In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
“Go to Pharaoh; for he has indeed transgressed all bounds.” Said (Moses): “My Lord, open up my heart (to Your light), and make my task easy for me, and remove the impediment of my tongue, so that people may understand what I say. Appoint for me a helper from among my kinsmen, Aaron, my brother. Grant me strength through him, and let him share my task, so that together we may extol Your limitless glory and remember You always. You are surely watching over us.”
Said He: “You are granted all that you have asked for, Moses. And indeed We bestowed Our favor upon you in time gone by, when We inspired your mother, saying: ‘Place (your child) in a chest and throw it into the river. The river will cast him ashore, and one who is an enemy to Me and an enemy to him will pick him up.”
“I lavished My love on you, so that you may be reared under My watchful eye.”
Ta Ha: 20: 24-39)
Commentary by Sayyid Qutb
After he had been shown the two miracles of the staff turning into a moving snake and his hand emerging shinning white after he puts it for a moment under his armpit, Moses was told to go to Pharaoh. He was to call on him to stop his transgression and tyranny, and to submit to God, the creator of the universe.
The task was a difficult one, and Moses needed support that could be given by none other than God Himself. Hence, his passionate prayer: “My Lord, open up my heart (to Your light), and make my task easy for me, and remove the impediment of my tongue, so that people may understand what I say.
“Appoint for me a helper from among my kinsmen, Aaron, my brother. Grant me strength through him, and let him share my task, so that together we may extol Your limitless glory and remember You always. You are surely watching over us.”
The first thing Moses prayed for was reassurance that he would feel at heart, and that God should facilitate things for him. What can man do without such help, relying on his little ability and limited knowledge? But Moses requests more to help him with his task. He wanted his tongue to be freed so that people would understand him easily when he spoke. It has been reported that he had a block on his speech.
Most probably this is what he means here. It is further supported by what he is quoted to have said: “My brother Aaron is far better in speech than I am.” (28: 34) The prayer Moses said here was made first in general terms. Now he adds details which he feels to be needed for the task ahead.
First he asks for a helper from his own family, and that was Aaron. He knew Aaron to be outspoken, courageous and he can control his feelings. Moses himself was passionate and rather hot-tempered. Therefore, he requested his Lord to support him with his brother who would help him to exercise better self-control as he addresses himself to the task ahead. That task requires much glorification of God, remembering Him all the time and remaining in contact with Him through prayers.
Thus we see Moses requesting God to open his heart and facilitate his task, free him of the difficulty of his speech, and give him a helper from among his family. And all this he needs not to carry on the task entrusted to him, but so that he and his brother would be able to glorify God and remember Him often as He should be remembered and glorified. Thus, they would be able to receive His guidance, as He is the One who knows their situation best. “You are surely watching over us.” You know our limited resources and our need for Your help.
Moses states his need, shows his weakness and makes his request for much help and the ability to be often in contact with his Lord who listens to all his prayers. He puts his request as he was in God’s presence, making his appeal on account of his own weakness. God, benevolent and compassionate as He is, does not let His guest go back empty-handed. Nor does He delay answering His prayer: “Said He: You are granted all that you have asked for, Moses.”
Just a simple word giving the result in totality, leaving no need for details, making no promises for the future but giving the positive response immediately. He has been granted all that he had requested. The way this response is phrased indicates that all that Moses requested became a reality immediately. Something is then added, which we feel as he hears his Lord addressing him by name. What is more honorable than that God in His majesty should mention one of His servants by name?
This is more than anyone can hope for of God’s grace and compassion. The meeting took its time and the address was made in full, with complete and positive response to prayer. But God’s grace continues to be bestowed in abundance. There is no check to slow down or prevent God’s mercy when He grants it.
Therefore, He gives Moses even further reassurance as He reminds him that His grace has been shown to him for a long time.
Moreover, every moment longer he stays in his Lord’s presence gives him further happiness and greater strength to pursue his mission.
“And indeed We bestowed Our favor upon you in time gone by, when We inspired your mother, saying: ‘Place (your child) in a chest and throw it into the river. The river will cast him ashore, and one who is an enemy to Me and an enemy to him will pick him up.’ I lavished My love on you, so that you may be reared under My watchful eye.”
Moses was going to meet the most powerful man on Earth, a tyrant who knew no mercy. Against him he was to conduct the battle between faith and unfaith.
Moreover, he was going to be in the thick of things, facing all sorts of trouble, against Pharaoh at first, then against his own people whose nature had been corrupted by long subjugation.
They did not have the necessary qualities to fulfill the mission entrusted to them after they would have been liberated from Pharaoh’s tyranny. Hence, God tells him that he himself has been fully equipped for the task, as he was reared under God’s watchful eye, given preparation for taking on hard tasks, right from the time of his infancy. God took care of him in his early years when he placed him right under Pharaoh’s nose, without any other care or support. Yet Pharaoh’s hand could not harm him, because it was God who took care of him.
He need not worry now about Pharaoh’s power, as he still enjoys God’s help and care in his adulthood. It is God who has chosen him for his mission.
Next week, We will continue, God willing, to discuss this reminder of God’s grace bestowed on Moses as it is related in this Surah.