Juz 19: Al-Furqān 21 to An-Naml 55
Section 16 of 19 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
15. Musa Receiving Prophethood
The narrative of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) in Surah An-Naml presents a pivotal moment in his life—the divine encounter that transformed him from an ordinary man into a messenger of Allah (swt). The account begins with Musa returning from Midian after his time with Prophet Shu'ayb (peace be upon him), accompanied by his family. During this journey, a momentous event occurred that would forever change the course of his life.
إِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِأَهْلِهِ إِنِّي آنَسْتُ نَارًا سَآتِيكُم مِّنْهَا بِخَبَرٍ أَوْ آتِيكُم بِشِهَابٍ قَبَسٍ لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَصْطَلُونَ
“(Remember) when Musa said to his family, 'I have perceived a fire. I shall bring to you some information from there, or bring to you a burning brand, so that you may warm yourselves.'" (27:7)”
While traveling in the darkness of night, Musa (peace be upon him) noticed a fire in the distance. With his family likely cold and needing guidance in the night's darkness, he told them to wait while he investigated the source of the fire. His intention was practical—to obtain either information about their location or to bring back an ember for warmth. This innocent journey toward the perceived fire would lead to an extraordinary encounter.
فَلَمَّا جَاءَهَا نُودِيَ أَن بُورِكَ مَن فِي النَّارِ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“So when he came to it, a call was made: 'Blessed is the one who is in the fire and the one who is around it. And pure is Allah, the Lord of the worlds.'" (27:8)”
Upon approaching what he thought was an ordinary fire, Musa (peace be upon him) was addressed by Allah (swt) directly. This divine proclamation blessed both the presence within the fire and those in its vicinity, asserting the transcendent purity of Allah (swt). This was the beginning of divine revelation to Musa (peace be upon him).
يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنَّهُ أَنَا اللَّهُ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
“O Musa, the fact is that I AM ALLAH, the Mighty, the Wise." (27:9)”
In this declaration, Allah (swt) identifies Himself by His attributes of might and wisdom, establishing His absolute authority and perfect judgment. Then, to demonstrate His power and to equip Musa (peace be upon him) for his prophetic mission, Allah (swt) gave him two miraculous signs:
وَأَلْقِ عَصَاكَ فَلَمَّا رَآهَا تَهْتَزُّ كَأَنَّهَا جَانٌّ وَلَّىٰ مُدْبِرًا وَلَمْ يُعَقِّبْ
“And cast your staff. So when he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he turned back in retreat and did not look back. (Allah said,) 'O Musa, be not afraid. The messengers are not afraid in My presence.'" (27:10)”
The first sign was the transformation of his staff into a snake, causing Musa (peace be upon him) to flee in fear—a natural human reaction. Yet Allah (swt) reassured him that as a messenger, he need not fear in the divine presence.
وَأَدْخِلْ يَدَكَ فِي جَيْبِكَ تَخْرُجْ بَيْضَاءَ مِنْ غَيْرِ سُوءٍ
“And put your hand into your bosom, and it will come out white, without any disease." (27:12)”
The second miracle was his hand turning brilliantly white when withdrawn from his garment, without any illness—a sign of purity and divine blessing.
Allah (swt) explains that these signs were among the "nine signs" that Musa (peace be upon him) would bring to Pharaoh and his people:
فِي تِسْعِ آيَاتٍ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَقَوْمِهِ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَوْمًا فَاسِقِينَ
“(These miracles are) among the nine signs (to be shown) to Pharaoh and his people. Indeed, they have been a sinful people." (27:12)”
Despite these clear signs, when Musa (peace be upon him) later presented them to Pharaoh and his people, they rejected them as mere sorcery:
فَلَمَّا جَاءَتْهُمْ آيَاتُنَا مُبْصِرَةً قَالُوا هَٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ
“So when Our conspicuous signs came to them, they said, "This is a clear magic." (27:13)”
Their rejection was not due to lack of evidence but stemmed from their arrogance and transgression. They recognized the truth internally but denied it externally:
وَجَحَدُوا بِهَا وَاسْتَيْقَنَتْهَا أَنفُسُهُمْ ظُلْمًا وَعُلُوًّا
“And they denied them out of sheer injustice and arrogance, though their hearts believed them." (27:14)”
This episode teaches us that divine guidance comes to those who seek truth with sincerity. Musa (peace be upon him) approached what he thought was a fire with practical intentions, but Allah (swt) transformed this ordinary moment into a life-changing divine appointment, equipping him with the signs needed for his prophetic mission.