Transliteration:( Wa Rusulan qad qasas naahum 'alaika min qablu wa Rusulal lam naqsushum 'alaik; wa kallamallaahu Moosaa takleemaa )
"And to the Messengers whom We have already mentioned to you before, and to those Messengers whom We have not mentioned to you. And Allah, in fact, spoke to Musa." [469]
The negation in this verse refers to not having narrated about some Prophets in detail — it does not imply that the Holy Prophet ﷺ is unaware of them.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was granted complete knowledge of all the Prophets, even though not all were named or described in the Qur'an.
As mentioned in Surah Hud (11:120), the Qur'an includes only select narratives of the Prophets for wisdom and reflection.
On the night of Mi'raaj (Ascension), the Holy Prophet ﷺ led all the Prophets in prayer, indicating both his supremacy and his connection with all previous Prophets.
📝 Insight: Just because a Prophet's name is not mentioned in the Qur'an, it does not deny their existence or significance. Revelation continues to clarify what is necessary for the Ummah at the right time.
Two key points arise from this phrase:
1. Hazrat Musa’s Special Status Among Bani Israel Prophets
Hazrat Musa (عليه السلام) is given distinct recognition due to his elevated rank and direct speech with Allah.
His mention is made separately to highlight this honor — he is called Kaleemullah (The one who spoke with Allah).
2. Unique Qualities Among Prophets
Every Prophet was blessed with different distinctions.
It is incorrect to assume that all Prophets share every merit equally.
Just as Hazrat Musa (عليه السلام) was made Kaleemullah, other Prophets had unique qualities, such as Hazrat Isa (عليه السلام) being born without a father, and the Seal of Prophethood on the back of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The tafsir of Surah Nisa verse 164 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Nisa ayat 163 which provides the complete commentary from verse 163 through 165.
(4:164) We revealed to the Messengers We have already told you of, and to the Messengers We have not told you of; and to Moses Allah spoke directly.[206]
206. Revelation in the case of other Prophets meant either that they heard a voice or received a message from an angel. The privileged treatment accorded to Moses was that God communicated with him directly. This communication was similar to one that takes place between two persons, as is fully illustrated by the conversation reported in (Surah TaHa, ayat 11). This unique privilege of Moses is mentioned in the Bible as well, and in much the same manner. It mentions that the Lord used to speak to Moses ‘face to face, as a man speaks to his friend’ (Exodus 33: 11).
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