وَوَضَعنا عَنكَ وِزرَكَ

الَّذي أَنقَضَ ظَهرَكَ

And relieve you of your burden

which [almost] broke your back?

EXEGESIS

Waḍaʿnā ʿanka (we relieved you) is derived from the root w-ḍ-ʿ, which means putting something down, setting down a ruling, or making someone lowly. It is the opposite of lifting and removing something or elevating someone.^{‎[1]Lisan, 8/396.} However, when waḍaʿa is suffixed by ʿan (from) as in this verse, it means to remove and take away.^{‎[2]Al-Miṣbāḥ al-Munīr fī Gharīb al-Sharḥ al-Kabīr, 2/662.}

Wizr means heavy burden. Wazīr (minister) is someone who carries the burden of the government.^{‎[3]Nemuneh, 27/124.} Wizr (pl. awzār) can also refer to the burden of sin that a human being carries on the Day of Judgement: no bearer (wāzirah) shall bear another’s burden (wizr) (6:164); when the hour overtakes them suddenly, they will say: ‘Alas for us for what we neglected in it!’ And they will bear their burdens (awzār) on their backs (6:31). Sharīf al-Murtaḍā asserts that sin is referred to as wizr because it is a heavy burden for the one who carries it. Therefore, anything that is a burden for a human being and increases worries and sadness in them can be referred to as wizr.^{‎[4]Tabrisi, 10/770.}

Anqaḍa is from the root n-q-ḍ which means untying a rope’s knot or removing the solid parts of a structure (i.e. destroying it).^{‎[5]Ayn, 5/50; Taj, 10/169.} In the context of this verse it is a metaphor implying that the heaviness of the burden (wizr) of the Prophet’s mission was to an extent that had almost broken him, but God alleviated that.^{‎[6]Qamus, 7/105.} Finally, it is also used for breaking oaths and contracts, as has been mentioned in 2:27: Those who break (yanquḍūna) the covenant made with Allah after having pledged it.^{‎[7]Nemuneh, 27/124; Bahrayn, 4/232.}

EXPOSITION

This verse is linked to the previous verse meaning that the heavy duty and responsibility of prophethood was eased and alleviated for the Messenger as a result of expanding his endurance of heart.^{‎[8]Ahsan al-Hadith, 12/273.}

There have also been other views regarding what is meant by burden in this verse. Abū Muslim opines that it means: We have alleviated all the worries from you which were caused due to the troubles from the enemies. Others have said it means that God has protected the Prophet from the burden of sins. Accordingly, relieving (waḍʿ) does not mean removing sins, but rather it means being protected from committing sins.^{‎[9]Tabrisi, 10/771.}

However, the majority of exegetes are of the opinion that burden in this verse is the difficulties of prophethood in calling the people towards monotheism. Delivering and implementing the message of monotheism and calling people to virtues in an environment full of vices and ignorance was a heavy task. In fact, all the other prophets as well in this stage of their mission would face huge problems. These difficulties and challenges could only be alleviated by divine assistance.^{‎[10]Nemuneh, 20/124.}

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

Some other interpretations have been suggested for wizr in this verse. Tabatabai mentions some of these interpretations, such as wizr referring to the sins that the Prophet had done prior to his prophethood, or his confusion in some affairs related to delivering the message, or the worries and difficulties he faced following the demise of his uncle Abū Ṭālib and his wife Khadijah, or the transgression of his nation. Tabatabai states that some of these interpretations are not befitting the position of the Prophet and others do not fit the context of the verses.^{‎[11]Mizan, 20/315.}

[1] Lisan, 8/396.
[2] Al-Miṣbāḥ al-Munīr fī Gharīb al-Sharḥ al-Kabīr, 2/662.
[3] Nemuneh, 27/124.
[4] Tabrisi, 10/770.
[5] Ayn, 5/50; Taj, 10/169.
[6] Qamus, 7/105.
[7] Nemuneh, 27/124; Bahrayn, 4/232.
[8] Ahsan al-Hadith, 12/273.
[9] Tabrisi, 10/771.
[10] Nemuneh, 20/124.
[11] Mizan, 20/315.