سورة الكهف
Surah Al-Kahf
The Cave
Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave) is the 18th surah of the Quran. It has 110 verses and is a Meccan surah. Below is the complete Arabic text with an English translation and transliteration, verse by verse.
Also searched as: Surah Kahf · Al Kahf
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَ لَمۡ يَجۡعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَاۜ﴿١﴾
Alhamdu lillahi allathee anzala ʿala ʿabdihi alkitaba walam yajʿal lahu ʿiwajan
[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, who has sent down upon His Servant [Muḥammad (ﷺ)] the Book and has not made therein any deviance.
قَيِّمࣰا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأۡسࣰا شَدِيدࣰا مِّن لَّدُنۡهُ وَ يُبَشِّرَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعۡمَلُونَ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمۡ أَجۡرًا حَسَنࣰا﴿٢﴾
Qayyiman liyunthira basan shadeedan min ladunhu wayubashshira almumineena allatheena yaʿmaloona alssalihati anna lahum ajran hasanan
[He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward [i.e., Paradise]
مَّٰكِثِينَ فِيهِ أَبَدࣰا﴿٣﴾
Makitheena feehi abadan
In which they will remain forever
وَ يُنذِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدࣰا﴿٤﴾
Wayunthira allatheena qaloo ittakhatha Allahu waladan
And to warn those who say, "Allāh has taken a son."
مَّا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنۡ عِلۡمࣲ وَ لَا لِأٓبَآئِهِمۡ ۚ كَبُرَتۡ كَلِمَةࣰ تَخۡرُجُ مِنۡ أَفۡوَٰهِهِمۡ ۚ إِن يَقُولُونَ إِلَّا كَذِبࣰا﴿٥﴾
Ma lahum bihi min ʿilmin wala liabaihim kaburat kalimatan takhruju min afwahihim in yaqooloona illa kathiban
They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers. Grave is the word that comes out of their mouths; they speak not except a lie.
فَلَعَلَّكَ بَٰخِعࣱ نَّفۡسَكَ عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِمۡ إِن لَّمۡ يُؤۡمِنُواْ بِهَٰذَا ٱلۡحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا﴿٦﴾
Falaʿallaka bakhiʿun nafsaka ʿala atharihim in lam yuminoo bihatha alhadeethi asafan
Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [O Muḥammad], if they do not believe in this message, [and] out of sorrow.
إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ زِينَةࣰ لَّهَا لِنَبۡلُوَهُمۡ أَيُّهُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلࣰا﴿٧﴾
Inna jaʿalna ma ʿala alardi zeenatan laha linabluwahum ayyuhum ahsanu ʿamalan
Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed.
وَ إِنَّا لَجَٰعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيۡهَا صَعِيدࣰا جُرُزًا﴿٨﴾
Wainna lajaʿiloona ma ʿalayha saʿeedan juruzan
And indeed, We will make that which is upon it [into] a barren ground.
أَمۡ حَسِبۡتَ أَنَّ أَصۡحَٰبَ ٱلۡكَهۡفِ وَ ٱلرَّقِيمِ كَانُواْ مِنۡ ءَايَٰتِنَا عَجَبًا﴿٩﴾
Am hasibta anna ashaba alkahfi waalrraqeemi kanoo min ayatina ʿajaban
Or have you thought that the companions of the cave and the inscription were, among Our signs, a wonder?
إِذۡ أَوَى ٱلۡفِتۡيَةُ إِلَى ٱلۡكَهۡفِ فَقَالُواْ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحۡمَةࣰ وَ هَيِّئۡ لَنَا مِنۡ أَمۡرِنَا رَشَدࣰا﴿١٠﴾
Ith awa alfityatu ila alkahfi faqaloo rabbana atina min ladunka rahmatan wahayyi lana min amrina rashadan
[Mention] when the youths retreated to the cave and said, "Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance."
فَضَرَبۡنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاذَانِهِمۡ فِي ٱلۡكَهۡفِ سِنِينَ عَدَدࣰا﴿١١﴾
Fadarabna ʿala athanihim fee alkahfi sineena ʿadadan
So We cast [a cover of sleep] over their ears within the cave for a number of years.
ثُمَّ بَعَثۡنَٰهُمۡ لِنَعۡلَمَ أَيُّ ٱلۡحِزۡبَيۡنِ أَحۡصَىٰ لِمَا لَبِثُوٓاْ أَمَدࣰا﴿١٢﴾
Thumma baʿathnahum linaʿlama ayyu alhizbayni ahsa lima labithoo amadan
Then We awakened them that We might show which of the two factions was most precise in calculating what [extent] they had remained in time.
نَّحۡنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ نَبَأَهُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ ۚ إِنَّهُمۡ فِتۡيَةٌ ءَامَنُواْ بِرَبِّهِمۡ وَ زِدۡنَٰهُمۡ هُدࣰى﴿١٣﴾
Nahnu naqussu ʿalayka nabaahum bialhaqqi innahum fityatun amanoo birabbihim wazidnahum hudan
It is We who relate to you, [O Muḥammad], their story in truth. Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.
وَ رَبَطۡنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ إِذۡ قَامُواْ فَقَالُواْ رَبُّنَا رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ لَن نَّدۡعُوَاْ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَٰهࣰا ۖ لَّقَدۡ قُلۡنَآ إِذࣰا شَطَطًا﴿١٤﴾
Warabatna ʿala quloobihim ith qamoo faqaloo rabbuna rabbu alssamawati waalardi lan nadʿuwa min doonihi ilahan laqad qulna ithan shatatan
And We bound [i.e., made firm] their hearts when they stood up and said, "Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Never will we invoke besides Him any deity. We would have certainly spoken, then, an excessive transgression.
هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمُنَا ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةࣰ ۖ لَّوۡلَا يَأۡتُونَ عَلَيۡهِم بِسُلۡطَٰنِۭ بَيِّنࣲ ۖ فَمَنۡ أَظۡلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفۡتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبࣰا﴿١٥﴾
Haolai qawmuna ittakhathoo min doonihi alihatan lawla yatoona ʿalayhim bisultanin bayyinin faman athlamu mimmani iftara ʿala Allahi kathiban
These, our people, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for [worship of] them a clear evidence? And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allāh a lie?"
وَ إِذِ ٱعۡتَزَلۡتُمُوهُمۡ وَ مَا يَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ فَأۡوُۥٓاْ إِلَى ٱلۡكَهۡفِ يَنشُرۡ لَكُمۡ رَبُّكُم مِّن رَّحۡمَتِهِۦ وَ يُهَيِّئۡ لَكُم مِّنۡ أَمۡرِكُم مِّرۡفَقࣰا﴿١٦﴾
Waithi iʿtazaltumoohum wama yaʿbudoona illa Allaha fawoo ila alkahfi yanshur lakum rabbukum min rahmatihi wayuhayyi lakum min amrikum mirfaqan
[The youths said to one another], "And when you have withdrawn from them and that which they worship other than Allāh, retreat to the cave. Your Lord will spread out for you of His mercy and will prepare for you from your affair facility."
وَ تَرَى ٱلشَّمۡسَ إِذَا طَلَعَت تَّزَٰوَرُ عَن كَهۡفِهِمۡ ذَاتَ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَ إِذَا غَرَبَت تَّقۡرِضُهُمۡ ذَاتَ ٱلشِّمَالِ وَ هُمۡ فِي فَجۡوَةࣲ مِّنۡهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ مَن يَهۡدِ ٱللَّهُ فَهُوَ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدِ ۖ وَ مَن يُضۡلِلۡ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُۥ وَلِيࣰّا مُّرۡشِدࣰا﴿١٧﴾
Watara alshshamsa itha talaʿat tazawaru ʿan kahfihim thata alyameeni waitha gharabat taqriduhum thata alshshimali wahum fee fajwatin minhu thalika min ayati Allahi man yahdi Allahu fahuwa almuhtadi waman yudlil falan tajida lahu waliyyan murshidan
And [had you been present], you would see the sun when it rose, inclining away from their cave on the right, and when it set, passing away from them on the left, while they were [lying] within an open space thereof. That was from the signs of Allāh. He whom Allāh guides is the [rightly] guided, but he whom He sends astray - never will you find for him a protecting guide.
وَ تَحۡسَبُهُمۡ أَيۡقَاظࣰا وَ هُمۡ رُقُودࣱ ۚ وَ نُقَلِّبُهُمۡ ذَاتَ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَ ذَاتَ ٱلشِّمَالِ ۖ وَ كَلۡبُهُم بَٰسِطࣱ ذِرَاعَيۡهِ بِٱلۡوَصِيدِ ۚ لَوِ ٱطَّلَعۡتَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ لَوَلَّيۡتَ مِنۡهُمۡ فِرَارࣰا وَ لَمُلِئۡتَ مِنۡهُمۡ رُعۡبࣰا﴿١٨﴾
Watahsabuhum ayqathan wahum ruqoodun wanuqallibuhum thata alyameeni wathata alshshimali wakalbuhum basitun thiraʿayhi bialwaseedi lawi ittalaʿta ʿalayhim lawallayta minhum firaran walamulita minhum ruʿban
And you would think them awake, while they were asleep. And We turned them to the right and to the left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. If you had looked at them, you would have turned from them in flight and been filled by them with terror.
وَ كَذَٰلِكَ بَعَثۡنَٰهُمۡ لِيَتَسَآءَلُواْ بَيۡنَهُمۡ ۚ قَالَ قَآئِلࣱ مِّنۡهُمۡ كَمۡ لَبِثۡتُمۡ ۖ قَالُواْ لَبِثۡنَا يَوۡمًا أَوۡ بَعۡضَ يَوۡمࣲ ۚ قَالُواْ رَبُّكُمۡ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثۡتُمۡ فَٱبۡعَثُوٓاْ أَحَدَكُم بِوَرِقِكُمۡ هَٰذِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ فَلۡيَنظُرۡ أَيُّهَآ أَزۡكَىٰ طَعَامࣰا فَلۡيَأۡتِكُم بِرِزۡقࣲ مِّنۡهُ وَ لۡيَتَلَطَّفۡ وَ لَا يُشۡعِرَنَّ بِكُمۡ أَحَدًا﴿١٩﴾
Wakathalika baʿathnahum liyatasaaloo baynahum qala qailun minhum kam labithtum qaloo labithna yawman aw baʿda yawmin qaloo rabbukum aʿlamu bima labithtum faibʿathoo ahadakum biwariqikum hathihi ila almadeenati falyanthur ayyuha azka taʿaman falyatikum birizqin minhu walyatalattaf wala yushʿiranna bikum ahadan
And similarly, We awakened them that they might question one another. Said a speaker from among them, "How long have you remained [here]?" They said, "We have remained a day or part of a day." They said, "Your Lord is most knowing of how long you remained. So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city and let him look to which is the best of food and bring you provision from it and let him be cautious. And let no one be aware of you.
إِنَّهُمۡ إِن يَظۡهَرُواْ عَلَيۡكُمۡ يَرۡجُمُوكُمۡ أَوۡ يُعِيدُوكُمۡ فِي مِلَّتِهِمۡ وَ لَن تُفۡلِحُوٓاْ إِذًا أَبَدࣰا﴿٢٠﴾
Innahum in yathharoo ʿalaykum yarjumookum aw yuʿeedookum fee millatihim walan tuflihoo ithan abadan
Indeed, if they come to know of you, they will stone you or return you to their religion. And never would you succeed, then - ever."
