Tafsir of Ta-Ha 20:31-32

Abu Hayyan critiqued this by stating that it contradicts the apparent meaning, and thus should not be resorted to without necessity. The usage of declarative statements for imperative sentences is well-known, and the sentence, in this view, is a resumption (isti’naf).

Al-Azr means strength; al-Raghib restricted it to "intense strength." Al-Khalil and Abu Ubaidah said: "It is the back," and this was also narrated from Ibn Atiyyah. The intended meaning is: "Strengthen my power through him, and make him my partner in the task of the Message, so that we may cooperate in performing it as it ought to be performed."

The first supplication was separated from the previous one due to the perfection of the connection between them, for "strengthening the back" is an expression for appointing him as a vizier, while "sharing the task" is one of the rulings of the vizierate; thus, the conjunction was placed between them. This is what has been said, yet in the Mushaf of Ibn Mas'ud it is ("wa-ashdud") with a conjunction [connecting it] to the previous supplication. In the reading of Ubayy it is ("ashrikhu fi amri wa-ashdud bihi azri"), so reflect upon this.

Zayd ibn Ali, al-Hasan, and Ibn Amir recited (ashdud) and (ashrikhu) with the hamza opened [in the first] and damma [in the second], treating them as present-tense verbs (mudari’) in the jussive mood as a response to the supplication—namely, his statement: ("Ij'al"). The author of al-Lawami' stated that al-Hasan recited (ashdud bihi) as a present-tense verb derived from shaddada (to intensify) for the purpose of intensification and repetition.

The "task" (al-amr) in the previous recitation does not refer to the Message itself—for that is not within the control of Moses (peace be upon him)—but rather to the task of guidance and inviting to the Truth. As al-Hakim recorded from Wahb, Aaron (peace be upon them both) was taller than Moses, had more flesh, was fairer in complexion, possessed more imposing features, and was older in age. It is said he was four years older than him, and it is also said he was three years older, and he died three years before him. He (peace be upon him) was a man of great composure and forbearance.