Title: More Regarding Moses (pbuh) & "Khizer" Question: I want to ask you this question that what was the reason that God sent Khizar to teach Moses those lessons. A friend of mine was arguing with me that if religion is based on Intellect and reasoning then why was Moses asked to not question the various incidents which took place with the journey with Khizar. I gave him the reason that this is not against logic is due to the fact the Khizar iniatially asked Moses that he will tell him the reasons for his actions afterwards. Also Khizar was not telling Mosses any Shariah. My understanding is that he was teaching Moses the 'hikmah' behind God's actions. Answer: You are absolutely right with your answer. When we say that all that religion requires us to believe and practice is based on strong reason and is in keeping with the nature that God has given man, we are, in fact, referring to the beliefs and practices prescribed by the Shari`ah. This clearly does not mean that we claim to be in a position to comprehend the wisdom of all of God's decisions and actions. The incident of Moses (pbuh) and "Khizer" is one in which the Prophet is taught the lesson that we are never in a position to comprehend the goodness entailed in God's decisions. Nevertheless, we must always rest assured that each of God's decisions is based on His perfect knowledge, wisdom and mercy. It was to teach this lesson, that Moses was taken through a 'journey' (which may actually have been a prophetic vision or a dream). As for not questioning the reasons for the actions done by "Khizer", take a look at the incident once again with the perspective that in this incident, Moses (pbuh) is representative of believing humans, "Khizer" is representative of God's angels who implement God's decisions on this world and their journey together is representative of our life. Now, at the beginning of this journey, Moses (pbuh) - representing believing humans - is told that till the end of the journey - representing life - he would not be informed about all the reasons for which God takes certain decisions. It would only be at the end of this journey that the wisdom and the mercy entailed in each of God's decisions shall become apparent to man. Keeping faith in this fact, man should live his life in peace, submitting to and accepting God's decisions, even if he cannot fully comprehend the goodness entailed in these decisions for the time being. I hope this helps. Moiz Amjad March 12, 2004