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
أَمْ حَسِبْتَ أَنَّ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْكَهْفِ وَٱلرَّقِيمِ كَانُوا۟ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا عَجَبًا
Or have you thought that the companions of the cave and the inscription were, among Our signs, a wonder?
وَمَآ أَظُنُّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ قَآئِمَةً وَلَئِن رُّدِدتُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّى لَأَجِدَنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهَا مُنقَلَبًا
And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return."
هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوْمُنَا ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةً ۖ لَّوْلَا يَأْتُونَ عَلَيْهِم بِسُلْطَـٰنٍۭ بَيِّنٍ ۖ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا
These, our people, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for [worship of] them a clear evidence? And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allāh a lie?"
قَيِّمًا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا
[He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward [i.e., Paradise].