But then, when he was about to strike the one who was their enemy, the latter exclaimed: “Moses! Do you want to kill me as you killed another man yesterday? You want only to become a tyrant in the land, and you do not want to be one who sets things right.”
Then a man came at speed from the farthest end of the city. He said: “Moses! The nobles are plotting to kill you. So get yourself away. I am giving you sincere advice.
So he left the city in fear, vigilant. He prayed: “My Lord! Save me from all wrongdoing folk.” And as he turned his face toward Madyan, he said: “I do hope that my Lord will guide me to the right path.” (The Story, Al-Qasas: 28: 19-22)
The surah related how Moses killed an Egyptian when he wanted to support an Israelite as the two were involved in a fight. Moses felt sorry after this happened and declared that he would never support any injustice. The next day, as he walked apprehensively in the city he found the same Israelite seeking his support in a new fight. However, the Egyptian shouted that Moses was the killer the day before and that he wanted to kill him now. Thus, the secret was exposed.
It appears that some accusing fingers were pointing in a certain way concerning the Egyptian killed the day before. May be some actually suspected Moses in the light of his outspoken criticism of Pharaoh’s tyranny. Or it may be that his Israeli friend whispered secretly to some of his own people, telling them about the event, and the secret was out, spreading beyond the Israelite community.
We think this highly probable. For Moses to kill one of Pharaoh’s men in a fight between that person and an ordinary man from among the Israelites is bound to give joy to the latter community. Such a piece of news would easily and speedily circulate, giving comfort and satisfaction. This is easily enhanced if Moses was widely known to hate injustice and to support its victims.
Thus, when Moses wanted to strike the second Egyptian, the latter confronted him with a clear accusation. He probably saw it clearly before his eyes as he saw Moses getting ready to strike him. Hence he said to Moses: “Do you want to kill me as you killed another man yesterday?” (Verse 19) He then continued his outburst, “You want only to become a tyrant in the land, and you do not want to be one who sets things right.” (Verse 19) He probably said this because Moses might have adopted a virtuous lifestyle that gave a good impression of himself as a pious man who would love to set things on the right course. Thus, the Egyptian reminds him of this and uses it as a means of escape by accusing Moses to violate his own principles, aiming to be a tyrant rather than a reformer, killing people instead of setting their relations on the right course. The way this is phrased and said to Moses suggests that Moses was not considered at the time to be a member of Pharaoh’s court. Had he been thus considered, the Egyptian would not have dared to talk to him in such a manner. He might have thought it better to take up a totally different line of address.
Some commentators suggest that these sentences were spoken by the Israelite rather than the Egyptian. They refer to Moses saying to him, “Indeed, you are clearly a quarrelsome fellow,” before moving in his angry state to strike the Egyptian who was an enemy to both of them. These commentators say that the Israelite thought Moses was angry with him and wanted to strike him. Hence, he raised his voice revealing the secret he alone knew. They base their argument on the fact that the secret was unknown to the Egyptians.
But it is more probable that the Egyptian was the one who said it. We have explained how the secret might have been aired, and also suggested that the Egyptians might have divined the case in the circumstances.
It appears that when the man reminded him of this event Moses did not proceed, and the Egyptian was thus able to save his life and ran away to tell Pharaoh and his men that Moses was the killer. Here again we have a gap in the story as we are introduced to a new scene in which we see a man coming from the farthest end of the city to warn Moses of a plot being worked out to do away with him. He further advised him to flee the city in order to save his life:
“Then a man came at speed from the farthest end of the city. He said: ‘Moses! The nobles are plotting to kill you. So get yourself away. I am giving you sincere advice.’” (Verse 20)
This is the work of God’s hand appearing in full view, at the right moment, to carry out His will. The leading personalities in Pharaoh’s government and those close to him got to know that the killing that took place was perpetrated by Moses. They must have reflected that it spelled danger, as it smacked of rebellion in support of the Children of Israel. Hence a plan of action must be put in place to deal with it. Had it been an ordinary murder, it would have not deserved that Pharaoh and his chiefs be preoccupied with it. Therefore, God’s hand selected one of those very people. Most probably he was the one believer in Pharaoh’s household who kept his faith secret and who is mentioned in detail in Surah 40, The Believer. He was selected to go at speed from the farthest end of the city to warn Moses before Pharaoh’s men could reach him. It was a simple warning: “Moses! The nobles are plotting to kill you. So get yourself away. I am giving you sincere advice.” (Verse 20)
“So he left the city in fear, vigilant. He prayed: My Lord! Save me from all wrongdoing folk.” (Verse 21) Once more we see Moses’ spontaneous and passionate personality, as he reacts to different situations. He is in fear, on the watch, but he appeals directly to God, looking up to Him for help and protection. He seeks his security with God, praying for His care: “My Lord! Save me from all wrongdoing folk.” (Verse 21)
The surah follows him as he stealthily goes out of the city, keeping on the alert, alone with no support other than what he hopes to receive from God Almighty. “And as he turned his face toward Madyan, he said: I do hope that my Lord will guide me to the right path.” (Verse 22)
Again we note certain prominent traits in Moses’ personality as he moves fast along a desert road alone, trying to evade his chasers. He aims for Madyan, which is to the north of Hijaz in the Arabian Peninsula and to the south of Syria and Palestine. It is a very long journey that he takes with little preparation. He left Egypt in fear, watchful, alert. Because he was alarmed by the warning he received, he left without a guide. At the same time, we note how he is full of faith, surrendering himself to God, seeking His guidance: “I do hope that my Lord will guide me to the right path.” (Verse 22)
Once more we find Moses at the center of a much worrying situation after having enjoyed not only a life of security but also one characterized by ease and affluence. He is now alone lacking all apparent means of security, chased everywhere by Pharaoh and his troops. They want to do to him now what they failed to do when he was a baby. But the hand that provided care for him at the time will protect him here and will not allow his enemies to lay their hands on him. Thus, he is able to cover the long distance, arriving at Madyan where he is completely safe.
