PART 16

[18:75]

He said: Did I not tell thee that thou couldst not bear with me ?

[18:76]

(Moses) said: If I ask thee after this concerning aught, keep not company with me. Thou hast received an excuse from me.

[18:77]

So they twain journeyed on till, when they came unto the folk of a certain township, they asked its folk for food, but they refused to make them guests. And they found therein a wall upon the point of falling into ruin, and he repaired it. (Moses) said: If thou hadst wished, thou couldst have taken payment for it.

[18:78]

He said: This is the parting between thee and me! I will announce unto thee the interpretation of that thou couldst not bear with patience.

[18:79]

As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working on the river, and I wished to mar it, for there was a king behind them who is taking every ship by force.

[18:80]

And as for the lad, his parents were believers and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief.

[18:81]

And we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one better in purity and nearer to mercy.

[18:82]

And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure belonging to them, and their father had been righteous, and thy Lord intended that they should come to their full strength and should bring forth their treasure as a mercy from their Lord; and I did it not upon my own command. Such is the interpretation of that wherewith thou couldst not bear.

[18:83]

They will ask thee of Dhu’l-Qarneyn. Say: I shall recite unto you a remembrance of him.