وَمَا

تِلۡكَ

بِيَمِينِكَ

يَٰمُوسَىٰ

١٧

˹Allah added,˺ “And what is that in your right hand, O  Moses?”

He replied, “It is my staff! I lean on it, and with it I beat down ˹branches˺ for my sheep, and have other uses for it.”¹

Allah said, “Throw it down, O  Moses!”

So he did, then—behold!—it became a serpent, slithering.

Allah said, “Take it, and have no fear. We will return it to its former state.

And put your hand under your armpit, it will come out ˹shining˺ white, unblemished,¹ as another sign,

so that We may show you some of Our greatest signs.

Go to Pharaoh, for he has truly transgressed ˹all bounds˺.”

Moses prayed, “My Lord! Uplift my heart for me,

and make my task easy,

and remove the impediment from my tongue

so people may understand my speech,¹

and grant me a helper from my family,

Aaron, my brother.

Strengthen me through him,

and let him share my task,

so that we may glorify You much

and remember You much,

for truly You have ˹always˺ been overseeing us.”

Allah responded, “All that you requested has been granted, O  Moses!

And surely We had shown You favour before,