Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Kahf Verse 80

Mufti Taqi Usmani

As for the boy, his parents were believers. We apprehended that he would impose rebellion and infidelity upon them.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

“And as for the boy, his parents were ˹true˺ believers, and we[[ This is the royal ‘we’.]] feared that he would pressure them into defiance and disbelief.

Ruwwad Translation Center

“As for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared that he would overburden them with his rebellion and disbelief.

A. J. Arberry

As for the lad, his parents were believers; and we were afraid he would impose on them insolence and unbelief;

Abdul Haleem

The young boy had parents who were people of faith, and so, fearing he would trouble them through wickedness and disbelief,

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we apprehended that he might impose upon the twain exorbitance and infidelity.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

"As for the youth, his parents were people of Faith, and we feared that he would grieve them by obstinate rebellion and ingratitude (to Allah and man).

Abul Ala Maududi

As for the lad, his parents were people of faith, and we feared lest he should plague them with transgression and disbelief,

Ahmed Ali

As for the boy, his parents were believers, but we feared that he would harass them with defiance and disbelief.

Ahmed Raza Khan

“And in respect of the boy – his parents were Muslims and we feared that he may incite them to rebellion and disbelief.”

Ali Quli Qarai

As for the boy, his parents were faithful [persons], and We feared he would overwhelm them with rebellion and unfaith.

Ali Ünal

"And as for the young boy, his parents were believers, and we feared lest he should oppress them with rebellion and unbelief.

Amatul Rahman Omar

`And as for the boy, his parents were believers and we feared that he should involve them in trouble through transgression and disbelief,

English Literal

And as for the boy/servant , so his parents were believing, so We feared that he burdens/oppresses them (with) tyranny/arrogance and disbelief.

Faridul Haque

"And in respect of the boy - his parents were Muslims and we feared that he may incite them to rebellion and disbelief."

Hamid S. Aziz

As for the boat, it belonged to poor people, who toiled on the sea (or river), and I wished to damage it, for behind it was a king who seized on every boat by force.

Hilali & Khan

"And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

As for the boat, it belonged to poor people working on the river, and I intended to damage it, for there was behind them a king who seized every boat by force.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And as for the boy, his parents were believers and we feared lest he should make disobedience and ingratitude to come upon them:

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And as for the lad, his parents were believers and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief.

Muhammad Sarwar

"The young boy had very faithful parents. We were afraid that out of love for him they would lose their faith in God and commit rebellion

Qaribullah & Darwish

As for the boy, his parents are believers, and we were afraid lest he should impose on them with his insolence and disbelief.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

"And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared he would oppress them by rebellion and disbelief."

Wahiduddin Khan

As for the youth, his parents were believers and we feared that he would trouble them by rebellion and denial of truth.

Talal Itani

As for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared he would overwhelm them with oppression and disbelief.

Tafsir jalalayn

And as for the boy, his parents were believers and We feared lest he should overwhelm them with insolence and disbelief -- for he is as [described] by the hadth of Muslim, `He was [incorrigibly] disposed to disbelief, and had he lived [longer] this [disposition of his] would have oppressed them, because of their love for him, they would have followed him in such [a path of disbelief]'.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Interpretation of why the Boy was killed

Khidr explains about his second action;

وَأَمَّا الْغُلَأمُ فَكَانَ أَبَوَاهُ مُوْمِنَيْنِ فَخَشِينَا أَن يُرْهِقَهُمَا طُغْيَانًا وَكُفْرًا



"And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared he would oppress them by rebellion and disbelief."

Ibn Abbas narrated from Ubayy bin Ka`b that the Prophet said;

الْغُلَمُ الَّذِي قَتَلَهُ الْخَضِرُ طُبِعَ يَوْمَ طُبِعَ كَافِرًا

The boy Al-Khidr killed was destined to be a disbeliever from the day he was created.

It was recorded by Ibn Jarir from Ibn Abbas. He said;
فَكَانَ أَبَوَاهُ مُوْمِنَيْنِ فَخَشِينَا أَن يُرْهِقَهُمَا طُغْيَانًا وَكُفْرًا
(his parents were believers, and we feared he would oppress them by rebellion and disbelief).

Their love for him might make them follow him in disbelief.

Qatadah said,

"His parents rejoiced when he was born and grieved for him when he was killed. If he had stayed alive, he would have been the cause of their doom. So let a man be content with the decree of Allah, for the decree of Allah for the believer, if he dislikes it, is better for him than if He were to decree something that he likes for him."

An authentic Hadith says;

لَاا يَقْضِي اللهُ لِلْمُوْمِنِ مِنْ قَضَاءٍ إِلاَّ كَانَ خَيْرًا لَه

Allah does not decree anything for the believer except it is good for him.

And Allah says;

وَعَسَى أَن تَكْرَهُواْ شَيْيًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ

and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you. (2;216)

فَأَرَدْنَا أَن يُبْدِلَهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُ زَكَاةً وَأَقْرَبَ رُحْمًا