وَ كَذَٰلِكَ أَعۡثَرۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ لِيَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقࣱّ وَ أَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَا رَيۡبَ فِيهَآ إِذۡ يَتَنَٰزَعُونَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ أَمۡرَهُمۡ ۖ فَقَالُواْ ٱبۡنُواْ عَلَيۡهِم بُنۡيَٰنࣰا ۖ رَّبُّهُمۡ أَعۡلَمُ بِهِمۡ ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَمۡرِهِمۡ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيۡهِم مَّسۡجِدࣰا﴿٢١﴾
Wakathalika aʿtharna ʿalayhim liyaʿlamoo anna waʿda Allahi haqqun waanna alsaʿata la rayba feeha ith yatanazaʿoona baynahum amrahum faqaloo ibnoo ʿalayhim bunyanan rabbuhum aʿlamu bihim qala allatheena ghalaboo ʿala amrihim lanattakhithanna ʿalayhim masjidan
And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allāh is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they disputed among themselves about their affair and [then] said, "Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them." Said those who prevailed in the matter, "We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid."
سَيَقُولُونَ ثَلَٰثَةࣱ رَّابِعُهُمۡ كَلۡبُهُمۡ وَ يَقُولُونَ خَمۡسَةࣱ سَادِسُهُمۡ كَلۡبُهُمۡ رَجۡمَۢا بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ ۖ وَ يَقُولُونَ سَبۡعَةࣱ وَ ثَامِنُهُمۡ كَلۡبُهُمۡ ۚ قُل رَّبِّيٓ أَعۡلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم مَّا يَعۡلَمُهُمۡ إِلَّا قَلِيلࣱ ۗ فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيهِمۡ إِلَّا مِرَآءࣰ ظَٰهِرࣰا وَ لَا تَسۡتَفۡتِ فِيهِم مِّنۡهُمۡ أَحَدࣰا﴿٢٢﴾
Sayaqooloona thalathatun rabiʿuhum kalbuhum wayaqooloona khamsatun sadisuhum kalbuhum rajman bialghaybi wayaqooloona sabʿatun wathaminuhum kalbuhum qul rabbee aʿlamu biʿiddatihim ma yaʿlamuhum illa qaleelun fala tumari feehim illa miraan thahiran wala tastafti feehim minhum ahadan
They [i.e., people] will say there were three, the fourth of them being their dog; and they will say there were five, the sixth of them being their dog - guessing at the unseen; and they will say there were seven, and the eighth of them was their dog. Say, [O Muḥammad], "My Lord is most knowing of their number. None knows them except a few. So do not argue about them except with an obvious argument and do not inquire about them among [the speculators] from anyone."
وَ لَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَاْيۡءٍ إِنِّي فَاعِلࣱ ذَٰلِكَ غَدًا﴿٢٣﴾
Wala taqoolanna lishayin innee faʿilun thalika ghadan
And never say of anything, "Indeed, I will do that tomorrow,"
إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَ ٱذۡكُر رَّبَّكَ إِذَا نَسِيتَ وَ قُلۡ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَهۡدِيَنِ رَبِّي لِأَقۡرَبَ مِنۡ هَٰذَا رَشَدࣰا﴿٢٤﴾
Illa an yashaa Allahu waothkur rabbaka itha naseeta waqul ʿasa an yahdiyani rabbee liaqraba min hatha rashadan
Except [when adding], "If Allāh wills." And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct."
وَ لَبِثُواْ فِي كَهۡفِهِمۡ ثَلَٰثَ مِاْئَةࣲ سِنِينَ وَ ٱزۡدَادُواْ تِسۡعࣰا﴿٢٥﴾
Walabithoo fee kahfihim thalatha miatin sineena waizdadoo tisʿan
And they remained in their cave for three hundred years and exceeded by nine.
قُلِ ٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثُواْ ۖ لَهُۥ غَيۡبُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ ۖ أَبۡصِرۡ بِهِۦ وَ أَسۡمِعۡ ۚ مَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِيࣲّ وَ لَا يُشۡرِكُ فِي حُكۡمِهِۦٓ أَحَدࣰا﴿٢٦﴾
Quli Allahu aʿlamu bima labithoo lahu ghaybu alssamawati waalardi absir bihi waasmiʿ ma lahum min doonihi min waliyyin wala yushriku fee hukmihi ahadan
Say, "Allāh is most knowing of how long they remained. He has [knowledge of] the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. How Seeing is He and how Hearing! They have not besides Him any protector, and He shares not His legislation with anyone."
وَ ٱتۡلُ مَآ أُوحِيَ إِلَيۡكَ مِن كِتَابِ رَبِّكَ ۖ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَٰتِهِۦ وَ لَن تَجِدَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مُلۡتَحَدࣰا﴿٢٧﴾
Waotlu ma oohiya ilayka min kitabi rabbika la mubaddila likalimatihi walan tajida min doonihi multahadan
And recite, [O Muḥammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no changer of His words, and never will you find in other than Him a refuge.
وَ ٱصۡبِرۡ نَفۡسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلۡغَدَوٰةِ وَ ٱلۡعَشِيِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجۡهَهُۥ ۖ وَ لَا تَعۡدُ عَيۡنَاكَ عَنۡهُمۡ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا ۖ وَ لَا تُطِعۡ مَنۡ أَغۡفَلۡنَا قَلۡبَهُۥ عَن ذِكۡرِنَا وَ ٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ وَ كَانَ أَمۡرُهُۥ فُرُطࣰا﴿٢٨﴾
Waisbir nafsaka maʿa allatheena yadʿoona rabbahum bialghadati waalʿashiyyi yureedoona wajhahu wala taʿdu ʿaynaka ʿanhum tureedu zeenata alhayati alddunya wala tutiʿ man aghfalna qalbahu ʿan thikrina waittabaʿa hawahu wakana amruhu furutan
And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His face [i.e., acceptance]. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.
