←Prev   Ayah al-Qasas (The Story, Stories, The Narrative) 28:31   Next→ 

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Muhammad Asad   
And [then He said]: “Throw down thy staff!” But as soon as [Moses] saw it move rapidly, as if it were a snake, he drew back [in terror], and did not [dare to] return. [And God spoke to him again:] “O Moses! Draw near, and have no fear - for, behold, thou art of those who are secure [in this world and in the next]
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Now, throw down your staff!” But when he saw it slithering like a snake, he ran away without looking back. ˹Allah reassured him,˺ “O Moses! Draw near, and have no fear. You are perfectly secure.
Safi Kaskas   
“Throw down your staff.” But when he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he fled in fear and would not return. “Moses [he was called again], come back and do not be afraid. You are one of those who are safe.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَأَنۡ أَلۡقِ عَصَاكَۚ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهَا تَهۡتَزُّ كَأَنَّهَا جَاۤنࣱّ وَلَّىٰ مُدۡبِرࣰا وَلَمۡ یُعَقِّبۡۚ یَـٰمُوسَىٰۤ أَقۡبِلۡ وَلَا تَخَفۡۖ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡءَامِنِینَ ۝٣١
Transliteration (2021)   
wa-an alqi ʿaṣāka falammā raāhā tahtazzu ka-annahā jānnun wallā mud'biran walam yuʿaqqib yāmūsā aqbil walā takhaf innaka mina l-āminīn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And [that] throw your staff." But when he saw it moving as if it (were) a snake he turned (in) flight and (did) not return. "O Musa! Draw near and (do) not fear. Indeed, you (are) of the secure.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
And [then He said]: “Throw down thy staff!” But as soon as [Moses] saw it move rapidly, as if it were a snake, he drew back [in terror], and did not [dare to] return. [And God spoke to him again:] “O Moses! Draw near, and have no fear - for, behold, thou art of those who are secure [in this world and in the next]
M. M. Pickthall   
Throw down thy staff. And when he saw it writhing as it had been a demon, he turned to flee headlong, (and it was said unto him): O Moses! Draw nigh and fear not. Lo! thou art of those who are secure
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
"Now do thou throw thy rod!" but when he saw it moving (of its own accord) as if it had been a snake, he turned back in retreat, and retraced not his steps: O Moses!" (It was said), "Draw near, and fear not: for thou art of those who are secure
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Now, throw down your staff!” But when he saw it slithering like a snake, he ran away without looking back. ˹Allah reassured him,˺ “O Moses! Draw near, and have no fear. You are perfectly secure.
Safi Kaskas   
“Throw down your staff.” But when he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he fled in fear and would not return. “Moses [he was called again], come back and do not be afraid. You are one of those who are safe.
Wahiduddin Khan   
Throw down your staff. And when he saw it move as though it were a serpent, he turned his back and fled, and did not look back. O Moses, said the voice, come forward and have no fear; you are quite safe
Shakir   
And saying: Cast down you staff. So when he saw it in motion as if it were a serpent, he turned back retreating, and did not return. O Musa! come forward and fear not; surely you are of those who are secure
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
Cast thy staff. But when he saw it quiver as if it were a snake, he turned as one who draws back, and he retraces his steps. O Moses! Come forward and fear not. Truly, thou art among the ones who are safe.
T.B.Irving   
And then: "Throw down your staff." When he saw it twitching as if it were possessed, he turned around and tried to escape. "Moses, come closer and do not act afraid. You will be safe!
Abdul Hye   
Throw your stick!” But when he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he turned in flight and did not look back. (Allah said): “O Moses! Draw near and don’t fear. Surely, you are of those who are secure.
The Study Quran   
and, “Cast thy staff!” Then when he saw it quivering like a serpent, he turned in retreat without returning. “O Moses! Approach and fear not! Truly, thou art of those who are secure
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
“Drop your staff.” And when he saw it writhing, as if it were a serpent, he turned to flee and didn’t look back. “O Moses, approach and fear not—you are safe.
