Snakes
In the Quran ALLAH mentions the story of Musa
‫ عليه السالم‬in a number of places. Throughout the story
ALLAH makes mention of the staff of Musa
‫ عليه السالم‬turning into a snake. However, different
words are used for the word snake in the Quran.
ALLAH uses the word’s ‫ثُ ْعبَان‬, ‫جان‬
َ , and ‫ َحيَّة‬which all
mean ‘snake’ but there is a difference in the type and
sizes of the snakes.
‫ – ثُ ْعبَان‬A huge long male snake. Some say it can also
be female.
‫ – َجان‬Is a fast moving snake that twists fast.
‫ – َحيَّة‬A general name used for all types of snakes, big
or small.
The word ‫ ثُ ْعبَان‬is only used when Musa ‫ عليه السالم‬is in
front of fir’aun. This occurs twice in the Quran.
ALLAH says:
Sahih International
So Moses threw his staff, and suddenly it was a serpent, manifest.
[Surah Al A3’raaf Ayah 107]
ALLAH says:
Sahih International
So [Moses] threw his staff, and suddenly it was a serpent manifest.
[Surah Ash-Shu’araa Ayah 32]
ALLAH describes the snake as a ‫ ثُ ْعبَان‬because in this
situation it is suitable that the staff of Musa ‫عليه السالم‬
would turn into a very large snake in order to instil
fear into the heart of fir’aun and his many chieftains.
The word ‫جان‬
َ is used when ALLAH mentions Musa
‫ عليه السالم‬being scared.
ALLAH says:
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.
[Surah Al Qasas Ayah 31]
ALLAH says:
Sahih International
And [he was told], "Throw down your staff." But when he saw it writhing
as if it were a snake, he turned in flight and did not return. [Allah said],
"O Moses, fear not. Indeed, in My presence the messengers do not fear.
[Surah An Naml Ayah 10]
‫ َحيَّة‬is mentioned in once place to show the power of
ALLAH. How ALLAH turned the staff into a fast
moving snake to show Musa ‫ عليه السالم‬a miracle and
HIS ability to return the staff to its previous state.
Musa ‫ عليه السالم‬wasn’t mentioned as being scared in this
place.
ALLAH says:
Sahih International
So he threw it down, and thereupon it was a snake, moving swiftly.
[Surah TaHa Ayah 20]
Sahih International
[Allah ] said, "Seize it and fear not; We will return it to its former
condition.
[Surah TaHa Ayah 21]
It is said that the word ‫جان‬
َ is derived from the word
‫[ ِجن‬Jin-nun]. This is why this word wasn’t used in the
situation of fir’aun and in front of the magicians.
Firstly because a person on their own may be scared of
a Jinn but not people that are in a group like in the
case of fir’aun and secondly because the magicians used
to work with Jinn so they wouldn’t be scared of the
Jinn and or anything from magic that would be
produced by a Jinn. ALLAH Knows best.
By. Dr. Faadhil As-Saamar-raa’i
[May ALLAH preserve him.]
Translated by:
Abu Ezra
‫أَبُو عُ َزيْر‬