The Meaning of the Story’s Interpretation

In his final words to Moses, Khiḍr said that he would soon inform him of the interpretation (taʾwīl) of what he could not bear with patience:

“I will inform you of the true reality of that about which you could not have patience.”

The term “true reality” (taʾwīl)(334) comes from the root “awl” meaning to return or to bring something back, and relates to external matters and the connection between an example and what it exemplifies. In other words, these scenes (the story of the ship, the youth, and the wall) return to that external reality which is explained in the subsequent verses. For instance, in the wall rebuilding incident, Khiḍr told Moses that because these orphaned children’s father was a righteous man and there was a treasure beneath the wall for his children, he was commanded to rebuild the wall so they would not be deprived. The true reality of the action cannot be understood from Moses’ and Khiḍr’s words alone; rather, one must completely move beyond words, concepts, and external actions to reach the true reality of Khiḍr’s work.

The story of Moses and Khiḍr took place while awake, and the ultimate purpose of Khiḍr’s actions was hidden from Moses. Therefore, at the time of parting, he said to Moses: “I will inform you of the true reality of that about which you could not have patience,” and after explaining the ultimate purpose of his actions, he said: “That is the true reality of that about which you could not have patience”.(335)