وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَىٰهُ لَآ أَبْرَحُ حَتَّىٰٓ أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِىَ حُقُبًا 60
Translations
And [mention] when Moses said to his boy [i.e., servant], "I will not cease [traveling] until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period."
Transliteration
Wa-idh qala Musa li-fatahu la abrah hatta ablugh majma al-bahr ayni aw amda huquba
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Prophet Musa's (Moses) determination to travel until he reaches the meeting place of the two seas, or until he spends ages/long periods in the journey. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to Musa's quest to meet Al-Khidr, a righteous servant of Allah mentioned in the Quran, to gain knowledge from him. The 'meeting of the two seas' (majma al-bahr ayni) is interpreted by classical scholars as either a specific geographical location where two bodies of water meet, or metaphorically as the confluence point where divine wisdom meets human understanding.
Revelation Context
This ayah opens the narrative of Surah Al-Kahf's third major story. The context shows Musa instructing his young companion (believed to be Yusha/Joshua ibn Nun) about their journey. This story illustrates the humility of prophets in seeking knowledge and the importance of patience in spiritual pursuits, themes central to Al-Kahf's overall message about trials and divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The story of Musa and Al-Khidr is referenced in Sahih Bukhari (hadith 74) where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentions the people of the cave and other signs, emphasizing the Quranic narratives. Additionally, various hadiths discuss seeking knowledge and traveling for it, reflecting the principle demonstrated in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that the pursuit of beneficial knowledge is worthy of dedication and sacrifice, and that even prophets humble themselves to learn from others chosen by Allah. It reminds us that spiritual growth requires commitment, patience, and willingness to undertake difficult journeys in search of wisdom.
Related Ayahs
فَوَجَدَا عَبْدًا مِّنْ عِبَادِنَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَعَلَّمْنَـٰهُ مِن لَّدُنَّا عِلْمًا
And they found a servant from among Our servants [i.e., al-Khiḍr] to whom We had given mercy from Us and had taught him from Us a [certain] knowledge.
وَكَانَ لَهُۥ ثَمَرٌ فَقَالَ لِصَـٰحِبِهِۦ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُۥٓ أَنَا۠ أَكْثَرُ مِنكَ مَالًا وَأَعَزُّ نَفَرًا
And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, "I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men."
إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱذْكُر رَّبَّكَ إِذَا نَسِيتَ وَقُلْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَهْدِيَنِ رَبِّى لِأَقْرَبَ مِنْ هَـٰذَا رَشَدًا
Except [when adding], "If Allāh wills." And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct."
ٱلْمَالُ وَٱلْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَٱلْبَـٰقِيَـٰتُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا
Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.