قَالَ ذَٰلِكَ مَا كُنَّا نَبْغِ ۚ فَٱرْتَدَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَارِهِمَا قَصَصًا 64
Translations
[Moses] said, "That is what we were seeking." So they returned, following their footprints.
Transliteration
Qala dhalika ma kunna nabghi farattada ala atharihima qasasan
Tafsir (Explanation)
Musa (peace be upon him) exclaims that they have found what they were seeking—the meeting point with Al-Khidr—and both of them retrace their steps back along the path they came. This marks the fulfillment of their quest and the beginning of their journey together. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah demonstrates the providence of Allah in guiding seekers of knowledge to their destination, and the humility of Musa in acknowledging that their search has borne fruit.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Al-Kahf (18:60-82), which recounts Musa's journey with Al-Khidr to gain beneficial knowledge. The broader context of this Meccan surah emphasizes patience, trust in Allah's wisdom, and the pursuit of knowledge. This specific verse follows their miraculous sign at the rock where the fish came to life, confirming they had found the right person.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3401) contains the extended hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas about Musa and Al-Khidr, detailing their entire journey. This hadith provides the complete narrative context for understanding this ayah's placement in the story.
Themes
Key Lesson
When we sincerely seek knowledge and guidance from Allah, He provides clear signs to direct us toward it, just as He guided Musa to Al-Khidr. This teaches us to remain patient in our pursuits, recognize the signs of Allah's guidance, and remain humble in acknowledging when we have found what we seek.
Related Ayahs
قُل لَّوْ كَانَ ٱلْبَحْرُ مِدَادًا لِّكَلِمَـٰتِ رَبِّى لَنَفِدَ ٱلْبَحْرُ قَبْلَ أَن تَنفَدَ كَلِمَـٰتُ رَبِّى وَلَوْ جِئْنَا بِمِثْلِهِۦ مَدَدًا
Say, "If the sea were ink for [writing] the words of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord were exhausted, even if We brought the like of it in [continual] supplement."
وَلَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَا۟ىْءٍ إِنِّى فَاعِلٌ ذَٰلِكَ غَدًا
And never say of anything, "Indeed, I will do that tomorrow,"
وَكَيْفَ تَصْبِرُ عَلَىٰ مَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِۦ خُبْرًا
And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?"
وَتَحْسَبُهُمْ أَيْقَاظًا وَهُمْ رُقُودٌ ۚ وَنُقَلِّبُهُمْ ذَاتَ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَذَاتَ ٱلشِّمَالِ ۖ وَكَلْبُهُم بَـٰسِطٌ ذِرَاعَيْهِ بِٱلْوَصِيدِ ۚ لَوِ ٱطَّلَعْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَوَلَّيْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِرَارًا وَلَمُلِئْتَ مِنْهُمْ رُعْبًا
And you would think them awake, while they were asleep. And We turned them to the right and to the left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. If you had looked at them, you would have turned from them in flight and been filled by them with terror.