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Internal contradiction Analysis · argument Classical sources

Ṭā-Hā 20:38

By TheQuran.com research team (original site, 2020–21) · last edited 23 Mar 2021

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The verse

20:38
إِذْ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّكَ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ ٣٨
When we inspired in thy mother that which is inspired, — Marmaduke Pickthall

The issue

It is clear from this text that Pharaoh ordered the killing of children when Moses was young. Yet the Qur’ān also states that the command to kill was given when Moses was a prophet and spoke the truth (Q 40.23-25). (This contradiction is also addressed in the critical analysis of Q 7.12).

Arabic text of this item

يتضح من هذا النص أن فرعون أمر بقتل الأولاد حينما كان موسى صغيراً. بينما يقول القرآن أن أمر القتل جاء حينما كان موسى نبيًا (غافر 40: 23 ـ 25). وقد تطرقنا لإشكالية هذا التناقض في التعليق على (سورة الأعراف 7: 127).

Sources cited

Sources added in review (the original item cited none)

  1. Ibn Kathīr, Tafsīr al-Qurʾān al-ʿaẓīm (abridged English), on Q 40:25 · link checked 2026-10-12