Al-Lu'lu Wal-Marjan 1539 — The Book of Virtues and Merits (of the Prophet ﷺ and other Prophets ﷺ)

Ubai bin Ka'b Narrated from:

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Once the Prophet Mûsa (Moses) عليه السلام stood up and addressed Banî Israel. He was asked, 'Who is the most learned man amongst the people?' He said, 'I am the most learned.' Allâh عزوجل admonished Mûsa as he did not attribute absolute knowledge to Him (Allâh). So Allâh inspired him: 'At the junction of the two seas there is a slave amongst My slaves who is more learned than you.'Mûsa said, 'O my Lord! How can I meet him?' Allâh تعالى said, 'Take a fish in a basket (and proceed) and you will find him at the place where you will lose the fish.' So Mûsa set out along with his (servant) boy, Yûsha' bin Nûn and carried a fish in a basket till they reached a rock, where they laid their heads (i.e. lay down) and slept. The fish came out of the basket and it took its way into the sea (straight) as in a tunnel. It was an amazing thing for both Mûsa and his (servant) boy. They proceeded for the rest of that night and the following day.When the day broke, Mûsa said to his (servant) boy: 'Bring us our (early) meal. No doubt, we have suffered much fatigue in this journey.' Mûsa did not get tired till he passed the place about which he was told. There the (servant) boy told Mûsa, 'Do you remember when we betook ourselves to the rock, I indeed forgot the fish.' Mûsa remarked, 'That is what we have been seeking.' So they went back retracing their foot-steps till they reached the rock.There they saw a man covered with a garment (or covering himself with his own garment). Mûsa greeted him. Al-Khidr عليه السلام replied saying, 'How do people greet each other in your land?' Mûsa said, 'I am Mûsa.' He asked, 'The Mûsa of Banî Israel?' Mûsa replied in the affirmative and added, 'May I follow you so that you may teach me of that knowledge which you have been taught.'Al-Khidr replied, 'Verily! You will not be able to have patience with me, O Mûsa! I have some of the knowledge of Allâh عزوجل which He has taught me and which you do not know, while you have some knowledge which Allâh has taught you which I do not know.' Mûsa said, 'If Allâh will, you will find me patient and I will not disobey you in aught.' So both of them set out walking along the sea-shore, as they did not have a boat.In the meantime a boat passed by them and they requested the (crew of the boat) to take them on board. The crew recognised Al-Khidr and took them on board without fare. Then a sparrow came and stood on the edge of the boat and dipped its beak once or twice in the sea. Al-Khidr said, 'O Mûsa! My knowledge and your knowledge have not decreased Allâh's Knowledge except like the amount of water taken by this sparrow from the sea with its beak.'Then Al-Khidr went to one of the planks of the boat and plucked it out. Mûsa said, 'These people gave us a free ride but you have broken their boat and scuttled it so as to drown its people.' Al-Khidr replied, 'Didn't I tell you that you will not be able to have patience with me.' Mûsa said, 'Call me not to account for what I forgot.' The first (excuse) of Mûsa was that he had forgotten.Then they proceeded further and found a boy playing with other boys. Al-Khidr took hold of the boy's head and plucked it out with his hands (i.e. killed him). Mûsa said, 'Have you killed an innocent person who has killed none.' Al-Khidr replied, 'Did I not tell you that you cannot remain patient with me?'Then they both proceeded till they came to the people of a town, they asked them for food but they refused to entertain them. Then they found a wall on the point of collapsing. Al-Khidr repaired it with his own hands. Mûsa said, 'If you had wished, surely you could have taken wages for it.' Al-Khidr replied, 'This is the parting between you and me.' The Prophet ﷺ added, "May Allâh be Merciful to Mûsa! Would that he could have been more patient to learn more about their story."( Sahîh Al-Bukhârî, Hadîth No. 124, Vol. 1 )