Al-Qasas (The Stories): Verses 18–21

Verse 18

It is known that upon the death of the man struck by Moses (peace be upon him), Moses woke up the next morning fearful that his involvement in the killing would be discovered, leading to his pursuit.

He went out in concealment. Suddenly, the very Israelite whom he had helped the day before was crying out for help, seeking his aid with shouts and clamor.

Moses' Reply and Scholarly Discussion

Moses said to him: "Indeed, you are a manifest corrupter/misleader."

Linguists suggest that ghawī (غوي) can mean mughwā (مُغْوًى), meaning "you are certainly misleading my people," because Moses felt he fell into the previous day's incident because of this man. Alternatively, it can mean one who is actively misleading (ghāwī).

This verse is used by those who question the infallibility ('iṣmah) of the Prophets (peace be upon them). They ask: How could Moses say to one of his followers who was seeking his help, "Indeed, you are a manifest corrupter"?

The answer is twofold:

1. The people of Moses (peace be upon him) were harsh and coarse. Did you not see their demand after witnessing the signs: "Make for us a god just as they have gods" (Al-A'rāf: 138)? Thus, ghawī mubīn refers to this characteristic.
2. Moses called him ghawī because someone who engages in excessive dispute in a manner that prevents him from defending himself against harm sought by his opponent acts contrary to the path of righteousness.

The Dialogue with the Egyptian

There is a difference of opinion on whether the following statement was spoken by the Israelite or the Copt: "O Moses, do you intend to kill me just as you killed a person this morning?"

Some scholars suggest that when Moses addressed the Israelite as ghawī and saw him agitated, the Israelite assumed Moses intended to strike him when he moved to attack. Thus, the Israelite said this, and they claim he was the only one who knew about the killing of the man the previous day, which led to the revelation of the killing and increased Moses' fear.

Others argue that this was the Copt's statement. The Copt had learned the story from the Israelite. This latter view appears stronger because the Almighty said: "But when he intended to seize the one who was their enemy to both of them, he said, 'O Moses, do you intend to kill me...'" (referring to the Copt intending to seize the Israelite). This statement is therefore attributed to the Copt, not someone else. Furthermore, the subsequent statement, "You only intend to be a tyrant in the land," is only fitting for a disbeliever to say.

The Tyrant and the Spread of News

The meaning of "tyrant" (jabbār) is one who does what he wills through striking and killing unjustly, without considering consequences, and who does not repel evil with what is better. It is also said to mean one who is arrogant and does not humble himself before anyone's command.

When this incident occurred, the news spread throughout the city and reached Pharaoh, and they plotted to kill Moses.

Verse 19

"And there came a man from the farthest part of the city, running."

The author of Al-Kashshāf states that yas'ā (running) can be an adjective describing the man, or it can be an adverbial state (ḥāl) describing him, as he is specified by "from the farthest part of the city."

I'timār (الائتمار) means consultation. It is said that two men yata'āmarān (consult each other) because each one commands or advises the other regarding a matter. The meaning here is that they are consulting about you (i.e., plotting against you).

Most commentators agree that this man was the Believer from Pharaoh's household. Out of concern for Moses, he hurried to him to warn him that the chiefs were plotting to kill him.

Verse 20

"So he departed from it, fearful and watchful."

He was fearful for himself from Pharaoh's people, waiting to see if a pursuit would follow so he could be apprehended. Then, he turned to God, knowing there was no refuge other than Him, and supplicated: "My Lord, save me from the wrongdoing people."

This indicates that his killing of the Copt was not a sin, otherwise, he himself would have been the wrongdoer, and they would not have been wrongdoers in seeking him for retribution (Qisas).

Verses 21–28 (The Journey to Midian and Meeting Shu'ayb)

Verse 21

"And when he directed himself toward Midian, he said, 'Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the right path.'"

Verse 22

"And when he arrived at the water of Midian, he found there a group of people watering [their flocks], and he found besides them two women restraining [their flocks]. He said, 'What is the matter with you?' They said, 'We do not water until the shepherds drive [their flocks] away, and our father is a very old man.'"

Verse 23

"So he watered [their flocks] for them. Then he withdrew to the shade and said, 'My Lord, indeed, I am in need of whatever good You send down to me.'"

Verse 24

"Then one of the two women came to him, walking with modesty. She said, 'Indeed, my father is calling you so that he may reward you for having watered for us.'"

Verse 25

"So when he came to him and told him the story, he said, 'Fear not. You have escaped from the wrongdoing people.'"

Verse 26

"One of the two women said, 'O my father, hire him. Indeed, the best of those you can hire is the strong, the trustworthy.'"

Verse 27

"He said, 'Indeed, I intend to marry you to one of these two daughters of mine on the condition that you hire yourself to me for eight years. But if you complete ten, it will be of your own accord, and I do not wish to put you under hardship. You will find me, if God wills, among the righteous.'"

Verse 28

"He said, 'That is agreed between you and me. Whichever of the two terms I complete, there will be no injustice to me. And Allah is a Witness over what we say.'"