What does Quran 20:21 mean?

Quran 20:21 (Surah Taa-Haa, Ayah 21) translates to: "[Allah] said, "Seize it and fear not; We will return it to its former condition."

Which Surah and Juz is Quran 20:21 from?

This ayah is from Surah Taa-Haa (Taa-Haa), the 20th surah of the Quran. It appears in Juz 16.

Are there hadiths related to Quran 20:21?

Yes — there are 5 hadiths related to this ayah from Sunan Abu Dawud, Sahih Muslim, Sunan an-Nasa'i.

What tafsir is available for Quran 20:21?

Commentary on this ayah is available from Ibn Kathir, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Abbas, Al-Jalalayn — classical scholars of Quranic exegesis.

What topics does Quran 20:21 relate to?

This ayah connects to these Quranic topics: Miracles, Prophet Musa, Divine Command, Divine Signs, Prophethood.

Ayah 20

فَأَلْقَىٰهَا فَإِذَا هِىَ حَيَّةٌۭ تَسْعَىٰ...

20:21Taa-Haa

Ayah 22

وَٱضْمُمْ يَدَكَ إِلَىٰ جَنَاحِكَ تَخْرُجْ بَيْضَآ...

قَالَ خُذْهَا وَلَا تَخَفْ ۖ سَنُعِيدُهَا سِيرَتَهَا ٱلْأُولَىٰ

Qaala khuzhaa wa laa ta khaf sanu'eeduhaa seeratahal oolaa

[Allah] said, "Seize it and fear not; We will return it to its former condition.

Themes in this ayah

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Lessons from past peoples63

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Lessons from past peoples

20:21Ayah 1135

43 ayahs in Taa-Haa are strongly about lessons from past peoples.

← Previous on Lessons from past peoples20:20So he threw it down, and thereupon it was a snake, moving swiftly.Next on Lessons from past peoples →20:38When We inspired to your mother what We inspired,

Tafsir

Scholars largely agree on this ayah

View Full Tafsir: Al-Jalalayn on 20:21→

He said ‘Take hold of it and do not fear it. We will restore it to its former state sīratahā in the accusative because the genitive-operating preposition has been removed. And so he placed his hand in its mouth and it became a staff once again; and it became clear that the place into which he put his hand was the place where it the staff is held between its two prongs. Moses was shown this miracle lest he be terrified when it turns into a snake in the presence of Pharaoh.

regarding the stray sheep he said: Take it (and keep it with you) till its seeker comes to it.

Sahih Muslim #5851Anas b. Malik reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was the sublimest among people (in character) and the most generous amongst them and he was the bravest of men. One night the people of Medina felt disturbed and set forth in the direction of a sound when Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) met them on his way back as he had gone towards that sound ahead of them. He was on the horse of Abu Talha which had no saddle over it, and a sword was slung round his neck, and he was saying:Sahih

There was nothing to be afraid of, and he also said: We found it (this horse) like a torrent of water (indicating its swift-footedness), whereas the horse had been slow before that time.

Sunan Abu Dawud #4911Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin:Da'if

Something of her was stolen, and she began to curse him (i.e. the thief). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to her: Do not lessen his sin.

Sunan an-Nasa'i #4608It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said:Sahih

"I heard the Prophet say" something similar to the preceding two reports "until he takes possession of it."

Sunan Ibn Majah #2243It was narrated from Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about lost property. :Sahih

He said: “Announce it for a year, then if someone describes it with its features, return it to him. If no one claims it, then remember the features of its leather bag and strap, and consume it (use it). Then if its owner comes along, give it to him.”