قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى قَتَلْتُ مِنْهُمْ نَفْسًا فَأَخَافُ أَن يَقْتُلُونِ 33
Translations
He said, "My Lord, indeed I killed from among them someone, and I fear they will kill me.
Transliteration
Qala Rabbi inni qataltu minhum nafsan fa-akhaafu an yaqtulun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) confesses to his Lord that he killed one of the Egyptians and fears they will execute him in retaliation. This ayah illustrates Musa's consciousness of his action and his reliance on Allah for protection and guidance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this reflects Musa's humility before Allah and his acknowledgment of the gravity of taking a life, even in defense of an oppressed Israelite, showing that believers should turn to Allah in moments of fear and uncertainty.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Al-Qasas, which narrates the story of Prophet Musa's early life. The context immediately precedes Allah's command for Musa to flee Egypt after he inadvertently killed a Coptic man while defending an Israelite from oppression. This represents a pivotal moment when Musa, despite his good intention, becomes a fugitive and must rely entirely on Allah's protection and mercy.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain narrations about the incident of Musa killing the Egyptian, confirming the historical authenticity of this event as mentioned in the Qur'an. The incident is also referenced in discussions about self-defense and protection of the oppressed.
Themes
Key Lesson
When facing overwhelming fear or consequences for our actions, we should turn to Allah in sincere supplication rather than despair, trusting that He alone can provide refuge and solutions. This teaches believers to maintain consciousness of Allah (Taqwa) and seek His guidance even in our darkest moments.
Related Ayahs
وَمِن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ لِتَسْكُنُوا۟ فِيهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And out of His mercy He made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and [by day] seek from His bounty and [that] perhaps you will be grateful.
فَٱلْتَقَطَهُۥٓ ءَالُ فِرْعَوْنَ لِيَكُونَ لَهُمْ عَدُوًّا وَحَزَنًا ۗ إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَـٰمَـٰنَ وَجُنُودَهُمَا كَانُوا۟ خَـٰطِـِٔينَ
And the family of Pharaoh picked him up [out of the river] so that he would become to them an enemy and a [cause of] grief. Indeed, Pharaoh and Hāmān and their soldiers were deliberate sinners.
وَلَـٰكِنَّآ أَنشَأْنَا قُرُونًا فَتَطَاوَلَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْعُمُرُ ۚ وَمَا كُنتَ ثَاوِيًا فِىٓ أَهْلِ مَدْيَنَ تَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا وَلَـٰكِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ
But We produced [many] generations [after Moses], and prolonged was their duration. And you were not a resident among the people of Madyan, reciting to them Our verses, but We were senders [of this message].
وَأَخِى هَـٰرُونُ هُوَ أَفْصَحُ مِنِّى لِسَانًا فَأَرْسِلْهُ مَعِىَ رِدْءًا يُصَدِّقُنِىٓ ۖ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ أَن يُكَذِّبُونِ
And my brother Aaron is more fluent than me in tongue, so send him with me as support, verifying me. Indeed, I fear that they will deny me."