وَ قُلِ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمۡ ۖ فَمَن شَآءَ فَلۡيُؤۡمِن وَ مَن شَآءَ فَلۡيَكۡفُرۡ ۚ إِنَّآ أَعۡتَدۡنَا لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمۡ سُرَادِقُهَا ۚ وَ إِن يَسۡتَغِيثُواْ يُغَاثُواْ بِمَآءࣲ كَٱلۡمُهۡلِ يَشۡوِي ٱلۡوُجُوهَ ۚ بِئۡسَ ٱلشَّرَابُ وَ سَآءَتۡ مُرۡتَفَقًا﴿٢٩﴾
Waquli alhaqqu min rabbikum faman shaa falyumin waman shaa falyakfur inna aʿtadna lilththalimeena naran ahata bihim suradiquha wain yastagheethoo yughathoo bimain kaalmuhli yashwee alwujooha bisa alshsharabu wasaat murtafaqan
And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve." Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them. And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَ عَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ مَنۡ أَحۡسَنَ عَمَلًا﴿٣٠﴾
Inna allatheena amanoo waʿamiloo alssalihati inna la nudeeʿu ajra man ahsana ʿamalan
Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds.
أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ جَنَّٰتُ عَدۡنࣲ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهِمُ ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ يُحَلَّوۡنَ فِيهَا مِنۡ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبࣲ وَ يَلۡبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضۡرࣰا مِّن سُندُسࣲ وَ إِسۡتَبۡرَقࣲ مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَرَآئِكِ ۚ نِعۡمَ ٱلثَّوَابُ وَ حَسُنَتۡ مُرۡتَفَقࣰا﴿٣١﴾
Olaika lahum jannatu ʿadnin tajree min tahtihimu alanharu yuhallawna feeha min asawira min thahabin wayalbasoona thiyaban khudran min sundusin waistabraqin muttakieena feeha ʿala alaraiki niʿma alththawabu wahasunat murtafaqan
Those will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place.
وَ ٱضۡرِبۡ لَهُم مَّثَلࣰا رَّجُلَيۡنِ جَعَلۡنَا لِأَحَدِهِمَا جَنَّتَيۡنِ مِنۡ أَعۡنَٰبࣲ وَ حَفَفۡنَٰهُمَا بِنَخۡلࣲ وَ جَعَلۡنَا بَيۡنَهُمَا زَرۡعࣰا﴿٣٢﴾
Waidrib lahum mathalan rajulayni jaʿalna liahadihima jannatayni min aʿnabin wahafafnahuma binakhlin wajaʿalna baynahuma zarʿan
And present to them an example of two men: We granted to one of them two gardens of grapevines, and We bordered them with palm trees and placed between them [fields of] crops.
كِلۡتَا ٱلۡجَنَّتَيۡنِ ءَاتَتۡ أُكُلَهَا وَ لَمۡ تَظۡلِم مِّنۡهُ شَيۡـࣰٔا ۚ وَ فَجَّرۡنَا خِلَٰلَهُمَا نَهَرࣰا﴿٣٣﴾
Kilta aljannatayni atat okulaha walam tathlim minhu shayan wafajjarna khilalahuma naharan
Each of the two gardens produced its fruit and did not fall short thereof in anything. And We caused to gush forth within them a river.
وَ كَانَ لَهُۥ ثَمَرࣱ فَقَالَ لِصَٰحِبِهِۦ وَ هُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُۥٓ أَنَا۠ أَكۡثَرُ مِنكَ مَالࣰا وَ أَعَزُّ نَفَرࣰا﴿٣٤﴾
Wakana lahu thamarun faqala lisahibihi wahuwa yuhawiruhu ana aktharu minka malan waaʿazzu nafaran
And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, "I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men."
وَ دَخَلَ جَنَّتَهُۥ وَ هُوَ ظَالِمࣱ لِّنَفۡسِهِۦ قَالَ مَآ أَظُنُّ أَن تَبِيدَ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أَبَدࣰا﴿٣٥﴾
Wadakhala jannatahu wahuwa thalimun linafsihi qala ma athunnu an tabeeda hathihi abadan
And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, "I do not think that this will perish - ever.
وَ مَآ أَظُنُّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ قَآئِمَةࣰ وَ لَئِن رُّدِدتُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّي لَأَجِدَنَّ خَيۡرࣰا مِّنۡهَا مُنقَلَبࣰا﴿٣٦﴾
Wama athunnu alssaʿata qaimatan walain rudidtu ila rabbee laajidanna khayran minha munqalaban
And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return."
قَالَ لَهُۥ صَاحِبُهُۥ وَ هُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُۥٓ أَكَفَرۡتَ بِٱلَّذِي خَلَقَكَ مِن تُرَابࣲ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطۡفَةࣲ ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰكَ رَجُلࣰا﴿٣٧﴾
Qala lahu sahibuhu wahuwa yuhawiruhu akafarta biallathee khalaqaka min turabin thumma min nutfatin thumma sawwaka rajulan
His companion said to him while he was conversing with him, "Have you disbelieved in He who created you from dust and then from a sperm-drop and then proportioned you [as] a man?
لَّٰكِنَّا۠ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ رَبِّي وَ لَآ أُشۡرِكُ بِرَبِّيٓ أَحَدࣰا﴿٣٨﴾
Lakinna huwa Allahu rabbee wala oshriku birabbee ahadan
But as for me, He is Allāh, my Lord, and I do not associate with my Lord anyone.
