The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 3) — Page 680
CH. 18 AL-KAHF PT. 15 follow thee on condition that قَالَ لَهُ مُوسَى هَلْ أَتَّبِعُ عَلَى اَنْ Moses said to him, May I. 67 تُعَلِّمَن مِمَّا عَلِمْتَ رُشْدًا قَالَ إِنَّكَ لَنْ تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبْرًا thou teach me of the guidance which thou hast taught?'2106 been 68. He replied, ‘Thou canst not keep company with me in patience. 2107 naturally wished to see who "that Prophet" could be. To satisfy his curiosity God made him see in his vision "that Prophet" of much higher spiritual powers. This learned "servant of God" of Moses' vision who has been popularly known by the name of Khizr was the spirit of our Noble Master, the Holy Prophet Muḥammad, which had assumed a physical tabernacle. See also 7:144. 2106. Commentary: By instituting a comparison between the spiritual status of Moses and that of the Holy Prophet, the verse under comment shows that the former was distinctly inferior to the latter. Moses was denied the heights which the spiritual knowledge of the Prophet had attained. The difference between these two great Prophets has been depicted in these verses in the form of a dialogue between two companions on a journey. 2107. Commentary: This verse refers to the subject dealt with in 7:144, viz. that Moses and his people could not attain that spiritual eminence which the Holy Prophet and his followers were destined to attain. It states that the patience and steadfastness under severe trials and 1888 difficulties of the followers of Moses were not of the same high order and pattern as those of the Holy Prophet's followers (5:22-25 & Bukhārī, Kitābul-Maghāzī). The Christians did, indeed, show a better example than the Jews in facing physical hardships but they too gave in before spiritual trials. Jesus himself bitterly complained of the intellectual dullness of his disciples. He was not sure whether they had fully realized his spiritual status (Matt. 17:17). The verse also compares the natural dispositions of Moses and the Holy Prophet. Moses impatiently inquired of his companion about things which he did not understand but the Holy Prophet waited patiently till God Himself revealed to him all details of the Shari'ah and their explanation. This difference in the temperaments of these two Prophets was also reflected in the behaviour of their While respective followers. the Israelites continued to pester Moses with all sorts of unnecessary questions, the demeanour of the Holy Prophet's Companions was characterized by great dignity and restraint. They scrupulously avoided putting him questions on religious matters. Both the Holy Prophet and