How can Moses’ killing of a person be explained?

- We know that the prophets were protected from committing sins before their prophethood, but the tafsirs say that the Prophet Moses (Musa) accidentally killed someone before his prophethood.
- How can we explain it?

Dear Brother / Sister,

There are different opinions among scholars about the prophets being innocent before their prophethood. According to some, there may be minor mistakes, but not major sins. According to others, they may have made major mistakes. (see al-Milal wan-Nihal, 2/285; Jurjani, Sharhul-Mawaqif, 8/288-290; Taftazani, Sharhul-Maqasid, 2/142-143; Razi, al-Muhassal, 219-220)

Whatever the truth is, the Prophet Musa (Moses) did not hit the man with the intention of killing him. Normally a punch does not kill a person. However, Moses’ blow killed the man.

It is important to note the following points:

a. The man was an unbeliever.

b. Moses saw that the Copts were always persecuting the Jews and he wanted to eliminate this persecution.

c. Moses intervened to save the Jew from the Copt and accidentally killed him with a punch.

d. Nevertheless, Moses was very upset and repented for this act, which he said was the work of Satan, and asked Allah for forgiveness. And Allah forgave him.

e. It is clearly stated in the Quran that Moses was forgiven by Allah. This makes the wrongful offense “kaanlamyakun-as if it did not happen”.

We can understand this from the following verses of the Quran:

“And he (Moses) entered the city at a time when its people were not watching: and he found there two men fighting,- one of his own religion, and the other, of his foes. Now the man of his own religion appealed to him against his foe, and Moses struck him with his fist and made an end of him. He said: “This is a work of Evil (Satan): for he is an enemy that manifestly misleads!” He prayed: “O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul! Do Thou then forgive me!” So ((Allah)) forgave him: for He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. He said: “O my Lord! For that Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace on me, never shall I be a help to those who sin!” (al-Qasas, 28/15-17)

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