Surah Ta-Ha 20:46
سُورَةُ طه · Meccan · Verse 46 of 135
قَالَ لَا تَخَافَآ ۖ إِنَّنِى مَعَكُمَآ أَسْمَعُ وَأَرَىٰ
Translation
He said, ‘Do not be afraid, I am with you both, hearing and seeing everything.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
When Allah sent Musa and Harun (peace be upon them both) to confront Pharaoh, a powerful and tyrannical ruler, they expressed their fear. Allah immediately responded with profound reassurance in this verse, using specific words to convey a sense of absolute divine protection.
The Divine Prohibition on Fear
The command `لَا تَخَافَآ` (do not fear) is more than just an instruction; it's a divine promise. As Ibn Ashur explains, this prohibition implicitly conveys that what they feared would not happen. It’s as if Allah is saying, "Dismiss this fear, for it is unfounded." This is not an empty command, but a guaranteed outcome stemming from Allah's power and care.
The Intimacy of Divine Presence
The verse then provides the reason for this fearlessness: `إِنَّنِى مَعَكُمَآ` (Indeed, I am with you both). This "being with" (ma'iyyah, as scholars call it) is not merely a physical presence, but an active, intimate one. As al-Zamakhshari and al-Jalalayn clarify, it means Allah is their Protector and Supporter, granting aid. When Allah says He is "with" someone in such a challenging situation, it signifies His active guardianship and unwavering assistance.
The All-Encompassing Awareness
To underscore this protection, Allah immediately adds `أَسْمَعُ وَأَرَىٰ` (I hear and I see). Al-Jalalayn notes this means "I hear what he (Pharaoh) says and I see what he does." However, scholars like Ibn Ashur and al-Razi delve deeper into the significance of these words. Ibn Ashur explains that these verbs here are used to show that *nothing* is hidden from Allah. It’s not about *what* He hears or sees, but the *quality* of His hearing and seeing – it is comprehensive and continuous.
Al-Razi highlights that while "being with them" already implies knowledge, the specific mention of "I hear and I see" emphasizes distinct divine attributes, making the reassurance complete. He suggests that these words directly counter Musa and Harun's fears: "You fear he might be hasty and not listen to you, or that he might transgress and harm you? I hear his words and will make him listen; I see his actions and will not let him do to you what you dislike." This signifies that Allah's protection is not passive, but fully informed and actively responsive to every word and deed, providing the ultimate tranquility in the face of daunting challenges.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ta-Ha 20:46 is discussed in 8 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Ta-Ha 20:46 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.