Page 101 - General Knowledge from the Qur'an

Stories Of The Prophets In The Qur'an 99

The Story of the Prophet Musa (as) and
One Who Had Been Given Knowledge
But when they reached their meeting-place, they forgot their fish
which quickly burrowed its way into the sea. When they had gone a
distance further on, he said to his servant, 'Bring us our morning meal.
Truly this journey of ours has made us tired.' He said, 'Do you see
what has happened? When we went to find shelter at the rock, I forgot
the fish. No one made me forget to remember it except Satan. It found
its way into the sea in an amazing way.' He said, 'That is the very thing
that we were looking for!' So, following their footsteps, they retraced
their route. They found a servant of Ours whom We had granted
mercy from Us and whom We had also given knowledge direct from
Us. Musa said to him, 'May I follow you on condition that you teach
me some of the right guidance you have been taught?' He said, 'You
will not be able to bear with me. How indeed could you bear with pa-
tience something you have not encompassed in your knowledge?'
Musa said, 'You will find me patient, if Allah wills, and I will not dis-
obey you in any matter.' He said, 'Then if you follow me, do not ques-
tion me about anything until I myself make mention of it to you.' They
continued until they boarded a boat and he scuppered it. Then Musa
said, 'Did you scupper it so that its owners would be drowned? This is
truly a dreadful thing that you have done!' He said, 'Did I not say that
you would not be able to bear with me?' Musa said, 'Do not take me to
task because I forgot. Do not demand of me something which is too
difficult.' So they went on until they met a youngster whom he killed.
Musa said, 'Have you killed a boy who has done no wrong, without it
being in retaliation for someone else? This is truly an appalling thing
that you have done!' He said, 'Did I not tell you that you would not be
able to bear with me?' Musa said, 'If I ask you about anything after
this, then you should no longer keep me company. I will have given
you excuse enough.' So they went on until they reached the inhabi-
tants of a town. They asked them for food but they refused them hos-
pitality. They found there a wall about to fall down and he built it up.
Musa said, 'If you had wanted, you could have taken a wage for doing
that.' He said, 'This is where you and I part company. I will let you