THE BROTHER WHO SHARED HIS MISSION

 FAJR REMINDER: THE BROTHER WHO SHARED HIS MISSION

By: Umm Affān

Rabī' Al-Awwal 26, 1448 (8-September-2026)

It was said that Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) missed his homeland, Egypt, and his relatives. Therefore, he decided to return and visit them secretly, without the knowledge of Fir’aun and his people.

So, he gathered his family and the flocks that his father-in-law had given him and set out on his journey on a cold, dark, and rainy night. Along the way, they stopped to camp. Whenever Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) attempted to kindle a fire, however, he was unable to do so. He was surprised by this, and while he was in that state, he saw a fire burning in the distance, in the direction of Ṭūr (i.e., Mount Ṭūr). Allāh (ﷻ) informs us that he said to his family:

امْكُثُوا إِنِّي آنَسْتُ نَارًا لَّعَلِّي آتِيكُم مِّنْهَا بِخَبَرٍ أَوْ جَذْوَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَصْطَلُونَ

“Wait, I have seen a fire; perhaps I may bring to you from there some information, or a burning firebrand that you may warm yourselves.” [Sūrah Al-Qasas (28): 29]

Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) then headed towards the fire. He was facing the direction of the Qiblah, with the western side of the mountain to his right. When he reached the fire, he found it burning in a green bush on the side of the mountain adjoining the valley. He stood there, stunned by what he was witnessing. Then, Allāh (ﷻ) called out to him:

يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنِّي أَنَا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ

“O Mūsā! Verily, I am Allāh, the Lord of the ‘Ālamīn (mankind, Jinn, and all that exists)!” [Sūrah Al-Qasas (28): 30]

It was at this moment that Allāh chose Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) and made him His Messenger. Allāh (ﷻ) says:

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ مُوسَىٰ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مُخْلَصًا وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا | وَنَادَيْنَاهُ مِن جَانِبِ الطُّورِ الْأَيْمَنِ وَقَرَّبْنَاهُ نَجِيًّا

“And mention in the Book (this Qur‘ān) Mūsā. Verily! He was chosen, and he was a Messenger (and) a Prophet. And We called him from the right side of the Mount, and made him draw near to Us for a talk with him.” [Sūrah Maryam (19): 51-52]

To confirm his Messengership, Allāh gave Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) two tremendous signs: he was commanded to cast down his stick, which turned into a great snake, and to put his hand into his bosom, after which it came forth white—shining brightly as though it were a piece of the moon or a flash of lightning.

Allāh chose Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) to convey His Message to Fir’aun—the very man from whom he had fled and whose punishment he feared—and to his chiefs, for they, together with Fir’aun, were rebellious and disobedient to Allāh. He then showed Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) two clear and unmistakable Burhan (signs, miracles, evidence, proofs), demonstrating the Power of the One Who had sent him and confirming the truthfulness of his Prophethood.

However, Allāh (ﷻ) informs us that Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) was concerned and afraid. He said:

رَبِّ إِنِّي قَتَلْتُ مِنْهُمْ نَفْسًا فَأَخَافُ أَن يَقْتُلُونِ | وَأَخِي هَارُونُ هُوَ أَفْصَحُ مِنِّي لِسَانًا فَأَرْسِلْهُ مَعِيَ رِدْءًا يُصَدِّقُنِي إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَن يُكَذِّبُونِ

“My Lord! I have killed a man among them, and I fear that they will kill me. And my brother Hārūn, he is more eloquent in speech than me so send him with me as a helper to confirm me. Verily! I fear that they will belie me.” [Sūrah Al-Qasas (28): 33-34]

Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) remembered that he had mistakenly killed a Coptic man before leaving Egypt. Therefore, he feared that they might kill him when they saw him again.

Furthermore, Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) had a speech defect and was unable to speak clearly. It is mentioned in some of the early Tafsīr reports that, when he was a child, a date and a burning coal were presented to him as a test, and he took the coal and placed it in his mouth, which was said to have affected his tongue. This is mentioned by exegetes in connection with his supplication: “And untie the knot from my tongue.”

Therefore, Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) beseeched Allāh to appoint his brother, Hārūn (‘Alayhi Salām), as a Prophet alongside him—to be his helper and supporter, to strengthen him, and to share with him the great task of conveying Allāh's Message.

Allāh (ﷻ) responded to his request: 

سَنَشُدُّ عَضُدَكَ بِأَخِيكَ وَنَجْعَلُ لَكُمَا سُلْطَانًا فَلَا يَصِلُونَ إِلَيْكُمَا بِآيَاتِنَا أَنتُمَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَكُمَا الْغَالِبُونَ

“We will strengthen your arm through your brother, and give you both power, so they shall not be able to harm you, with Our Āyāt (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.); you two as well as those who follow you will be the victors.” [Sūrah Al-Qasas (28): 35]

Allāh (ﷻ) also says: 

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ مِن رَّحْمَتِنَا أَخَاهُ هَارُونَ نَبِيًّا

“And We bestowed on him his brother Hārūn, (also) a Prophet, out of Our Mercy.” [Sūrah Maryam (19): 53]

This incident is also mentioned in Sūrah Ṭā-Hā, verses 9–36. What is particularly remarkable is that Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) did not merely ask Allāh to allow his brother, Hārūn (‘Alayhi Salām), to assist him. Rather, he specifically asked that his brother be made his partner in the mission.

Perhaps no brother ever benefited his brother as greatly as Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) benefited Prophet Hārūn (‘Alayhi Salām). He asked Allāh to make his brother his helper and partner in the Divine Mission, and Allāh answered his request by granting Hārūn Prophethood.

As some of the Salaf said, no one interceded for another in this world with an intercession greater than that of Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) for his brother Hārūn—that he should be made a Prophet. Indeed, Ā‘ishah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha) affirmed the statement of a man who said: “Which brother was more beneficial to his brother than Mūsā, when he asked Prophethood for his brother?” [Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr of Sūrah Ṭā-Hā, verses 29–30]

This is a beautiful lesson about sincere love, brotherhood, and wanting goodness for those closest to us. Prophet Mūsā (‘Alayhi Salām) did not seek honour and distinction for himself alone. When Allāh entrusted him with the task of conveying His Message, he asked that his brother should share in that honour and responsibility. 

Also, remember that Anas Ibn Mālik (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said,

لا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ

“None of you will have faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 13, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 45]

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to make us among those who sincerely desire goodness for our brothers and sisters, support them in righteousness, and rejoice when Allāh blesses them with good. Aameen