Majma' al-Bahrayn
Definition
Majma' al-bahrayn — the junction of the two seas — is the destination that Musa was told to travel toward until he found a specific sign: the miraculous revival of a dead fish he carried as provisions. Ibn Kathir discusses various geographical identifications for this location without settling on one definitively, consistent with his scholarly caution about historical details the text does not specify. The junction is significant not as a geographical marker but as a narrative one: Musa was willing to travel without knowing exactly how far or exactly where, following a divine instruction toward a meeting that would change his understanding of the limits of his own knowledge. The willingness to travel to an uncertain destination is itself the first lesson of the encounter.
As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn Kathir and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Majma' al-Bahrayn.
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"said, ìAnd mention, when Moses said to his young man, ìI will not cease until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period.î But when they reached the junction between them, they forgot their fish, and it took its course into the sea slipping away. So when they had passed beyond it, Moses said to his young man, ìBring us our morning meal. We have certainly suffered in this, our journey, much fatigue.î He said, ìDid you see when we retired to the rock? Indeed, I forgot the fish, and none made me forget it except Satan, that I should mention it. And it took its course into the sea amazingly.î"
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā
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"A man asked Musa if there was anyone more knowledgeable than him, to which Musa replied, No. Allah rebuked him for not attributing knowledge to Allah, and it was revealed that there was someone at the junction of the two seas. Musa asked for guidance to find this person, and it was said, Where the fish leaves you. Musa took a fish and placed it in a basket, instructing his servant to inform him when the fish left."
— Ibn Kathir, The Story of Musa
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"So Allah reproached him for not referring the knowledge back to Allah. It was said, Yes, indeed. Moses asked, O Lord, where? Allah said, At the junction of the two seas. Moses asked for a sign and it was said, When the fish leaves you. Sa'id ibn Jubair reported that while Moses was asleep under the shade of a rock, the fish moved, but his servant did not wake him."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā
Appears in
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