Harun (Aaron)

Harun (Aaron) is the elder brother of Musa. Gifted with great eloquence, he was given to his brother as support and spokesman to confront Pharaoh. The Quran makes him a full prophet in his own right, associated with Musa's mission.

When God charged Musa with going to warn Pharaoh, Musa, aware of his own difficulty in speaking, asked God to appoint his brother Harun, more eloquent, to assist him. God granted his request and made Harun a prophet alongside Musa.

The two brothers presented themselves together before Pharaoh, carrying the message of God's oneness and demanding the liberation of the children of Israel.

When Musa went to Mount Sinai for his appointment with his Lord, he left Harun in charge of the people. In his absence, some Israelites turned to the worship of a golden calf. Harun opposed it and warned them, but could not hold them back; he avoided using force so as not to divide the people before his brother's return. On his return, Musa in his anger seized his brother's head — who reminded him that he had been overwhelmed, not complicit. The Quran thus fully vindicates Harun of this fault.

Harun teaches the strength of brotherhood and complementarity in service of a cause: God often links the talents of two beings to carry what one alone could not sustain. His restraint before the misguided people also shows the wisdom of one who prefers to preserve unity rather than impose by force.

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ مِن رَّحْمَتِنَا أَخَاهُ هَارُونَ نَبِيًّا

Par un effet de Notre grâce, Nous l’avons assisté de son frère Aaron que Nous avons également élevé au rang de prophète.

19:53

وَاجْعَل لِّي وَزِيرًا مِّنْ أَهْلِي ۝ هَارُونَ أَخِي ۝ اشْدُدْ بِهِ أَزْرِي

Veuille aussi m’accorder un assistant issu de ma famille en la personne de mon frère Aaron, en faire pour moi un précieux soutien,

20:29-31