وَ لَوۡلَآ إِذۡ دَخَلۡتَ جَنَّتَكَ قُلۡتَ مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ ۚ إِن تَرَنِ أَنَا۠ أَقَلَّ مِنكَ مَالࣰا وَ وَلَدࣰا﴿٣٩﴾
Walawla ith dakhalta jannataka qulta ma shaa Allahu la quwwata illa biAllahi in tarani ana aqalla minka malan wawaladan
And why did you, when you entered your garden, not say, 'What Allāh willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allāh'? Although you see me less than you in wealth and children,
فَعَسَىٰ رَبِّيٓ أَن يُؤۡتِيَنِ خَيۡرࣰا مِّن جَنَّتِكَ وَ يُرۡسِلَ عَلَيۡهَا حُسۡبَانࣰا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَتُصۡبِحَ صَعِيدࣰا زَلَقًا﴿٤٠﴾
Faʿasa rabbee an yutiyani khayran min jannatika wayursila ʿalayha husbanan mina alssamai fatusbiha saʿeedan zalaqan
It may be that my Lord will give me [something] better than your garden and will send upon it a [disastrous] penalty from the sky, and it will become a smooth, dusty ground,
أَوۡ يُصۡبِحَ مَآؤُهَا غَوۡرࣰا فَلَن تَسۡتَطِيعَ لَهُۥ طَلَبࣰا﴿٤١﴾
Aw yusbiha maoha ghawran falan tastateeʿa lahu talaban
Or its water will become sunken [into the earth], so you would never be able to seek it."
وَ أُحِيطَ بِثَمَرِهِۦ فَأَصۡبَحَ يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّيۡهِ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَنفَقَ فِيهَا وَ هِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَ يَقُولُ يَٰلَيۡتَنِي لَمۡ أُشۡرِكۡ بِرَبِّيٓ أَحَدࣰا﴿٤٢﴾
Waoheeta bithamarihi faasbaha yuqallibu kaffayhi ʿala ma anfaqa feeha wahiya khawiyatun ʿala ʿurooshiha wayaqoolu ya laytanee lam oshrik birabbee ahadan
And his fruits were encompassed [by ruin], so he began to turn his hands about [in dismay] over what he had spent on it, while it had collapsed upon its trellises, and said, "Oh, I wish I had not associated with my Lord anyone."
وَ لَمۡ تَكُن لَّهُۥ فِئَةࣱ يَنصُرُونَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَ مَا كَانَ مُنتَصِرًا﴿٤٣﴾
Walam takun lahu fiatun yansuroonahu min dooni Allahi wama kana muntasiran
And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allāh, nor could he defend himself.
هُنَالِكَ ٱلۡوَلَٰيَةُ لِلَّهِ ٱلۡحَقِّ ۚ هُوَ خَيۡرࣱ ثَوَابࣰا وَ خَيۡرٌ عُقۡبࣰا﴿٤٤﴾
Hunalika alwalayatu lillahi alhaqqi huwa khayrun thawaban wakhayrun ʿuqban
There the authority is [completely] for Allāh, the Truth. He is best in reward and best in outcome.
وَ ٱضۡرِبۡ لَهُم مَّثَلَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخۡتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَأَصۡبَحَ هَشِيمࣰا تَذۡرُوهُ ٱلرِّيَٰحُ ۗ وَ كَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءࣲ مُّقۡتَدِرًا﴿٤٥﴾
Waidrib lahum mathala alhayati alddunya kamain anzalnahu mina alssamai faikhtalata bihi nabatu alardi faasbaha hasheeman tathroohu alrriyahu wakana Allahu ʿala kulli shayin muqtadiran
And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allāh is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability.
ٱلۡمَالُ وَ ٱلۡبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا ۖ وَ ٱلۡبَٰقِيَٰتُ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتُ خَيۡرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابࣰا وَ خَيۡرٌ أَمَلࣰا﴿٤٦﴾
Almalu waalbanoona zeenatu alhayati alddunya waalbaqiyatu alssalihatu khayrun ʿinda rabbika thawaban wakhayrun amalan
Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.
وَ يَوۡمَ نُسَيِّرُ ٱلۡجِبَالَ وَ تَرَى ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَارِزَةࣰ وَ حَشَرۡنَٰهُمۡ فَلَمۡ نُغَادِرۡ مِنۡهُمۡ أَحَدࣰا﴿٤٧﴾
Wayawma nusayyiru aljibala watara alarda barizatan wahasharnahum falam nughadir minhum ahadan
And [warn of] the Day when We will remove the mountains and you will see the earth exposed, and We will gather them and not leave behind from them anyone.
وَ عُرِضُواْ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ صَفࣰّا لَّقَدۡ جِئۡتُمُونَا كَمَا خَلَقۡنَٰكُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةِۭ ۚ بَلۡ زَعَمۡتُمۡ أَلَّن نَّجۡعَلَ لَكُم مَّوۡعِدࣰا﴿٤٨﴾
Waʿuridoo ʿala rabbika saffan laqad jitumoona kama khalaqnakum awwala marratin bal zaʿamtum allan najʿala lakum mawʿidan
And they will be presented before your Lord in rows, [and He will say], "You have certainly come to Us just as We created you the first time. But you claimed that We would never make for you an appointment."
