Allah said to Moosa: “O Moosa, I did not grant that to Myself so how could I grant it yo you?”

 

Moosa (peace be upon him) said when conversing with his Lord: “O Lord, protect me from people’s tongues (speech)” He said: “O Moosa, you are asking for something that I did not (even) grant for Myself.”.

Praise be to Allaah.

We could not
find this report with any reliable isnaad, and we did not find it in the
books of Sunnah and reports. Rather we saw it in some books of raqaa’iq
(heart softening reports) and exhortation, without mentioning any isnaad
or reliable source.  

Ibn Muflih
al-Maqdisi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“Moosa
(blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘O Lord, the people are saying things
about me that are not true.’ And Allah revealed to him: ‘O Moosa, I have not
granted that to Myself, so how could I grant it to you?’” End quote. 

Al-Adaab
al-Shar‘iyyah,
1/7-8; there is a similar report in Qoot al-Quloob by Abu Taalib al-Makki,
2/309; Siraaj al-Mulook by Abu Bakr al-Tartooshi (229).  

Although we
cannot prove it because we could not find any isnaad for it, there does not
appear to be anything wrong with its meaning, because Allah did not decree
-- in any of the universal natural laws that He decreed -- that none of His
creation would overstep the mark towards Him or that any human could ever
deal with their Lord in a way that is not befitting to His Majesty and
Might; rather He has told us of people who fell short in that regard and did
not estimate Him with an estimation due to Him, as He says (interpretation
of the meaning):

“They (the
Jews, Quraysh pagans, idolaters) did not estimate Allaah with an estimation
due to Him when they said: ‘Nothing did Allaah send down to any human being
(by Revelation).’ Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه
وسلم): “Who then sent down the Book which Moosa (Moses) brought, a
light and a guidance to mankind which you (the Jews) have made into
(separate) paper sheets, disclosing (some of it) and concealing (much). And
you (believers in Allaah and His Messenger Muhammad
صلى الله عليه وسلم) were taught (through
the Qur’aan) that which neither you nor your fathers knew.” Say: “Allaah
(sent it down).” Then leave them to play in their vain discussions”

[al-An‘aam
6:91] 

“They have
not estimated Allaah His Rightful Estimate. Verily, Allaah is All‑Strong,
All‑Mighty”

[al-Hajj
22:74] 

“They made
not a just estimate of Allaah such as is due to Him. And on the Day of
Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand and the
heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified be He, and High be He
above all that they associate as partners with Him!”

[al-Zumar
39:67]. 

The Prophet
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “No one is more patient in
bearing offensive things that he hears than Allaah, may He be glorified and
exalted; others are associated with Him, a son is attributed to Him, but He
still grants them health and provision.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (7378) and
Muslim (2804). 

What we learn
from that is that the criticism of the envious and the slander of those with
ulterior motives is not a reason for a Muslim to be discouraged from trying
hard to succeed and progress, or to weaken his resolve or cause him to
become frustrated. He should always remember that Allah, may He be glorified
and exalted, the Angels, the Messengers and the Prophets were never safe
from slander and harm. 

And Allah knows best.