قَالَ هِىَ عَصَاىَ أَتَوَكَّؤُا۟ عَلَيْهَا وَأَهُشُّ بِهَا عَلَىٰ غَنَمِى وَلِىَ فِيهَا مَـَٔارِبُ أُخْرَىٰ 18
Translations
He said, "It is my staff; I lean upon it, and I bring down leaves for my sheep and I have therein other uses."
Transliteration
Qala hiya 'asai atawakkau 'alayha wa ahushshu biha 'ala ghanami wa liya fiha ma'arib ukhra
Tafsir (Explanation)
Musa (peace be upon him) responds to Allah's question about the staff in his hand, describing its multiple uses: he leans upon it for support while walking, uses it to beat down branches for his sheep to graze, and it serves other purposes. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that this staff would later become the miraculous instrument through which Allah demonstrated His power—transforming into a serpent (ayah 20:20) as a sign to Pharaoh. The ayah illustrates how ordinary objects can become vessels of divine purpose, and it demonstrates Musa's humble description of his possessions before Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Allah's call to Musa at Mount Sinai (Tur), where Allah addresses him from the burning bush. The context is Musa's initial encounter with divine revelation, where he is being prepared for his mission to Pharaoh. This description of the staff serves as preparation for the miraculous transformation that will serve as the first sign (ayah) to establish Musa's prophethood.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Muslim contains traditions about the staff of Musa becoming a serpent, which is referenced in Surah Taha 20:20. Additionally, hadiths about the miracles granted to the prophets (mu'jizat) relate thematically to the divine transformation of this ordinary staff into a sign.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that Allah utilizes our ordinary circumstances and possessions for extraordinary purposes when we are aligned with His will. It encourages humility in describing what we own and recognition that everything we possess is ultimately a trust from Allah, ready to be employed in service of His greater plan.