Tafsir of Az-Zukhruf 43:46

"And We certainly sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his elite (the nobles of his people, who were singled out for mention because others followed them), and he said, 'I am a messenger of the Lord of the worlds to you.'"

My intent in relating this is to console the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and to invalidate their statement: "Why was this Quran not sent down upon a great man from the two cities?" This is because Moses (peace be upon him), despite lacking the adornments of this world, attained with Pharaoh—who was a tyrannical king—what he attained, and Allah (Glorified be He) supported him with His revelation and what He sent down upon him.

Citing his (peace be upon him) call to monotheism follows what was indicated regarding the consensus of all the messengers (peace be upon them) upon it. From this, the aspect of the relevance of these verses to what preceded them is understood.

Abu Hayyan said: Its relevance is from two aspects:

First: It was mentioned previously that the polytheists said, "Why was it not sent down..." and so on, which contains the claim that greatness lies in status and wealth. It is pointed out in these verses that the like of this was preceded by Pharaoh in his saying: "Is not the kingdom of Egypt mine...?" He is their exemplar in that, and just as He took retribution upon him, He shall take retribution upon them.

Second: When He (Glorified be He) said, "And ask [those of Our messengers whom We sent before you]," He (Glorified be He) mentioned the story of Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them both). They were followed more than the prophets who preceded them, and both came with monotheism. Thus, there was nothing in what they brought that permitted the taking of gods besides Allah (the Exalted), as the Quraish had taken them. Therefore, mentioning their stories is appropriate for the preceding verse.