Basic HTML Version
Musa said: 'If ever I question you again, abandon me; for then I
should have given you a full excuse.'
They travelled on until they came to the inhabitants of a certain
town. They asked the people for some food, but they declined to
receive them as their guests. There they found a wall on the point of
falling down. His companion restored it, and Musa said: 'Had you
wished, you could have demanded payment for your labours.'
'Now has the time arrived when we must part,' said the other. 'But
first I will tell you the interpretation of those acts of mine which you
could not bear towatchwith patience.
'As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working on the sea. I
damaged it because in their rear there was a king who was taking every
ship by force.
'As for the youth, his parents are both true believers, and we feared
lest he should plague them with his wickedness and unbelief. It was
our wish that their Lord should grant them another in his place, a son
more righteous andmore filial.
'As for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the town. Beneath
it was buried a treasure which belonged to them; their father had been a
righteous man. Your Lord decreed that they should dig out their
treasure when they grew to manhood-a mercy from your Lord. What I
didwas not done bymywill.
'That is the interpretation of what you could not bear to watch with
patience.'
They will ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say: 'I will give you
18:78
18:80
18:83
18:77
262
THE CAVE
THE QURAN