۞ 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.
Related Ayahs
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allāh?" Unquestionably, the help of Allāh is near.
ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ وَٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ وَٱلْقَـٰنِتِينَ وَٱلْمُنفِقِينَ وَٱلْمُسْتَغْفِرِينَ بِٱلْأَسْحَارِ
The patient, the true, the obedient, those who spend [in the way of Allāh], and those who seek forgiveness before dawn.
فَٱصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْعَشِىِّ وَٱلْإِبْكَـٰرِ
So be patient, [O Muḥammad]. Indeed, the promise of Allāh is truth. And ask forgiveness for your sin and exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord in the evening and the morning.
فَٱصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ ۖ وَلَا يَسْتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ
So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allāh is truth. And let them not disquiet you who are not certain [in faith].