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
فَسَقَىٰ لَهُمَا ثُمَّ تَوَلَّىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلظِّلِّ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى لِمَآ أَنزَلْتَ إِلَىَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ
So he watered [their flocks] for them; then he went back to the shade and said, "My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need."
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى قَتَلْتُ مِنْهُمْ نَفْسًا فَأَخَافُ أَن يَقْتُلُونِ
He said, "My Lord, indeed I killed from among them someone, and I fear they will kill me.
تِلْكَ ٱلدَّارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا ۚ وَٱلْعَـٰقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.
وَقَالُوٓا۟ إِن نَّتَّبِعِ ٱلْهُدَىٰ مَعَكَ نُتَخَطَّفْ مِنْ أَرْضِنَآ ۚ أَوَلَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّهُمْ حَرَمًا ءَامِنًا يُجْبَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِ ثَمَرَٰتُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ رِّزْقًا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And they [i.e., the Quraysh] say, "If we were to follow the guidance with you, we would be swept from our land." Have We not established for them a safe sanctuary to which are brought the fruits of all things as provision from Us? But most of them do not know.