Lessons from the Encounter Between the Prophet Moosaa and al-Khadir

Posted Sep 23, 2009 by Aboo Thaabit with No Comments

Part two

6) The permissibility of informing others about things that are part of human nature – such as fatigue, hunger or thirst – so long as it is truthful and is not done out of displeasure or annoyance. This is understood from Moosaa saying, “Truly, we have suffered much fatigue in this journey of ours.”

7) The recommendation that one’s attendant be clever, perceptive and intelligent, so as to carry out the instructions given to him.

8 ) The recommendation of one feeding his attendant from his own food, as well as the two of them eating together. The implication from Moosaa saying “bring us our lunch” is that they ate together, due to him using the word “our.”

9) Assistance is granted to someone according to his compliance with the command of Allaah, and one who fulfils the command receives assistance that no one else is granted. This is understood from Moosaa saying, “Truly, we have suffered much fatigue in this journey of ours,” which refers to the portion in which they went past the junction of the two seas. However, as for the portion prior to that, he did not complain of weariness from it despite its distance, because it was the intended journey that was undertaken.

As it relates to the latter portion, it may have only lasted part of a day, because they lost the fish when they took shelter at the rock. Thus, it appears that they spent the night there and moved onward the following day. Then, when lunch time came, Moosaa said to his attendant, “Bring us our lunch.” At that time, the attendant recalled that he forgot it at their desired destination.

10) The individual whom the two of them (i.e. Moosaa and his attendant) met was not a Prophet. Rather, he was a righteous servant and Allaah described him with the quality of being an ‘abd (worshipping servant) and recounted the favor of bestowing mercy and knowledge upon him. Allaah did not mention anything about him being a Messenger nor a Prophet; had he been one, Allaah would have stated that just as He did for others.

As for his (i.e. al-Khadir) saying at the end of the narrative, “And I did not do them of my own accord,”7 it does not imply that he was a Prophet. Rather, it only refers to ilhaam and tahdeeth (forms of divine inspiration). Such is also the case with others who are not Prophets, as Allaah stated, “And We inspired the mother of Moosaa: ‘Suckle him (i.e. your child, Moosaa)’”, as well as “And your Lord inspired the bees, saying: ‘Take homes for yourselves in the mountains.’”

[Translated by brother Aboo Shaybah]

To be continued…