Talal Itani (2012)   
Throw down your staff.' And when he saw it wiggling, as if it were possessed, he turned his back to flee, and did not look back. 'O Moses, come forward, and do not fear, you are perfectly safe
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And that: “Put down your rod!” But when he saw it: it moves as if it is a snake, he turned away showing his back and did not return. (Allah called him again): “O Musa! come closer and fear not. Verily, you are of those who have found peace and protection
M. Farook Malik   
0 Then Allah commanded, "Throw down your staff." When Moses saw that the staff was writhing like a snake, he turned his back and fled, and did not even look behind. Allah said, "O Moses, come back and do not fear; you are quite safe
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And (that) you cast down your staff." So, as soon as he saw it shaking as if it had been a jinni, he turned withdrawing and did not retrace his steps (Literally: retrace his heels). "O Musa, come forward, and do not fear (it). Surely you are of the (ones who are) secure
Muhammad Sarwar   
Throw down your staff." When Moses saw his staff moving on the ground like a living being he fled with no desire to step forward. He was told, "Moses, step forward. Do not be afraid; you will be safe and secure
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
and saying, .Throw down your staff. So when he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he turned back in retreat, and did not look back. (Allah said to him), .O Musa come forward and do not fear; you are one of those in peace
Shabbir Ahmed   
(God said), "Rehearse your supporting power of Truth." Moses felt as if the mission assigned to him was like holding a huge dragon, and he retreated hesitating. (See (27:10) 'kannaha jann' -'as if it was a dragon, applies to the living Truth as well as to the great mission). We said, "O Moses! Draw near (to conviction), and fear not - for, behold, you are secure from harm." (7:107-108), (20:17-24), (26:32-33), (27:10-12)
Dr. Munir Munshey   
"Throw down your stick!" When he saw it wriggling like a snake, he turned away and ran, and did not glance back. "Oh Musa, come closer! Do not be afraid! Of course, you are safe!"
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
"Now you throw your rod!" But when he saw it moving (of its own accord) as if it was a snake, he turned back going away, and did not look back (at the past): "O Musa (Moses)!" (The voice said): "Come near, and do not be afraid: Verily, you are of those (people) who are safe
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
And [he was told], "Throw down your staff." But when he saw it writhing as if it was a snake, he turned in flight and did not return. [ Allah said], "O Moses, approach and fear not. Indeed, you are of the secure
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
"Now, throw down your staff." So when he saw it vibrate as if it were a Jinn, he turned around to flee and would not return. "O Moses, come forward and do not be afraid. You are of those who are safe."
Abdel Haleem   
Throw down your staff.’ When he saw his staff moving like a snake, he fled in fear and would not return. Again [he was called]: ‘Moses! Draw near! Do not be afraid, for you are one of those who are safe
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And cast thou down thy staff. And when he saw it stirring, as though it were a serpent, he turned in flight and looked not back. O Musa! draw nigh, and fear not; thou art of the secure ones
Ahmed Ali   
Throw down your staff." When he saw it wriggling like a serpent, he turned about and fled without turning. "O Moses, approach," (said the Voice), "and have no fear. You will be safe
Aisha Bewley   
Throw down your staff!´ Then when he he saw it slithering like a snake he turned and fled and did not turn back again. ´Musa, approach and have no fear! You are one of those who are secure.
Ali Ünal   
"Throw down your staff. (He threw it, and) when he saw it slithering as if a snake, he turned his back to flee. "O Moses, come forward and have no fear. You (chosen as a Messenger) are indeed of those who are secure
Ali Quli Qara'i   
And: ‘Throw down your staff!’ And when he saw it wriggling as if it were a snake, he turned his back [to flee], without looking back. ‘Moses! Come forward, and do not be afraid. Indeed you are safe.’