وَ وُضِعَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبُ فَتَرَى ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ مُشۡفِقِينَ مِمَّا فِيهِ وَ يَقُولُونَ يَٰوَيۡلَتَنَا مَالِ هَٰذَا ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لَا يُغَادِرُ صَغِيرَةࣰ وَ لَا كَبِيرَةً إِلَّآ أَحۡصَىٰهَا ۚ وَ وَجَدُواْ مَا عَمِلُواْ حَاضِرࣰا ۗ وَ لَا يَظۡلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدࣰا﴿٤٩﴾
Wawudiʿa alkitabu fatara almujrimeena mushfiqeena mimma feehi wayaqooloona ya waylatana ma lihatha alkitabi la yughadiru sagheeratan wala kabeeratan illa ahsaha wawajadoo ma ʿamiloo hadiran wala yathlimu rabbuka ahadan
And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one.
وَ إِذۡ قُلۡنَا لِلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسۡجُدُواْ لِأٓدَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنۡ أَمۡرِ رَبِّهِۦٓ ۗ أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُۥ وَ ذُرِّيَّتَهُۥٓ أَوۡلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِي وَ هُمۡ لَكُمۡ عَدُوُّۢ ۚ بِئۡسَ لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ بَدَلࣰا﴿٥٠﴾
Waith qulna lilmalaikati osjudoo liadama fasajadoo illa ibleesa kana mina aljinni fafasaqa ʿan amri rabbihi afatattakhithoonahu wathurriyyatahu awliyaa min doonee wahum lakum ʿaduwwun bisa lilththalimeena badalan
And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was of the jinn and departed from [i.e., disobeyed] the command of his Lord. Then will you take him and his descendants as allies other than Me while they are enemies to you? Wretched it is for the wrongdoers as an exchange.
مَّآ أَشۡهَدتُّهُمۡ خَلۡقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَ لَا خَلۡقَ أَنفُسِهِمۡ وَ مَا كُنتُ مُتَّخِذَ ٱلۡمُضِلِّينَ عَضُدࣰا﴿٥١﴾
Ma ashhadtuhum khalqa alssamawati waalardi wala khalqa anfusihim wama kuntu muttakhitha almudilleena ʿadudan
I did not make them witness to the creation of the heavens and the earth or to the creation of themselves, and I would not have taken the misguiders as assistants.
وَ يَوۡمَ يَقُولُ نَادُواْ شُرَكَآءِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمۡتُمۡ فَدَعَوۡهُمۡ فَلَمۡ يَسۡتَجِيبُواْ لَهُمۡ وَ جَعَلۡنَا بَيۡنَهُم مَّوۡبِقࣰا﴿٥٢﴾
Wayawma yaqoolu nadoo shurakaiya allatheena zaʿamtum fadaʿawhum falam yastajeeboo lahum wajaʿalna baynahum mawbiqan
And [warn of] the Day when He will say, "Call My 'partners' whom you claimed," and they will invoke them, but they will not respond to them. And We will put between them [a valley of] destruction.
وَ رَءَا ٱلۡمُجۡرِمُونَ ٱلنَّارَ فَظَنُّوٓاْ أَنَّهُم مُّوَاقِعُوهَا وَ لَمۡ يَجِدُواْ عَنۡهَا مَصۡرِفࣰا﴿٥٣﴾
Waraa almujrimoona alnnara fathannoo annahum muwaqiʿooha walam yajidoo ʿanha masrifan
And the criminals will see the Fire and will be certain that they are to fall therein. And they will not find from it a way elsewhere.
وَ لَقَدۡ صَرَّفۡنَا فِي هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ لِلنَّاسِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلࣲ ۚ وَ كَانَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ أَكۡثَرَ شَيۡءࣲ جَدَلࣰا﴿٥٤﴾
Walaqad sarrafna fee hatha alqurani lilnnasi min kulli mathalin wakana alinsanu akthara shayin jadalan
And We have certainly diversified in this Qur’ān for the people from every [kind of] example; but man has ever been, most of anything, [prone to] dispute.
وَ مَا مَنَعَ ٱلنَّاسَ أَن يُؤۡمِنُوٓاْ إِذۡ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَ يَسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّهُمۡ إِلَّآ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُمۡ سُنَّةُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ أَوۡ يَأۡتِيَهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ قُبُلࣰا﴿٥٥﴾
Wama manaʿa alnnasa an yuminoo ith jaahumu alhuda wayastaghfiroo rabbahum illa an tatiyahum sunnatu alawwaleena aw yatiyahumu alʿathabu qubulan
And nothing has prevented the people from believing when guidance came to them and from asking forgiveness of their Lord except that there [must] befall them the [accustomed] precedent of the former peoples or that the punishment should come [directly] before them.
وَ مَا نُرۡسِلُ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرِينَ وَ مُنذِرِينَ ۚ وَ يُجَٰدِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِٱلۡبَٰطِلِ لِيُدۡحِضُواْ بِهِ ٱلۡحَقَّ ۖ وَ ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ ءَايَٰتِي وَ مَآ أُنذِرُواْ هُزُوࣰا﴿٥٦﴾
Wama nursilu almursaleena illa mubashshireena wamunthireena wayujadilu allatheena kafaroo bialbatili liyudhidoo bihi alhaqqa waittakhathoo ayatee wama onthiroo huzuwan
And We send not the messengers except as bringers of good tidings and warners. And those who disbelieve dispute by [using] falsehood to [attempt to] invalidate thereby the truth and have taken My verses, and that of which they are warned, in ridicule.
وَ مَنۡ أَظۡلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ فَأَعۡرَضَ عَنۡهَا وَ نَسِيَ مَا قَدَّمَتۡ يَدَاهُ ۚ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفۡقَهُوهُ وَ فِيٓ ءَاذَانِهِمۡ وَقۡرࣰا ۖ وَ إِن تَدۡعُهُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡهُدَىٰ فَلَن يَهۡتَدُوٓاْ إِذًا أَبَدࣰا﴿٥٧﴾
Waman athlamu mimman thukkira biayati rabbihi faaʿrada ʿanha wanasiya ma qaddamat yadahu inna jaʿalna ʿala quloobihim akinnatan an yafqahoohu wafee athanihim waqran wain tadʿuhum ila alhuda falan yahtadoo ithan abadan
And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord but turns away from them and forgets what his hands have put forth? Indeed, We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And if you invite them to guidance - they will never be guided, then - ever.
