فَأَصْبَحَ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ خَآئِفًا يَتَرَقَّبُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَنصَرَهُۥ بِٱلْأَمْسِ يَسْتَصْرِخُهُۥ ۚ قَالَ لَهُۥ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّكَ لَغَوِىٌّ مُّبِينٌ 18
Translations
And he became inside the city fearful and anticipating [exposure], when suddenly the one who sought his help the previous day cried out to him [once again]. Moses said to him, "Indeed, you are an evident, [persistent] deviator."
Transliteration
Fa-asbaha fee al-madinati khā'ifan yataraqqabu fa-idhā alladhī istansarahu bi-al-amsi yastasrikhuh. Qāla lahu Mūsā innaka la-ghawiyyun mubīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Musa (peace be upon him) entering the city of Egypt in fear and caution after killing the Copt, when suddenly the same Israelite he had helped the previous day calls out to him for aid again, this time being attacked by the Egyptian. Musa rebukes this man for repeatedly seeking help despite his rashness and involvement in conflict, recognizing his quarrelsome and foolish nature. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that Musa's response demonstrates wisdom in not immediately intervening, as this man continuously involved himself in disputes and was clearly misguided in his approach.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Musa's early life in Egypt, following his unintentional killing of the Egyptian taskmaster. The surah (The Stories) details key narratives from Islamic history, and this incident illustrates Musa's circumstances that led him to flee Egypt. The broader context shows Musa's growing concern for the oppressed Israelites while simultaneously being hunted by Pharaoh's authorities.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly comments on this ayah, Surah Al-Qasas 28:15 is referenced in tafsir discussions regarding the killing of the Egyptian, with scholars noting the hadith traditions about Musa's life from various sources including Al-Bukhari and Muslim's collections on prophetic narratives.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to exercise discernment when helping others—assisting someone repeatedly involved in conflict without wisdom may enable their harmful behavior rather than benefit them. It reminds us that true compassion sometimes means refusing to participate in someone's destructive patterns and advising them honestly about their foolishness.
Related Ayahs
فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فِى زِينَتِهِۦ ۖ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا يَـٰلَيْتَ لَنَا مِثْلَ مَآ أُوتِىَ قَـٰرُونُ إِنَّهُۥ لَذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ
So he came out before his people in his adornment. Those who desired the worldly life said, "Oh, would that we had like what was given to Qārūn. Indeed, he is one of great fortune."
مَن جَآءَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُۥ خَيْرٌ مِّنْهَا ۖ وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجْزَى ٱلَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا۟ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ إِلَّا مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with a good deed will have better than it; and whoever comes with an evil deed - then those who did evil deeds will not be recompensed except [as much as] what they used to do.
فَسَقَىٰ لَهُمَا ثُمَّ تَوَلَّىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلظِّلِّ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى لِمَآ أَنزَلْتَ إِلَىَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ
So he watered [their flocks] for them; then he went back to the shade and said, "My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need."
وَلَا تَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ ۘ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ كُلُّ شَىْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُۥ ۚ لَهُ ٱلْحُكْمُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
And do not invoke with Allāh another deity. There is no deity except Him. Everything will be destroyed except His Face. His is the judgement, and to Him you will be returned.