Hamid S. Aziz   
So throw down your rod." And when he saw it writhing as though it were a snake, he turned away and fled and did not turn. "O Moses! Approach and fear not, verily, you are amongst the secure."
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
throw down your cane.” So, when he saw it moving as if it was a serpent, he turned back running away and he did not look back. (He was told:) “Moses, come close and do not be afraid, indeed you are of the ones in safety.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
“Now throw your staff.” But when he saw it moving of its own accord, as if it had been a snake, he turned back in retreat, and would not immediately return. “O Moses,” it was said, “Come close, and fear not, for you are of those who are secure
Musharraf Hussain   
Throw down your shepherd’ s staff.” When he saw it wriggling like a snake, he turned and fled, without looking back. “Musa, go ahead and pick it up, and don’t be afraid. You are safe.
Maududi   
He received the command: "Throw away your rod!" But when he saw the rod writhing as though it were a serpent, he turned back in retreat, and did not even look behind. (He was told): "O Moses, go ahead and have no fear. You are perfectly secure
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
"And cast down your staff." So when he saw it vibrate as if it were a Jinn, he turned around to flee and would not return. "O Moses, come forward and do not be afraid. You are of those who are safe.
Mohammad Shafi   
"Throw your staff down!" Then he saw it (staff) stir as if it were a serpent. And he took to flight and did not look back! "O Moses! Come back and fear not. You are indeed of those who are secure."

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And cast down your staff. Then when Musa saw it wriggling as it were a serpent, he set out turning his back and did not look behind. 'O Musa', come before and fear not, undoubtedly, you are secure.
Rashad Khalifa   
"Throw down your staff." When he saw it moving like a demon, he turned around and fled. "O Moses, come back; do not be afraid. You are perfectly safe.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
Cast down your staff. ' And when he saw his staff writhing as though it were a serpent, he turned about in retreat, and did not turn back. 'O Moses, approach and have no fear. You are surely safe
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And cast down thy rod. So when he saw it in motion as if it were a serpent, he turned away retreating, and looked not back. O Moses, come forward and fear not; surely thou art of the those who are secure
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And that (E) throw/throw away your stick/cane. So when he saw it it shakes/moves as though it (is) a Jinn , he turned away giving his back, and he did not follow/track . "You Moses approach/come, and do not fear, that you are from the safe/secure."
Bijan Moeinian   
[He was then commanded:] “Throw down your staff.” When Moses saw that his staff started to move like a snake, he was overwhelmed by fear and started to run. [Then he heard:] “Come back Moses and have no fear; you are perfectly safe.”
Faridul Haque   
“Put down your staff”; so when Moosa saw it writhing like a serpent, he turned moving away without looking back; “O Moosa! Come forth and do not fear; indeed you are in peace.”
Sher Ali   
Cast down thy rod.' And when he saw it move as though it were a serpent, he turned back retreating and did not look back. `O Moses,' said the voice, `Come forward and fear not; surely, thou art of those who are safe
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And throw your staff (on the ground).’ So when Musa (Moses) saw it moving fast, coiling and curling as if it was a snake, he turned his back, jogged off and did not look behind. (The Voice said:) ‘O Musa (Moses), come forth and do not fear. Surely, you are of the secure
Amatul Rahman Omar   
`And put down your staff on the ground.' Then, no sooner did he see it (- the staff) shifting like a tiny quickly moving serpent, than he turned his back and retreated and would not even look back. (God said,) `Moses! come forward, and have no fear. Surely, you are of those who are safe
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
"And throw your stick!" But when he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he turned in flight, and looked not back. (It was said): "O Moosa (Moses)! Draw near, and fear not. Verily, you are of those who are secure

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
'Cast down thy staff.' And when he saw it quivering like a serpent, he turned about retreating, and turned not back. 'Moses, come forward, and fear not; for surely thou art in security.
