ٱشْدُدْ بِهِۦٓ أَزْرِى 31
Translations
Increase through him my strength
Transliteration
Ishdul bihi azri
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of Prophet Musa's (Moses) supplication to Allah, where he asks Him to strengthen his back/resolve through his brother Harun (Aaron). Musa is requesting divine assistance to bear the burden of the prophethood and the mission ahead. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'azr' (back/strength) here refers to one's resolve, determination, and ability to carry out the divine mission, with Harun being a source of support and partnership in this task.
Revelation Context
This verse occurs within Surah Ta-Ha, a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam. It is part of the narrative of Musa's conversation with Allah at Mount Sinai, where Musa is being commissioned as a messenger. The context shows Musa's initial hesitation and his requests for support from Allah before accepting the heavy responsibility of confronting Pharaoh and delivering the message to the Children of Israel.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, there is a thematic connection to the principle of mutual support in the hadith: 'The believer to another believer is like a building, one part supports the other' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the concept of seeking strength through companionship relates to hadiths emphasizing the importance of righteous companions in one's faith journey.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that it is praiseworthy to acknowledge our limitations and seek support from Allah and righteous companions in facing life's challenges; true strength comes not from arrogance but from relying upon Allah while utilizing the resources and people He provides to assist us.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ مَهْدًا وَسَلَكَ لَكُمْ فِيهَا سُبُلًا وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًا مِّن نَّبَاتٍ شَتَّىٰ
[It is He] who has made for you the earth as a bed [spread out] and inserted therein for you roadways and sent down from the sky, rain and produced thereby categories of various plants.
وَلَقَدْ أَرَيْنَـٰهُ ءَايَـٰتِنَا كُلَّهَا فَكَذَّبَ وَأَبَىٰ
And We certainly showed him [i.e., Pharaoh] Our signs - all of them - but he denied and refused.
يَـٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ قَدْ أَنجَيْنَـٰكُم مِّنْ عَدُوِّكُمْ وَوَٰعَدْنَـٰكُمْ جَانِبَ ٱلطُّورِ ٱلْأَيْمَنَ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَنَّ وَٱلسَّلْوَىٰ
O Children of Israel, We delivered you from your enemy, and We made an appointment with you at the right side of the mount, and We sent down to you manna and quails,
قَالَ ءَامَنتُمْ لَهُۥ قَبْلَ أَنْ ءَاذَنَ لَكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكَبِيرُكُمُ ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱلسِّحْرَ ۖ فَلَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُم مِّنْ خِلَـٰفٍ وَلَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ فِى جُذُوعِ ٱلنَّخْلِ وَلَتَعْلَمُنَّ أَيُّنَآ أَشَدُّ عَذَابًا وَأَبْقَىٰ
[Pharaoh] said, "You believed him [i.e., Moses] before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and you will surely know which of us is more severe in [giving] punishment and more enduring."