LESSONS FROM SURAH AL-KAHF: In this surah, one very important lessons we learn is

humbleness and we learn this from the passage of Prophet Musa, alayhisalam, and Al-Khidr in
which Prophet Musa is learning from Al-Khidhr in the three different scenarios that are
presented. There are many lessons a student of knowledge can learn from Musa and Khidr
(alayhimassalam)’s meeting which is detailed in Surah Al-Kahf.

1. Travelling for Knowledge & Zeal for Knowledge

Musa (‘alayhissalam) was prepared to travel a great distance for knowledge, scholars have
mentioned that he might have travelled on both land and sea in order to meet Khidr
(‘alayhissalam). He showed great enthusiasm and zeal in search of knowledge.

18:60 And [mention] when Musa said to his servant, “I will not cease [traveling] until I reach the
junction of the two seas or continue for a long period.”

Students of knowledge should be prepared to travel to seek knowledge and endure all the
hardships associated with travel. Today, there are plenty of resources available online but there is
a special connection to knowledge attained when it is sought in the real world with teachers live
and teach the Sunnah.

2. Enduring Hardships

The journey was not easy and Musa (‘alayhissalam) along with his servant endured much
hardship seeking knowledge.

18:62 – So when they had passed beyond it, [Musa] said to his boy, “Bring us our morning meal.
We have certainly suffered in this, our journey, [much] fatigue.”

A student of knowledge may face many hardships and challenges whilst seeking knowledge but
this should not stop him/her from pursuing knowledge.

3. Showing Humility

Although Musa (‘alayhissalam) was higher in rank than Khidr (‘alayhissalam), he showed
humility and spoke courteously with Khidr (‘alayhissalam) as he wanted to learn from him some
knowledge which he did not know.

18:66 – Musa said to him, “May I follow you on [the condition] that you teach me from what
you have been taught of sound judgement?”

Students of knowledge should not belittle anyone no matter how much they know. Even a
Prophet of Allah, who is very knowledgeable, is still learning from someone else and this shows
humbleness. One of the trials that knowledge can bring is arrogance, but if we always keep a
teacher with us, if we always keep putting ourselves in our right place, this can help fight that.
Because at the end of the end, Allah is the one with the Ultimate knowledge, and if we have any
knowledge whatsoever, that is a blessing from our Rab which we need to be thankful for,
inshaa'Allah.

4. Complying with the Teacher’s (Reasonable) Requests

Musa (‘alayissalam) complied with strict conditions set by Khidr (‘alayhissalam) even though he
was a Prophet of Allah.

18:69 – [Musa] said, “You will find me, if Allah wills, patient, and I will not disobey you in
[any] order.”

Students of knowledge should comply with their teacher’s instructions as long as they are
reasonable.

5. Exercising Patience

Khidr (‘alayhissalam) did things which seemingly to Musa (‘alayhissalam), contravened the laws
of Allah and as a Prophet of Allah he could not help but speak out. When reminded of the
agreement he made that he would would not speak out, he patiently submitted to Khidr
(‘alayhissalam)’s request.

18:73 – [Musa] said, “Do not blame me for what I forgot and do not cover me in my matter with
difficulty.”

Students of knowledge should also exercise patience. If they don’t understand something they
should persevere and seek more clarity.

The Qur’an is filled with oceans of wisdom and inspiration, such stories are there as lessons for
us. It also details the approach we should take when setting out to study sacred knowledge. May
Allah give us the tawfiq to learn beneficial knowledge from the correct sources with its correct
understanding. Ameen

From Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri, who said: “Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on the night of
Jumu’ah, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (the Ka’bah).”
Narrated by al-Daarimi. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani)

Do you benefit from this amazing reward each week by planning to read Surah Al-Kahf?
Do you know the themes of the four beautiful stories bursting with daily life lessons mentioned
in this surah?

The main theme of this story is knowledge. How can you be a productive seeker of knowledge?
What are the etiquettes of the seeker of knowledge? Which characteristics should you strive for
in order to succeed in your learning?

