(51–53) “And mention Moses in the Book. Indeed, he was specially chosen, and he was a messenger and a prophet.”

That is: Mention in this magnificent Quran Moses son of Imran, honoring and venerating him and making known his noble station and perfect character. “Indeed, he was specially chosen.” In one reading, the lām carries an a-vowel, meaning that Allah Most High chose him, selected him for Himself, and favored him above all peoples. In another reading, it carries an i-vowel, meaning that he was sincere to Allah Most High in all his deeds, words, and intentions. He was thus characterized by sincerity in all his circumstances. The two meanings necessarily entail one another: Allah chose him because of his sincerity, and his sincerity was the reason for his being chosen. The noblest state by which a servant may be described is sincerity on his part and being chosen by his Lord.

“And he was a messenger and a prophet.” That is, Allah combined messengership and prophethood for him. Messengership entails conveying the words of the One who sent him and communicating everything contained in the religious law, in matters great and small. Prophethood entails Allah revealing to him and singling him out to receive revelation. Prophethood therefore concerns what lies between him and his Lord, while messengership concerns what lies between him and creation. Indeed, of all the forms of revelation, Allah singled him out for its loftiest and best form: Allah Most High spoke to him and drew him near for intimate discourse with Him. He was thereby distinguished from the other prophets as the one to whom the Most Merciful spoke. For this reason He said: