وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُۥ فَإِذَا هِىَ بَيْضَآءُ لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ 108
Translations
And he drew out his hand; thereupon it was white [with radiance] for the observers.
Transliteration
Wa nazaʿa yadahu fa-idhā hiya bayḍāʾu lilnnāẓirīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the moment when Prophet Musa (Moses) drew forth his hand from his bosom, and it appeared white and radiant to all onlookers—one of the nine miraculous signs granted to him by Allah. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this whiteness was not from leprosy or disease, but rather a luminous, supernatural sign demonstrating divine power, which alternated with the staff miracle (turning into a serpent) to convince Pharaoh and his people of Musa's truthfulness.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Surah Al-A'raf describing Allah's command to Musa and his brother Harun to go to Pharaoh with clear signs. The context follows immediately after Allah instructs Musa to present his miracles to Pharaoh as proof of prophethood, establishing the sequence of miraculous demonstrations meant to call Pharaoh to monotheism.
Related Hadiths
In Sahih Bukhari, it is mentioned that the Prophet ﷺ said Musa was given nine clear signs. Also, Surah Taha (20:22) describes the same miracle: 'And draw in your hand to your breast [to allay your fear].' This is corroborated across multiple surahs emphasizing the consistency of this miracle.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Allah provides clear signs and evidence to those who seek truth, and that divine miracles are meant to inspire faith and recognition of Allah's absolute power; for believers today, it encourages reliance on Allah's guidance even when facing opposition or doubt.