Requesting Payment for Work

Moses did not object to or question Khiḍr’s work in rebuilding the wall, because its apparent purpose was wisdom and benevolence, and benevolence leaves no room for objection. This was unlike the two previous actions whose outward appearance was troubling and whose secrets were unknown and questionable, which is why in his questions about them, he used the terms “grievous” (amr) and “dreadful” (nukr). Without using any harsh words about Khiḍr’s work, Moses said to him that if he had taken payment for his work, they could have used it to obtain food and solve their hunger problem.