The Wisdom of the Fish’s Journey from Rock to Prophet

“Indeed, Moses said to his people, ‘If I were to travel for years in search of the two rivers meeting, I would surely go.’ When he reached the place where the two rivers meet, they forgot about their fish. The fish slipped through a hole and went into the sea. They turned away from that, so Moses said to his people, ‘Let us bring some provision, for we have certainly grown weary on this journey.’ He said, ‘Do you see? When we took shelter by that rock, I forgot the fish. But it was only Satan who made me forget to mention it.’ The fish had gone out to sea in a strange direction. Moses said, ‘That is what we were seeking.’ So they followed its tracks until they came to the rock. There they found one of Our servants whom We had favored with mercy and taught from Our knowledge. Moses said to him, ‘Would you like me to follow you so that you may teach me [something] of that which you have been taught?’ The Cave (18:60-66) These verses relate to the initial part of an event that took place between Moses (peace be upon him) and a servant of Allah, who was granted mercy and knowledge, – and many scholars believe this servant to be Khidr (peace be upon him) – in our exalted Book. The complete story is told in verses 60-82 of the Cave chapter. By mentioning these verses, al-Nawawi wanted to emphasize that just as a prophet like Moses sought out a servant of Allah who was superior to him in knowledge and virtue, so too should we strive to do likewise. “And those who seek [Allah’s] countenance and are keen to please Him, morning and evening, while they exert themselves in devotion (to Him), with patience and perseverance.” The Cave (18:28) Those who constantly supplicate and beseech Allah solely to gain His pleasure are righteous people. This is a truly beautiful and beneficial act. Regardless of their social or economic status, these people are among the righteous. It is necessary to try to be with them and show the patience required to increase the goodness they represent, regardless of appearances and how society may not fully appreciate them. This verse directly addresses our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him). On one side were the wealthy disbelievers of Mecca, and on the other, the poor Muslims. Some of the leaders of Mecca would tell the Prophet (peace be upon him) to keep the poor Muslims away from him so that they could sit with him and converse. The verse commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to patiently endure the pressures of society alongside these poor Muslims who constantly supplicate Allah to gain His pleasure, preferring them over others. As is stated in the continuation of the verse: “Do not turn your eyes away from them out of desire for the adornments of the life of this world. Do not submit to those who disbelieve Us, who follow their desires and whose work is extremism!” This demonstrates that goodness and virtue are not found in outward appearances or social status but rather in a person’s inner self and behavior rooted in faith. Hadiths 361. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) passed away, Abu Bakr said to Umar: ‘Let us go to Umme Eymen (may Allah be pleased with her), let us visit her as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to.’ When they went to her, Umme Eymen wept. They said: ‘Why are you weeping? Do you not know that what is for you is better than what was for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)?’ Umme Eymen said: ‘I am not crying for his sake. I know that what is with Allah is better for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). I am weeping because the revelation has ceased,’ which moved Abu Bakr and Umar as well. They wept along with Umme Eymen.