Tafsir of Al-Qasas 28:15

"The city": Egypt. It is also said: The city of Memphis in the land of Egypt.

"At a time of its people's unawareness": Between the two night prayers (Maghrib and Isha). It is also said: During the midday nap (qaylulah). It is also said: On a day of their festival, when they were preoccupied with their amusements. It is also said: When he grew up and matured, he began to speak the truth and denounce them, so they frightened him; he would not enter the city except when they were unaware.

"From his faction": From those who followed him in his religion, from the Children of Israel. It is also said: He was a Samaritan.

"From his enemy": From his opponents among the Copts. He was a Fattun (a Copt), and he used to force the Israelite to carry firewood to Pharaoh’s kitchen.

"And he struck him" (wakaza): Pushing with the fingertips. It is also said: With the closed fist. Ibn Mas’ud read it as falakazahu (with an 'l').

"So he finished him off": He killed him.

If you ask: Why did he consider killing the disbeliever an act of Satan, label it as an injustice to himself, and seek forgiveness for it? I say: Because he killed him before he was permitted to kill, so it was a sin for which he sought forgiveness. Ibn Jurayj said: It is not for a prophet to kill unless he is commanded.

"For that which You have bestowed upon me":

1. It may be an oath with an omitted response, meaning: "I swear by Your favor upon me with forgiveness, I will surely repent."
2. It may be an appeal for mercy, as if he said: "My Lord, protect me by the right of the forgiveness You have bestowed upon me, so that if You protect me, I will never be a supporter of the criminals."

"Supporter of the criminals":

• Either the companionship of Pharaoh, being counted among his retinue, and increasing his numbers—as he used to ride with him like a son with a father, and was called "the son of Pharaoh."
• Or supporting anyone whose support leads to crime and sin, such as supporting the Israelite, which led to the killing that was not lawful for him.

Ibn Abbas said: He did not make an exception (by saying "Insha'Allah"), so he was tested with it again. This is similar to the verse: "And do not incline toward those who do wrong" (Hud: 113).

Ata’ said: A man told him, "My brother writes for the authorities, but he does not exceed his allotted provision." Ata’ asked, "Who is the head? Who does he write for?" The man said, "Khalid ibn Abdullah al-Qasri." Ata’ said, "Then what of the words of Moses?" and he recited this verse.

In the Hadith: "A caller will call out on the Day of Resurrection: 'Where are the oppressors, their likes, and their helpers—even those who prepared an inkwell for them or sharpened a pen for them?' They will be gathered in a coffin of iron and cast into Hell."

It is also said the meaning is: "Because of the strength You have bestowed upon me, I will never use it except in supporting Your allies and those who obey You and believe in You. I will not let a Copt overcome any of the Children of Israel."

"And he became in the city, fearful and vigilant. And behold, the one who sought his help the day before was crying out to him for help. Moses said to him, 'Indeed, you are clearly a transgressor.' And when he wanted to strike the one who was an enemy to both of them, he said, 'O Moses, do you intend to kill me as you killed a person yesterday? You only want to be a tyrant in the land and do not want to be among the reformers.'"