Moses killing the Egyptian accidentally

6-12-2006 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum, According to the Quran, Prophet Moses killed an Egyptian accidentally. Why didn't God or Pharoah punish him for the murder?. Regards.
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

Allaah Says (what means): {And he entered the city at a time of unawareness of its people, and he found there two men fighting, - one of his party (his religion - from the Children of Israel), and the other of his foes. The man of his (own) party asked him for help against his foe, so Moosa (Moses) struck him with his fist and killed him. He said: "This is of Satan's doing, verily, he is a plain misleading enemy."}[Quran 28:15].

Ibn Al-'Arabi may Allaah have mercy upon him when interpreting the above verse, said: ''It was said that Moosa (Moses) may Allaah exalt his mention did not intend to kill the person. What happened is that he pushed him and the man died because of this pushing. This was an unintentional killing at a time when there was no permission for fighting or killing, that is why this was just considered as a sin (i.e. because it was unintentional)."

Whereas, Imaam Ash-Shawkaani may Allaah have mercy upon him said in his interpretation: "He helped the man because it is an obligation in all religions to help the wronged person, and it was said that Moosa (Moses) may Allaah exalt his mention did not intend to kill the Egyptian person, he just wanted to push him and he was killed as a result. It is for this reason that Allaah Says (what means): {This is of Satan's doing.}, even though the killed person was a disbeliever and deserved to be killed, but he was not ordered at that time to kill the disbelievers. It was also said that this time was a time of peace as the Moosa was left to live safely with them, so he may Allaah exalt his mention had no right to kill the disbeliever."

Furthermore, Allaah mentioned that Moosa (Moses) may Allaah exalt his mention sought forgiveness from Allaah and He forgave him. Allaah Says (what means): {He said: "This is of Satan's doing, verily, he is a plain misleading enemy.'' He said: "My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, so forgive me." Then He forgave him. Verily, He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.}[Quran 28:15-16].

As regards Pharaoh, he wanted to kill Moosa (Moses) may Allaah exalt his mention but Allaah saved him when the news reached him as he fled from Egypt to Madyan. Allaah Says (what means): {And there came a man running, from the farthest end of the city. He said: "O Moosa (Moses)! Verily, the chiefs are taking counsel together about you, to kill you, so escape. Truly, I am to you of those who give sincere advice."  So he escaped from there, looking about in a state of fear. He said: "My Lord! Save me from the people who are polytheists and wrong-doers!"}[Quran 28:20-21].

Allaah Knows best.

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