George Sale   
Cast down now thy rod. And when he saw it that it moved, as though it had been a serpent, he retreated and fled, and returned not. And God said unto him, O Moses, draw near, and fear not; for thou art safe
Edward Henry Palmer   
so throw down thy rod;' and when he saw it quivering as though it were a snake, he turned away and fled and did not return. 'O Moses! approach and fear not, verily, thou art amongst the safe
John Medows Rodwell   
Throw down now thy rod." And when he saw it move as though it were a serpent, he retreated and fled and returned not. "O Moses," cried the Voice, "draw near and fear not, for thou art in safety
N J Dawood (2014)   
Throw down your staff.‘ And when he saw it slithering like a serpent, he turned and fled without a backward glance. ‘Moses, approach and fear not; you are safe

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
and that ‘Throw down your stick’” So when he saw it quaking as through it was a jinn he turned his back in flight and did not retrace his steps. “O Moses, come towards Me and fear not, truly you are of those who are given safety.
Munir Mezyed   
Now, cast down your stick!” When he saw it slithering like a serpent, he turned in flight and did not turn back. (Then he was called again): "O’ Moses, come forward and don’t be afraid! You are indeed of those who are secure.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And throw your stick, then when he saw it move as if it was a snake, he turned away and did not turn around; oh Musa (Moses): come close and do not fear, for you are safe.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
“Throw your rod.” When (Moses) saw (the rod) moving like a snake, he ran away without looking back. “O Moses, come near and fear not. You are among those who are safe.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
So throw down yoursg staff.” And when he saw it shaking as if it were a snake, he turned away, fleeing, and did not look back. “O Moses, come forward and do not fear; you are indeed of the secure ones.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
And then: "Throw down your staff." When he saw it twitching as if it were possessed, he turned around and tried to escape. "Moses, come closer and do not act afraid. You will be safe!
Samy Mahdy   
And throw down your staff.” So, when he saw it slithering, as if it was a Jinn (Snake), he turned away in back retreat, and not retraced. “O Moses, come forward, and do not fear, surely you are among the secured ones.
Sayyid Qutb   
“Throw down your staff!' But when he saw it moving, as if it were a serpent, he turned and fled, with no thought of turning back. [God said]: “Moses! Draw near and have no fear! You are certainly secure.
Ahmed Hulusi   
“Throw your staff!” When Moses saw it move like a small thin snake he turned in flight and didn’t look back... (Allah said), “O Moses, come back and do not be afraid! Indeed, you are of the secure!”
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
And saying: �Cast down your staff.� So when he saw it in motion as if it were a serpent, he turned back retreating, and did not return. (Then it was said to him): �O Moses! Come you forward and fear you not! For surely you are in security!
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
"Drop your staff", Allah said to him. When he -Mussa- saw it moving as though it were a serpent personified he withdrew in the face of danger and did not return. "Come back O Mussa", he was prompted "and do not be afraid. You are indeed one of those who enjoy safety"
Mir Aneesuddin   
And that, “Cast down your staff,” then when he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he turned back retreating and did not return. “O Musa! come near and do not fear, you are certainly of those who are secure,
The Wise Quran   
So throw down your rod;' and when he saw it quivering as if it were a snake, he turned away in flight and did not return. 'O Moses! Approach and do not fear, indeed, you are of the safe.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
"Now do thou throw thy rod!" but when he saw it moving (of its own accord) as if it had been a snake, he turned back in retreat, and retraced not his steps: O Moses!" (It was said), "Draw near, and fear not: for thou art of those who are secur e
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And [that] throw your staff." But when he saw it moving as if it (were) a snake he turned (in) flight and (did) not return. "O Musa! Draw near and (do) not fear. Indeed, you (are) of the secure
OLD Transliteration   
Waan alqi AAasaka falamma raaha tahtazzu kaannaha jannun walla mudbiran walam yuAAaqqib ya moosa aqbil wala takhaf innaka mina al-amineena