وَلَهُمْ عَلَىَّ ذَنۢبٌ فَأَخَافُ أَن يَقْتُلُونِ 14
Translations
And they have upon me a [claim due to] sin, so I fear that they will kill me."
Transliteration
Wa lahum 'alayya dhanbun fa-akhaafu an yaqtuloon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of Prophet Musa's (Moses) supplication to Allah, where he reminds his Lord that the Bani Israel have a killing charge against him—referring to the Egyptian he killed in self-defense before his prophethood. Musa expresses his fear that if he returns to Egypt, the people may execute him in retaliation. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that despite Musa's legitimate self-defense and his subsequent repentance, he still feared the worldly consequences of his past action, demonstrating both humility before Allah and realistic concern about human justice and tribal vengeance customs.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, revealed in Mecca during the early Meccan period. It appears within the narrative of Musa's dialogue with Allah at the burning tree, where Allah commissioned him as a prophet and messenger to Pharaoh. The context shows Musa raising his concerns and perceived weaknesses before accepting his prophetic mission, illustrating the natural human doubts even of great prophets when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Related Hadiths
The incident of Musa killing the Egyptian is referenced in Surah Al-Qasas (28:15-16), where Allah forgave Musa for this act. A thematically related hadith from Sahih Muslim describes how prophets faced various trials and fears before their missions, reinforcing that even the greatest servants of Allah experienced human concerns.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that even those whom Allah has chosen for great missions may harbor legitimate fears and doubts about their circumstances, yet should still place their trust in Allah's plan and protection. It reminds us that acknowledging our vulnerabilities and past mistakes before Allah, combined with faith in His wisdom, is the path to overcoming obstacles and fulfilling our purpose.