“And We appointed for Moses thirty nights”—of Dhu al-Qa‘dah—“and completed them with ten”—from Dhu al-Hijjah—“so that the term set by his Lord was completed as forty nights. Moses said,” when he departed for the mountain to converse privately with his Lord, “to his brother Aaron, ‘Take my place among my people’”: that is, be my deputy; “‘and set things right’”: that is, set them right by directing them to obey Allah. Ibn Abbas said: He meant that he should treat them gently and show them kindness. “‘And do not follow the way of those who spread corruption’”: that is, do not obey one who disobeys Allah, nor concur with him in his affair.
This was because Moses had promised the Children of Israel, while they were in Egypt, that when Allah destroyed their enemy, He would bring them a Book explaining what they should do and what they should refrain from. When Allah had done this for them, Moses asked his Lord for the Book. Allah commanded him to fast for thirty days. When the thirty days were complete, he found the altered smell of his mouth unpleasant, so he used a siwak (tooth-stick) made from carob wood.
Abu al-Aliyah said: He ate from the bark of a tree, and the angels said to him, “We used to smell the fragrance of musk from your mouth, but you have spoiled it with the siwak.” So Allah Most High commanded him to fast the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, and said, “Did you not know that the altered breath of a fasting person is more pleasing to Me than the fragrance of musk?” Thus, their trial took place during the ten days that were added.
“And when Moses came at Our appointed time, and his Lord spoke to him, he said, ‘My Lord, show Yourself to me, that I may look upon 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.’ Then, when his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, He made it level with the ground, and Moses fell down unconscious. When he recovered, he said, ‘Glory be to You! I repent to You, and I am the first of the believers.’” (143)
His saying, “And when Moses came at Our appointed time,” means: at the time We had set for speaking to him. ⦗136/b⦘ The scholars of tafsir said: When Moses came to Mount Sinai for his appointment with his Lord, he purified himself and cleansed his garments.
It is related in the account that Allah sent darkness over an area of seven leagues, drove Satan away from him, drove away the creeping creatures of the earth, moved the two angels away from him, and unveiled the sky for him. He saw the angels standing in the air and saw the Throne plainly visible. Allah spoke to him and conversed privately with him, causing him to hear. Gabriel was with him, yet he did not hear what his Lord said to him. He drew him near until he heard the scratching of the Pen. Moses found his Lord’s speech sweet and longed to see Him.
“He said, ‘My Lord, show Yourself to me, that I may look upon You.’” Al-Zajjaj said: This is elliptical; its full sense is: Show me Yourself, that I may look upon You. Ibn Abbas said: Grant me the ability to look upon You.
If it is asked: How could he ask to see Allah when he knew that Allah Most High is not seen in this world? Al-Hasan said: Longing overwhelmed him, and so he asked to see Him. It was also said that he asked to see Him because he thought it possible for Allah to be seen in this world.
Allah Most High said, “You will not see Me.” No human being can bear to look upon Me in this world; whoever looks upon Me (1) in this world dies. Moses said, “My God, I have heard Your speech and longed to look upon You; and for me to look