And when Moses came at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said: “My Lord: show Thou me that I might look upon Thee.” Said He: “Thou wilt not see Me; but look thou upon the mountain: if it should remain in its place, then thou wilt see Me.” And when his Lord was revealed upon the mountain, He made it level; and Moses fell down thunderstruck. Then when he recovered, he said: “Glory be to Thee! I turn to Thee repentant; and I am the first of the believers!”
| # | word | meaning | root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | walammā | And when | |
| 2 | jāa | came | جيا |
| 3 | mūsā | Musa | |
| 4 | limīqātinā | to Our appointed place | وقت |
| 5 | wakallamahu | and spoke to him | كلم |
| 6 | rabbuhu | his Lord | ربب |
| 7 | qāla | he said | قول |
| 8 | rabbi | O my Lord | ربب |
| 9 | arinī | Show me | راي |
| 10 | anẓur | (that) I may look | نظر |
| 11 | ilayka | at You | |
| 12 | qāla | He said | قول |
| 13 | lan | Never | |
| 14 | tarānī | you (can) see Me | راي |
| 15 | walākini | but | |
| 16 | unẓur | look | نظر |
| 17 | ilā | at | |
| 18 | l-jabali | the mountain | جبل |
| 19 | fa-ini | [then] if | |
| 20 | is'taqarra | it remains | قرر |
| 21 | makānahu | in its place | كون |
| 22 | fasawfa | then | |
| 23 | tarānī | you (will) see Me | راي |
| 24 | falammā | But when | |
| 25 | tajallā | revealed (His) Glory | جلو |
| 26 | rabbuhu | his Lord | ربب |
| 27 | lil'jabali | to the mountain | جبل |
| 28 | jaʿalahu | He made it | جعل |
| 29 | dakkan | crumbled to dust | دكك |
| 30 | wakharra | and fell down | خرر |
| 31 | mūsā | Musa | |
| 32 | ṣaʿiqan | unconscious | صعق |
| 33 | falammā | And when | |
| 34 | afāqa | he recovered | فوق |
| 35 | qāla | he said | قول |
| 36 | sub'ḥānaka | Glory be to You | سبح |
| 37 | tub'tu | I turn (in repentance) | توب |
| 38 | ilayka | to you | |
| 39 | wa-anā | and I am | |
| 40 | awwalu | (the) first | اول |
| 41 | l-mu'minīna | (of) the believers | امن |
When Musa came to Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, ‘My Lord, show me Yourself so that I may look at You!’ He said, ‘You will not see Me, but look at the mountain. If it remains firm in its place, then you will see Me.’ But when His Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, He crushed it flat and Musa fell unconscious to the ground. When he regained consciousness he said, ‘Glory be to You! I make tawba to You and I am the first of the muminun!’
So when Moses came to Our appointed time, and his Lord spoke to him, he said: "My Lord, let me look upon you. " He said: "You will not see Me, but look upon the mountain, if it stays in its place then you will see Me." So when his Lord revealed Himself to the mountain, He caused it to crumble; thus Moses fell unconscious. When he awoke, he said: "Glory be to You, I repent to You and I am the first of those who believe."
When Moses arrived at the appointed time, and his Lord spoke to him, Moses said, "My Lord! Show me Yourself, such that I can see You. " His Lord said, "You cannot see Me. The best way to see Me is to look at this mountain and think. If you contemplate, you will understand that even a single mountain is made of countless atoms that were scattered. Then consider that you have seen Me." Realizing this, Moses imagined the Glory of His Lord through His signs in the Universe. He was stunned and when he recovered his senses, he said, "Infinite are You in Your Glory! I feel embarrassed and repent at my question. I am among the foremost believers." (The 7,359 feet high Mount Sinai is standing to this day. Therefore contrary to popular literal translation of this verse, its understanding in allegorical terms is preferred. Also, a Prophet of God is unlikely to make a demand to behold God in physical form).
And when Moses came at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said: “My Lord: show Thou me that I might look upon Thee.” Said He: “Thou wilt not see Me; but look thou upon the mountain: if it should remain in its place, then thou wilt see Me.” And when his Lord was revealed upon the mountain, He made it level; and Moses fell down thunderstruck. Then when he recovered, he said: “Glory be to Thee! I turn to Thee repentant; and I am the first of the believers!”
So when Moses came to Our appointed time, and his Lord spoke to him, he said: "My Lord, let me look upon you." He said: "You will not see Me, but look upon the mountain, if it stays in its place then you will see Me." So when his Lord revealed Himself to the mountain, He caused it to crumble; thus Moses fell unconscious. When he awoke, he said: "Glory to You, I repent to You and I am the first of those who believe."
