وَمَا تِلْكَ بِيَمِينِكَ يَا مُوسَىٰ (17)
(20:17) And O-Moses, what is this in your right hand?" *11
*11) This question was not asked for the sake of getting any information, for Allah knew that Moses 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.