۞ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِىَ صَبْرًا 75
Translations
[Al-Khiḍr] said, "Did I not tell you that with me you would never be able to have patience?"
Transliteration
Qala alam aqul laka innaka lan tastatee'a ma'iya sabra
Tafsir (Explanation)
Dhul-Qarnayn (or Khidr, depending on interpretation) reminds Musa (Moses) of his earlier warning that Musa would not be able to remain patient with him. This statement reiterates the divine wisdom in the arrangement of events and serves as a gentle rebuke, reminding Musa that what appeared to be wrongdoing was actually part of a greater divine plan. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this moment highlights the limitations of human understanding when confronted with divine wisdom and hidden meanings in apparent acts.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Al-Kahf, where Musa travels with a guide (traditionally understood as Khidr) who performs seemingly destructive acts—damaging a boat, killing a youth, and rebuilding a wall without payment. This ayah comes after Musa has finally lost patience and questioned the guide's actions, prompting the guide to explain the wisdom behind his deeds. The broader context emphasizes testing, patience, and trust in divine wisdom.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Bukhari contains the full story of Musa and Khidr (Hadith 3401), which elaborates on the meeting and Khidr's explanations. Additionally, hadith literature emphasizes the virtue of patience (sabr) as a key Islamic virtue, such as in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) states 'Patience is a light.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that we should not judge situations or people based solely on external appearances, as hidden wisdom and divine purpose often underlie events we do not understand. It calls us to cultivate patience and trust in Allah's plans, recognizing that our limited perspective cannot comprehend the full tapestry of divine wisdom.