Tafsir of Al-Ahzab 33:69

{Do not be like those who harmed Moses}

It is said: This was revealed regarding Zayd and Zaynab, and the rumors some people spread about them.

It is also said: Regarding the harm done to Moses (peace be upon him), it refers to the story of the prostitute whom Qārūn bribed to falsely accuse him.

Others say: It refers to their accusation that he killed Aaron. Aaron had gone out with him to the mountain and died there; the angels carried him and passed by the people with his body so they could see him and know he was not murdered. Some say God revived him so he could testify to Moses’ innocence.

Others say: They slandered him with a physical defect, such as leprosy or a scrotal hernia, so God revealed his innocence.

{And he was honorable} He possessed status and rank in His sight. Because of this, God warded off accusations from him, repelled harm, and protected him so that no stigma would attach to him and he would not be described with any deficiency—just as a king does for one who is close and honorable to him.

Ibn Masʿūd, al-Aʿmash, and Abū Ḥaywah read: (And he was a servant of God, honorable). Ibn Khālawayh said: "I prayed behind Ibn Shanbūdh during Ramadan and heard him recite it this way." However, the reading of the majority is more eloquent, as it clearly expresses his honor in the sight of God, similar to His saying: {Possessor of the Throne, secure} (At-Takwīr: 20). The other reading does not convey this.

If you ask: His saying {from what they said}—does it mean "from their speech" or "from what was said"? Since "mā" (what) is either a verbal noun or a relative pronoun, how can innocence be established from it?

I say: The intent behind "the speech" or "what was said" is its content and implication, which is the defamatory matter. Do you not see that they call a reproach "qālah" (rumor), and "qālah" carries the meaning of "qawl" (speech)?

{O you who have believed, fear God and speak a word of justice. He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys God and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment. Indeed, We offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [undertook to] bear it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant. [It was] so that God may punish the hypocrite men and hypocrite women and the polytheist men and polytheist women and that God may accept repentance from the believing men and believing women. And ever is God Forgiving and Merciful.}