قَالَ فَإِنِ ٱتَّبَعْتَنِى فَلَا تَسْـَٔلْنِى عَن شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰٓ أُحْدِثَ لَكَ مِنْهُ ذِكْرًا 70
Translations
He said, "Then if you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I make to you about it mention [i.e., explanation]."
Transliteration
Qala fa-in ittaba'tani fa-la tas'alni 'an shay'in hatta uhditsa laka minhu dhikra
Tafsir (Explanation)
Khidr (the wise servant) lays down a condition for Musa (Moses) to follow him: that Musa must not question him about anything until Khidr himself provides an explanation. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this condition was essential because Khidr possessed divinely-inspired knowledge ('ilm ladunni) of matters that would appear contradictory to ordinary understanding, and premature questioning would prevent Musa from benefiting from the lessons. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this teaches the importance of patience, trust, and withholding judgment before understanding the full wisdom behind apparent contradictions.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the story of Musa and Khidr (18:60-82), one of the most detailed narratives in the Quran. The broader context shows Musa's journey to meet a servant of Allah possessing special knowledge. This section specifically records Khidr's condition when Musa requests to accompany him, establishing the framework for the subsequent trials that test Musa's patience and faith.
Related Hadiths
The story of Musa and Khidr is referenced in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 74) where the Prophet Muhammad mentioned that this was among the greatest stories of patience and seeking knowledge. Additionally, hadiths emphasizing the virtue of patience (sabr) relate thematically to Musa's challenge to accept Khidr's actions without immediate questioning.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that true learning sometimes requires patient trust and submission to those with greater knowledge, and that we should refrain from hasty judgments about events or decisions we don't fully understand. It reminds modern believers that apparent contradictions in divine wisdom often conceal deeper purposes that will be revealed in due time.
Related Ayahs
كَذَٰلِكَ وَقَدْ أَحَطْنَا بِمَا لَدَيْهِ خُبْرًا
Thus. And We had encompassed [all] that he had in knowledge.
أَفَحَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَن يَتَّخِذُوا۟ عِبَادِى مِن دُونِىٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۚ إِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ نُزُلًا
Then do those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants instead of Me as allies? Indeed, We have prepared Hell for the disbelievers as a lodging.
قَالَ هَـٰذَا رَحْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّى ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ رَبِّى جَعَلَهُۥ دَكَّآءَ ۖ وَكَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّى حَقًّا
[Dhul-Qarnayn] said, "This is a mercy from my Lord; but when the promise of my Lord comes [i.e., approaches], He will make it level, and ever is the promise of my Lord true."
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا وَنَسِىَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ ۚ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًا ۖ وَإِن تَدْعُهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ فَلَن يَهْتَدُوٓا۟ إِذًا أَبَدًا
And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord but turns away from them and forgets what his hands have put forth? Indeed, We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And if you invite them to guidance - they will never be guided, then - ever.