قَالَ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ صَابِرًا وَلَآ أَعْصِى لَكَ أَمْرًا 69
Translations
[Moses] said, "You will find me, if Allāh wills, patient, and I will not disobey you in [any] order."
Transliteration
Qala satajiduni in sha'a Allahu sabiran wa la a'asi laka amran
Tafsir (Explanation)
Musa (Moses) responds to al-Khidr's condition by pledging patience and obedience, saying 'You will find me, if Allah wills, patient, and I will not disobey you in any matter.' This demonstrates Musa's humility and willingness to learn from al-Khidr despite being a messenger himself. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Musa accepted the condition of following al-Khidr without question, recognizing that true knowledge requires submission and patience, as al-Khidr possessed knowledge that surpassed Musa's own.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Musa's journey with al-Khidr (the mysterious servant of Allah mentioned in verse 18:65), one of the most profound stories in the Quran. Musa had requested to follow al-Khidr to learn wisdom and knowledge, and al-Khidr set a condition that Musa must not question his actions until al-Khidr himself explains them. This context is set in Meccan Surah Al-Kahf and serves to teach patience, trust in divine wisdom, and the limits of human understanding.
Related Hadiths
The story of Musa and al-Khidr is referenced in Sahih Bukhari (3401) where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentions that Musa failed to maintain patience and questioned al-Khidr's actions prematurely. Additionally, the Quran itself (18:76-82) contains al-Khidr's explanation of his seemingly inexplicable actions, illustrating that divine wisdom often transcends human reasoning.
Themes
Key Lesson
True spiritual and intellectual growth requires both patience and humble obedience, even when we do not immediately understand the wisdom behind what we are learning. This ayah teaches us to trust in the greater knowledge of our teachers and the divine plan, rather than rushing to judgment based on our limited perspective.
Related Ayahs
خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يَبْغُونَ عَنْهَا حِوَلًا
Wherein they abide eternally. They will not desire from it any transfer.
قَالَ هَـٰذَا فِرَاقُ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنِكَ ۚ سَأُنَبِّئُكَ بِتَأْوِيلِ مَا لَمْ تَسْتَطِع عَّلَيْهِ صَبْرًا
[Al-Khiḍr] said, "This is parting between me and you. I will inform you of the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience.
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."
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمُ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِّن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا
Those will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place.