Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And We had already forbidden (other) foster suckling mothers for him, until she (his sister came up and) said: "Shall I direct you to a household who will rear him for you, and look after him in a good manner?"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ وَحَرَّمْنَاwaḥarramnāAnd We had forbidden
عَلَيْهِʿalayhifor him
ٱلْمَرَاضِعَl-marāḍiʿathe wet nurses
مِنminbefore
قَبْلُqablubefore
فَقَالَتْfaqālatso she said
هَلْhalShall I
أَدُلُّكُمْadullukumdirect you
عَلَىٰٓʿalāto
أَهْلِahli(the) people
بَيْتٍۢbaytin(of) a house
يَكْفُلُونَهُۥyakfulūnahuwho will rear him
لَكُمْlakumfor you
وَهُمْwahumwhile they
لَهُۥlahuto him
نَـٰصِحُونَnāṣiḥūna(will be) sincere
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 12) ➊ { وَحَرَّمْنَاعَلَيْهِالْمَرَاضِعَمِنْقَبْلُ:’’ الْمَرَاضِعَ ‘‘ ’’مُرْضِعٌ‘‘} can also be plural, meaning wet nurses, and {’’ مَرْضَعٌ‘‘} can also be a locative noun, so the meaning would be the place of suckling, i.e., the breasts for milk, and if it is a verbal noun, then it would mean all kinds of milk, i.e., We had already made all milk forbidden for Musa (peace be upon him) by Our predetermined decree, meaning he was prevented from drinking it. Pharaoh’s wife became extremely fond of Musa (peace be upon him) and wanted to arrange milk for him at any cost, but whichever nurse was brought, Musa refused to drink her milk. Pharaoh’s wife was deeply worried that such a beloved child might die due to not drinking milk.
➋ { فَقَالَتْهَلْاَدُلُّكُمْعَلٰۤىاَهْلِبَيْتٍيَّكْفُلُوْنَهٗلَكُمْ …:} Musa’s (peace be upon him) sister was observing all this as a stranger. When all attempts to feed Musa (peace be upon him) milk failed, she seized the opportunity and said, “Shall I tell you of a household who will take care of him for you and will be well-wishers to him?” Here, the intermediate conversation is omitted, as it is self-evident that Pharaoh’s household asked her who those people were. She said, “My mother.” They said, “That means this child is yours and you know about him.” She said, “Rather, we are well-wishers and sincere lovers of the king, so we will not fall short in the well-being and service of this child.” They said, “How does your mother have milk?” She said, “My brother Harun was born last year and is nursing.” Thus, they summoned Musa’s (peace be upon him) mother, as they had no other option. The queen of the kingdom wanted to arrange milk for him at any cost; as soon as the mother put her breast to the child’s mouth, the child happily began to drink milk.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
12-1 That is, by Our power and creative command, We prevented Musa (عليه السلام) from accepting the milk of any nurse other than his own mother. Thus, despite many attempts, no nurse was able to feed him milk or calm him.
12-2 All this scene was being silently observed by his sister, and finally she spoke up, "Shall I tell you of a household who will take care of this child for you?"
12-3 So they said to Musa’s (عليه السلام) sister, "Go and bring that woman." So she quickly went and brought her mother, who was also Musa’s (عليه السلام) mother.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
And We had already forbidden wet nurses for him before. So she (Musa’s sister) said, “Shall I tell you about a household who will rear him for you and will be sincere well-wishers [18] for him?”
[18] The Search for a Wet Nurse for Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him):
When Pharaoh and his wife decided that they themselves would raise this child, the search for a wet nurse began for him. But whichever wet nurse or nanny was brought, Musa (peace be upon him) showed no inclination to drink her milk.
The Sister’s Indication for a Wet Nurse:
This too was, in fact, a manifestation of the Divine will that the child, hungry for several days, refused to drink the milk of any nanny. The people of Pharaoh’s household became extremely worried, as the matter of his upbringing had become a major issue. While they were searching and investigating, Musa’s sister, as a suggestion, said to them that she could tell them of a household. She hoped that they would raise the child. It was a respectable household, and they would thoughtfully bring up the child. Accordingly, following the girl’s suggestion, the mother of Musa was summoned. As soon as the mother of Musa held the child to her breast, the child began to drink milk. In this way, a great worry of the household of Pharaoh was removed.