Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And We revealed to Mûsâ (Moses) (saying): "Throw your stick," and behold! It swallowed up straight away all the falsehoods which they showed.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ وَأَوْحَيْنَآwa-awḥaynāAnd We inspired
إِلَىٰilāto
مُوسَىٰٓmūsāMusa
أَنْanthat
أَلْقِalqiThrow
عَصَاكَ ۖʿaṣākayour staff
فَإِذَاfa-idhāand suddenly
هِىَhiyait
تَلْقَفُtalqafuswallow(ed)
مَاmāwhat
يَأْفِكُونَyafikūnathey (were) falsifying
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
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 118,117){ وَاَوْحَيْنَاۤاِلٰىمُوْسٰۤى …:} When Musa (peace be upon him) cast his staff by the revelation of Allah, it began to swallow up the false snakes they had made. As a result, the miracle, which was the truth, was established, and the magic, which was based on falsehood, trickery, and deception, became useless and void.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
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.
117. 1. But whatever this was, it was an illusion, trickery, and magic that could not stand against reality. Thus, as soon as Musa (AS) cast his staff, everything ended, and the staff took the form of a terrifying serpent and swallowed everything.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
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.
117. And We revealed to Moses, "Throw your staff." So when he threw it, it immediately swallowed up their false tricks [119].
[119] Pharaoh's Defeat in the Contest:
This can have two meanings: one is that when Musa ؑ threw his staff, it turned into a serpent and began swallowing the artificial snakes made from the ropes and staffs, and since these artificial snakes were not real but were actually ropes and staffs, and only the people's eyes had been bewitched, whatever Musa's ؑ serpent swallowed was in reality just ropes and staffs. This is the meaning that is apparent from the wording of the verse, and most commentators have inclined towards this. The second meaning could be that wherever the serpent of Musa ؑ reached, the artificial snakes once again appeared as ropes and staffs to the people, and that serpent was merely ending the trickery that the magicians had shown to the people through their spellbinding.