سُوْرَةُ الْكَهْفِ
Surah Al-Kahf (18) — Ayah 64
قَالَ ذَٰلِكَ مَا كُنَّا نَبْغِ ۚ فَٱرْتَدَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَارِهِمَا قَصَصًا ﴿64﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
[Mûsâ (Moses)] said: "That is what we have been seeking." So they went back retracing their footsteps.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالَ
qāla
He said
ذَٰلِكَ
dhālika
That
مَا
mā
(is) what
كُنَّا
kunnā
we were
نَبْغِ ۚ
nabghi
seeking
فَٱرْتَدَّا
fa-ir'taddā
So they returned
عَلَىٰٓ
ʿalā
on
ءَاثَارِهِمَا
āthārihimā
their footprints
قَصَصًۭا
qaṣaṣan
retracing
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 64){فَارْتَدَّا عَلٰۤى اٰثَارِهِمَا قَصَصًا:} This incident is evidence in several ways that the Prophets and Saints, especially Musa, Yusha bin Nun, and Khidr (peace be upon them), do not possess knowledge of the unseen: ➊ Musa (peace be upon him) saying that no one is more knowledgeable than him, even though there were those with more knowledge than him. ➋ Allah Almighty being displeased. ➌ Musa (peace be upon him) asking Allah Almighty for Khidr’s whereabouts. ➍ The need for the sign of the fish and the place where the two seas meet is not required by the Knower of the unseen. ➎ Not knowing about the fish escaping. ➏ Not knowing the reason for feeling tired on the next journey. ➐ What need is there to return while looking at the footprints for the one from whose sight nothing is hidden? See the following verses for more.
