In Soorah al-Kahf, from verse 60 through verse 82, a story is told of an encounter between the Prophet Moosaa and al-Khadir, as well as the events which transpired in the time they spent together. The scholar ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir as-Sa‘dee explained these verses in his Tafseer and he supplemented his explanation by listing 38 lessons derived from that encounter. This splendid and remarkable story contains many lessons, rulings and principles. We will draw attention to some of them with the assistance of Allaah.

1) The excellence of knowledge and journeying to seek it, as it is the most important of affairs. Moosaa certainly traveled a long distance and experienced fatigue during his quest. He chose to not stay among Banee Israa’eel in order to teach and guide them and, instead, he preferred traveling for the sake of increasing his knowledge.

2) Prioritizing matters according to their importance. Learning and improving one’s knowledge are undoubtedly more important than refraining from doing so and being preoccupied with teaching while not yet being adequately equipped with knowledge.

However, the more complete approach is to combine both affairs (i.e. learning and teaching).

3) The permissibility of employing an attendant, whether in residence or traveling, so as to take care of provisions and to seek ease, as done by Moosaa.

4) In the case of someone who travels for the purpose of seeking knowledge, or striving in the cause of Allaah, or something similar; if publicizing the objective and location would prove advantageous, then it should be done.

Such would surely be better than withholding it, since publicizing would have benefits including carrying out all necessary preparations, approaching the matter with insight, and letting others know the nobility this venerable act of worship, as Moosaa said, “I will not give up until I reach the junction of the two seas or until I spend years and years travelling.”

Furthermore, in preparation for the battle of Tabook, the Prophet openly informed his Companions of the objective and location, although it was his custom to conceal such information. That was done taking the resulting advantage into consideration.

5) Ascribing evil and its causes to Shaytaan, as it relates to his enticement and deceptive beautification, although it is all according to the Divine Decree of Allaah. This is understood from the attendant of Moosaa saying, “And none but Shaytaan made me forget to mention it.”