Islamic stories

Prophet Musa and Khidr

The story begins at the time of Mūsā with Banī Isrāīl gathered around him, as mentioned in Sahīh al-Bukhāri. Mūsā's people ask him if there is anyone on Earth more knowledgeable than him to which Mūsā replies that he thinks there is none on Earth more knowledge than him, on account of him being a Prophet.

Allāh then reveals to Mūsā that despite him being a Prophet, there is a slave of His that is more knowledge than him. So he decided he will not give up until he reaches the two seas or a "huqub" passes. Alī bin Abī Talha reported that Ibn Abbās said that huqub means a "lifetime".

Upon being told that there is someone with more knowledge than him, Mūsā set out to find this person so he may learn from him.

Allah revealed to Mūsā: "At the junction of the two seas there is a slave of Ours who is more learned than you. Mūsā asked: O my Lord, how can I meet him? Mūsā was then told: Take a fish and put it in a basket (and set out), and wherever you will lose the fish, you will find him."

This is what Tafsir Ibn Kathir states about this fish:

Allah had commanded Musa to carry a salted fish with him, and it had been said to him, when you lose the fish, that will be a sign that you have reached the right place. So they set out and traveled until they reached the junction of the two seas, where there was a spring called 'Ayn Al-Hayat (the Spring of Life). They went to sleep there, and the fish felt the drops of that water, so it came back to life. It was in a vessel with Yusha, and it jumped out of the vessel towards the sea. Yusha woke up and the fish fell into the water and started to swim through the water, leaving a track or channel behind it. Allah said: فَاتَّخَذَ سَبِيلَهُ فِى الْبَحْرِ سَرَباً and it took its way through the sea as in a tunnel, meaning, like going through a tunnel on land. Ibn Jurayj said, Ibn Abbas said, It left a trace as if it were a rock. – end quote

So Mūsā began his journey with his companion, Yūsha b. Nūn (peace be upon him)

And [mention] when Moses said to his servant, I will not cease [traveling] until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period.

Mūsā and Yūsha got tired on the journey so they stopped to eat –

He (Yūsha) said, Did you see when we retired to the rock? Indeed, I forgot [there] the fish. And none made me forget it except Satan – that I should mention it. And it took its course into the sea amazingly.

Yūsha forgot about fish when it took off but Mūsā didnt blame Yūsha nor did he become irate with him.After they remembered about the fish, Mūsā and his companion went back to the place where the fish jumped out.

فَوَجَدَا عَبْدًا مِّنْ عِبَادِنَا آتَيْنَاهُ رَحْمَةً مِنْ عِندِنَا وَعَلَّمْنَاهُ مِن لَّدُنَّا عِلْمًا

And found one of Our servants, on whom We had bestowed mercy from Ourselves and unto whom We had imparted knowledge [issuing] from Ourselves. [18:65]

Allāh then describes Khidr,the fact that He granted special knowledge to Al-Khidr (عَلَّمْنَاهُ مِن لَّدُنَّا عِلْمًا) as a special mercy from Himself towards him (آتَيْنَاهُ رَحْمَةً مِنْ عِندِنَا).

Prophet Musa humbled himself and sought permission from Al-Khidr to learn from him:

قَالَ لَهُ مُوسَى هَلْ أَتَّبِعُكَ عَلَى أَن تُعَلِّمَنِ مِمَّا عُلِّمْتَ رُشْدًا

Musa said to him, May I follow you on the understanding that you will impart to me something of that consciousness of what is right that has been imparted to you? – [18:66]