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
وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ رَبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن جَآءَ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ مِنْ عِندِهِۦ وَمَن تَكُونُ لَهُۥ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلدَّارِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
And Moses said, "My Lord is more knowing [than we or you] of who has come with guidance from Him and to whom will be succession in the home. Indeed, wrongdoers do not succeed."
فَٱلْتَقَطَهُۥٓ ءَالُ فِرْعَوْنَ لِيَكُونَ لَهُمْ عَدُوًّا وَحَزَنًا ۗ إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَـٰمَـٰنَ وَجُنُودَهُمَا كَانُوا۟ خَـٰطِـِٔينَ
And the family of Pharaoh picked him up [out of the river] so that he would become to them an enemy and a [cause of] grief. Indeed, Pharaoh and Hāmān and their soldiers were deliberate sinners.
فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُ وَجُنُودَهُۥ فَنَبَذْنَـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ ۖ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
So We took him and his soldiers and threw them into the sea. So see how was the end of the wrongdoers.
قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِكِتَـٰبٍ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ أَهْدَىٰ مِنْهُمَآ أَتَّبِعْهُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
Say, "Then bring a scripture from Allāh which is more guiding than either of them that I may follow it, if you should be truthful."