389 Page Notes

28 Surah Al-Qasas (continued)

Page 389 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 389 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 389 of the standard Madinah Mushaf contains Surah Al-Qasas (28:29–35). This page marks the conclusion of Prophet Musa’s ten-year labor contract in Madyan and documents his journey back to Egypt with his family.

The narrative covers:

• Verse 29: Musa spots a fire near Mount Tur (Sinai) in the freezing dark, leaves his family briefly to fetch a burning brand or find guidance, and is suddenly called by Allah from a bush in the sacred valley of Tuwa (Verse 30).

• Verses 31–32: Allah commands Musa to throw down his staff, which transforms into a slithering snake, causing Musa to flee in terror. He is told to return without fear and is given a second miracle: his hand glowing white without disease when placed into his cloak.

• Verses 33–35: Musa expresses fear of being executed by Pharaoh’s court for his past accidental manslaughter and asks Allah to appoint his brother Harun (Aaron) as a co-prophet due to Harun's superior eloquence. Allah grants the request, promising them absolute psychological protection ("They will not be able to reach you").

The Sunnah and authentic Hadith literature provide profound descriptions of this initial revelation, the nature of prophetic speech, and the physical reality of Mount Tur.

1. Hadiths Related to the Initial Call at Mount Tur (Verses 29–30)

“Then when Moses had completed the term and was traveling with his family, he perceived from the direction of the mount a fire. He said to his family, 'Stay here; indeed, I have perceived a fire. Perhaps I will bring you from there some information or a brand of fire that you may warm yourselves.'” (28:29)

The Description of Musa’s Attire and Climate

The Sunnah adds physical context to the stark, freezing conditions Musa and his family faced in the desert before he spotted the fire, underscoring his desperation for a heat source.

Hadith: The Prophet ($\rho$) described the physical appearance of Musa when he arrived at the sacred valley: “I saw Musa on the night of my Ascension... He was a lean, well-built man with curly hair, wearing two cotton garments, and when he was addressed by his Lord, he was wearing a cloak of wool.”

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 3239), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 165).

The Sanctity of the Valley of Tuwa

Verse 30 mentions the "blessed spot" near the mountain. The Sunnah confirms that this entire geographic region carries intrinsic spiritual blessings, and the Prophet ($\rho$) physically observed it during his miraculous night journey.

2. Hadiths Related to the Miracle of the Staff and the Snake (Verse 31)

“[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, approach and fear not. Indeed, you are of the secure.'” (28:31)

The Prophet’s Inherent Righteous Fear

Verse 31 depicts a Prophet running away from a miraculous sign out of natural human self-preservation. The Sunnah frames this not as a lack of faith, but as a demonstration that prophets possess real human emotions, making their ultimate obedience even more commendable.

Parallels with the First Revelation to Muhammad ($\rho$)

Scholars of the Sunnah note that the overwhelming, terrifying nature of Musa's first encounter with the divine mirrors the intense physical and psychological shock experienced by the Prophet Muhammad ($\rho$) when Jibril first compressed him in the Cave of Hira.

Hadith: When the Prophet ($\rho$) returned from the Cave of Hira trembling with intense fear, his wife Khadijah comforted him. She later took him to her cousin, Waraqah bin Nawfal (a scholar of old scriptures), who immediately recognized the divine pattern and said: “This is the same Angel of Revelation (Al-Namus) whom Allah sent to Musa! I wish I were young and could live to see the day when your people turn you out...”

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 3), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 160).

3. Hadiths Related to Harun's Eloquence and Partnership (Verses 34–35)

“And my brother Aaron is more fluent than me in tongue, so send him with me as a support, verifying me. Indeed, I fear that they will deny me.” (28:34)

Musa recognized his own speech impediment (historically attributed to a physical burn on his tongue from childhood) and requested Harun's assistance. Allah answered in verse 35: "We will strengthen your arm through your brother..."

The Best Intercession in Human History

The companions of the Prophet ($\rho$) highly praised Musa’s request on this page, defining it as the ultimate act of fraternal support, where a man used his leverage with God to elevate his brother to prophethood.

Hadith/Companion Precedent: Aisha (r.a.) was once traveling through the desert when she passed by a group of Bedouins. She asked them about their relationships, and then remarked: “Who is the brother who did the greatest favor for his brother in this world?” The people replied, "We do not know." She said: “It is Musa, when he interceded with Allah to grant his brother Harun prophethood [referencing Surah Al-Qasas verse 34].”

• Source Citation: Recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim in his Tafsir (Hadith 13247) and authenticated by Ibn Kathir in Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah.

The Prophetic Analogy to Ali bin Abi Talib

The Prophet Muhammad ($\rho$) famously used the divine partnership of Musa and Harun outlined on page 389 to establish the political and personal status of his cousin, Ali bin Abi Talib, when leaving him in charge of Madinah during the Expedition of Tabuk.

Hadith: The Messenger of Allah ($\rho$) set out for Tabuk, appointing Ali as his deputy in Madinah. Ali said, "O Messenger of Allah! Are you leaving me behind with the women and children?" The Prophet ($\rho$) replied: “Are you not pleased that you are to me as Harun was to Musa, except that there is no Prophet after me?”

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 4416), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2404).

References

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

• Ibn Abi Hatim, A. (1997). Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim. Al-Maktabah al-Asriyyah.

• Ibn Kathir, I. (2000). Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah. Dar Hijr.

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