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
قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِندِىٓ ۚ أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ أَهْلَكَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مَنْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّةً وَأَكْثَرُ جَمْعًا ۚ وَلَا يُسْـَٔلُ عَن ذُنُوبِهِمُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ
He said, "I was only given it because of knowledge I have." Did he not know that Allāh had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and greater in accumulation [of wealth]? But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked.
وَأَصْبَحَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَمَنَّوْا۟ مَكَانَهُۥ بِٱلْأَمْسِ يَقُولُونَ وَيْكَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقْدِرُ ۖ لَوْلَآ أَن مَّنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا لَخَسَفَ بِنَا ۖ وَيْكَأَنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ
And those who had wished for his position the previous day began to say, "Oh, how Allāh extends provision to whom He wills of His servants and restricts it! If not that Allāh had conferred favor on us, He would have caused it to swallow us. Oh, how the disbelievers do not succeed!"
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.
وَيَوْمَ يُنَادِيهِمْ فَيَقُولُ أَيْنَ شُرَكَآءِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمْ تَزْعُمُونَ
And [warn of] the Day He will call them and say, "Where are My 'partners' which you used to claim?"