وَأَنْ أَلْقِ عَصَاكَ ۖ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهَا تَهْتَزُّ كَأَنَّهَا جَآنٌّ وَلَّىٰ مُدْبِرًا وَلَمْ يُعَقِّبْ ۚ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ أَقْبِلْ وَلَا تَخَفْ ۖ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْـَٔامِنِينَ 31
Translations
And [he was told], "Throw down your staff." But when he saw it writhing as if it was a snake, he turned in flight and did not return. [Allāh said], "O Moses, approach and fear not. Indeed, you are of the secure.
Transliteration
Wa an alqi 'asaka, falamma ra'aha tahtazzu ka-annahā jānnun wallā mudbiran wa lam yu'aqqib. Yā Mūsā aqbil wa lā takhaf, innaka min al-āminīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commanded Musa to cast down his staff, which miraculously transformed into a serpent that moved with life-like motion, causing Musa to flee in fear. Allah then reassured him, commanding him to approach without fear and reminding him that he is among the safe/secure ones (al-āminīn). Ibn Kathir explains this as the first of the nine signs (mu'jizāt) given to Musa, demonstrating divine power and preparing him psychologically for his mission against Pharaoh, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the transformation was a complete miracle (not mere illusion) to strengthen Musa's faith and resolve.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Musa's call to prophethood at the burning bush in Sinai. It occurs within the broader context of Surah Al-Qasas, which recounts stories of the past (qasas). The miraculous staff-to-serpent transformation serves as divine preparation and proof for Musa's upcoming confrontation with Pharaoh and his magicians, establishing his credentials as a messenger.
Related Hadiths
The event of the staff transforming into a serpent is corroborated in Sahih Bukhari (Kitab Bad' al-Khalq) where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned the miracles given to Musa. Additionally, in various hadith collections, the staff (cane) of Musa is referenced as one of the greatest signs, symbolizing divine power over creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
When faced with overwhelming tasks or divine responsibility, fear is natural, but Allah's reassurance and the evidence of His power should dispel our doubts and embolden us to fulfill our purpose. Trust in Allah's protection ('ismah) and His choice of us for a mission is the antidote to paralyzing fear and hesitation.
Related Ayahs
وَنَزَعْنَا مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا فَقُلْنَا هَاتُوا۟ بُرْهَـٰنَكُمْ فَعَلِمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱلْحَقَّ لِلَّهِ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ
And We will extract from every nation a witness and say, "Produce your proof," and they will know that the truth belongs to Allāh, and lost from them is that which they used to invent.
فَأَصْبَحَ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ خَآئِفًا يَتَرَقَّبُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَنصَرَهُۥ بِٱلْأَمْسِ يَسْتَصْرِخُهُۥ ۚ قَالَ لَهُۥ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّكَ لَغَوِىٌّ مُّبِينٌ
And he became inside the city fearful and anticipating [exposure], when suddenly the one who sought his help the previous day cried out to him [once again]. Moses said to him, "Indeed, you are an evident, [persistent] deviator."
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم مُّوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا بَيِّنَـٰتٍ قَالُوا۟ مَا هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّفْتَرًى وَمَا سَمِعْنَا بِهَـٰذَا فِىٓ ءَابَآئِنَا ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
But when Moses came to them with Our signs as clear evidences, they said, "This is not except invented magic, and we have not heard of this [religion] among our forefathers."
وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَىْءٍ فَمَتَـٰعُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتُهَا ۚ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
And whatever thing you [people] have been given - it is [only for] the enjoyment of worldly life and its adornment. And what is with Allāh is better and more lasting; so will you not use reason?