sub specie aeternitatis


66. Then found they one of Our slaves, unto whom We had given mercy from Us, and had taught him knowledge from Our presence.
67. Moses said unto him: May I follow thee, to the end that thou mayst teach me right conduct of that which thou hast been taught?
68. He said: Lo! thou canst not bear with me.
69. How canst thou bear with that whereof thou canst not compass any knowledge?
70. He said: Allah willing, thou shalt find me patient and I shall not in aught gainsay thee.
71. He said: Well, if thou go with me, ask me not concerning aught till I myself mention of it unto thee.
72. So the twain set out till, when they were in the ship, he made a hole therein. (Moses) said: Hast thou made a hole therein to drown the folk thereof? Thou verily hast done a dreadful thing.
73. He said: Did I not tell thee thou couldst not bear with me?
74. (Moses) said: Be not wroth with me that I forgot, and be not hard upon me for my fault.
75. So the twain journeyed on till, when they met a lad, he slew him. (Moses) said: What! Hast thou slain an innocent soul who hath slain no man? Verily thou hast done a horrid thing.
76. He said: Did I not tell thee that thou couldst not bear with me?
77. (Moses) said: If I ask thee after this concerning aught, keep not company with me. Thou hast received an excuse from me.
78. 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.
79. 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...

The Koran. Extract from Sura 18 - The Cave Revealed at Mecca. In the name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful.


ascend

May 15th, 1996