Surah Al-Kahf
Chapter 18 · Verse 80 · Revealed in Makkah
“And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared that he would overburden them by transgression and disbelief.”
Translation: Saheeh International
Listen to recitation
Mishary Rashid Alafasy
Reflection — Ibn Kathir
Interpretation of why the Boy was killed
Ibn `Abbas narrated from Ubayy bin Ka`b that the Prophet said:
«الْغُلَامُ الَّذِي قَتَلَهُ الْخَضِرُ طُبِعَ يَوْمَ طُبِعَ كَافِرًا»
Reflection — Maarif ul Quran
The opening sentence of verse 80: وَأَمَّا الْغُلَامُ (As for the boy) means the boy who was killed by al-Khadir (علیہ السلام) . The reality behind it, as stated by him, was that the boy was cut out for infidelity and rebellion against parents. But, his parents were pious people. Al-Khadir (علیہ السلام) said that they apprehended that, once this boy grew up, he would harass his parents and cause them pain. And when he took to infidelity as a young man, he would not only become a live trial for the parents but would also endanger the very faith of his parents because of their love for him.
What does this verse bring up for you today?