إِذْ رَءَا نَارًا فَقَالَ لِأَهْلِهِ ٱمْكُثُوٓا۟ إِنِّىٓ ءَانَسْتُ نَارًا لَّعَلِّىٓ ءَاتِيكُم مِّنْهَا بِقَبَسٍ أَوْ أَجِدُ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ هُدًى 10
Translations
When he saw a fire and said to his family, "Stay here; indeed, I have perceived a fire; perhaps I can bring you a torch or find at the fire some guidance."
Transliteration
Idh ra'a naran faqala li-ahlihi imkuthoo inni anasta naran laAAalla ateekum minha biqabas aw ajidu AAala al-nari hudan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Prophet Musa's (Moses) encounter with fire in the desert, when he saw a flame from afar and instructed his family to wait while he went to investigate, hoping to bring back a burning brand (qabas) for warmth or to find guidance from someone near the fire. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that this incident marks the beginning of Musa's divine mission, as this fire was actually the manifestation of Allah's presence on Mount Tur (Sinai), leading to his appointment as a messenger. The ayah demonstrates Musa's leadership, care for his family, and his natural human curiosity that would lead to his extraordinary encounter with the Divine.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ta-Ha, a Meccan surah that recounts the story of Prophet Musa as a source of comfort and proof of prophethood for the early Muslim community in Mecca. The narrative context begins with Musa leaving Egypt and traveling with his family to Madyan (Midian), and this specific incident occurred during their journey when they were lost in the darkness and cold of the night.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly narrates this specific moment, the story is referenced in various tafsir traditions. The encounter with the fire leads directly to Musa's conversation with Allah at the burning bush, which is extensively discussed in Islamic literature as one of the greatest miracles and proofs of prophethood.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that what appears to be ordinary circumstances in life may be divine appointments in disguise; we should remain attentive, obedient to our responsibilities, and open to God's guidance, as Musa's simple act of seeking warmth became the gateway to his prophetic mission and closeness to Allah.