Episode ini singkat dan cepat ini terjadi tepat setelah Tuhan memastikan kepada Nabi ﷺ tentang wahyu-wahyu-Nya: "Sesungguhnya engkau benar-benar menerima Al-Qur'an dari (Tuhan) Yang Maha Bijaksana, Maha Mengetahui." (Ayat 6) Seolah-olah Nabi Muhammad ﷺ sedang diberi tahu bahwa menerima wahyu seperti itu bukanlah hal baru yang tanpa preseden dalam sejarah. Di sini, kita melihat Musa diberi tugasnya. Ia dipanggil dari atas untuk menyampaikan pesan kepada Firaun dan kaumnya. Demikian pula, Nabi ﷺ diberi tahu bahwa penentangan yang beliau hadapi dan tuduhan yang dilontarkan kaumnya kepada beliau bukanlah hal baru. Kaum Musa di dalam hati mereka yakin bahwa tanda-tanda yang diperlihatkan kepada mereka adalah perbuatan tidak lain dari Tuhan, namun karena kesombongan yang jahat, mereka tetap mengingkarinya. Akhir yang dialami orang-orang zalim di masa lampau patut direnungkan, sebab kaum beliau sendiri, yang juga keras kepala dalam menolak kebenaran pesan ilahi, dapat menghadapi akhir yang serupa.

This short and quick episode about Moses occurs immediately after God has assured the Prophet of his divine revelations: “Most certainly, you receive the Qur’ān out of the grace of One who is Wise, All-Knowing.” (Verse 6) It is as though the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was being told that receiving such revelations was not a new phenomenon without precedent in history. Here, we see Moses being assigned his mission. He was called from on high to deliver the message to Pharaoh and his people. Similarly, the Prophet was told that the opposition he met with and the accusations levelled at him by his people were nothing new. Moses’ people were certain at heart that the signs they were shown were the work of none other than God but, in their wicked arrogance, they nevertheless denied them. The end those evildoers of old met should be reflected upon, for his own people who were also stubborn in their rejection of the truth of the divine message could face a similar end.

“Musa berkata kepada keluarganya: Sesungguhnya aku melihat api; aku akan membawakan kepadamu kabar darinya, atau aku akan membawakan kepadamu sundutan api agar kamu dapat menghangatkan badan.” (Ayat 7) Peristiwa yang disebutkan dalam Surah ke-20, Ṭā Hā, ini terjadi ketika Musa sedang dalam perjalanan pulang dari Madyan menuju Mesir, bersama istrinya, putri Syu‘ayb (‘alayhis-salām).5 Tampaknya ia tersesat di malam yang gelap dan dingin. Hal ini tersirat dari ucapannya kepada istrinya bahwa ia akan membawakan kabar atau obor untuk memberi kehangatan kepada mereka. Peristiwa ini terjadi di dekat Gunung Sinai, yang dalam bahasa Arab disebut al-Ṭūr.

“Moses said to his family: I perceive a fire. I will bring you from there some information, or else, I will bring you a burning brand so that you may warm yourselves.” (Verse 7) This event, which is mentioned in Sūrah 20, Ţā Hā, took place when Moses was on his way back from Madyan to Egypt, accompanied by his wife, the daughter of Shu`ayb (peace be upon him).5 He apparently lost his way on a dark cold night. This is suggested by him saying to his wife that he would bring information or a torch to give them some warmth. This occurred close to Mount Sinai, called al-Ţūr in Arabic.

Penduduk gurun dahulu biasa menyalakan api di tempat yang tinggi agar dapat memberi petunjuk kepada para musafir yang berjalan di malam hari. Ketika para musafir itu sampai di dekat api tersebut, mereka akan dijamu dan diberi kehangatan, atau setidaknya ditunjukkan jalan mereka.

Desert dwellers used to light fires on high ground so as to provide guidance to night travellers. When such travellers arrived at the fire, they would be given hospitality and warmth, or at least be guided on their way.

"Aku melihat sebuah api." Inilah yang pertama kali dikatakan Musa ketika melihat api itu. Kata kerja Arab *ānast* yang diterjemahkan sebagai 'melihat' membawa konotasi keramahan. Maka, ucapannya terdengar seperti: Aku dapat melihat api yang menyambut yang seharusnya memberi kita sedikit kenyamanan. Kita dapat menanyakan arah yang seharusnya memberitahu kita ke mana harus pergi, dan kita bisa mendapatkan sebatang kayu api untuk menghangatkan diri. Ketika Musa berjalan menuju api itu, ia menerima panggilan dari atas: "Tetapi ketika ia mendekatinya, ia diseru: Diberkahilah mereka yang berada di dalam api dan di sekelilingnya! Dan Mahasuci Tuhan, Rabb semesta alam, dengan kemuliaan-Nya yang tak terbatas. Wahai Musa! Sesungguhnya Aku adalah Tuhan Yang Maha Perkasa, Maha Bijaksana!" (Ayat 8-9)

“I perceive a fire.” This is what Moses first said on sighting the fire. The Arabic text uses the verb ānast for ‘perceive’ which carries connotations of friendliness. Thus, his words sound like: I can see a welcoming fire which should give us some comfort. We can ask directions which should tell us which way to go, and we could get a brand to warm ourselves. As Moses walked towards the fire, he received the call from on high: “But when he came close to it, he was addressed: Blessed are those in the fire and those around it! And limitless in His glory is God, the Lord of all the worlds. Moses! Truly, I am alone God, the Almighty, the Wise!’“ (Verses 8-9)