Moses and al-Khidr

And when Moses said to his servant, “I will not stop until I reach the junction of the two seas, even if I travel for ages.”

18:60And when Moses said unto his servant: I will not give up until I reach the point where the two rivers meet, though I march on for ages.

But when they reached the junction, they forgot their fish, which slipped away into the sea.

18:61And when they reached the point where the two met, they forgot their fish, and it took its way into the waters, being free.

When they had passed beyond it, Moses said, “Bring us our meal; we have grown weary from this journey.”

18:62And when they had gone further, he said unto his servant: Bring us our breakfast. Verily we have found fatigue in this our journey.

His servant said, “Did you see? When we rested by the rock, I forgot the fish. Only Satan made me forget to mention it. It took its course into the sea in an astonishing way.”

18:63He said: Didst thou see, when we took refuge on the rock, and I forgot the fish - and none but Satan caused me to forget to mention it - it took its way into the waters by a marvel.

Moses said, “That is what we were seeking!” So they retraced their steps.

18:64He said: This is that which we have been seeking. So they retraced their steps again.

There, they found one of Our servants, whom We had granted mercy and taught knowledge from Our presence.

18:65Then found they one of Our slaves, unto whom We had given mercy from Us, and had taught him knowledge from Our presence.

Moses said to him, “May I follow you so that you may teach me the wisdom you have been given?”

18:66Moses said unto him: May I follow thee, to the end that thou mayst teach me right conduct of that which thou hast been taught?

He said, “You will not be able to endure with me.”

18:67He said: Lo! thou canst not bear with me.

“How can you be patient with what you do not understand?”

18:68How canst thou bear with that whereof thou canst not compass any knowledge?

Moses said, “You will find me patient, if Allah wills, and I will not disobey you.”

18:69He said: Allah willing, thou shalt find me patient and I shall not in aught gainsay thee.

He said, “Then if you follow me, do not ask about anything until I explain it to you.”

18:70He said: Well, if thou go with me, ask me not concerning aught till I myself make mention of it unto thee.

So, they set out until they boarded a ship, and he made a hole in it. Moses said, “Have you damaged it to drown its passengers? You have done something terrible!”

18:71So they twain set out till, when they were in the ship, he made a hole therein. (Moses) said: Hast thou made a hole therein to drown the folk thereof? Thou verily hast done a dreadful thing.

He said, “Did I not say that you would not be able to endure with me?”

18:72He said: Did I not tell thee that thou couldst not bear with me?

Moses said, “Do not blame me for forgetting, and do not be hard on me.”

18:73(Moses) said: Be not wroth with me that I forgot, and be not hard upon me for my fault.

Then they continued until they met a boy, and he killed him. Moses said, “Have you killed an innocent soul without justification? You have done something dreadful!”

18:74So they twain journeyed on till, when they met a lad, he slew him. (Moses) said: What! Hast thou slain an innocent soul who hath slain no man? Verily thou hast done a horrid thing.

He said, “Did I not tell you that you would not be able to endure with me?”

18:75He said: Did I not tell thee that thou couldst not bear with me?

Moses said, “If I question you again, then do not keep me as your companion. You have my excuse.”

18:76(Moses) said: If I ask thee after this concerning aught, keep not company with me. Thou hast received an excuse from me.

So, they continued until they reached a town and asked its people for food, but they refused hospitality. Then they found a wall about to collapse, and he restored it. Moses said, “You could have asked for payment.”

18:77So they twain journeyed on till, when they came unto the folk of a certain township, they asked its folk for food, but they refused to make them guests. And they found therein a wall upon the point of falling into ruin, and he repaired it. (Moses) said: If thou hadst wished, thou couldst have taken payment for it.

He replied, “This is where we part ways. I will explain what you could not endure.”

18:78He said: This is the parting between thee and me! I will announce unto thee the interpretation of that thou couldst not bear with patience.

“As for the ship, it belonged to poor sailors. I damaged it because a king was seizing every sound vessel by force.”

18:79As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working on the river, and I wished to mar it, for there was a king behind them who is taking every ship by force.

“As for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared he would burden them with rebellion and disbelief.”

18:80And as for the lad, his parents were believers and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief.

“So, we intended that their Lord replace him with someone better in purity and kindness.”

18:81And we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one better in purity and nearer to mercy.

“As for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys, and beneath it was their treasure. Their father was righteous, so your Lord willed that they reach maturity and retrieve it, this was a mercy from your Lord. I did not act on my own. This is the meaning of what you could not endure.”

18:82And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure belonging to them, and their father had been righteous, and thy Lord intended that they should come to their full strength and should bring forth their treasure as a mercy from their Lord; and I did it not upon my own command. Such is the interpretation of that wherewith thou couldst not bear.