وَإِنَّهُم عِندَنا لَمِنَ المُصطَفَينَ الأَخيارِ
Indeed with Us they are surely among the elect, the best.
EXEGESIS
Muṣṭafayn (elect) comes from iṣṭifāʾ, meaning to select the choice part or best of something, meaning these prophets are from the elect and best, chosen by God.
Akhyār (best) is the plural of khayyir, meaning one who performs many good deeds. It is also said to be the plural of khīr (choice), meaning they are the chosen ones, like in the verse, Certainly We chose them (akhtarnāhum) knowingly above all the nations (44:32). The first meaning seems more appropriate though.
EXPOSITION
In explanation of the expression We purified them in the previous verse, God emphasises how these men were chosen (muṣṭafayn) for that station and rank – because they were akhyār, constantly engaged in good deeds.
The expression with Us indicates that their value is held in high regard with their Lord, even though people may sometimes not understand or appreciate their value. This also ties in strongly with the themes of the earlier stories and the slander that the previous prophets faced.
REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE
The verse raises the question: on what basis has God chosen these men to be His elect and to elevate them to the status of prophethood? Ṭūsī says that God knew in His knowledge the merits they would have and their haste to perform good. Makārim Shīrāzī points out that once they proved their worth through their faith and good deeds, they were chosen for prophethood. These two explanations are not in contradiction.
Some have used this verse as proof that the prophets are infallible, since God describes them as akhyār (those who do good) in an absolute manner, meaning all they do is good.
[1] Tibyan, 8/571.
[2] Tibyan, 8/572.
[3] Tabrisi, 8/750.
[4] Nemuneh, 19/310.
[5] Tibyan, 8/571.
[6] Nemuneh, 19/309.
[7] Razi, 26/400; Nemuneh, 19/309-310.