وَفَعَلْتَ فَعْلَتَكَ ٱلَّتِى فَعَلْتَ وَأَنتَ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ 19
Translations
And [then] you did your deed which you did, and you were of the ungrateful."
Transliteration
Wa-fa'alta fi'lataka allatī fa'alta wa-anta mina al-kāfirīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Prophet Musa's (Moses) unintentional killing of the Coptic man in Egypt, which he acknowledges as a grave deed committed while he was still among those who did not believe in his prophetic mission. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, Musa is confessing to this act before Pharaoh, demonstrating his humility and acceptance of divine will. The ayah emphasizes that even this deed was part of Allah's divine plan, as Musa would later be chosen as a prophet and messenger to guide the Children of Israel.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the narrative of Musa's life in Surah Ash-Shu'ara, specifically in his dialogue with Pharaoh. It references the historical incident in Egypt (also mentioned in Surah Al-Qasas 28:15) where Musa accidentally killed an Egyptian taskmaster while defending an Israelite slave. This context illustrates how Allah's divine wisdom works through human actions, transforming Musa from a fugitive into a prophet.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly addresses this ayah, the broader story is referenced in the hadith collections regarding Musa's life. The principle is supported by hadith on divine decree (qadar), such as in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) explained that all matters are predetermined by Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that even our mistakes and past actions are encompassed by Allah's divine plan and wisdom, and that sincere acknowledgment of our faults is a step toward spiritual growth and greater purpose. It reminds us that Allah can transform our weaknesses and shortcomings into instruments of greater good when we submit to His will.