وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَىٰهُ لَآ أَبْرَحُ حَتَّىٰٓ أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِىَ حُقُبًا 60
Translations
And [mention] when Moses said to his boy [i.e., servant], "I will not cease [traveling] until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period."
Transliteration
Wa-idh qala Musa li-fatahu la abrah hatta ablugh majma al-bahr ayni aw amda huquba
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Prophet Musa's (Moses) determination to travel until he reaches the meeting place of the two seas, or until he spends ages/long periods in the journey. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to Musa's quest to meet Al-Khidr, a righteous servant of Allah mentioned in the Quran, to gain knowledge from him. The 'meeting of the two seas' (majma al-bahr ayni) is interpreted by classical scholars as either a specific geographical location where two bodies of water meet, or metaphorically as the confluence point where divine wisdom meets human understanding.
Revelation Context
This ayah opens the narrative of Surah Al-Kahf's third major story. The context shows Musa instructing his young companion (believed to be Yusha/Joshua ibn Nun) about their journey. This story illustrates the humility of prophets in seeking knowledge and the importance of patience in spiritual pursuits, themes central to Al-Kahf's overall message about trials and divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The story of Musa and Al-Khidr is referenced in Sahih Bukhari (hadith 74) where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentions the people of the cave and other signs, emphasizing the Quranic narratives. Additionally, various hadiths discuss seeking knowledge and traveling for it, reflecting the principle demonstrated in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that the pursuit of beneficial knowledge is worthy of dedication and sacrifice, and that even prophets humble themselves to learn from others chosen by Allah. It reminds us that spiritual growth requires commitment, patience, and willingness to undertake difficult journeys in search of wisdom.
Related Ayahs
وَلَوْلَآ إِذْ دَخَلْتَ جَنَّتَكَ قُلْتَ مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ ۚ إِن تَرَنِ أَنَا۠ أَقَلَّ مِنكَ مَالًا وَوَلَدًا
And why did you, when you entered your garden, not say, 'What Allāh willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allāh'? Although you see me less than you in wealth and children,
إِذْ أَوَى ٱلْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى ٱلْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
[Mention] when the youths retreated to the cave and said, "Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance."
قَالَ أَمَّا مَن ظَلَمَ فَسَوْفَ نُعَذِّبُهُۥ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ فَيُعَذِّبُهُۥ عَذَابًا نُّكْرًا
He said, "As for one who wrongs, we will punish him. Then he will be returned to his Lord, and He will punish him with a terrible punishment [i.e., Hellfire].
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهَآ إِذْ يَتَنَـٰزَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ ۖ فَقَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ عَلَيْهِم بُنْيَـٰنًا ۖ رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًا
And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allāh is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they disputed among themselves about their affair and [then] said, "Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them." Said those who prevailed in the matter, "We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid."