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
يَوْمَئِذٍ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلدَّاعِىَ لَا عِوَجَ لَهُۥ ۖ وَخَشَعَتِ ٱلْأَصْوَاتُ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ فَلَا تَسْمَعُ إِلَّا هَمْسًا
That Day, they [i.e., everyone] will follow [the call of] the Caller [with] no deviation therefrom, and [all] voices will be stilled before the Most Merciful, so you will not hear except a whisper [of footsteps].
قَالُوٓا۟ إِنْ هَـٰذَٰنِ لَسَـٰحِرَٰنِ يُرِيدَانِ أَن يُخْرِجَاكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُم بِسِحْرِهِمَا وَيَذْهَبَا بِطَرِيقَتِكُمُ ٱلْمُثْلَىٰ
They said, "Indeed, these are two magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic and do away with your most exemplary way [i.e., religion or tradition].
كُلُوا۟ وَٱرْعَوْا۟ أَنْعَـٰمَكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلنُّهَىٰ
Eat [therefrom] and pasture your livestock. Indeed in that are signs for those of intelligence.
إِنَّ لَكَ أَلَّا تَجُوعَ فِيهَا وَلَا تَعْرَىٰ
Indeed, it is [promised] for you not to be hungry therein or be unclothed.