Musa عليه السلام Staff Snake
These videos are very helpful in understanding the miracles and how they distinguish a Prophet from the rest of the people: Discussion 16063 • Reply 16069
Then how do we explain 27:10 saying ‘as if’ And is it correct to say that even though the word ‘ilqa’ was also used for Musa عليه السلام it is still possible that it was an actual miracle and not just and illusion?
There is no reason to deny it as a Miracle since Quran has itself presented these as Burhan and Clear Ayaat of Allah. We are seeing them or trying to justify them from the perspective of material sciences while these miracles belong to Nafsi side of the aisle, for which confession of top cadre of magicians is itself a prove that it was something of a divine nature which broke the laws of nature.
28:31 and 27:10 are events of first meeting of Musa (AS) in the mountain of tur, in the middle of night where there was complete darkness, that is why these verses are talking from perspective of Moses (AS), he wasn’t sure what happened to the cane but seeing from the movement of cane, and to the best of his visibility, it appeared to him as if it was a snake and he decided to run. Considering the whole situation and ambience around Moses (AS), it makes sense that it appeared to Him as if it was a snake and he didn’t spend any time to verify it and started to run. But in verse 7:107 , when it was in open public and in day light where everyone could see it, the words used are ثُعْبَانٌ مُّبِينٌ meaning a clear snake without any doubt, thus removing every iota of doubt that was created because of words ‘as if’ used in other places.