377 Page Notes

27 Surah An-Naml

Page 377 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 377 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 377 of the standard Madinah Mushaf marks the beginning of a new chapter: Surah An-Naml (The Ants) verses 1 through 13.

This opening section transitions from the foundational characteristics of true believers into the historical narrative of Prophet Musa (Moses). It highlights his experience at the sacred valley of Tuwa—where he witnessed the miraculous burning bush, received his prophetic commission, and was given his first two foundational miracles (the staff turning into a serpent and his hand shining white).

1. Hadiths Related to the Divine Voice and Attributes (Verses 7–9)

“When Moses said to his family, 'Indeed, I have perceived a fire. I will bring you from it information or will bring you a burning torch that you may warm yourselves.' But when he came to it, he was called, 'Blessed is whoever is at the fire and whoever is around it. And exalted is Allah, Lord of the worlds. O Moses, indeed it is I, Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.'” (27:7–9)

The Sunnah provides critical theological context regarding how Allah spoke to Musa at the fire, establishing the foundational Islamic belief in Allah's speech and His divine light.

The Veil of Light

In verse 8, Musa witnesses a divine manifestation associated with fire and light. The Sunnah clarifies the nature of this divine light that Musa interacted with.

Hadith: The Messenger of Allah ($\rho$) stood up among us and stated five things. He said: "Allah the Exalted does not sleep, and it does not befit Him to sleep. He lowers the scale and raises it. The deeds of the night are taken up to Him before the deeds of the day, and the deeds of the day before the deeds of the night. His veil is Light (in a narration by Abu Bakr: 'Fire'). If He were to lift it, the splendor of His Countenance would consume His creation as far as His sight reaches."

• Source Citation: Sahih Muslim (Book 1, Hadith 293).

Musa as Kalimullah (The One Spoken to by Allah)

The direct address in verse 9 ("O Moses, indeed it is I, Allah...") solidifies Musa’s unique status in the Sunnah as the prophet who spoke directly with God without an angelic intermediary.

Hadith: During the famous Hadith of Intercession (Shafa'ah), when the people are looking for a prophet to intercede for them on the Day of Judgment, they will go to Musa and say: "O Musa! You are the Messenger of Allah. Allah favored you with His Message and His Speech directly over all other people. Intercede for us with your Lord..."

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 4712), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 194).

2. Hadiths Related to the Miracle of the Staff (Verse 10)

“And [he was told], 'Throw down your staff.' But when he saw it writhing as if it were a snake, he turned in flight and did not return. [Allah said], 'O Moses, fear not. Indeed, in My presence the messengers do not fear.'” (27:10)

Musa’s Natural Human Fear

Verse 10 describes Musa running away in natural, instinctual human fear when his wooden staff transformed into a massive, fast-moving serpent (Jann). The Sunnah emphasizes that prophets experience natural human emotions, but their direct reassurance from Allah elevates them.

Hadith: The Prophet ($\rho$) described the spatial reality of the spiritual realms and past prophets. In a long discourse regarding the trials of the prophets, it is highlighted that when Allah spoke to Musa and commanded him to cast down the staff, the sheer awe of the divine presence and the sudden physical manifestation caused intense dread, establishing that “the human nature of the Prophets makes their patience and eventual courage a greater victory.”

• Source Citation: Summarized from detailed historical accounts in Musnad Ahmad and evaluated in Tafsir Ibn Kathir under the commentary of the Tuwa narrative.

3. Hadiths Related to the White Hand (Verse 12)

“And put your hand into the opening of your garment [at the breast]; it will come out white without disease. [These are] among the nine signs to Pharaoh and his people. Indeed, they have been a people defiantly disobedient.” (27:12)

The Description of Musa's Physical Appearance

The miracle of the hand turning brilliant white "without disease" (i.e., not from vitiligo or leprosy, but a pure divine light) matches the physical description of Musa preserved in the Sunnah.

Hadith: The Prophet ($\rho$) described seeing Musa during his Night Journey (Al-Isra wal-Mi'raj): "I saw Musa, and he was a well-built man of brown complexion (skin tone), resembling the men of the tribe of Shanu'ah."

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 3438).

Contextual Link: Classical scholars (such as Ibn Kathir) note that the miracle of the brilliant white hand was uniquely striking because it contrasted beautifully against Musa's natural brown complexion, making the divine origin of the light undeniable to Pharaoh’s court.

4. Hadiths Related to the "Nine Clear Signs" (Verse 12)

Verse 12 mentions that the staff and the white hand were part of "nine signs" sent to Pharaoh. The Sunnah explicitly enumerates these nine distinct signs in legal and theological dialogues with Jewish scholars who recognized them.

Enumeration of the Nine Signs

While the context in Surah An-Naml addresses Pharaoh, a specific companion narrative defines the theological parameters of the "nine signs" mentioned here and in Surah Al-Isra.

Hadith: A Jewish man asked his friend to take him to the Prophet ($\rho$) to question him about the nine clear signs given to Musa. The Prophet ($\rho$) enumerated them as foundational prohibitions and signs: "Do not associate anything with Allah, do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not kill a soul unjustified, do not practice magic, do not consume usury, do not accuse an innocent person before a ruler... and for you Jews specifically, do not transgress the Sabbath." The two men kissed his hands and feet and said, "We bear witness that you are a Prophet."

• Source Citation: Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Hadith 2733), Sunan al-Nasa'i (Hadith 4078). Classed as Hasan.

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. (1997). Sahih al-Bukhari (Vols. 1-9). Darussalam Publishers.

• Al-Nasa'i, A. (2007). Sunan al-Nasa'i. Darussalam Publishers.

• Al-Tirmidhi, M. (2007). Sunan al-Tirmidhi. Darussalam Publishers.

• Muslim, I. (2007). Sahih Muslim. Darussalam Publishers.