Sahih Muslim Hadith 6165 – The Virtues Of Al-

English

[6165] 172 – ( … ) Ubayy bin Ka'b narrated: "I heard the Messenger of Allah say: 'While Müsâ was among his people, reminding them of the days of Allah – and the days of Allah are His blessings and trials – he said: "I do not know of any man on earth who is better and more knowledgeable than me." "Allah 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: "0 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. Müsâ 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 Allah 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 Virtues And Merits of Prophets 233 betook ourselves to the rock? I indeed forgot the fish; none but Shai.tân made me forget to remember it. It took its course into the sea in a strange (way)!" Müsâ 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 A1-Khadr covered with a garment, lying on his back. Müsâ said: "As-salâmu 'alaikum." He uncovered his face and said: "Wa 'alaikum as-salâm. Who are you?" He said: "I am Müsâ." He said: "Who is Müsâ?" He said: "The Müsâ 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 Allah)." 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." Müsâ said: "If Allah wills, you will find me patient, and I will not disobey you at all." Al-Khadr 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, Virtues And Merits of Prophets 234 he scuttled it. Müsâ 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-Khaçlr went straight to one of them, and killed him. Müsâ V4, 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 Allah said, May Mâh's Mercy be upon us and on Müsâ '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. Müsâ 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 () mentioned any of the Prophets he would start with himself saying: 'May Allah have mercy upon us and upon my brother so-and-so, may the mercy of Allah be upon us.' "Then they proceeded until they came to the people of a town who were very Virtues And Merits of Prophets 235 stingy. They went around to ally various gatherings asking the people for food, but they refused L4L M to entertain them. They found there a wall that was about to L collapse, but A1-Khadr made it — _4J L5 ) LL>J straight. Müsâ said: "If you had wished, surely, you could have taken wages for it!" A1-Khaçlr 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 Virtues And Merits of Prophets 236 c their age of full strength and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord."