Surah Al-Qasas — Ayah 45 (28:45)
وَلَٰكِنَّآ أَنشَأۡنَا قُرُونٗا فَتَطَاوَلَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡعُمُرُۚ وَمَا كُنتَ ثَاوِيٗا فِيٓ أَهۡلِ مَدۡيَنَ تَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتِنَا وَلَٰكِنَّا كُنَّا مُرۡسِلِينَ ٤٥
English translation (Saheeh International)
But We produced [many] generations [after Moses], and prolonged was their duration.1 And you were not a resident among the people of Madyan, reciting to them Our verses, but We were senders [of this message].2
- So they forgot and neglected the ordinances of Allāh.
- The Prophet (ﷺ) had no way of obtaining this information except through Allāh's revelation.
Brief commentary
However, I created nations and other creations after Moses and a long time passed due to which they forgot the covenants of Allah. You were not a resident of Madyan reciting My verses before them; but I sent you as a Messenger of My own accord and revealed the incident of Moses and his residing in Madyan to you, which you then related to the people.