فَٱنطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَيَآ أَهْلَ قَرْيَةٍ ٱسْتَطْعَمَآ أَهْلَهَا فَأَبَوْا۟ أَن يُضَيِّفُوهُمَا فَوَجَدَا فِيهَا جِدَارًا يُرِيدُ أَن يَنقَضَّ فَأَقَامَهُۥ ۖ قَالَ لَوْ شِئْتَ لَتَّخَذْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا 77
Translations
So they set out, until when they came to the people of a town, they asked its people for food, but they refused to offer them hospitality. And they found therein a wall about to collapse, so he [i.e., al-Khiḍr] restored it. [Moses] said, "If you wished, you could have taken for it a payment."
Transliteration
Fāntalaqa ḥattā idhā atayā ahla qaryatin isṭaʿamā ahlahā fa-abaw an yuḍayyifūhumā fawajadā fīhā jidāran yurīdu an yanqaḍḍa fa-aqāmahu qāla law shi'ta lāttakhazta ʿalayhi ajran
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the second trial in the story of Musa and Khidr, where they arrive at a village whose inhabitants refuse to offer them hospitality and food. Despite this discourtesy, Khidr repairs a crumbling wall without accepting payment, demonstrating selfless service and hidden wisdom. Musa expresses puzzlement at why Khidr did not demand wages for his labor, setting up the explanation of the divine wisdom behind Khidr's seemingly inexplicable actions that follows in subsequent verses. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this trial teaches patience with human ingratitude and the importance of performing good deeds purely for Allah's sake.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the extended narrative of Surah Al-Kahf (18:60-82) recounting Musa's journey with Khidr, a figure with special knowledge from Allah. The story was revealed in Medina as a response to questions from the Quraysh, though the surah itself is Meccan. The context illustrates how divine wisdom operates beyond human comprehension, and this particular incident exemplifies trials of character and the testing of faith.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3401): The hadith about the three people in a cave emphasizes that sincere deeds done for Allah's sake are never wasted. Additionally, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need themselves' (related in various sources), reflecting the principle of giving despite hardship shown by Khidr.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to perform good deeds without expecting immediate recognition or material reward, trusting that Allah sees all our intentions and actions. It also reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful service we offer receives no acknowledgment from people, yet it fulfills a greater divine purpose we may never fully understand in this life.