قالَ فَإِنِ اتَّبَعتَني فَلا تَسأَلني عَن شَيءٍ حَتّىٰ أُحدِثَ لَكَ مِنهُ ذِكرًا
He said: ‘If you follow me, do not question me concerning anything until I [myself] make a mention of it to you.’
EXEGESIS
Uḥditha is a first person verb from the infinitive iḥdāth meaning to make or bring about something which did not exist before. Dhikr means to remind, remember, or mention something. So, ḥattā uḥditha laka minhu dhikran literally means: until I begin making a mention of it to you.
EXPOSITION
If you follow me: Khiḍr (a) speaks to Moses (a) and places a condition on Moses (a) that he is allowed to follow him only if he accepts that condition.
Do not question me concerning anything: as he had been telling Moses (a) so far, Khiḍr (a) knew that Moses (a) would not be able to patiently endure what he was about to see and he knew that Moses (a) would object to it; therefore, Khiḍr (a) placed a condition for Moses (a) that he should not question him about anything before he himself offered an explanation. This was in order to make the lesson complete and that it should simulate real life. In this way it would be a true test of his patience. Just like in this life we may not understand many things, and are unaware yet unable to ask and get an answer as to why, then, once the veils are lifted or the Day of Resurrection comes, it will all be made clear.
Until I [myself] make a mention of it to you: while commanding Moses (a) not to ask, Khiḍr (a) promises that an explanation will come. If only it was possible to be patient, then there would eventually come a day when things would be explained and made clear.
INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS
- For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
- Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
[1] Jeremiah 29:11.
[2] James 5:7-8.