This week’s central ayah is: Musa said to him, “May I follow you on [the condition] that you
teach me from what you have been taught of sound judgement?” [Quran, 18:66]
The Beauty Of Knowledge

When I came to Islam what moved me deeply was the importance of knowledge in Islam. Islam
is a treasure chest of wisdom totally relevant to the daily life you live. Yes, you! I found it
amazingly beautiful that Allah ‘azza wa jal made seeking knowledge (‘ilm) an obligation upon
every Muslim. The Prophet salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “The seeking of knowledge is
obligatory for every Muslim.” [At-Tirmidhee]

At a stage in my life I found myself in different situations all pushing me in one direction: Islam.
I was someone who had said: “I will never become a Muslim!” Little did I know.

I made this decision: “I’m going to study Islam to prove it’s nothing for me.” That’s what I did
and this was the most thought-provoking, heart-shaking, life-changing journey of my life.
Because as I started reading books, listening to those with knowledge, studying the seerah and
the Book, I became convinced it was all logical.

So I could do nothing else but submit. And there I stood, one day, in the kitchen and I raised my
head to the sky and said the shahadaa. And there and then Allah Al-Haadi, The Guide, guided
me from the darkness of disbelief to the light of emaan.

The beauty of seeking knowledge and its importance in Islam changed my life forever after.
When I read this hadeeth, my heart was sold.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: God, His angels and all those in Heavens
and on Earth, even ants in their hills and fish in the water, call down blessings on those who
instruct others in beneficial knowledge. [Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 422]

I strongly believe all of us have the capability to apply this ultimate combination: learning and
teaching someone else something about Islam. So here are some lessons on how to be a
productive student and teacher!

Lesson 1: Thank Allah for the knowledge you have.

Before we start with a selection of the ayaat from the story of Musa and Al-Khidr, look at the
crucial lesson the Prophet salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam told us: Once Prophet Musa stood up
and addressed Bani Israel. He was asked: “Who is the most learned man amongst the people?”
He said: “I am the most learned.” Allah admonished Moses as he did not attribute absolute
knowledge to Him (Allah). So Allah inspired to him, “At the junction of the two seas there is a
slave of mine who is more learned than you.” Musa said: “O my Lord! How can I meet him?”
[Al-Bukharee]

There is no one who knows everything. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala gives certain knowledge to
whoever He wills. Musa [as] didn’t link his knowledge to Allah. All the knowledge that we have
is from Allah and we need to thank Him.
Tip: Half of wisdom is the ability to say La adree (I don’t know). Some say speaking about
Allah without any knowledge is worse than shirk. So by saying “I don’t know” you’re actually
saving yourself!

Lesson 2: Recognise the importance of determination.

Ayah 60: And [mention] when Moses said to his servant, “I will not cease [travelling] until I
reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period.”

When Musa found out there was someone more learned than himself he was determined to find
him. As a seeker of knowledge you should have a strong determination. Musa said he wouldn’t
stop until he got to the place where he would meet al-Khidr.

Abu Hurayrah was determined to get knowledge and wouldn’t eat until he found it!

Lesson 3: Recognise the importance of seeking companions in knowledge.

Ayah 62: So when they had passed beyond it, [Moses] said to his boy, “Bring us our morning
meal. We have certainly suffered in this, our journey, [much] fatigue.”

Realize the importance of companionship when seeking knowledge. Help each other.

Lesson 4: Know that Shaytaan will try to block knowledge.

Ayah 63: He 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.”

This is a reminder that seeking knowledge is not an easy task, and it’s a given that you’ll face
difficulties. Shaytaan will always come and try to block you from gaining knowledge. If you
forget something good it is from Shaytaan.

Lesson 5: Students must have good manners.

Ayah 66: Moses said to him, “May I follow you on [the condition] that you teach me from what
you have been taught of sound judgement?”
The seeker of knowledge always asks politely. Musa asked his question in a gentle way, and this
is how you should address your teacher or a scholar.
Tip: Before asking your question, you should make dua’ for him or her, for example, May Allah
grant you and your family Jannatul Firdaws, my question is . . .

Lesson 6: Teachers must also have good manners.

Ayah 67 & 68: He said, “Indeed, with me you will never be able to have patience. And how can
you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?”
The teacher knows his student; Al-Khidr knew his student well. The teacher should also advise
his student; sometimes the teacher knows what is best for the student better than the student
does.

Another etiquette of the teacher with the students is being able to speak to the student according
to the student’s level. Al-Khidr is saying that he has knowledge of Allah’s wisdom that Musa
can’t see, but he doesn’t humiliate Musa.

