إِنِّىٓ أَنَا۠ رَبُّكَ فَٱخْلَعْ نَعْلَيْكَ ۖ إِنَّكَ بِٱلْوَادِ ٱلْمُقَدَّسِ طُوًى 12
Translations
Indeed, I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. Indeed, you are in the blessed valley of Ṭuwā.
Transliteration
Innī anā rabbuka fakhla' na'laykaika innaka bil-wādil-muqaddasi Tūwā
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses Mūsā at Mount Tūr, commanding him to remove his sandals as a sign of reverence and respect for the sacred ground upon which he stands. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this command demonstrates the sanctity of the place where divine revelation occurs and establishes the principle that physical purity and spiritual mindfulness are prerequisites for receiving divine communication. The removal of footwear symbolizes humility before the Almighty and the separation of the mundane from the sacred.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the context of Mūsā's call to prophethood at Mount Tūr. Surah Taha, being Meccan, rehearses this foundational narrative to reassure the Prophet Muhammad during early Meccan persecution by recalling how Allah directly appointed Mūsā despite his initial hesitations and fears. The entire narrative (20:9-36) serves as a source of solace and validation for the Prophet's own prophetic mission.
Related Hadiths
The practice of removing shoes in sacred spaces is referenced in various hadith collections regarding etiquette in the mosque and before prayer. Sahih Bukhari contains narrations about the Prophet's respect for sacred spaces and the importance of ritual purity, thematically connected to the reverence demonstrated by Mūsā's removal of his shoes.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that approaching the Divine requires both physical and spiritual preparation marked by humility and reverence. Modern believers can reflect on how we sanctify our relationship with Allah through mindfulness, proper adab (etiquette), and recognition of His absolute greatness in our daily lives.
Related Ayahs
فَأَخْرَجَ لَهُمْ عِجْلًا جَسَدًا لَّهُۥ خُوَارٌ فَقَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ وَإِلَـٰهُ مُوسَىٰ فَنَسِىَ
And he extracted for them [the statue of] a calf which had a lowing sound, and they said, "This is your god and the god of Moses, but he forgot."
أَفَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِى مَسَـٰكِنِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلنُّهَىٰ
Then, has it not become clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them as they walk among their dwellings? Indeed in that are signs for those of intelligence.
مَّنْ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ فَإِنَّهُۥ يَحْمِلُ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ وِزْرًا
Whoever turns away from it - then indeed, he will bear on the Day of Resurrection a burden [i.e., great sin],
يَوْمَ يُنفَخُ فِى ٱلصُّورِ ۚ وَنَحْشُرُ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ يَوْمَئِذٍ زُرْقًا
The Day the Horn will be blown. And We will gather the criminals, that Day, blue-eyed.