Surah 26. Ash-Shuara, Ayah 14

Sc., "and thus frustrate my mission". This is a reference to Moses' killing of the Egyptian which was the cause of his subsequent flight from his native land (cf. 28:15 ff.)

 For killing an Egyptian by mistake before prophethood. See 28:15-17.

Moses was brought up in the palace of Pharaoh, as narrated in his personal story in xx. 3940 and n. 2563. When he was grown-up he saw an Egyptian smiting an Israelite, and as the Israelites were being generally oppressed by the Egyptians, Moses's anger was roused, and he slew the Egyptian. He then fled to the Midianite country in the Sinai peninsula, where he received the divine commission. But the charge of slaying the Egyptian was hanging against him. He was also apparently quick-tempered. But Allah's grace cured his temper and he became wise; his impediment in speech, for he stood up boldly to speak to Pharaoh; and his fear, for he dared the Egyptians with Allah's Signs, and they were afraid of him.