Lesson 7: Be patient and obedient.

Ayah 69 & 70: [Moses] said, “You will find me, if Allah wills, patient, and I will not disobey you
in [any] order.” He said, “Then if you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I make to
you about it mention.”

Musa didn’t give up, and he had the intention to be patient.

Hastiness is one of the main problems of students. How many times do we start studying
something but don’t have the patience to continue? If you tell yourself from the start “I’m going
to be patient,” your mindset will be just right!

One of the conditions for you as a seeker of knowledge is patience, and the other is obedience to
the way your teacher set out for you. The teacher is like a parent for his or her student; whenever
you teach anyone, you should do so with love and mercy.

Lesson 8: Move from knowledge to productivity.

Ayah 82: And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it
a treasure for them, and their father had been righteous. So your Lord intended that they reach
maturity and extract their treasure, as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own
accord. That is the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience.”

The Prophet said: Knowledge from which no benefit is derived is like a treasure out of which
nothing is spent in the cause of God. [At-Tirmidhee]

If knowledge brings you closer to Allah and gives you taqwa then this is a blessing from Allah.
Knowledge can also be a trial; you can use it in the wrong way or not practice what you learn at
all!

How can knowledge make you more productive? Knowledge about certain deeds and their
immense reward can bring you closer to Allah. An example is the two rakaat sunnah you pray
before fajr. Some people don’t have the knowledge and therefore leave it. So study, practice
what you learn, and teach your knowledge to others! Praying you will benefit,

The story of Moses and Al-Khidr is mentioned in Surah Al-Kahf (verses 60-82) and in
Sahih Bukhari, Book 6, Volume 60, Hadith 249. This story teaches us very important lessons.
Some of these are:
  Human knowledge can never comprehend Allah’s ways or the reasons for various
happenings which Allah allows to happen
 Human beings are always impatient and seek immediate answers to all the occurrences
that defy comprehension
 Faith in Allah should make us accept His rulings without any questioning.

Prophet Moses and Bani Israel (children of Israel)

Once when Prophet Moses was addressing Banu Israel (children of Israel), he was asked: “Who
is the most learned man among the people?”

He said: “I am the most learned.”

Allah admonished Moses as he did not attribute absolute knowledge to Him (Allah SWT). So
Allah instructed him to go to the junction of the two seas where he would meet one who was
more learned than Moses.

The Quran states:

And (remember) when Moosa (Moses) said to his boy-servant: “I will not give up (travelling)
until I reach the junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in travelling.”
(Quran, Surah Al-Kahf:60)

That learned man at the junction of the two seas was Al-Khidr. When Moses met him and
introduced himself, Al-Khidr asked:

“The Moses of Banu Israel?”

Moses replied in the affirmative. The Quran then explains further:

Moosa (Moses) said to him (Khidr) “May I follow you so that you teach me something of that
knowledge (guidance and true path) which you have been taught (by Allah)?” (Quran, Surah
Kahf:66)

Al-Khidr replied:

“Verily! You will not be able to remain patient with me, O Moses! I have some of the
knowledge of Allah which He has taught me and which you do not know, while you have some
knowledge which Allah has taught you which I do not know.”

The Quran states:

(67) He (Khidr) said: “Verily! You will not be able to have patience with me!
(68) “And how can you have patience about a thing which you know not?” (Quran, Surah
Kahf:67,68)

Moses assured him that he would be patient and not disobey him in any matter. Both of them set
out walking along the seashore. Soon a boat passed by and they requested the crew to take them
on board. The crew recognized Al-Khidr and took them on board without fare.

Then a sparrow came and stood on the edge of the boat and dipped its beak once or twice in the
sea. Al-Khidr said:

“O Moses! My knowledge and your knowledge have not decreased Allah’s knowledge except
as much as this sparrow has decreased the water of the sea with its beak.”

Al-Khidr then removed one of the planks of the boat. Moses said:

“These people gave us a free lift but you have broken their boat and scuttled it so as to drown
its people.”

Al-Khidr replied:

“Didn’t I tell you that you will not be able to remain patient with me?”

