سُوْرَةُ طٰهٰ
Surah Taa-Haa (20) — Ayah 21
قَالَ خُذْهَا وَلَا تَخَفْ ۖ سَنُعِيدُهَا سِيرَتَهَا ٱلْأُولَىٰ ﴿21﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Allâh said: "Grasp it and fear not; We shall return it to its former state,
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالَ
qāla
He said
خُذْهَا
khudh'hā
Seize it
وَلَا
walā
and (do) not
تَخَفْ ۖ
takhaf
fear
سَنُعِيدُهَا
sanuʿīduhā
We will return it
سِيرَتَهَا
sīratahā
(to) its state
ٱلْأُولَىٰ
l-ūlā
the former
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.
21. Allah said, "Seize it and do not fear. We will return it to its former state [16] soon."
[16] When Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) threw his staff on the ground in obedience to Allah’s command, it immediately turned into a snake and, as soon as it became a snake, it began to move quickly. When it came towards him, he himself became afraid that it might harm him. Seeing this situation, Allah Almighty commanded: There is nothing to fear. Now, muster courage and grab it, and as soon as you touch it, it will return to its original state, that is, it will become your staff again.
The Names and Characteristics of Musa’s Staff as a Snake:
For the staff turning into a snake in this way, the Quran has used three different words at various places.
(1) At this place, the word “hayyah” is used, which can refer to any kind of snake.
(2) “Jaan,” meaning a thin, long, white snake, a stick-like snake [27: 10]
(3) A very large snake, “azdaha” [7: 107]
That is, when the staff was thrown, it would first become a thin snake. Then, moment by moment, its body would increase and develop as well, until it became a very large snake.
[16] When Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) threw his staff on the ground in obedience to Allah’s command, it immediately turned into a snake and, as soon as it became a snake, it began to move quickly. When it came towards him, he himself became afraid that it might harm him. Seeing this situation, Allah Almighty commanded: There is nothing to fear. Now, muster courage and grab it, and as soon as you touch it, it will return to its original state, that is, it will become your staff again.
The Names and Characteristics of Musa’s Staff as a Snake:
For the staff turning into a snake in this way, the Quran has used three different words at various places.
(1) At this place, the word “hayyah” is used, which can refer to any kind of snake.
(2) “Jaan,” meaning a thin, long, white snake, a stick-like snake [27: 10]
(3) A very large snake, “azdaha” [7: 107]
That is, when the staff was thrown, it would first become a thin snake. Then, moment by moment, its body would increase and develop as well, until it became a very large snake.
