Juz 9: Al-Aʿrāf 88 to Al-Anfāl 40
Section 7 of 16 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Musa's Meeting with Allah at Mount Tur
Following the Israelites' deliverance from Pharaoh, they needed divine guidance for their new life of freedom. Allah summoned Prophet Musa to Mount Tur to receive the Torah, which would provide comprehensive guidance for the Children of Israel.
وَوَاعَدْنَا مُوسَى ثَلَاثِينَ لَيْلَةً وَأَتْمَمْنَاهَا بِعَشْرٍ فَتَمَّ مِيقَاتُ رَبِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً
“We appointed for Mūsā thirty nights, then We supplemented them with another ten, so the appointment of his Lord was completed as forty nights." (7:142)”
The appointment with Allah initially consisted of thirty nights of preparation through fasting and devotion. Allah then extended this period by ten more nights, making it a total of forty days and nights. This period of forty has special significance in Islamic tradition, often representing a complete cycle of spiritual preparation and transformation.
Before departing, Musa appointed his brother Harun (Aaron) as his deputy among the Israelites:
وَقَالَ مُوسَى لِأَخِيهِ هَارُونَ اخْلُفْنِي فِي قَوْمِي وَأَصْلِحْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ
“And Mūsā said to his brother Hārūn, "Take my place among my people, and set things right, and do not follow the way of mischief-makers." (7:142)”
This instruction highlights the importance of maintaining righteous leadership in a community even during temporary absences. Musa recognized the need for continued guidance for his people, especially given their recent tendencies toward deviation.
When Musa arrived at the appointed time, he experienced the extraordinary blessing of direct communication with Allah:
وَلَمَّا جَاءَ مُوسَى لِمِيقَاتِنَا وَكَلَّمَهُ رَبُّهُ
“When Mūsā came at Our appointed time, and his Lord spoke to him..." (7:143)”
This direct conversation with Allah represents one of the highest honors bestowed upon any prophet. Overwhelmed by this divine presence, Musa asked for the ultimate spiritual experience – to see Allah directly:
قَالَ رَبِّ أَرِنِي أَنظُرْ إِلَيْكَ قَالَ لَن تَر 9.
“When Mūsā came at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, “My Lord, show (Yourself) to me that I may look at You.” He said: “You shall never see Me. But look at the mount. If it stays at its place, you will see Me.” So when his Lord appeared to the Mount, He made it smashed, and Mūsā fell down unconscious. When he recovered, he said: “Pure are You. I repent to You, and I am the first to believe (that no one can see You in this world.)”” (7:143)