Surah Al-Qasas Ayat 14 (28:14 Quran) With Tafsir

Ala-Maududi

(28:14) When Moses reached the age of full youth and grew to maturity,^[18] We bestowed upon him wisdom and knowledge.^[19] Thus do We reward those who do good.

18. That is, when he had attained his full mental and physical development. In this connection, different ages of the Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) have been mentioned in the Jewish traditions. Some say he was 18, others have mentioned 20 years and still others 40 years. According to the New Testament, he was 40 years old. (Acts, 7: 23). But the Quran does not mention any age. For the purpose of the incident being mentioned in the following verses, it is enough to know that he had attained his full maturity at that time.

19. Hukum implies wisdom, understanding, and power of judgment. Ilm is both religious and worldly knowledge. The Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) became familiar with the teachings of his forefathers, Prophets Joseph, Jacob, Isaac and Abraham (peace be upon all of them) through his contact with his parents, and with the sciences prevalent in Egypt by virtue of his training as a prince in the king’s palace. Here the gift of Hukm (wisdom) and Ilm (knowledge) does not refer to the gift of prophethood, because prophethood was bestowed on Moses several years afterwards, as is mentioned below, and has already been mentioned in (Surah Ash-Shuara, Ayat 21).

Regarding his education and training while as a prince, the New Testament says: “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.” The Talmud says: Moses grew up, a handsome lad, in the palace of the king: he dressed royally, was honored by the people, and seemed in all things of royal lineage. He visited the land of Goshen daily, observing the rigor with which his brethren were treated. Moses urged the king of Egypt to grant the men of Goshen one day of rest from the labor, in each week, and the king acceded to his request. Moses said, “If you compel them to labor steadily their strength will fail them; for your benefit and profit allow them at least one day in the week for rest and renewal of strength”, And the Lord was with Moses, and his fame extended through all the land.

Ibn-Kathir

14. And when he reached maturity, and was complete, We bestowed on him Hukm and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good. 15. And he entered the city when its people were unaware: and he found there two men fighting, — one of his party, and the other of his foes. The man of his (own) party asked him for help against his foe, so Musa struck him with his fist and he died. He said: “This is of Shaytan’s doing, verily, he is a plain misleading enemy.” 16. 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. 17. He said: “My Lord! For that with which You have favored me, I will nevermore be a helper of the criminals!”

Having described Musa’s beginnings, Allah then tells us that when he reached maturity, and was complete in stature, Allah gave him Hukm and religious knowledge. Mujahid said that this means prophethood.

(And thus do We reward the doers of good.) Then Allah describes how Musa reached the status that was decreed for him, that of Prophethood and speaking to Allah, as a direct consequence of killing the Coptic, which was the reason why he left Egypt and went to Madyan. Allah says:

(And he entered the city when its people were unaware.) Ibn Jurayj narrated from `Ata’ Al-Khurasani, from Ibn `Abbas, “That was between Maghrib and `Isha’.” Ibn Al-Munkadir narrated from `Ata’ bin Yasar from Ibn `Abbas, “That was in the middle of the day.” This was also the view of Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, As-Suddi and Qatadah.

(and he found there two men fighting,) meaning, hitting one another and struggling with one another.

(one of his party, ) meaning, an Israelite,

(and the other of his foes.) meaning, a Coptic. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Muhammad bin Ishaq. The Israelite man asked Musa, peace be upon him, for help, and Musa took advantage of the fact that people were not paying attention, so he went to the Coptic man and

(so Musa struck him with his fist and he died.) Mujahid said, “This means he punched him with his fist.” And then he died.

(He said) refers to Musa.

(“This is of Shaytan’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. He said: “My Lord! For that with which You have favored me,) meaning, `what You have given me of prestige, power and blessings — ‘

(I will nevermore be a helper of the criminals!) `those who disbelieve in You and go against Your commands.’