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.” 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! Now 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. “Moses, have no fear!” (Said God): “Messengers have nothing to fear in My presence. If anyone has done wrong and then replaced the wrong with good; well, I am Much-Forgiving, Merciful.” (The Ants; Al-Naml: 27: 7-11)
This surah gives us only a short and quick episode of Moses’ history occurring immediately after God has assured the Prophet of his divine revelations: “Most certainly, you receive the Qur’an 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 leveled 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 stubborn in their rejection of the truth of the divine message could face a similar end.
“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 Surah 20, Ta Ha, took place when Moses was on his way back from Madyan to Egypt, accompanied by his wife, the daughter of the Prophet Shuayb. Perhaps we should make clear that we do not have any authentic statement confirming that the old man who employed Moses and had two daughters one of whom was married to Moses was in fact Shuayb. This is, however, a possibility given some weight by the fact that whenever the Qur’an mentions the stories of the two prophets in any surah, Moses’ story follows that of Shuayb’s that suggests that they occurred at the same time, or in quick succession. However, this is no more than one possibility.
Moses had apparently lost his way on a dark cold night. This is suggested by his saying to his wife that he would bring from there information or a torch to give them some warmth. This was close to Mount Sinai, which is called in Arabic Al-Tur. People of the desert used to lit fires on high ground so as to provide guidance to night travelers. When such travelers arrived at the fire, they would be given some hospitality and warmth, or at least they would be guided on their way.
“I perceive a fire.” This is what Moses first said on sighting the fire. The Arabic text uses for “perceive” the verb aanast, which carries connotations of friendliness. Thus, his words sound like: I can see a welcoming fire that should give us some comfort. We can ask directions that should tell us how to go, and we could get a brand to warm ourselves. As Moses walked toward 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)
It is an address echoed by the whole universe, bringing together different universes. All existence humbly submits to this call that shakes consciences and spirits. The heavens and earth perceive a strong bond linking them together through this address that makes an insignificant particle of creation respond to the call of the great Creator. Thus, a weak mortal is elevated, by God’s grace, to a position from which he speaks directly to Him.
“When he came close to it, he was addressed...” (Verse 8) We note here the use of the passive voice, although the address is from a known source. Yet the passive formula is preferred because it implies reverence and glory of the Supreme Being making the address. “Blessed are those in the fire and those around it!” (Verse 8) Who were in the fire and who were around it? Most probably, it was unlike any fire we lit. It was a fire coming from on high, lit up by angels who are pure, to give perfect guidance. It simply looked, at a distance, like a fire when such pure spirits were in it. Hence blessing is bestowed on the angels that were in and around it, including Moses who was coming close to it. The whole universe records this sublime gift, while the location remains a blessed one because God Almighty revealed His glory and bestowed His blessings there.
The universe also recorded the rest of the address: “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) Thus God gives Himself the sublime position of glory due to Him and declares His Lordship over all the worlds. He informs His servants that the One addressing him is God, the Almighty, the Wise. All humanity, represented by Moses, is thus elevated to a greatly high position. Moses found the information he sought at the fire, but it was a great piece of information that he never expected. He also got the warming brand, but it was a gift guiding to the right path. The address was one meant to confirm that Moses was chosen by God, but such choice entails a duty to carry a message to the most wicked of contemporary tyrants. Hence, his Lord began to prepare and equip him for his mission.