فَلَمَّآ أَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يَبْطِشَ بِٱلَّذِى هُوَ عَدُوٌّ لَّهُمَا قَالَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ أَتُرِيدُ أَن تَقْتُلَنِى كَمَا قَتَلْتَ نَفْسًۢا بِٱلْأَمْسِ ۖ إِن تُرِيدُ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَ جَبَّارًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا تُرِيدُ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُصْلِحِينَ 19
Translations
And when he wanted to strike the one who was an enemy to both of them, he said, "O Moses, do you intend to kill me as you killed someone yesterday? You only want to be a tyrant in the land and do not want to be of the amenders."
Transliteration
Falamma an arada an yabṭisha billadhī huwa ʿaduwwun lahuma qāla yā Mūsā aturīdu an taqtulannī kamā qatalta nafsann bil-amsi in turīdu illā an takūna jabbāran fīl-arḍi wa mā turīdu an takūna minal-muṣlihīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Israelite man from Pharaoh's faction (mentioned in 28:15) warning Mūsā after witnessing him strike the Egyptian the previous day, accusing him of attempting murder and tyranny. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the man recognized Mūsā and sought to protect himself while exposing Mūsā's previous transgression, attempting to provoke him into further violence. The passage illustrates how a single act of violence, even when committed for seemingly just reasons, can create suspicion and accusations that undermine credibility and righteous intent.
Revelation Context
This verse follows the historical narrative of Mūsā's life before his prophethood, specifically after he killed the Egyptian in defense of the Israelite slave (28:15). The broader context of Surah Al-Qasas is Meccan, revealed to comfort the Prophet Muhammad during persecution by reminding him of Mūsā's trials and eventual triumph. This incident demonstrates the consequences of Mūsā's hasty action and sets the stage for his exile to Madyan.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly addresses this specific incident, Sunan Ibn Majah records a hadith encouraging reconciliation and forbearance in disputes. Additionally, Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Bukhārī contains hadiths about the gravity of taking life unjustly, emphasizing that even unintentional harm carries serious consequences.
Themes
Key Lesson
Even righteous actions performed hastily without proper deliberation can damage one's credibility and cause unforeseen consequences; true reform requires not only good intentions but also prudence, restraint, and actions consistent with justice rather than emotional impulse.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِى فَرَضَ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لَرَآدُّكَ إِلَىٰ مَعَادٍ ۚ قُل رَّبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ مَن جَآءَ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَمَنْ هُوَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
Indeed, [O Muḥammad], He who imposed upon you the Qur’ān will take you back to a place of return. Say, "My Lord is most knowing of who brings guidance and who is in clear error."
قَالَ سَنَشُدُّ عَضُدَكَ بِأَخِيكَ وَنَجْعَلُ لَكُمَا سُلْطَـٰنًا فَلَا يَصِلُونَ إِلَيْكُمَا ۚ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أَنتُمَا وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكُمَا ٱلْغَـٰلِبُونَ
[Allāh] said, "We will strengthen your arm through your brother and grant you both supremacy so they will not reach you. [It will be] through Our signs; you and those who follow you will be the predominant."
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."
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."