وَ رَبُّكَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ذُو ٱلرَّحۡمَةِ ۖ لَوۡ يُؤَاخِذُهُم بِمَا كَسَبُواْ لَعَجَّلَ لَهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابَ ۚ بَل لَّهُم مَّوۡعِدࣱ لَّن يَجِدُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦ مَوۡئِلࣰا﴿٥٨﴾
Warabbuka alghafooru thoo alrrahmati law yuakhithuhum bima kasaboo laʿajjala lahumu alʿathaba bal lahum mawʿidun lan yajidoo min doonihi mawilan
And your Lord is the Forgiving, the possessor of mercy. If He were to impose blame upon them for what they earned, He would have hastened for them the punishment. Rather, for them is an appointment from which they will never find an escape.
وَ تِلۡكَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ أَهۡلَكۡنَٰهُمۡ لَمَّا ظَلَمُواْ وَ جَعَلۡنَا لِمَهۡلِكِهِم مَّوۡعِدࣰا﴿٥٩﴾
Watilka alqura ahlaknahum lamma thalamoo wajaʿalna limahlikihim mawʿidan
And those cities - We destroyed them when they wronged, and We made for their destruction an appointed time.
وَ إِذۡ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَىٰهُ لَآ أَبۡرَحُ حَتَّىٰٓ أَبۡلُغَ مَجۡمَعَ ٱلۡبَحۡرَيۡنِ أَوۡ أَمۡضِيَ حُقُبࣰا﴿٦٠﴾
Waith qala moosa lifatahu la abrahu hatta ablugha majmaʿa albahrayni aw amdiya huquban
And [mention] when Moses said to his boy [i.e., servant], "I will not cease [traveling] until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period."
فَلَمَّا بَلَغَا مَجۡمَعَ بَيۡنِهِمَا نَسِيَا حُوتَهُمَا فَٱتَّخَذَ سَبِيلَهُۥ فِي ٱلۡبَحۡرِ سَرَبࣰا﴿٦١﴾
Falamma balagha majmaʿa baynihima nasiya hootahuma faittakhatha sabeelahu fee albahri saraban
But when they reached the junction between them, they forgot their fish, and it took its course into the sea, slipping away.
فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَا قَالَ لِفَتَىٰهُ ءَاتِنَا غَدَآءَنَا لَقَدۡ لَقِينَا مِن سَفَرِنَا هَٰذَا نَصَبࣰا﴿٦٢﴾
Falamma jawaza qala lifatahu atina ghadaana laqad laqeena min safarina hatha nasaban
So when they had passed beyond it, [Moses] said to his boy, "Bring us our morning meal. We have certainly suffered in this, our journey, [much] fatigue."
قَالَ أَرَءَيۡتَ إِذۡ أَوَيۡنَآ إِلَى ٱلصَّخۡرَةِ فَإِنِّي نَسِيتُ ٱلۡحُوتَ وَ مَآ أَنسَىٰنِيهُ إِلَّا ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ أَنۡ أَذۡكُرَهُۥ ۚ وَ ٱتَّخَذَ سَبِيلَهُۥ فِي ٱلۡبَحۡرِ عَجَبࣰا﴿٦٣﴾
Qala araayta ith awayna ila alssakhrati fainnee naseetu alhoota wama ansaneehu illa alshshaytanu an athkurahu waittakhatha sabeelahu fee albahri ʿajaban
He said, "Did you see when we retired to the rock? Indeed, I forgot [there] the fish. And none made me forget it except Satan - that I should mention it. And it took its course into the sea amazingly."
قَالَ ذَٰلِكَ مَا كُنَّا نَبۡغِ ۚ فَٱرۡتَدَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَارِهِمَا قَصَصࣰا﴿٦٤﴾
Qala thalika ma kunna nabghi fairtadda ʿala atharihima qasasan
[Moses] said, "That is what we were seeking." So they returned, following their footprints.
فَوَجَدَا عَبۡدࣰا مِّنۡ عِبَادِنَآ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ رَحۡمَةࣰ مِّنۡ عِندِنَا وَ عَلَّمۡنَٰهُ مِن لَّدُنَّا عِلۡمࣰا﴿٦٥﴾
Fawajada ʿabdan min ʿibadina ataynahu rahmatan min ʿindina waʿallamnahu min ladunna ʿilman
And they found a servant from among Our servants [i.e., al-Khiḍr] to whom We had given mercy from Us and had taught him from Us a [certain] knowledge.
قَالَ لَهُۥ مُوسَىٰ هَلۡ أَتَّبِعُكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تُعَلِّمَنِ مِمَّا عُلِّمۡتَ رُشۡدࣰا﴿٦٦﴾
Qala lahu moosa hal attabiʿuka ʿala an tuʿallimani mimma ʿullimta rushdan
Moses said to him, "May I follow you on [the condition] that you teach me from what you have been taught of sound judgement?"
قَالَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسۡتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبۡرࣰا﴿٦٧﴾
Qala innaka lan tastateeʿa maʿiya sabran
He said, "Indeed, with me you will never be able to have patience.
وَ كَيۡفَ تَصۡبِرُ عَلَىٰ مَا لَمۡ تُحِطۡ بِهِۦ خُبۡرࣰا﴿٦٨﴾
Wakayfa tasbiru ʿala ma lam tuhit bihi khubran
And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?"
