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
وَقَالَتِ ٱمْرَأَتُ فِرْعَوْنَ قُرَّتُ عَيْنٍ لِّى وَلَكَ ۖ لَا تَقْتُلُوهُ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَنفَعَنَآ أَوْ نَتَّخِذَهُۥ وَلَدًا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
And the wife of Pharaoh said, "[He will be] a comfort of the eye [i.e., pleasure] for me and for you. Do not kill him; perhaps he may benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son." And they perceived not.
فَعَمِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَنۢبَآءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَهُمْ لَا يَتَسَآءَلُونَ
But the information will be unapparent to them that Day, so they will not [be able to] ask one another.
فَجَآءَتْهُ إِحْدَىٰهُمَا تَمْشِى عَلَى ٱسْتِحْيَآءٍ قَالَتْ إِنَّ أَبِى يَدْعُوكَ لِيَجْزِيَكَ أَجْرَ مَا سَقَيْتَ لَنَا ۚ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُۥ وَقَصَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْقَصَصَ قَالَ لَا تَخَفْ ۖ نَجَوْتَ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness. She said, "Indeed, my father invites you that he may reward you for having watered for us." So when he came to him and related to him the story, he said, "Fear not. You have escaped from the wrongdoing people."
فَلَمَّآ أَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يَبْطِشَ بِٱلَّذِى هُوَ عَدُوٌّ لَّهُمَا قَالَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ أَتُرِيدُ أَن تَقْتُلَنِى كَمَا قَتَلْتَ نَفْسًۢا بِٱلْأَمْسِ ۖ إِن تُرِيدُ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَ جَبَّارًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا تُرِيدُ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُصْلِحِينَ
And when he wanted to strike the one who was an enemy to both of them, he said, "O Moses, do you intend to kill me as you killed someone yesterday? You only want to be a tyrant in the land and do not want to be of the amenders."