Moses said (as stated in the Quran):

(Moosa (Moses)) said: “Call me not to account for what I forgot, and be not hard upon me for
my affair (with you).” (Quran, Surah Al-Kahf:73)

They proceeded further and found a boy playing with other boys. Al-Khidr killed him. The
Quran describes that in this verse:

Then they both proceeded, till they met a

boy, he (Khidr) killed him. (Prophet Moosa) said: “Have you killed an innocent person who
had killed none? Verily, you have committed a thing “Nukra” (a great Munkar – prohibited,
evil, dreadful thing)!” (Quran, Surah Al-Kahf:74)

AI-Khidr replied:

“Did I not tell you that you cannot remain patient with me?”

They went farther till they came to a town. They asked the people for food, but they refused. In
this town they found a wall which was on the point of collapsing. Al-Khidr repaired it with his
own hands. Moses said:

“If you had wished, surely you could have taken wages for it.”

The Quran states this as:

“Then they both proceeded, till, when they came to the people of a town, they asked them for
food, but they refused to entertain them. Then they found therein a wall about to collapse and
he (Khidr) set it up straight. (Moosa (Moses)) said: If you had wished, surely, you could have
taken wages for it!” (Quran, Surah Kahf:77)

Al-Khidr then replied:

“This is the parting between you and me.”

Learn the background and stories behind some of the Quranic Du’as in this book

Al-Khidr then explained all his actions which had astonished Moses and made him question
them. He said that the ship which he had damaged, belonged to a few poor people working in the
sea. A king was behind them seizing every ship by force. So by making it defective, he had
saved it for its owners. As for the boy, his parents were believers, and there was a fear that the
boy would oppress them by his rebellion and disbelief. So Allah planned to take him away and
give them another child instead who would be more righteous and kind. As for the wall, it
belonged to two orphan boys in the town. A treasure was hidden under it which also belonged to
them; their father had been a righteous man, and Allah intended to safeguard their treasure.
Building the wall ensured that the treasure would be protected till they reached maturity. Al-
Khidr concluded that he had not done anything of his own accord but had followed Allah’s
instructions.

The above incident is explained in Surah Al-Kahf, verses, 60-82.

In spite of repeated reminders from Khidr, and assurances from Moses that he would be patient
and not question any of Khidr’s actions, Moses forgot his promise and demanded immediate
explanations for actions that seemed to him unjust and inexplicable at the moment.

We can learn from this incident about the weakness of human mind and limitations of human
understanding. The example should make us remember and resolve never to have any
misgivings, surprise or regrets about occurrences in our life that might temporarily
inconvenience us or thwart our desires. After all, it is Allah Who Knows what’s best for us and
He, The Most Merciful, plans everything for our benefit which is not immediately visible to us.

Who was Khidr?

A number of people have wondered whether khidr was an angel, a Messenger, a Prophet or a
wali (“saint”). Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (islamqa.info) describes it as follows:
“From the general meaning of the Quranic verses it appears that he was a prophet.”

Shaykh al-Shanqeeti (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on the verse
(interpretation of the meaning):

“Then they found one of Our slaves, on whom We had bestowed mercy from Us, and whom
We had taught knowledge from Us” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:65)

“But it may be understood from some verses that the mercy mentioned here was the mercy of
prophet hood, and that this knowledge which came from Allah was the knowledge of revelation
(wahy). One of the indications that the mercy and knowledge with which Allah blessed His slave
al-Khidr came by way of prophet hood and revelation is the verse:
“And I did them not of my own accord” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:82)

i.e., rather I did them by the command of Allah, and the command of Allah is only conveyed via
wahy (revelation), because there is no way for the commands and prohibitions of Allah to be
known except through revelation from Allah, especially when it comes to he earlier described
acts. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say (O Muhammad): “I warn you only by the Revelation” (Surah Al-Anbiya’ 21:45)

The interpretation of the meaning clearly indicate that he was a prophet. Al-Fakhr al-Raazi, in
his tafseer, attributed the view that he was a prophet to many scholars. Another factor that may
indicate that he was a prophet is the fact that Moosa (peace be upon him) humbled himself
before him and said (interpretation of the meaning):

“May I follow you so that you teach me something of that knowledge (guidance and true path)
which you have been taught (by Allah)?” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:66)

“If Allah wills, you will find me patient, and I will not disobey you in aught” (Al-Kahf 18:69)

even though al-Khidr said to him (interpretation of the meaning):

“And how can you have patience about a thing which you know not?” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:68),
(Adwaa’ al-Bayaan, 3/326).

— End