Several scholars of Quranic interpretation stated that Prophet Moses عليه السلام had some heaviness or difficulty in his speech. This is reflected in his supplication:

“My Lord, expand for me my chest, ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue so that they may understand my speech.”
[Quran 20:25-28]

However, it would be inaccurate to definitively describe his condition using the modern medical concept of stuttering. The Quran establishes that Moses asked Allah to remove a difficulty from his speech so that his words would be clearly understood.

Why Did Moses Make This Supplication?

Moses made this supplication when Allah commanded him to go to Pharaoh and call him to worship Allah and abandon tyranny.

The task was extremely difficult. Moses was being sent to confront Pharaoh and deliver Allah’s message to a powerful ruler.

He therefore began by asking Allah for help:

“My Lord, expand for me my chest and ease for me my task.”

He then asked:

“And untie the knot from my tongue so that they may understand my speech.”

His prayer demonstrates that seeking Allah’s help is part of preparing for a major responsibility.

Why Did Moses Ask for Aaron’s Help?

Moses did not only ask Allah to ease his task. He also asked that his brother Aaron عليه السلام support him.

Allah quotes Moses as saying:

“And appoint for me a minister from my family, Aaron, my brother. Strengthen me through him and let him share my task.”
[Quran 20:29-32]

Moses also explained:

“And my brother Aaron is more fluent than me in speech, so send him with me as support to confirm my words.”
[Quran 28:34]

The verse clearly establishes that Aaron was more eloquent in speech than Moses.

What Is the Story Behind Moses’ Speech Difficulty?

Some classical commentators connected Moses’ speech difficulty to an incident from his childhood in Pharaoh’s household.

According to reports mentioned in some works of Quranic interpretation, Moses once took hold of Pharaoh’s beard or hair when he was a young child. Pharaoh became angry and suspected that the child might pose a threat.

Some versions of the story say that Moses was then tested to determine whether he understood what he was doing. He was presented with something to eat and a burning coal, and he placed the coal in his mouth, which affected his tongue.

Al-Tabari and other commentators mentioned versions of this account in their explanations of the relevant verses.

Is the Story of the Burning Coal Authentic?

A distinction should be made between what is firmly established by the Quran and additional details mentioned in some works of tafsir.

The Quran clearly confirms that Moses asked Allah to untie a knot from his tongue. It also clearly states that Aaron was more fluent in speech.

The detailed story involving the burning coal, however, belongs to reports mentioned in works of Quranic interpretation. It should therefore not be presented with the same certainty as the Quranic text.

Did Moses Struggle to Speak?

The Quran does not indicate that Moses was unable to speak or incapable of delivering Allah’s message.

Rather, it indicates that he had some difficulty in speech and asked Allah to make his communication easier to understand.

The Quran also records Moses speaking clearly and confronting Pharaoh with a powerful message.

His request for Aaron’s assistance was therefore an additional form of support, especially because Aaron was more eloquent in speech.

Lessons From Moses’ Supplication

The supplication of Moses contains several important lessons:

• Ask Allah for help before undertaking major responsibilities.
• Seek strength, clarity, and ease through supplication.
• Value clear and effective communication.
• Seek assistance from capable and trustworthy people.
• Do not allow a personal difficulty to prevent you from fulfilling a responsibility.
• Trust Allah to make difficult matters easier.
• Combine reliance upon Allah with taking practical means.

Conclusion

The Quran indicates that Moses عليه السلام had a difficulty or heaviness in speech, which is why he asked Allah to untie the knot from his tongue so that people could understand him.

The Quran also states that Aaron عليه السلام was more fluent in speech, which explains why Moses asked that his brother accompany him and support him in delivering the message.

As for the story of the burning coal causing Moses’ speech difficulty, it appears in some classical tafsir reports and should not be treated as firmly established in the same way as the Quranic account.

Did Prophet Moses have a stutter?
The Quran indicates that he had a difficulty or heaviness in speech, but it does not establish a modern medical diagnosis of stuttering.

What does “untie the knot from my tongue” mean?
It refers to Moses asking Allah to remove or ease the difficulty in his speech so that people could understand him.

Why did Moses ask Aaron to accompany him?
Because Aaron was more fluent in speech and could support Moses in delivering the message.

Is the story about the burning coal authentic?
It appears in some tafsir reports, but its details do not have the same level of certainty as what is explicitly established by the Quran.

What was Moses’ famous supplication?
He prayed: “My Lord, expand for me my chest, ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue so that they may understand my speech.”