Stories from the Quran

The story of Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) and Hazrat Khidr (Khijir, peace be upon him)

The story of Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) and Hazrat Khidr (Khijir, peace be upon him) is beautifully narrated in the Quran, specifically in Surah Al-Kahf (18:60-82). This story highlights themes of patience, humility, and the hidden wisdom behind Allah’s decrees.

Setting the Scene

One day, Prophet Musa (AS) was speaking to the Children of Israel and mentioned his deep knowledge. Allah then revealed to Musa (AS) that there was a servant of Allah who possessed special knowledge, known only to Allah. Intrigued and eager to learn, Musa (AS) asked Allah for permission to meet this wise servant, Khidr (AS), and Allah granted it. Musa (AS) was instructed to take a fish with him and look for a place where the fish would miraculously disappear, as that was where he would find Khidr (AS).

The Journey Begins

Musa (AS) set out on his journey with his young companion, Yusha (Joshua), carrying the fish. After traveling for some time, they reached the place where two seas meet, and while Musa (AS) rested, the fish slipped into the water and disappeared. Later, when they resumed their journey, Musa (AS) realized they had left the fish behind and retraced their steps. Upon returning, they found Khidr (AS) at that very spot.

The Agreement

When Musa (AS) approached Khidr (AS), he humbly requested to accompany him to learn from his wisdom. However, Khidr (AS) warned Musa (AS) that he would not be able to remain patient, as the knowledge Khidr possessed came from Allah's hidden wisdom, beyond ordinary understanding. Musa (AS) promised to be patient and not question Khidr’s actions, to which Khidr (AS) agreed on the condition that Musa (AS) would not ask questions until Khidr himself explained.

The Three Lessons

1. The Boat: They first encountered a poor fisherman and boarded his boat to travel across the river. To Musa’s surprise, Khidr (AS) damaged the boat by making a hole in it. Musa (AS), disturbed by this, questioned Khidr’s actions, as it seemed to harm innocent people. Khidr (AS) reminded him of their agreement to remain patient and silent.

2. The Boy: As they continued, they came across a young boy, and Khidr (AS) took his life. Musa (AS), shocked and troubled, confronted Khidr (AS) about such a severe act. Again, Khidr reminded Musa (AS) of his promise to withhold his questions until later.

3. The Wall: Their journey brought them to a town where they were refused food and hospitality. Despite this, Khidr (AS) repaired a collapsing wall for the townspeople. Musa (AS) was puzzled, questioning why Khidr would help people who had been so unkind to them without asking for any compensation.

Khidr’s Explanation

After these three events, Khidr (AS) informed Musa (AS) that their journey together had come to an end and proceeded to explain the wisdom behind his actions:

• The Boat: The fishermen who owned the boat were poor, and a tyrant king was seizing every boat in good condition. By damaging the boat, Khidr (AS) ensured it would not be seized, thus preserving the fishermen’s livelihood.

• The Boy: The boy’s future was known to Allah, and he would have brought immense grief and hardship to his parents by leading them astray. Allah intended to replace him with a righteous child, one who would bring them joy and uphold the faith.

• The Wall: Beneath the wall lay a treasure belonging to two orphan boys in the town. Their father had been a righteous man, and Allah wished to protect their inheritance until they came of age. By repairing the wall, Khidr (AS) ensured it remained hidden from the greedy townspeople.

The Lesson in Trust and Patience

Through this journey, Allah taught Musa (AS) a profound lesson about trust in divine wisdom, even when events appear unjust or inexplicable. Allah’s knowledge is absolute, while human understanding is limited. The story of Musa (AS) and Khidr (AS) serves as a reminder for believers to trust Allah’s wisdom and timing, even when life’s events seem mysterious or difficult to accept.

This story illustrates that patience, humility, and faith in Allah's perfect wisdom are essential in navigating the unseen purposes behind His actions.

Ladies and Gentlemen Assalamu Alaikum,

Today, I want to share with you an inspiring story from the Quran, a story that offers lessons in patience, humility, and trusting in Allah’s wisdom. This is the story of Prophet Musa, or Moses, peace be upon him, and a special servant of Allah named Khidr, peace be upon him. This story is recounted in Surah Al-Kahf, where we see how Allah’s wisdom often goes beyond what we can comprehend.

Let us go back to the time when Musa (AS) was guiding the Children of Israel. As a great prophet and leader, he was guiding his people and teaching them. But, one day, Allah revealed to Musa (AS) that there was a wise servant of His, a man named Khidr, who held unique knowledge. Musa, eager to learn, asked Allah if he could meet this wise servant, and Allah granted him permission. Musa was instructed to take a fish with him and to follow it; at the spot where it would disappear, he would find Khidr.

So Musa set out, bringing along his young companion, Yusha, also known as Joshua. After traveling for some time, they rested near a place where two seas met. While they rested, something amazing happened: the fish they brought with them came to life and slipped into the sea. Later, when they resumed their journey, Musa realized they had forgotten the fish and returned to the spot where it had vanished. And there, just as Allah had promised, they found Khidr.

Musa approached Khidr and humbly requested permission to accompany him to learn from his wisdom. Khidr agreed but warned Musa of a challenge: “You will not be able to bear with me patiently, for you do not know what I know.” Musa, eager and determined, promised he would be patient and not question Khidr’s actions.

So the journey began, and soon, they came across a boat. They climbed aboard to travel down the river. But to Musa’s shock, Khidr made a hole in the boat, causing it to become damaged. Musa could not hold back and asked Khidr why he would harm the boat of innocent people. Khidr reminded him of his promise not to question anything, so Musa apologized and promised once more to remain patient.

Next, as they continued, they encountered a young boy. Without warning, Khidr took the boy’s life. Musa was deeply troubled and confronted Khidr, “Why would you take an innocent life?” But Khidr reminded him again of his promise. Once again, Musa apologized, promising to ask no more questions.

Then, they came to a town where they asked for food and hospitality, but the townspeople rudely turned them away. Despite this, Khidr began repairing a wall that was collapsing. Musa, still baffled, couldn’t understand. Why would Khidr do a favor for people who had shown them no kindness? He questioned Khidr once again.

At this point, Khidr told Musa, “This is where our journey together ends. But I will explain to you the wisdom behind these actions, as they were done by Allah’s command.”

Khidr then revealed the hidden wisdom behind each action. The first incident, involving the boat, was to protect poor fishermen from the tyranny of a nearby king who was seizing every boat in good condition. By creating a small defect in their vessel, Khidr ensured that it would appear undesirable, sparing it from confiscation and allowing the fishermen to keep their livelihood intact. Moving on, Khidr explained the difficult truth about the boy. Although this act had seemed harsh, Allah knew that the boy’s future would bring grief and disbelief to his righteous parents, leading them down a path of hardship. In His mercy, Allah chose to take the boy’s life early, intending to replace him with a child who would be a source of joy and faith for his family.

Finally, Khidr spoke about the wall in the unkind town. Beneath that wall was a hidden treasure meant for two orphaned boys whose father had been a righteous man. By repairing the wall, Khidr prevented anyone from discovering the treasure until the boys grew up, ensuring they could inherit what was rightfully theirs at the right time. These lessons opened Musa’s heart to a deeper understanding of humility and trust. He saw that Allah’s wisdom often remains hidden from human eyes, operating beyond what we can perceive. In this journey, Musa realized that Allah’s knowledge is perfect, guiding events with a wisdom that surpasses human comprehension. This story of Musa and Khidr reminds us all to trust in Allah’s unseen plan, to have patience, and to remember that every action in our lives is orchestrated with care and in our best interest, whether we understand it or not.

Thank you.