“And We called him from the right-hand side of the Mount and drew him near for intimate discourse. And out of Our mercy, We granted him his brother Aaron as a prophet.”

“And We called him from the right-hand side of the Mount”—that is, the side to Moses’ right as he journeyed. Alternatively, “right-hand” means the most blessed, from auspiciousness and blessing. This meaning is supported by the words of Allah Most High: “Blessed is whoever is in the fire and whoever is around it.”

“And drew him near for intimate discourse.” The difference between calling and intimate discourse is that calling is in a raised voice, while intimate discourse is in a voice below that. This affirms that Allah Most High speaks and that His speech has various forms, including calling and intimate discourse. This is the position of the people of the Sunnah and the Muslim community, contrary to those who deny it among the Jahmiyyah, the Mutazilah, and those who follow their path.

His words, “And out of Our mercy, We granted him his brother Aaron as a prophet,” refer to one of Moses’ greatest virtues and to his kindness and sincere concern for his brother Aaron: he asked his Lord to make Aaron share in his mission and to appoint him as a messenger like himself. Allah granted his request and, out of His mercy, bestowed upon him his brother Aaron as a prophet. Aaron’s prophethood was therefore subordinate to the prophethood of Moses, peace be upon him, and Aaron assisted and supported him in his mission.