The Holed Ship

And then al-Khaḍir, while the sailors were busy with their work, took an axe, broke a slab of the ship, and plucked out a panel. He destroyed part of the ship. He took his axe and started destroying it while the sailors were busy; they did not know what was happening. And then he pulled a panel out of the ship. Mūsā, when he saw this, could not believe his eyes. Because these men are doing you a favour — they are doing it for you, not for me — they are doing you a favour by giving you a free ride, and you destroy their ship? Mūsā (peace be upon him) said:

So they both proceeded, until, when they embarked the ship, al-Khaḍir scuttled it. Mūsā said: have you scuttled it in order to drown its people? Verily, you have committed a thing that is evil. How could you do this? How could you do this to the people who are doing you a favour? Is this how you pay them back? They give you a free ride, and you destroy their ship? Do you want them to drown in the sea?

Al-Khaḍir said: did I not tell you that you would not have patience? The agreement was that you would not question my actions. Qāla a-lam aqul innaka lan tastaṭīʿa maʿiya ṣabrā — did I not tell you that you would not have patience? Mūsā did not break his promise intentionally; Mūsā forgot. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) says: wa kānat al-ūlā min Mūsā nisyānā — the first time, Mūsā forgot. Mūsā forgot his promise.

So he told al-Khaḍir: lā tuʾākhidhnī bimā nasītu wa lā turhiqnī min amrī ʿusrā. Mūsā said: call me not to account for what I forgot, and be not hard upon me in my affair with you. Mūsā said: forgive me for this mistake, and do not be hard — meaning, even though our agreement is that if I question you, our agreement is breached — give me another chance; do not be strict; give me another chance. Al-Khaḍir said: I will give you another chance. Even though the agreement was over, and al-Khaḍir could have told Mūsā, you have to leave, al-Khaḍir said: I will give you another chance.