Transliteration:( Wa maa tilka bi yamee nika yaa Moosaa )
"'And what is in your right hand, O Musa?' [18]"
From this we learn that the purpose of a question is not always based on ignorance of the one asking—there may be wisdom and deeper objectives behind it.
In this case, Allah was fully aware that Hazrat Musa (عليه السلام) was holding a staff, yet He asked the question to initiate a conversation, to draw attention, and to prepare for the miraculous transformation that was about to occur.
Similarly, when the Holy Prophet ﷺ asked questions, it was not out of unawareness, but often to educate, to highlight truths, and to lead others toward reflection and insight.
17. “And what is that in your right hand, O Musa” 18. He said: “This is my stick, whereon I lean, and wherewith I beat down branches for my sheep, and wherein I find other uses.” 19. (Allah) said: “Cast it down, O Musa!” 20. He cast it down, and behold! It was a snake, moving quickly. 21. Allah said: “Grasp it and fear not; We shall return it to its former state.”
This was a proof from Allah for Musa and a great miracle. This was something that broke through the boundaries of what is considered normal, thus, it was a brilliant evidence that none but Allah could do. It was also a proof that no one could come with the likes of this (from mankind) except a Prophet who was sent (by Allah). Concerning Allah’s statement,
(And what is that in your right hand, O Musa) Some of the scholars of Tafsir have said, “He (Allah) only said this to him in order to draw his attention to it.” It has also been said, “He only said this to him in order to affirm for him what was in his hand. In other words, that which is in your right hand is a stick that you are familiar with. You will see what We are about to do to it now.”
(And what is that in your right hand, O Musa) This is an interrogative phrase for the purpose of affirmation.
(He said: “This is my stick, whereon I lean…”) I lean on it while I am walking.
(and wherewith I beat down branches for my sheep,) This means, `I use it to shake the branches of trees so that the leaves will fall for my sheep to eat them. ‘ `Abdur-Rahman bin Al-Qasim reported from Imam Malik that he said, “﴿It is﴾ when a man places his staff into a branch and shakes it so that its leaves and fruit will fall without breaking the stick. It is not the same as striking or beating.” Maymun bin Mahran also said the same. Concerning his statement,
(and wherein I find other uses.) This means other benefits, services and needs besides this. Some of the scholars took upon themselves the burden of mentioning many of these obscure uses. Concerning Allah’s statement,
((Allah) said: “Cast it down, O Musa!”) “Throw down this stick that is in your right hand, O Musa.”
(He cast it down, and behold! It was a snake, moving quickly.) This means that the stick changed into a huge snake, like a long python, and it moved with rapid movements. It moved as if it were the fastest type of small snake. Yet, it was in the form of the largest snake, while still having the fastest of movements.
(moving quickly.) moving restlessly. Concerning Allah’s statement,
(We shall return it to its former state. ) the form that it was in, as you recognized it before.
(20:17) And what is in your right hand, O Moses?”[11]
11. This question was not asked for the sake of getting any information, for Allah knew that Moses (peace be upon him) held a staff in his hand. The question was posed with a view to impressing upon him the fact that it was a staff so that he might be mentally prepared to see the miracle which was going to be performed with it.
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