This is an explanation of what Musa found so hard to understand, and the appearence of which he condemed. Allah showed Al-Khidr the hidden reasons, so he said, "I damaged the ship to make it faulty, because they used to pass by a king who was one of the oppressors, who

﴿يَأْخُذُ كُلَّ سَفِينَةٍ﴾

(seized every boat), i.e., every good, sound boat

﴿غَصْباً﴾

(by force.) `So I wanted to prevent him from taking this boat by making it appear faulty, so that its poor owners who had nothing else could benefit from it.' It was also said that they were orphans.

﴿وَأَمَّا الْغُلَـمُ فَكَانَ أَبَوَاهُ مُؤْمِنَيْنِ فَخَشِينَآ أَن يُرْهِقَهُمَا طُغْيَـناً وَكُفْراً - فَأَرَدْنَآ أَن يُبْدِلَهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا خَيْراً مِّنْهُ زَكَـوةً وَأَقْرَبَ رُحْماً ﴾

(80. "And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared he would oppress them by rebellion and disbelief.'') (81. "So we intended that their Lord should exchange him for them for one better in righteousness and nearer to mercy.'')