Musa's conversation with his Lord in the sacred valley

Has the story of Moses come to you?

When he saw a fire he said to his family: "You wait here. I have seen a fire. I may haply be able to bring an ember from it, or find direction by the fire."

When he approached it, a voice called out:

"O Moses, I am verily your Lord, so take off your shoes, for you are in the holy plain of Towa.

I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed to you.

I am God, and there is no god but I, so serve Me, and observe acts of prayer to remember Me.

Verily the Hour (of the great change) is about to come. I keep it secret that every soul may be rewarded for its endeavour.

So do not let those who do not believe in it and follow their vain desires, turn you away from it.

What is that in your right band, O Moses?"

"It's my staff," he answered; "I lean on it, and fell leaves for my goats with it, and I have other uses for it."

"Throw it down, O Moses," said (the Voice).

So he threw it down, and lo, it became a running serpent.

"Catch it," said He, "and have no fear; We shall revert it to its former state.

And face what is to come with patience, your hand will not be tarnished with blame: Another sign

That We may go on showing you Our greater signs.

Go to the Pharaoh as he has become exceedingly rebellious."

Moses said: "O my Lord, enlarge my breast,

And make my mission easy.

Remove the defect of my tongue

That they may understand my speech,

And give me as assistant from my family

Aaron my brother

To strengthen me

And share my task,

That we may sing Your praises much,

And remember you a great deal.

Surely You know us well."

He answered: "Granted is your prayer, O Moses.

We have bestowed Our favour on you before this

When We told your mother what We relate:

'Put him in a wooden box and cast it in the river. The river will cast it on the bank. An enemy of Ours, and his, will retrieve it.' We bestowed Our love on you that you may be reared under Our eyes.

Then your sister followed you, and said (to the people who had retrieved the child): 'Should I guide you to a person who can nurse him?' We thus brought you back to your mother that her heart may be cheered, and she may not grieve. (Remember) when you killed a man We saved you from anguish; and tested and steeled you (in other ways). Afterwards you sojourned for several years with the people of Midian; then you came up to the measure,

And I chose you for Myself.

Go with My signs, you and your brother, and do not be lax in remembering Me.

Then go to the Pharaoh as he has become exceedingly rebellious.

Speak to him gently. He may possibly take heed or may come to have fear."