وَأَمَّا ٱلْجِدَارُ فَكَانَ لِغُلَـٰمَيْنِ يَتِيمَيْنِ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ وَكَانَ تَحْتَهُۥ كَنزٌ لَّهُمَا وَكَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَـٰلِحًا فَأَرَادَ رَبُّكَ أَن يَبْلُغَآ أَشُدَّهُمَا وَيَسْتَخْرِجَا كَنزَهُمَا رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ وَمَا فَعَلْتُهُۥ عَنْ أَمْرِى ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَأْوِيلُ مَا لَمْ تَسْطِع عَّلَيْهِ صَبْرًا 82
Translations
And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure for them, and their father had been righteous. So your Lord intended that they reach maturity and extract their treasure, as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience."
Transliteration
Wa-amma al-jidaru fa-kana li-ghulameyn yatimeyn fi al-madinah wa-kana tahtuhu kanzun lahuma wa-kana abuhumа saliha fa-arada rabbuka an yablugha ashiddahuma wa-yastakhrijа kanzahuma rahmatan min rabbik wa-ma fa'altuhu 'an amri dhalik ta'wil ma lam tasit' 'alayhi sabra
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes Khidr's explanation of the third and final act—repairing the wall for two orphan boys in the city. The wall concealed a treasure beneath it that belonged to the orphans, whose righteous father had left it for them. Khidr's actions were divinely ordained to preserve their inheritance until they reached maturity and could extract it themselves, demonstrating that Allah's wisdom sometimes operates through seemingly inexplicable means. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this illustrates Allah's perfect knowledge and mercy, where apparent harm contains hidden benefit.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the longer narrative of Musa and Khidr (18:60-82), revealed in Mecca. The entire story serves to teach believers about divine wisdom that transcends human comprehension. The three acts performed by Khidr—damaging the ship, killing the boy, and repairing the wall—each contained wisdom that was only revealed at the end, illustrating the importance of patience and trust in Allah's plan.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3401): The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding this story: 'We wished that Musa had been more patient so that more of this knowledge would have been narrated to us.' This hadith emphasizes the virtue of patience (sabr) in understanding divine wisdom.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that apparent adversity or unclear divine actions may contain profound wisdom and mercy that only becomes evident with time and maturity. Believers should cultivate patience and trust in Allah's providence, recognizing that events seemingly harmful may actually be protective blessings in disguise.
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.
قَالَ هَـٰذَا فِرَاقُ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنِكَ ۚ سَأُنَبِّئُكَ بِتَأْوِيلِ مَا لَمْ تَسْتَطِع عَّلَيْهِ صَبْرًا
[Al-Khiḍr] said, "This is parting between me and you. I will inform you of the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience.
وَٱصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلْعَشِىِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُۥ ۖ وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَا تُطِعْ مَنْ أَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهُۥ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ وَكَانَ أَمْرُهُۥ فُرُطًا
And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His face [i.e., acceptance]. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.
وَرَءَا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ ٱلنَّارَ فَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُم مُّوَاقِعُوهَا وَلَمْ يَجِدُوا۟ عَنْهَا مَصْرِفًا
And the criminals will see the Fire and will be certain that they are to fall therein. And they will not find from it a way elsewhere.