How could Pharaoh, as a king and one who claimed divinity, seek permission from his people to kill Moses (peace be upon him), despite his ability to do so and to kill others?

Scholars have mentioned several answers regarding Pharaoh's statement, "Leave me to kill Moses":

- Al-Sam'ani is of the view that the meaning is either a request for their consultation on killing him, or that they were preventing him from killing him for fear of his destruction.

- Ibn Atiyah believes that Moses' signs weakened Pharaoh and disturbed the beliefs of his people, and that the phrase "leave me" indicates his lack of absolute power. This is also supported by the موقف مؤمن آل فرعون (stance of the believer from Pharaoh's family).

- Al-Baydawi is of the view that Pharaoh's people were preventing him from killing him, rationalizing that he was a sorcerer and not dangerous. He explains that this rationalization of Pharaoh indicates his certainty of Moses' prophethood or his fear of not being able to kill him.

- Al-Mawardi is of the view that the meaning is either a request for consultation, or Pharaoh's desire to personally undertake his killing after his people's objection, or that believers among his people were preventing him.