Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part 129)
Educational Lessons from the Story of Prophet Musa and al-Khidr (AS) (Continued)
Lesson Twenty-Two: Raising Children with Foresight and an Understanding of the Reality of Matters
One of the important models of divine education in the story of Prophet Musa and al-Khidr (AS) is the careful examination of events, proper analysis, and avoiding judgment based solely on outward appearances.
A believing person should not assess events merely on the basis of their outward appearance. Rather, he should strive to understand the underlying reality and wisdom hidden behind them.
At the end of his encounter with Prophet Musa (AS), Prophet Khidr (AS) said, [1] «وَمَا فَعَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَمْرِي» Translation: “And I did not do it of my own accord.” [2]
This statement indicates that the actions of Prophet al-Khidr (AS) did not arise from his personal opinion or desire. Rather, they were carried out on the basis of the guidance and knowledge that Allah (SWT) had granted him.
This meaning is also connected to what Allah (SWT) says concerning Prophet al-Khidr (AS): وَعَلَّمْنَاهُ مِن لَّدُنَّا عِلْمًا”[3]” Translation: “And We had taught him knowledge from Us.” [4]
The three actions of Prophet al-Khidr (AS) were, in reality, practical manifestations of this divinely granted knowledge. He perceived the reality of events beyond their outward appearance and understood a benefit that was not immediately apparent to Prophet Musa (AS).
From an educational perspective, this story teaches families that one of the most important responsibilities of parents is to develop in their children the ability to analyze, exercise foresight, and distinguish between appearance and reality. A child or young person should not judge matters solely on the basis of what he sees. Rather, he should learn to distinguish between the “appearance of an event” and its “reality” and, before making a judgment, reflect on its causes, circumstances, and consequences.
Some people have a superficial and limited perspective and see only the outward aspect of events, assuming that it represents the whole truth. Divine education, however, calls a person toward a deeper and more accurate way of looking at matters.
Many outward appearances can be deceptive and may be accompanied by distortion, embellishment, self-presentation, or concealment of the truth. Therefore, children should be raised in a way that prevents them from being deceived by appearances, teaches them to investigate before passing judgment, and encourages them to give precedence to reality over outward appearance when analyzing events. [5]
Accordingly, one of the important models of divine education within the families of the Prophets (Peace and Blessings of Allah Be Upon Them) is to raise children with foresight, sound analytical ability, and realistic judgment of events. Such education protects a person from hasty judgments and being deceived by appearances and guides him toward a deeper understanding of reality.
To be continued…
[2] Mahmud al-Hasan Deobandi, Tafsir Kabuli, vol. 2, p. 616.
[3] Surah al-Kahf: 65.
[4] Mahmud al-Hasan Deobandi, Tafsir Kabuli, vol. 2, p. 606.
[5] Salah al-Khalidi, Ma’a Qisas al-Sabiqin fi al-Quran…, vol. 2, p. 230.
