• Another lesson is the call to proceed with deliberation and verification, refraining from passing judgment on matters until one knows what is intended and what purpose is sought.

• It is prescribed to link any future undertaking to Allah’s will, as Moses said, “You will find me, if Allah so wills, patient, and I shall not disobey your command” (18:69). The passage also shows that mere resolve is not the same as actual performance: Moses intended to remain patient, yet he failed to do so.

• If the teacher deems it beneficial to tell the student to withhold questions on certain issues until the teacher himself raises them, that benefit should be pursued—especially when the student’s understanding is limited, or when he is being protected from excessive hairsplitting or inquiries unrelated to the subject.

• Sailing the sea is permissible provided no undue danger is involved.

• A person who forgets is not held liable—before Allah or His servants—unless his forgetfulness causes the loss of property; in that case he must make restitution. Moses’ plea, “Do not take me to task for what I forgot” (18:73), highlights this principle.

• One should accept from people whatever leniency they can readily offer and not burden them beyond their capacity, impose hardship, or overtax them, for such demands breed aversion. Take what is easy, and the whole affair will be made easy for you.

• Worldly rulings are based on outward appearances. Thus Moses, peace be upon him, censured al-Khidr for scuttling the boat and killing the boy according to the standard legal judgment those acts warrant, overlooking the principle the two of them had agreed upon—that he would neither question nor object until al-Khidr himself took the initiative.