Islamic knowledge

Divine wisdom behind events..examples to educate prophet Moses

Audio summary of the events…

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Below is the translation and tafsir (exegesis) of Surah Al-Kahf (18:65-82) from Tafheem-ul-Quran by Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, sourced from the official website of Tafheem-ul-Quran (www.islamicstudies.info). The translation is provided first, followed by the relevant commentary (tafsir) for these verses. Note that the tafsir may include explanatory notes and context as provided by Maududi.

Translation of Surah Al-Kahf (18:65-82) from Tafheem-ul-Quran

(18:65) And there they found a servant from among Our servants to whom We had granted mercy from Us and had taught him knowledge from Our presence.
(18:66) Moses said to him: “May I follow you that you may teach me something of the wisdom which you have been taught?”
(18:67) He said: “You will not be able to bear with me patiently.
(18:68) How can you bear with that of which you have no knowledge?”
(18:69) Moses said: “You will find me, if Allah wills, patient; and I shall not disobey you in anything.”
(18:70) He said: “If you want to follow me, do not ask me about anything until I myself mention it to you.”
(18:71) So they set out, until when they embarked on a boat, he made a hole in it. Moses said: “Have you made a hole in it in order to drown its inmates? You have certainly done a grievous thing.”
(18:72) He said: “Did I not tell you that you will not be able to bear with me patiently?”
(18:73) Moses said: “Do not take me to task for what I forgot, and do not be hard on me for this lapse of mine.”
(18:74) So they went on until they met a young boy, and he slew him. Moses said: “Have you killed an innocent person without his having killed anyone? You have certainly done a horrible thing.”
(18:75) He said: “Did I not tell you that you will not be able to bear with me patiently?”
(18:76) Moses said: “If after this I ask you about anything, do not let me accompany you. You will then be fully justified.”
(18:77) Then they went on until they came to the people of a town. They asked its people for food, but they refused to give them any hospitality. They found there a wall that was about to fall down, and he set it up straight. Moses said: “Had you wished, you could have taken payment for it.”
(18:78) He said: “This brings me and you to a parting of ways. Now I shall explain to you the true meaning of things about which you could not remain patient.
(18:79) As for the boat, it belonged to some poor people who worked on the river, and I intended to damage it, for there was a king coming behind them who was seizing every boat by force.
(18:80) As for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared lest he should trouble them with rebellion and unbelief.
(18:81) So we intended that their Lord should replace him with another child better than he in purity and closer to mercy.
(18:82) As for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and beneath it was a treasure belonging to them. Their father had been a righteous man. So your Lord intended that they should come of age and then take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. I did not do this of my own accord. This is the true meaning of the things about which you could not remain patient.”

Tafsir (Commentary) of Surah Al-Kahf (18:65-82) from Tafheem-ul-Quran

The following is a summarized version of the tafsir provided by Maududi for these verses, focusing on the narrative and key interpretive points. For the complete tafsir, refer to http://www.islamicstudies.info.

Context and Background

  • Verses 60-82 of Surah Al-Kahf narrate the story of Prophet Moses (PBUH) and his encounter with a mysterious servant of Allah, traditionally identified as Al-Khidr in Islamic tradition (though not named in the Quran). This narrative illustrates the limitations of human knowledge, the importance of patience, and trust in divine wisdom.
  • The story begins with Moses embarking on a journey to seek knowledge, as instructed by Allah, and meeting this servant, who possesses divinely granted knowledge.

Verse-by-Verse Tafsir

Verse 65:

  • The “servant” is described as one to whom Allah granted mercy and special knowledge. Maududi explains that this servant (often understood as Al-Khidr) was bestowed with ‘ilm ladunni’ (knowledge from Allah’s presence), which is distinct from ordinary knowledge acquired through human effort. This indicates divine wisdom beyond conventional understanding.
  • The meeting place, where Moses found this servant, is significant, though its exact location is left unspecified in the Quran to emphasize the spiritual lesson over geographical details.

Verse 66:

  • Moses humbly requests to learn from this servant, recognizing his unique wisdom. Maududi highlights Moses’ humility, as a prophet, he seeks further enlightenment, showing that seeking knowledge is a lifelong pursuit even for the learned.
  • The request reflects the Quranic emphasis on seeking beneficial knowledge with ** respect and sincerity.

Verses 67-68:

  • The servant warns Moses that his actions may seem incomprehensible due to Moses’ limited understanding. Maududi notes that this sets the stage to test Moses’ patience, illustrating that divine wisdom often transcends human logic.
  • The servant’s statement underscores the theme of human limitations in grasping Allah’s plans.

Verse 69:

  • Moses promises to be patient and obedient, invoking Allah’s will. Maududi emphasizes that this reflects the proper etiquette of a student: humility, patience, and reliance on divine assistance.

