قَالَا رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا نَخَافُ أَن يَفْرُطَ عَلَيْنَآ أَوْ أَن يَطْغَىٰ 45
Translations
They said, "Our Lord, indeed we are afraid that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress."
Transliteration
Qala rabbana innana nakhafу an yafruta alayna aw an yatgha
Tafsir (Explanation)
Musa and Harun express their fear to Allah that Pharaoh will either rush to punish them hastily or transgress against them with tyranny and oppression. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this supplication reflects their genuine concern about Pharaoh's volatile temperament and desire for Divine protection before confronting him. The ayah illustrates how even the greatest messengers sought Allah's help against overwhelming worldly power, demonstrating reliance upon Allah rather than human strength.
Revelation Context
This occurs within Surah Ta-Ha during the account of Musa's mission. After Allah grants Musa miracles and commands him to confront Pharaoh, Musa and Harun make this supplication, seeking Allah's aid and protection. The context shows their preparation for the monumental task of calling Pharaoh to Islam, establishing the foundation of reliance upon Allah before engaging in this dangerous mission.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sunan Ibn Majah and other collections record numerous hadiths about seeking Allah's protection (istidharah) before facing adversity, consistent with the principle demonstrated here. The theme parallels the general Islamic teaching: 'Trust in Allah, but tie your camel' (reliance combined with reasonable precaution).
Themes
Key Lesson
When facing seemingly insurmountable challenges or powerful opposition to our faith, we should turn to Allah in sincere supplication rather than relying solely on our own abilities. This ayah teaches that acknowledging our weakness before Allah and seeking His help is a sign of true faith and wisdom, not weakness.