قَالَ خُذْهَا وَلَا تَخَفْ ۖ سَنُعِيدُهَا سِيرَتَهَا ٱلْأُولَىٰ 21
Translations
[Allāh] said, "Seize it and fear not; We will return it to its former condition.
Transliteration
Qala khudha wa la takhaf sanuid'iha sirataha al-ula
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands Musa (Moses) to take hold of the staff that had transformed into a serpent, assuring him not to fear, for He will restore it to its original form. This ayah demonstrates divine reassurance and the temporary nature of miraculous signs—the staff returns to being an ordinary staff after serving as evidence of Allah's power. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this instruction tested Musa's faith and obedience, transforming his initial fear into submission to Allah's command.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Musa's calling at Mount Tur (Sinai). The context shows Allah's first miracle to Musa: the staff becoming a serpent. This was meant to prepare Musa psychologically for his mission to confront Pharaoh, demonstrating that apparent threats are under divine control. The surah emphasizes the gradual preparation and reassurance of the Prophet before his greatest challenge.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly quotes this verse, the theme relates to trusting in Allah's protection. The hadith 'The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer' (Sahih Muslim) reflects the spiritual strength Musa demonstrated in obedience despite fear.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that when Allah commands us to face our fears in service of His religion, His assurance is sufficient; we should trust that temporary trials and challenges serve greater purposes and will be resolved according to His wisdom.