One needs to believe seeing the general reality and the way it is structured and presented to a life, and then each thing becomes a sign [ayat] from God for a believer. If one ignores the reality due to one’s inertia with the addictions of life, or if one rejects the sings due to arrogance, one is not going to be given the guidance to comprehend the truth. Here the relics left behind Moses is a sign.

2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نِبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ آيَةَ مُلْكِهِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ التَّابُوتُ ...

2: 248. And (further) their Prophet said to them: "A sign of his authority is that there shall come to you the Ark of the Covenant,

C281. Ark of the Covenant: Tabut: a chest of acacia wood covered and lined with pure gold, about 6ft x 3ft x 3ft.

See Exod 25:10-22.

It was to contain the "testimony of Allah", or the Ten Commandments engraved on stone, with relics of Moses and Aaron. Its Gold lid was to be the "Mercy Seat" with two cherubims of beaten gold, with wings outstretched. This was a sacred possession to Israel. It was lost to the enemy in the early part of Samuel's ministry; see n. 278 to 2:246; when it came back, it remained in a village for twenty years and was apparently taken to the capital when kingship was instituted. It thus became a symbol of unity and authority. (R).

... فِيهِ سَكِينَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ...

with (an assurance) therein of security from your Lord,

C282. Security sakina: safety, tranquility, peace.

Later Jewish writings use the same word for a symbol of Allah's Glory in the Tabernacle or tent in which the Ark was kept, or in the Temple when it was built by Solomon.

... وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ آلُ مُوسَى وَآلُ هَارُونَ تَحْمِلُهُ الْمَلآئِكَةُ...

and the relics left by the family of Moses and the family of Aaron, carried by angels.

C283. Carried by angels: these words refer to the Tabut or Ark, (R).

... إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٢٤٨﴾

In this is a Symbol for you if ye indeed have faith."

Other versions:

2: 248

Asad And their prophet said unto them: “Behold, it shall be a sign of his (rightful) dominion that you will be granted a heart [note 239] endowed by your Sustainer with inner peace and with all that is enduring in the angel-borne heritage left behind by the House of Moses and the House of Aaron [note 240]. Herein , behold, there shall indeed be a sign for you if you are (truly) believers.”

Yusuf Ali And (further) their Prophet said to them: "A sign of his authority is that there shall come to you the Ark of the Covenant with (an assurance) therein of security from your Lord and the relics left by the family of Moses and the family of Aaron carried by angels. In this is a Symbol for you if ye indeed have faith."

Pickthall And their Prophet said unto them: Lo! the token of his kingdom is that there shall come unto you the ark wherein is peace of reassurance from your Lord, and a remnant of that which the house of Moses and the house of Aaron left behind, the angels bearing it. Lo! herein shall be a token for you if (in truth) ye are believers.

Transliteration Wa qa_la lahum nabiyyuhum inna a_yata mulkihi ay ya'tiyakumut ta_bu_tu fihi sakinatum mir rabbikum wa baqiyyatum mimma_ taraka a_lu mu_sa_ wa a_lu ha_ru_na tahmiluhul mala_'ikah(tu), inna fi za_lika la'a_yatal lakum in kuntum mu'minin(a).