Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part 112)
Educational Models from the Story of Prophet Musa and Al-Khidr (AS)
The story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and Al-Khidr (AS) appears exclusively in Surah Al-Kahf of the Noble Qur’an. Through the events of this story, Allah the Almighty intended to acquaint Prophet Musa (AS) with a new dimension of guidance and insight—one that prophets, callers to Islam, reformers, and educators need when facing unexpected events, unforeseen circumstances, and the complexities of life.
The essence of this lesson is that beyond the outward appearance of events that people encounter in life lie hidden realities and unseen wisdoms that may reveal the true nature of a matter, transform one’s perspective, and lead to conclusions entirely different from those initially formed based solely on external appearances. Allah the Almighty willed that Prophet Musa (AS) should comprehend this reality through a practical experience by accompanying Al-Khidr.
The significance of this experience lies in its connection to matters that formed part of Prophet Musa’s prophetic mission, particularly issues related to divine rulings and legislation. A judgment may sometimes be made according to the apparent circumstances of an event, yet once its hidden dimensions and underlying wisdom become known, a different ruling may emerge. This distinction may apply either to general rulings that encompass all circumstances or to specific rulings established because of particular interests and exceptional situations. [1]
This story is among the Qur’an’s greatest lessons concerning the limitations of human knowledge, the necessity of patience before passing judgment, and trust in Allah’s perfect wisdom. Human beings can never fully comprehend every aspect or consequence of events, whereas Allah’s knowledge and wisdom encompass both the seen and the unseen.
The Story of Prophet Musa and Al-Khidr in the Noble Qur’an
As mentioned above, the story of Prophet Musa and Al-Khidr (AS) is found only in Sūrah Al-Kahf (verses 60–82). It is one of the Qur’an’s greatest educational narratives, teaching lessons such as intellectual humility, the virtue of seeking knowledge, patience, trust in Allah’s wisdom, and avoiding hasty judgments.
First Lesson: Prophet Musa’s Determination to Meet Allah’s Righteous Servant
Allah (SWT) says: (وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَى لِفَتَاهُ لَا أَبْرَحُ حَتَّى أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِيَ حُقُبًا فَلَمَّا بَلَغَا مَجْمَعَ بَيْنِهِمَا نَسِيَا حُوتَهُمَا فَاتَّخَذَ سَبِيلَهُ فِي الْبَحْرِ سَرَبًا فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَا قَالَ لِفَتَاهُ آتِنَا غَدَاءَنَا لَقَدْ لَقِينَا مِن سَفَرِنَا هَذَا نَصَبًا قَالَ أَرَأَيْتَ إِذْ أَوَيْنَا إِلَى الصَّخْرَةِ فَإِنِّي نَسِيتُ الْحُوتَ وَمَا أَنسَانِيهُ إِلَّا الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ أَذْكُرَهُ وَاتَّخَذَ سَبِيلَهُ فِي الْبَحْرِ عَجَبًا قَالَ ذَلِكَ مَا كُنَّا نَبْغِ فَارْتَدَّا عَلَى آثَارِهِمَا قَصَصًا فَوَجَدَا عَبْدًا مِّنْ عِبَادِنَا آتَيْنَاهُ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَعَلَّمْنَاهُ مِن لَّدُنَّا عِلْمًا) Translation: “And remember when Musa said to his young companion, ‘I will not cease traveling until I reach the junction of the two seas, even if I must journey for many years.’ When they reached the meeting place of the two seas, they forgot their fish, and it made its way into the sea in a miraculous manner. After they had traveled farther, Musa said to his companion, ‘Bring us our meal, for we have certainly become weary from this journey of ours.’ He replied, ‘Do you remember when we rested by the rock? Indeed, I forgot the fish, and none but Satan caused me to forget mentioning it. Amazingly, it made its way into the sea.’ Musa said, ‘That is exactly what we were looking for.’ So they retraced their footsteps, following their own tracks. There they found one of Our servants upon whom We had bestowed mercy from Us and whom We had taught knowledge from Our Own Presence.” [2]
A lengthy narration recorded in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim states that Prophet Musa (AS) was delivering a sermon to the Children of Israel when he was asked, “Who is the most knowledgeable of people?” He replied, “I am.” Allah the Almighty reproved him because he did not attribute ultimate knowledge to Allah. Allah then revealed to him that at the meeting point of the two seas there was a righteous servant whom Allah had granted a special kind of knowledge. [3]
Accordingly, Prophet Musa (AS) was instructed to travel and learn from him. This incident demonstrates that regardless of how knowledgeable a person becomes, he should always remain eager to learn and willing to acquire knowledge from anyone whom Allah has blessed with it.
Driven by his sincere desire for knowledge, Prophet Musa (AS) chose Yushaʿ ibn Nun as his companion. They prepared provisions, including a fish placed in a basket, and asked Allah for a sign. Allah informed him that wherever the fish disappeared would be the place where he would meet the righteous servant. This portion of the story highlights the importance of planning, striving, traveling, and patiently enduring hardship in pursuit of knowledge.
When Musa (AS) and his companion rested beside a rock, the dead fish miraculously came back to life by Allah’s command and found its way into the sea. Yusha witnessed this extraordinary event but forgot to inform Prophet Musa.
After continuing their journey and becoming weary, Musa (AS) asked for food. At that moment, his companion remembered the incident of the fish. Prophet Musa (AS) responded: (ذَلِكَ مَا كُنَّا نَبْغِ) Translation: “That is exactly what we were seeking.” [4]
They immediately retraced their steps to that place, where they found Al-Khiḍr, about whom Allah the Almighty says (فَوَجَدَا عَبْدًا مِّنْ عِبَادِنَا آتَيْنَاهُ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَعَلَّمْنَاهُ مِن لَّدُنَّا عِلْمًا). Translation: “There they found one of Our servants upon whom We had bestowed special mercy from Us and whom We had taught knowledge from Our own presence.” [5]
Prophet Musa (AS) approached him with the utmost courtesy and humility, greeted him with peace, introduced himself, and respectfully requested permission to benefit from the knowledge Allah had granted him.
To be continued…
References:
[1] Muḥammad Ḥusayn Faḍlullāh, Al-Ḥiwār fī al-Qurʾān: Qawāʿiduhu, Asālībuhu, Muʿṭayātuhu, Beirut: Al-Muʾassasah al-Jāmiʿiyyah, 1405 AH, pp. 284–285.
[2] Sūrah Al-Kahf (18): 60–65.
[3] Narrated by Al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Tafsīr, Hadith no. 2647; and Muslim, Kitāb al-Faḍāʾil, Hadith no. 6113.
[4] Sūrah Al-Kahf (18): 64.
[5] Sūrah Al-Kahf (18): 65.
