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
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."
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِنْ عِندِنَا قَالُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُوتِىَ مِثْلَ مَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰٓ ۚ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ قَالُوا۟ سِحْرَانِ تَظَـٰهَرَا وَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا بِكُلٍّ كَـٰفِرُونَ
But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, "Why was he not given like that which was given to Moses?" Did they not disbelieve in that which was given to Moses before? They said, "[They are but] two works of magic supporting each other, and indeed we are, in both, disbelievers."
وَإِذَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦٓ إِنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مُسْلِمِينَ
And when it is recited to them, they say, "We have believed in it; indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed we were, [even] before it, Muslims [i.e., submitting to Allāh]."
وَمَا كُنتَ بِجَانِبِ ٱلطُّورِ إِذْ نَادَيْنَا وَلَـٰكِن رَّحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ لِتُنذِرَ قَوْمًا مَّآ أَتَىٰهُم مِّن نَّذِيرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
And you were not at the side of the mount when We called [Moses] but [were sent] as a mercy from your Lord to warn a people to whom no warner had come before you that they might be reminded.