So when Moses came to Our appointed time, and his Lord spoke to him, he said, "My Lord, let me look upon you." He said, "You will not see Me, but look upon the mountain, if it stays in its place then you will see Me." So, when his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, He caused it to crumble; thus Moses fell unconscious. When he recovered, he said, "Glory be to You, I repent to You and I am the first of those who acknowledge."
When Moses came at our appointed time, and his Lord spoke with him, he said, "My Lord, let me look and see You." He said, "You cannot see Me. Look at that mountain; if it stays in its place, then you can see Me." Then, his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, and this caused it to crumble. Moses fell unconscious. When he came to, he said, "Be You glorified. I repent to You, and I am the most convinced believer."
When Moses arrived at the appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said: "O Lord, reveal Yourself to me that I may behold You. " "You cannot behold Me," He said. "But look at the mountain: If it remains firm in its place you may then behold Me." But when his Lord appeared on the mountain in His effulgence, it crumbled to a heap of dust, and Moses fell unconscious. When he came to, he said: "All glory to You. I turn to You in repentance, and I am the first to believe."
And when Moses arrived at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, "My Lord, show me that I may look at You. " said, "You will not see Me, but look at the mountain; if it should remain in place, then you will see Me." But when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He rendered it level, and Moses fell unconscious. And when he awoke, he said, "Exalted are You! I have repented to You, and I am the first of the believers."
And when Moses came at the time set by Us, and his Sustainer spoke unto him, he said: "O my Sustainer! Show unto me, so that I might behold Thee!" Said : "Never canst thou see Me. However, behold this mountain: if it remains firm in its place, then - only then - wilt thou see Me. And as soon as his Sustainer revealed His glory to the mountain, He caused it to crumble to dust; and Moses fell down in a swoon. And when he came to himself, he said: "Limitless art Thou in Thy glory! Unto Thee do I turn in repentance; and I shall be the first to believe in Thee!"
And when Moses came to Our appointed tryst and his Lord had spoken unto him, he said: My Lord! Show me (Thy Self), that I may gaze upon Thee. He said: Thou wilt not see Me, but gaze upon the mountain! If it stand still in its place, then thou wilt see Me. And when his Lord revealed (His) glory to the mountain He sent it crashing down. And Moses fell down senseless. And when he woke he said: Glory unto Thee! I turn unto Thee repentant, and I am the first of (true) believers.
And when Moses came at Our appointment, and his Lord spoke to him, he said: 'O my Lord! Reveal Yourself to me, that I may look upon You!' He replied: 'Never can you see Me. However, behold this mount; if it remains firm in its place, only then you will be able to see Me.' And as soon as his Lord unveiled His glory to the mount, He crushed it into fine dust, and Moses fell down in a swoon. And when he recovered, he said: 'Glory be to You! To You I turn in repentance, and I am the foremost among those who believe.'
When Mussa came to the place set for Our assignation, the hallowed environment spoke Allah's presence proclaimed by sound. And when Allah spoke to Mussa, he expressed his wish, thus: "O Allah, my Creator", he asked, "may I perceive you by sight!". "You shall not be able to see Me", said Allah, "but look at the mountain", if it remains standing in its place, you shall then see Me. And when Allah manifested to the mountain an infinitely short flash of His mercifully invisible glorious light, the mountain was levelled with the ground*. Terribly shocked, Mussa dropped unconscious, and when he recovered from the swoon, he prayed: "Praise be to You O Allah and extolled are Your glorious attributes; in lowliest plight do I stand repentant and I am the first and foremost of those who conform to Your will".
When Moses came to My meeting and His Lord spoke to him, he requested: "Lord, indulge me with the pleasure of looking at you. " His Lord said: "You cannot see me. Look at that mountain ; if it can stand My presence, then your eyes will be capable to see me too". When His Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, that turned it into fine dust, and Moses fell unconscious. When Moses got back to normal, he said: "Lord, Glory is yours. Please accept my repentance. I am the first to believe in you."
And when Mûsâ (Moses) came at the time and place appointed by Us, and his Lord (Allah) spoke to him; he said: "O my Lord! Show me (Yourself), that I may look upon You." Allâh said: "You cannot see Me, but look upon the mountain; if it stands still in its place then you shall see Me." So when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He made it collapse to dust, and Mûsâ (Moses) fell down unconscious. Then when he recovered his senses he said: "Glory be to You, I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of the believers."
When Moses came to the place appointed by Us, and his Lord addressed him, He said: "O my Lord! show (Thyself) to me, that I may look upon thee." Allah said: "By no means canst thou see Me (direct); But look upon the mount; if it abide in its place, then shalt thou see Me." When his Lord manifested His glory on the Mount, He made it as dust. And Moses fell down in a swoon. When he recovered his senses he said: "Glory be to Thee! to Thee I turn in repentance, and I am the first to believe."
