The Boy

They reached the shore on the other side, and they passed by children who were playing — what seemed to be innocent children playing. Al-Khaḍir walked up to one of these children, picked him up, grabbed his head and tore it off. He tore off the head of the child; he killed him.

Now Mūsā (peace be upon him) remembers his promise exactly; now he remembers it. But we know the nature of Mūsā: he can never approve of evil. If he sees something wrong, he speaks out against it. So Mūsā (peace be upon him), even though he knew he had given a promise not to question, when he saw this crime in front of his eyes, said:

Have you killed an innocent person, who killed none? Verily, you have committed a dreadful thing. How could you do this? This child is innocent; he did not do anything. How come you killed him?

Al-Khaḍir said: did I not tell you that you would not have patience? So Mūsā's anger had got the better of him, and he told al-Khaḍir: this is my last chance. Qāla in saʾaltuka ʿan shayʾin baʿdahā fa-lā tuṣāḥibnī — give me one more chance; three strikes and I am out; this is my last chance. Allah (swt) says: Mūsā said, if I ask you about anything after this, keep me not in your company; you have received an excuse from me. That is it: you have done your part, and you have forgiven me enough. One more time — give me one more chance, the third chance. If I break the promise a third time, then you can go your own way. Al-Khaḍir agreed.