وَيَضِيقُ صَدْرِى وَلَا يَنطَلِقُ لِسَانِى فَأَرْسِلْ إِلَىٰ هَـٰرُونَ 13
Translations
And that my breast will tighten and my tongue will not be fluent, so send for Aaron.
Transliteration
Wa-yadīqu sadri wa-lā yanṭaliqu lisāni fa-arsil ilā Hārūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Musa (Moses) expresses his anxiety and lack of eloquence before being sent to Pharaoh, saying his chest feels tight with worry and his tongue is not fluent in speech. He therefore requests that Allah send his brother Harun (Aaron) alongside him to assist in conveying the message, as Harun was more eloquent and could help deliver the divine message effectively. Ibn Kathir notes this demonstrates Musa's humility and self-awareness of his limitations, while also highlighting the wisdom of seeking supportive companions in difficult tasks.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the narrative of Musa's encounter with Allah at Mount Sinai (Ayat 10-16), where Allah commands him to go to Pharaoh with the message of monotheism. The broader context of Surah Ash-Shu'ara focuses on various prophets and their missions, and this verse illustrates the human challenges faced even by the greatest prophets when confronted with monumental responsibilities.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari records that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said that Musa asked Allah to make his task easy and to send Harun as a helper and support. Additionally, there are hadiths emphasizing the importance of seeking help and support in righteous endeavors, reflecting the principle demonstrated in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that acknowledging our weaknesses and limitations is not a sign of failure, but rather an opportunity to seek Allah's help and surround ourselves with righteous companions who can support us in our endeavors. It reminds us that even the greatest prophets needed assistance, normalizing the human need for teamwork and collaboration in fulfilling our responsibilities.