Tafsir of Ta-Ha 20:83

This is a narration of the discourse that took place between Him—Exalted is He—and Musa, peace be upon him, at the commencement of his arrival at the appointed place, in accordance with the aforementioned promise.

That is, We said to him: "What has caused you to hasten away from your people, such that you have preceded them?"

By "your people" here, many—including al-Zamakhshari—mean the seventy chosen representatives. The intended meaning of "hastening" is his preceding them, not arriving before the completion of the designated appointed time, contrary to the view of some others.

The interrogation is for the purpose of denunciation. It entails—as stated in al-Kashf—a denunciation of the cause that led to an obstacle appearing in the interim; namely, the impression of neglecting the people and failing to give them due regard, despite his being commanded to accompany them and bring them along with him. It also entails a denunciation of the act itself, for haste is inherently a shortcoming, and how could it be otherwise for those of determination (ulu al-'azm), for whom the utmost caution and deliberation is what is befitting?