that is, he was hastening in his walk. He took a shorter route and reached Moses before them, informing and warning him, while they took another route.

He said, “O Moses, the chiefs are deliberating over you”—that is, the leading men of Pharaoh’s people are consulting one another concerning you—“in order to kill you.” Al-Zajjaj said: They were urging one another to kill you. “So leave” the city. “Indeed, I am giving you sincere advice,” in urging you to leave.

“So he left it, fearful and watchful. He said, ‘My Lord, save me from the wrongdoing people.’ (21)