English translation
[6165] 172 - (...) Ubayy bin Ka'b narrated: "I heard the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ say: 'While Mûsâ ﷺ was among his people, reminding them of the days of Allâh – and the days of Allâh are His blessings and trials – he said: "I do not know of any man on earth who is better and more knowledgeable than me." "Allâh revealed to him: I know best about goodness or with whom it is. In the land there is a man who is more knowledgeable than you." He said: "O Lord, guide me to him." It was said to him: "Take a salted fish with you as provision, and he will be where you lose the fish." He and his servant set out until they came to the rock, but he did not find any clue. Mûsâ set out and left his servant behind, and the fish began to stir in the water, which became like a tunnel. His servant said: "Should I not catch up with the Prophet of Allâh and tell him?" But he was caused to forget. When they went beyond (that point) he said to his servant: "Bring us our morning meal; truly, we have suffered much fatigue in this, our journey." And they did not become tired until they passed that point." "Then he remembered and said: "Do you remember when we betook ourselves to the rock? I indeed forgot the fish; none but Shaitân made me forget to remember it. It took its course into the sea in a strange (way)!" Mûsâ said: "That is what we have been seeking." So they went back retracing their footsteps. He showed him where the fish had jumped out, and he said: "This is the place that was described to me." Then he went looking for him, and he found Al-Khaḍr covered with a garment, lying on his back. Mûsâ said: "As-salâmu 'alaikum." He uncovered his face and said: "Wa 'alaikum as-salâm. Who are you?" He said: "I am Mûsâ." He said: "Who is Mûsâ?" He said: "The Mûsâ of the Children of Israel." He said: "What brings you here?" He said: "I have come that you teach me something of that knowledge (guidance and true path) which you have been taught (by Allâh)." He said: "Verily, you will not be able to have patience with me! And how can you have patience about a thing which you know not? – something I have been enjoined to do but if you see it you will not be able to bear it." Mûsâ said: "If Allâh wills, you will find me patient, and I will not disobey you at all." Al-Khaḍr said: "Then, if you follow me, ask me not about anything till I myself mention of it to you." So they both proceeded, till, when they embarked the ship, he scuttled it. Mûsâ said: "Have you scuttled it in order to drown its people? Verily, you have committed a dreadful thing." He said: "Did I not tell you, that you would not be able to have patience with me?" He said: "Call me not to account for what I forgot, and be not hard upon me for my affair (with you)." Then they proceeded until they came to some boys who were playing, and Al-Khadr went straight to one of them, and killed him. Mûsâ ﷺ, was greatly distressed by that and said: "Have you killed an innocent person who had killed none? Verily, you have committed an evil thing!" At this point the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ said, May Allâh's Mercy be upon us and on Mûsâ ﷺ 'Were it not that he was too hasty he would have seen wondrous things, but he was seized with fear of blame for his companion. Mûsâ said: "If I ask you anything after this, keep me not in your company, you have received an excuse from me." If he had been patient he would have seen wondrous things." He (Ubayy bin Ka'b) said: "When he (ﷺ) mentioned any of the Prophets he would start with himself saying: 'May Allâh have mercy upon us and upon my brother so-and-so, may the mercy of Allâh be upon us.' "Then they proceeded until they came to the people of a town who were very stingy. They went around to various gatherings asking the people for food, but they refused to entertain them. They found there a wall that was about to collapse, but Al-Khadr made it straight. Mûsâ said: "If you had wished, surely, you could have taken wages for it!" Al-Khadr said: "This is the parting between me and you." He took hold of his garment and said: "I will tell you the interpretation of (those) things over which you were unable to hold patience. As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working in the sea. So I wished to make a defect in it, as there was a king behind them who seized every ship by force. When they came to the one who wanted to seize it, he found it was damaged so he let it go, and they repaired it with wood. As for the boy, he was created a disbeliever by nature, but his parents loved him; had he lived, we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief. So we intended that their Lord should exchange him for them with one better in righteousness and nearer to mercy. As for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the town. Under the wall there was a treasure belonging to them; and their father was a righteous man, and your Lord intended that they should attain their age of full strength and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord.”