Juz 16: Al-Kahf 75 to Ṭā Hā
Section 14 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
14. The Story of Musa Receiving Prophethood
The narrative of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) begins with Allah drawing attention to this remarkable story:
وَهَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ مُوسَىٰ
“Has the story of Mūsā come to you?”
This rhetorical question serves to engage the listener and emphasizes the importance of what follows. The story begins with Musa (peace be upon him) traveling with his family when he notices a fire in the distance:
إِذْ رَأَىٰ نَارًا فَقَالَ لِأَهْلِهِ امْكُثُوا إِنِّي آنَسْتُ نَارًا لَّعَلِّي آتِيكُم مِّنْهَا بِقَبَسٍ أَوْ أَجِدُ عَلَى النَّارِ هُدًى
“When he saw a fire and said to his family, "Stay here. I have noticed a fire. Perhaps I bring to you a live coal from it, or find some guidance at the fire.”
As Musa approaches the fire, he receives the divine call that would transform his life:
فَلَمَّا أَتَاهَا نُودِيَ يَا مُوسَىٰ. إِنِّي أَنَا رَبُّكَ فَاخْلَعْ نَعْلَيْكَ ۖ إِنَّكَ بِالْوَادِ الْمُقَدَّسِ طُوًى
“So when he came to it, he was called, "O Mūsā, it is Me, your Lord, so take off your shoes; you are in the sacred valley of Ṭuwā.”
This momentous encounter marks Musa's appointment as a prophet. Allah commands him to remove his shoes out of respect for the sanctity of the place, teaching us the importance of proper etiquette in sacred spaces.
A beautiful exchange follows where Allah asks Musa about what he is carrying:
وَمَا تِلْكَ بِيَمِينِكَ يَا مُوسَىٰ
“And what is that in your right hand, O Mūsā?”
Though Allah certainly knew what Musa was holding, this question initiated a conversation. Musa, eager to prolong this divine discourse, provides a detailed response:
قَالَ هِيَ عَصَايَ أَتَوَكَّأُ عَلَيْهَا وَأَهُشُّ بِهَا عَلَىٰ غَنَمِي وَلِيَ فِيهَا مَآرِبُ أُخْرَىٰ
“He said, "It is my staff. I lean on it, and I beat down leaves with it for my sheep, and I have many other uses for it.”
Allah then transforms this ordinary staff into a serpent to demonstrate His power:
قَالَ أَلْقِهَا يَا مُوسَىٰ. فَأَلْقَاهَا فَإِذَا هِيَ حَيَّةٌ تَسْعَىٰ
“He said, "Throw it down, O Mūsā." So, he threw it down, and suddenly it was a snake, moving quickly.”
When Musa flees in fear, Allah reassures him:
قَالَ خُذْهَا وَلَا تَخَفْ ۖ سَنُعِيدُهَا سِيرَتَهَا الْأُولَىٰ
“He said, "Pick it up and be not scared. We shall restore it to its former state.”
Allah then grants Musa another miracle – the glowing hand:
وَاضْمُمْ يَدَكَ