse 164 - Translation, Tafsir & Analysis
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
An-Nisa 4:164 distinguishes between messengers whose stories Allah mentioned in the Quran versus those He did not, stating 'And messengers We have mentioned to you before, and messengers We have not mentioned to you. And to Moses Allah spoke directly' (Wa rusulan qad qasasnāhum ʿalaika min qablu wa rusulan lam naqsushum ʿalaika wa kallama'llāhu Mūsā taklīmā). According to authentic Islamic scholarship, while the Quran mentions 25 prophets by name, a hadith from Abu Dharr al-Ghifari records that Allah sent 124,000 prophets throughout history, of which 313 were Shariah-bearing messengers. The verse emphasizes Moses's unique status as 'Kalīm Allah' (the one whom Allah spoke to directly) through the emphatic infinitive 'taklīmā,' which grammatically stresses the reality of direct divine speech. This verse was revealed to refute Jewish objections that demanded written revelation like the Torah, establishing that divine revelation comes through various modes: through angels, written books, or direct speech as with Moses. The tafsir explains that prophets were sent to all nations as 'bearers of good news and warners' (mubashshirīn wa mundhirīn), demonstrating Allah's universal mercy and justice. The mention of both revealed and hidden messengers emphasizes that divine guidance has been comprehensive throughout human history, while Moses's direct communication represents one of the highest forms of prophetic experience. This diversity in revelation methods shows Allah's wisdom in communicating with humanity through different means according to each prophet's mission and their community's needs.
This definition is based on classical Islamic scholarship and authentic interpretations from recognized scholars.
Verse Wallpapers & Visual Content
وَرُسُلاً قَدۡ قَصَصۡنٰهُمۡ عَلَيۡكَ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ وَرُسُلاً لَّمۡ نَقۡصُصۡهُمۡ عَلَيۡكَؕ وَكَلَّمَ اللّٰهُ مُوۡسٰى تَكۡلِيۡمًاۚ
Word By Word —
Word By Word —
Warusulan qad qasasnahumAAalayka min qablu warusulan lam naqsushum AAalaykawakallama Allahu moosa takleema
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 164
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓How many prophets are mentioned by name in the Quran and why not all?
The Quran mentions 25 prophets by name, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). However, according to a hadith from Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, Allah sent 124,000 prophets throughout history, of which 313 were Shariah-bearing messengers. The verse 4:164 acknowledges both categories: 'messengers We have mentioned to you before, and messengers We have not mentioned to you.' This demonstrates that divine guidance has been universal and comprehensive throughout human history, even though the Quran focuses on specific prophetic stories that provide the most relevant lessons for humanity.
❓What is the significance of Allah speaking directly to Moses (Kalim Allah)?
Moses holds the unique title 'Kalim Allah' (the one whom Allah spoke to directly) because Allah communicated with him through direct speech rather than through an angel or written revelation. The verse emphasizes this with the Arabic phrase 'wa kallama'llāhu Mūsā taklīmā' where 'taklīmā' serves as an emphatic infinitive, grammatically stressing the reality of direct divine speech. This represents one of the highest forms of prophetic experience and demonstrates the diversity of revelation methods Allah uses to communicate with His messengers.
❓What are the different modes of divine revelation mentioned in Islamic theology?
According to Islamic scholarship, divine revelation (wahy) comes through three primary modes: first, through an angel (like Gabriel) delivering a message to the prophet; second, through a written book or scripture given directly; and third, through direct divine speech as experienced by Moses. Each mode is equally authoritative and binding, representing Allah's wisdom in communicating through different means according to each prophet's mission and their community's needs. All forms serve the same purpose of providing divine guidance to humanity.
❓Why does the verse mention both revealed and hidden messengers?
The verse mentions both categories to emphasize the universality and comprehensiveness of divine guidance throughout human history. While the Quran specifically narrates the stories of certain prophets whose experiences provide the most relevant lessons for all humanity, countless other messengers were sent to various nations and times. This ensures that no people can claim they never received divine guidance, establishing Allah's justice in providing clear warnings and good news before holding humanity accountable for their choices.
❓What was the historical context for revealing this verse about messengers?
This verse was revealed in response to Jewish objections who demanded written revelation like the Torah, claiming they would only believe if they received a physical book. The verse refutes this narrow understanding by showing that divine revelation comes through various legitimate modes, not just written scriptures. It establishes that Prophet Muhammad's revelation through the angel Gabriel is as authentic as Moses receiving direct speech or David receiving the Psalms, thus validating the Quranic revelation against sectarian objections.
❓How does the emphatic Arabic word 'takleema' strengthen the meaning of divine speech?
The Arabic word 'taklīmā' is an emphatic infinitive (maf'ul mutlaq) that grammatically reinforces and emphasizes the reality of direct divine speech to Moses. This linguistic device was specifically included to refute those who might deny or reinterpret Allah's direct communication with Moses. The emphasis serves to establish beyond doubt that Allah indeed spoke directly to Moses, making this form of revelation distinct from angelic transmission or written scripture, while maintaining its equal divine authority.
❓What is the relationship between human reason and divine revelation according to this verse's context?
The tafsir explains that while human reason ('aql) has an important role in understanding and implementing divine guidance, it cannot independently discover complete truth about faith and life systems. The sending of messengers demonstrates that Allah's mercy provides revelation to guide human reason rather than leaving it to struggle alone. Proper use of reason involves understanding, accepting, and implementing divine guidance, not judging its validity. The verse shows that after receiving clear revelation through various modes, reason must submit to divine authority while maintaining its function of comprehension and application.
❓How does this verse establish the principle of universal prophethood?
By acknowledging both mentioned and unmentioned messengers, the verse establishes that Allah sent prophets to every nation and community throughout history, ensuring universal access to divine guidance. This principle means no people can claim ignorance of divine guidance on Judgment Day, as Allah's justice requires providing clear warnings before accountability. The diversity of messengers - some known through Quranic narratives, others working in their specific contexts - demonstrates Allah's comprehensive care for all humanity across different times, places, and cultures.
❓What is the connection between this verse and the concept of divine justice?
This verse directly connects to the following verse (4:165) which states that messengers were sent 'so that mankind should have no plea against Allah after the messengers.' The comprehensive sending of both mentioned and unmentioned prophets throughout history establishes Allah's perfect justice by ensuring that divine guidance, warnings, and good news reached every community. This eliminates any excuse people might have for not following divine guidance, as Allah's mercy provided clear direction through various prophetic missions before holding humanity accountable for their choices and actions.
Translations & Commentary
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Resources & References
Related verses, scholarly sources, and contextual information.