وَٱجْعَل لِّى وَزِيرًا مِّنْ أَهْلِى 29
Translations
And appoint for me a minister [i.e., assistant] from my family -
Transliteration
Wa-j'al lee wazeeran min ahlee
Tafsir (Explanation)
In this ayah, Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) supplicates to Allah to appoint a minister (wazir) from his family to assist him in his mission. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that Musa sought this support to help him convey Allah's message to the Children of Israel and to share the burden of leadership. This request demonstrates the permissibility of seeking assistance and delegating responsibilities, a principle endorsed by Allah's immediate affirmative response in the following ayah where He grants Musa his brother Harun (Aaron).
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Musa's dialogue with Allah after receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. It reflects Musa's preparation for the immense responsibility of leading the Israelites and calling them to monotheism. The context shows Musa anticipating the challenges ahead and wisely seeking divine support through supplication.
Related Hadiths
Tirmidhi narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'The best of you are those who have the best character' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3321), which relates to the quality of advisors and ministers one chooses. Additionally, the principle of consultation (shura) emphasized throughout Islamic teachings connects to seeking counsel from family and trusted advisors.
Themes
Key Lesson
Seeking help from capable individuals, particularly those close to us, is not a sign of weakness but rather wisdom and proper stewardship of responsibility. The ayah teaches that leaders should recognize their limitations and surround themselves with trustworthy advisors to better serve their mission.
Related Ayahs
وَإِنِّى لَغَفَّارٌ لِّمَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا ثُمَّ ٱهْتَدَىٰ
But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.
كُلُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا رَزَقْنَـٰكُمْ وَلَا تَطْغَوْا۟ فِيهِ فَيَحِلَّ عَلَيْكُمْ غَضَبِى ۖ وَمَن يَحْلِلْ عَلَيْهِ غَضَبِى فَقَدْ هَوَىٰ
[Saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you and do not transgress [or oppress others] therein, lest My anger should descend upon you. And he upon whom My anger descends has certainly fallen [i.e., perished]."
قَالَ بَلْ أَلْقُوا۟ ۖ فَإِذَا حِبَالُهُمْ وَعِصِيُّهُمْ يُخَيَّلُ إِلَيْهِ مِن سِحْرِهِمْ أَنَّهَا تَسْعَىٰ
He said, "Rather, you throw." And suddenly their ropes and staffs seemed to him from their magic that they were moving [like snakes].
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا وَصَرَّفْنَا فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلْوَعِيدِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ أَوْ يُحْدِثُ لَهُمْ ذِكْرًا
And thus We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’ān and have diversified therein the warnings that perhaps they will avoid [sin] or it would cause them remembrance.