سُوْرَةُ طٰهٰ

Surah Taa-Haa (20) — Ayah 17

Taa-Haa · Meccan · Juz 16 · Page 313

وَمَا تِلْكَ بِيَمِينِكَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ ﴿17﴾
"And what is that in your right hand, O Mûsâ (Moses)?"
وَمَا wamā And what
تِلْكَ til'ka (is) that
بِيَمِينِكَ biyamīnika in your right hand
يَـٰمُوسَىٰ yāmūsā O Musa

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 17){ وَ مَا تِلْكَ بِيَمِيْنِكَ يٰمُوْسٰى :} The purpose of Allah’s question here is not that Allah did not know what was in Musa’s hand, but rather the wisdom in it was that Musa (peace be upon him) would be certain that it was his staff, so that when it later turned into a snake, he would not doubt that perhaps he was holding something else. (And Allah knows best.) It is also possible that Allah asked about the staff in order to remove fear from Musa’s heart and to make him feel at ease, so that He could then give him the next command.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

17. And O Moses! What is that in your right [13] hand?

[13]
Allah’s Conversation with Musa ؑ:

Allah, the Exalted, did not ask Musa ؑ this question because Musa ؑ did not know that this was his staff. Rather, He asked so because the form of this staff was about to change, and it was intended that Musa ؑ himself should first be convinced that the very wooden staff which he always kept with him could become a serpent.