وَكَيفَ تَصبِرُ عَلىٰ ما لَم تُحِط بِهِ خُبرًا

And how can you have patience about something you are not in the know of?’

EXEGESIS

Tuḥiṭ comes from iḥāṭah meaning to encompass something. It originally comes from ḥāʾiṭ, a wall surrounding a house.^{‎[1]Raghib, p. 265.} Here it means to fully encompass in knowledge. Thus, the verse could be literally translated as: And how can you have patience about something which you do not encompass by knowledge.

Khubr (know) means knowledge of those things which are known via being informed about them (khabar).^{‎[2]Raghib, p. 273.}

EXPOSITION

Khiḍr (a) clarifies that he is not trying to call Moses (a) impatient, and that it is in fact completely understandable and natural that Moses (a) should not bear patiently because he lacks the understanding of what is truly going on, since as we mentioned Khiḍr (a) would not act based on the apparent value of actions, but on the final manifestation of their results.

One of the other important lessons of this story is outlined here. Human concepts of morality, of right and wrong, are often based on limited understanding. If good is defined as that which brings about a positive outcome and benefit, and evil as that which brings about negative outcome and harm, then our ethical judgements regarding these things – if based solely on this type of consequential evaluation – will always be lacking, because, unlike God, we do not possess a full and complete understanding of those outcomes. Moses (a) was not an unethical man; on the contrary he was good and desired to do good to others. This was precisely how Khiḍr (a) knew that Moses (a) would be unable to bear patiently, as he would not perceive the deeper and remoter good in those actions.

The lesson is obvious of course. The believers, and all people, should submit to the wisdom of God and follow His instructions, for that will bring them to the best outcome. Of course, like in the case of Moses (a), this may often be very difficult, but doing so leads to great benefit. This is why Luqmān advises his son: be patient through whatever may visit you. That is indeed of those matters which require great determination (31:17). To be patient when faced with things which we may not understand the reasoning behind requires great determination and faith in God.

Similarly, we should not attempt to criticise God’s laws and commands based on our limited understanding. So, for example, when some questioned the benefit of the Islamic ruling on retribution (qiṣāṣ), God replied, There is life for you in retribution, O you who possess intellects (2:179). The final outcome is better known to God, and this is understood by those who possess intellect. At another time, others questioned why they should fight, desiring instead alternatives, to which God declared, Warfare has been prescribed for you, though it is repulsive to you. Yet it may be that you dislike something while it is good for you, and it may be that you love something while it is bad for you, and Allah knows and you do not know (2:216). There are hidden truths in God’s commands which may be hidden to mankind; Say: ‘My Lord has only forbidden indecencies, the outward among them and the inward ones’ (7:33).

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

1. According to a report, after this statement Khiḍr (a) told Moses (a) about the tribulations faced by the Ahl al-Bayt, after which they both cried greatly.^{‎[3]Nur, 3/272.} However, this report does not fit at all with the context of the story or the reason why Khiḍr (a) tells Moses (a) that he will not be able to be patient, or his statements relating to that in verses 72, 75, and 78, which clearly indicate that the issue with regards to which Moses (a) was unable to remain patient had to do with the things Khiḍr (a) was doing, not with the tribulations of the Ahl al-Bayt. Nevertheless, it is possible and even probable that in the course of their long journey Khiḍr (a) would have divulged to Moses certain matters regarding the future and the coming prophets and the difficulties they will endure, especially about the final messenger, Prophet Muhammad (s).

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.^{‎[4]Romans 8:25.}

[1] Raghib, p. 265.
[2] Raghib, p. 273.
[3] Nur, 3/272.
[4] Romans 8:25.