Verse 70:

  • The servant agrees to let Moses follow him but imposes a condition: Moses must not question his actions until he chooses to explain them. Maududi explains that this condition tests Moses’ ability to trust in divine wisdom, even when actions appear perplexing or morally challenging.

Verse 71:

  • The servant damages a boat belonging to poor people, prompting Moses to object, as it seems harmful. Maududi notes that Moses’ reaction is natural, as he perceives the act as unjust without knowing the underlying purpose.
  • This incident introduces the theme of apparent evil concealing greater good, a key lesson in divine providence.

Verse 72:

  • The servant reminds Moses of his warning about patience. Maududi interprets this as a gentle rebuke, emphasizing the need to withhold judgment when divine wisdom is at play.

Verse 73:

  • Moses apologizes, attributing his question to forgetfulness. Maududi explains that Moses’ humility in admitting his lapse reflects his sincerity as a student and prophet.

Verse 74:

  • The servant kills a young boy, shocking Moses, who protests the act as unjust. Maududi clarifies that this act appears heinous to Moses because he lacks knowledge of the boy’s future and the divine purpose behind the act.
  • This incident further tests Moses’ ability to trust in divine wisdom, as the killing of an innocent seems contrary to justice.

Verse 75:

  • The servant reiterates his warning, showing increasing firmness. Maududi notes that this repetition reinforces the lesson that divine actions may defy human understanding.

Verse 76:

  • Moses acknowledges his error and promises not to question again, accepting that further questioning would justify his dismissal. Maududi highlights Moses’ perseverance despite repeated failures, showing his commitment to learning.

Verse 77:

  • The servant repairs a wall in a town that refused them hospitality, and Moses suggests he could have taken payment. Maududi explains that Moses’ comment reflects his human perspective, expecting compensation for labor, but the servant’s action has a higher purpose.
  • The refusal of hospitality by the townspeople contrasts with the servant’s selfless act, illustrating divine mercy even toward the ungrateful.

Verse 78:

  • The servant declares that their journey ends due to Moses’ inability to remain patient. Maududi notes that this parting is not punitive but a natural consequence of Moses’ human limitations, preparing the way for the explanations.

Verses 79-82:

  • The servant explains his actions, revealing their divine purpose:
  • The Boat (v. 79): Damaging the boat protected its poor owners from a tyrannical king seizing it, preserving their livelihood. Maududi emphasizes that what seemed harmful was an act of mercy.
  • The Boy (v. 80-81): The boy’s death prevented him from becoming a source of rebellion and disbelief for his believing parents. Allah intended to replace him with a better child. Maududi clarifies that this reflects divine foreknowledge, not arbitrary punishment, and underscores Allah’s mercy toward the parents.
  • The Wall (v. 82): Repairing the wall protected a treasure belonging to two orphans until they reached maturity. Their father’s righteousness earned them this divine favor. Maududi highlights that the act was a mercy from Allah, not motivated by personal gain.
  • The servant emphasizes that these actions were not his own initiative but were divinely ordained. Maududi stresses that this underscores the servant’s role as an obedient agent of Allah’s will.

Key Themes and Lessons

  • Divine Wisdom vs. Human Understanding: The story illustrates that Allah’s plans may appear incomprehensible or unjust but always serve a greater good. Maududi emphasizes the need for trust in divine wisdom.
  • Patience and Humility: Moses’ repeated questioning and apologies highlight the importance of patience and humility in seeking knowledge and accepting divine decrees.
  • Mercy and Knowledge: The servant’s actions, rooted in divine mercy and knowledge, show that true wisdom combines compassion with understanding. Maududi notes that mercy precedes knowledge in the servant’s description (v. 65).
  • Prophethood of Al-Khidr: Maududi discusses the scholarly debate about whether the servant (Al-Khidr) was a prophet. He leans toward the view that Al-Khidr was a prophet, given his divinely ordained actions and special knowledge, though the Quran does not explicitly state this.
  • Moral Complexity: The story challenges simplistic views of morality, showing that actions must be judged in light of divine intent and long-term outcomes.

Additional Notes

  • Maududi addresses the ambiguity of Al-Khidr’s identity, noting that the Quran describes him as a “servant” to emphasize his obedience to Allah. The tafsir avoids speculative details about Al-Khidr’s life or status beyond what the Quran provides.
  • The narrative connects to broader Quranic themes of trials, trust in Allah, and the limits of human perception, as seen in other stories in Surah Al-Kahf (e.g., the People of the Cave, Dhul-Qarnayn).

Source Citation

This translation and tafsir are drawn from Tafheem-ul-Quran by Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, as available on http://www.islamicstudies.info.

Note

  • The tafsir has been summarized to focus on the key points relevant to verses 18:65-82. For a detailed exposition, including footnotes and additional scholarly references, consult the full text on the Tafheem-ul-Quran website.
  • If you need further clarification or additional details (e.g., specific footnotes, comparisons with other tafsirs, or analysis of particular verses), please let me know!