فَٱنطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا لَقِيَا غُلَـٰمًا فَقَتَلَهُۥ قَالَ أَقَتَلْتَ نَفْسًا زَكِيَّةًۢ بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ لَّقَدْ جِئْتَ شَيْـًٔا نُّكْرًا 74
Translations
So they set out, until when they met a boy, he [i.e., al-Khiḍr] killed him. [Moses] said, "Have you killed a pure soul for other than [having killed] a soul? You have certainly done a deplorable thing."
Transliteration
Fa-antalaqa hatta idha laqiya ghulaman faqatalahu qala aqatalta nafsan zakiyyatan bighairi nafsin laqad ji'ta shay'an nukra
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the moment when Musa (Moses) witnesses al-Khidr killing an innocent young boy, causing Musa to immediately object with shock and moral outrage. Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir note that Musa's reaction reflects his righteous indignation at what appears to be an unjust killing, yet this act was part of al-Khidr's divinely-inspired wisdom that would later be explained. The phrase 'zakiyyatan' (pure/innocent) and 'nukra' (abominable) emphasize the apparent heinousness of the act from a human perspective, establishing the tension that drives the narrative toward divine wisdom transcending human understanding.
Revelation Context
This verse is part of the extended narrative in Surah Al-Kahf (ayat 60-82) detailing the journey of Musa with al-Khidr, a righteous servant of Allah possessing special knowledge. This story was revealed in Mecca to console the Prophet Muhammad and teach believers about hidden divine wisdom. The context illustrates how Allah's plans may appear contradictory to human reason but serve greater purposes unknown to us.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3401): The hadith of Musa and al-Khidr narrates these same events, explaining that al-Khidr's killing of the boy was justified because the boy would have caused his parents grief and disbelief. Additionally, hadith collections emphasize patience with divine decree even when circumstances seem unjust.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that apparent injustices or incomprehensible events in life may conceal divine wisdom we cannot perceive, and that it is natural to question what seems wrong, yet we must ultimately trust in Allah's infinite knowledge and perfect judgment in all matters.
Related Ayahs
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.
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.
وَلَمْ تَكُن لَّهُۥ فِئَةٌ يَنصُرُونَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مُنتَصِرًا
And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allāh, nor could he defend himself.
فَضَرَبْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ فِى ٱلْكَهْفِ سِنِينَ عَدَدًا
So We cast [a cover of sleep] over their ears within the cave for a number of years.