When Moses came at the appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he asked, "My Lord! Reveal Yourself to me so I may see You." Allah answered, “You cannot see Me! But look at the mountain. If it remains firm in its place, only then will you see Me.” When his Lord appeared to the mountain, He levelled it to dust and Moses collapsed unconscious. When he recovered, he cried, “Glory be to You! I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of the believers.”
When Mūsā came at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, "My Lord, show (Yourself) to me that I may look at You." He said: “You shall never see Me. But look at the mount. If it stays at its place, you will see Me.” So when his Lord appeared to the Mount, He made it smashed, and Mūsā fell down unconscious. When he recovered, he said: “Pure are You. I repent to You, and I am the first to believe (that no one can see You in this world.)”
When Moses came for the appointment, and his Lord spoke to him, he said, ‘My Lord, show Yourself to me: let me see You!’ He said, ‘You will never see Me, but look at that mountain: if it remains standing firm, you will see Me,’ and when his Lord revealed Himself to the mountain, He made it crumble: Moses fell down unconscious. When he recovered, he said, ‘Glory be to You! To You I turn in repentance! I am the first to believe!’
And when Moses came to Our appointed time and his Lord spoke with him, he said, 'Oh my Lord, show me, that I may behold Thee!' Said He, 'Thou shalt not see Me; but behold the mountain -- if it stays fast in its place, then thou shalt see Me. ' And when his Lord revealed Him to the mountain He made it crumble to dust; and Moses fell down swooning. So when he awoke, he said, 'Glory be to Thee! I repent to Thee; I am the first of the believers.'
And when Moses came to our appointment, and his Lord spake unto him, he said, 'O my Lord! show me, - that I may look on thee!' He said, Thou canst not see me; but look upon the mountain, and if it remain steady in its place, thou shalt see me;' but when his Lord appeared unto the mountain He made it dust, and Moses fell down in a swoon! And when he came to himself, he said, 'Celebrated be thy praise! I turn repentant unto Thee, and I am the first of those who are resigned. '
And when Moses came to Our appointment, and his Lord spoke unto him, he said, "O my Lord! Show me Thyself, that I may look on Thee!" Allah said, "Thou canst not see Me; but look upon the mountain. If it remains steady in its place, you have seen Me;" But when his Lord appeared unto the mountain He made it dust, and Moses fell down in a swoon! And when he woke he said, "Glory unto Thee! I turn repentant unto Thee, and I am the foremost of those who believe."
And as soon as Mûsa came to Our fixed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, "Lord! Show me, that I may look at You!" Said He, "You will never see Me; but look at the mountain, so, in case it stays residing in its place, then you will eventually see Me. " Then as soon as his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, He made it pounded (into dust), and Mûsa collapsed stunned. So, as soon as he recovered, he said, All Extolment be to You! I repent to You, and I am the first of the believers.".
And when Moses came at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, 'My Lord, show Thyself to me that I may look at Thee. ' Allah replied, 'Thou shalt not see Me. But look at the mountain; and if it remains in its place, then thou shalt see Me.' And when his Lord manifested Himself on the mountain, He broke it into pieces and Moses fell down unconscious. And when he recovered, he said, 'Holy art Thou, I turn to thee and I am the first to believe.'
And When Musa (Moses) came to the place set by Us, and his Lord called to him, he (Musa) said: "O my Lord! Show (Yourself) to me, that I may look at You. " Allah said: "By no means can you see Me (directly); But look upon the mountain; If it still there in its place, then you shall see Me." When his Lord showed His Glory to the Mountain, He made it like dust, and Musa (Moses) fell down (being) unconscious. When he came back to his senses he said: "Glory be to You! To You, I come in repentance, and I am the first (one) to believe."
And when Moses came at the time and place appointed by Us, and his Lord spoke to him, he said, `My Lord! reveal Yourself to me that I may look at You. ' He said, `You cannot stand My revelation. Yet look at the mountain, and if it stands firm in its place, (only) then you shall stand My revelation.' Then when his Lord manifested His glory to the mountain, He sent it crashing down into pieces and Moses fell down unconscious, so that when he recovered he said, `Glory be to You! I turn towards You and I am the first to believe.'
When Moses arrived at Our tryst and his Lord spoke to him, he said, ‘My Lord, show to me, that I may look at You!’ He said, ‘You shall not see Me. But look at the mountain: if it abides in its place, then you will see Me.’ So when his Lord disclosed Himself to the mountain, He levelled it, and Moses fell down swooning. And when he recovered, he said, ‘Immaculate are You! I turn to You in penitence, and I am the first of the faithful.’