قَالَ سَتَجِدُنِيٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ صَابِرࣰا وَ لَآ أَعۡصِي لَكَ أَمۡرࣰا﴿٦٩﴾
Qala satajidunee in shaa Allahu sabiran wala aʿsee laka amran
[Moses] said, "You will find me, if Allāh wills, patient, and I will not disobey you in [any] order."
قَالَ فَإِنِ ٱتَّبَعۡتَنِي فَلَا تَسۡـَٔلۡنِي عَن شَيۡءٍ حَتَّىٰٓ أُحۡدِثَ لَكَ مِنۡهُ ذِكۡرࣰا﴿٧٠﴾
Qala faini ittabaʿtanee fala tasalnee ʿan shayin hatta ohditha laka minhu thikran
He said, "Then if you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I make to you about it mention [i.e., explanation]."
فَٱنطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا رَكِبَا فِي ٱلسَّفِينَةِ خَرَقَهَا ۖ قَالَ أَخَرَقۡتَهَا لِتُغۡرِقَ أَهۡلَهَا لَقَدۡ جِئۡتَ شَيۡـًٔا إِمۡرࣰا﴿٧١﴾
Faintalaqa hatta itha rakiba fee alssafeenati kharaqaha qala akharaqtaha litughriqa ahlaha laqad jita shayan imran
So they set out, until when they had embarked on the ship, he [i.e., al-Khiḍr] tore it open. [Moses] said, "Have you torn it open to drown its people? You have certainly done a grave thing."
قَالَ أَلَمۡ أَقُلۡ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسۡتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبۡرࣰا﴿٧٢﴾
Qala alam aqul innaka lan tastateeʿa maʿiya sabran
[Al-Khiḍr] said, "Did I not say that with me you would never be able to have patience?"
قَالَ لَا تُؤَاخِذۡنِي بِمَا نَسِيتُ وَ لَا تُرۡهِقۡنِي مِنۡ أَمۡرِي عُسۡرࣰا﴿٧٣﴾
Qala la tuakhithnee bima naseetu wala turhiqnee min amree ʿusran
[Moses] said, "Do not blame me for what I forgot and do not overwhelm me in my matter with difficulty."
فَٱنطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا لَقِيَا غُلَٰمࣰا فَقَتَلَهُۥ قَالَ أَقَتَلۡتَ نَفۡسࣰا زَكِيَّةَۢ بِغَيۡرِ نَفۡسࣲ لَّقَدۡ جِئۡتَ شَيۡـࣰٔا نُّكۡرࣰا﴿٧٤﴾
Faintalaqa hatta itha laqiya ghulaman faqatalahu qala aqatalta nafsan zakiyyatan bighayri nafsin laqad jita shayan nukran
So they set out, until when they met a boy, he [i.e., al-Khiḍr] killed him. [Moses] said, "Have you killed a pure soul for other than [having killed] a soul? You have certainly done a deplorable thing."
قَالَ أَلَمۡ أَقُل لَّكَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسۡتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبۡرࣰا﴿٧٥﴾
Qala alam aqul laka innaka lan tastateeʿa maʿiya sabran
[Al-Khiḍr] said, "Did I not tell you that with me you would never be able to have patience?"
قَالَ إِن سَأَلۡتُكَ عَن شَيۡءِۭ بَعۡدَهَا فَلَا تُصَٰحِبۡنِي ۖ قَدۡ بَلَغۡتَ مِن لَّدُنِّي عُذۡرࣰا﴿٧٦﴾
Qala in saaltuka ʿan shayin baʿdaha fala tusahibnee qad balaghta min ladunnee ʿuthran
[Moses] said, "If I should ask you about anything after this, then do not keep me as a companion. You have obtained from me an excuse."
فَٱنطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَيَآ أَهۡلَ قَرۡيَةٍ ٱسۡتَطۡعَمَآ أَهۡلَهَا فَأَبَوۡاْ أَن يُضَيِّفُوهُمَا فَوَجَدَا فِيهَا جِدَارࣰا يُرِيدُ أَن يَنقَضَّ فَأَقَامَهُۥ ۖ قَالَ لَوۡ شِئۡتَ لَتَّخَذۡتَ عَلَيۡهِ أَجۡرࣰا﴿٧٧﴾
Faintalaqa hatta itha ataya ahla qaryatin istatʿama ahlaha faabaw an yudayyifoohuma fawajada feeha jidaran yureedu an yanqadda faaqamahu qala law shita laittakhathta ʿalayhi ajran
So they set out, until when they came to the people of a town, they asked its people for food, but they refused to offer them hospitality. And they found therein a wall about to collapse, so he [i.e., al-Khiḍr] restored it. [Moses] said, "If you wished, you could have taken for it a payment."
قَالَ هَٰذَا فِرَاقُ بَيۡنِي وَ بَيۡنِكَ ۚ سَأُنَبِّئُكَ بِتَأۡوِيلِ مَا لَمۡ تَسۡتَطِع عَّلَيۡهِ صَبۡرًا﴿٧٨﴾
Qala hatha firaqu baynee wabaynika saonabbioka bitaweeli ma lam tastatiʿ ʿalayhi sabran
[Al-Khiḍr] said, "This is parting between me and you. I will inform you of the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience.
أَمَّا ٱلسَّفِينَةُ فَكَانَتۡ لِمَسَٰكِينَ يَعۡمَلُونَ فِي ٱلۡبَحۡرِ فَأَرَدتُّ أَنۡ أَعِيبَهَا وَ كَانَ وَرَآءَهُم مَّلِكࣱ يَأۡخُذُ كُلَّ سَفِينَةٍ غَصۡبࣰا﴿٧٩﴾
Amma alssafeenatu fakanat limasakeena yaʿmaloona fee albahri faaradtu an aʿeebaha wakana waraahum malikun yakhuthu kulla safeenatin ghasban
As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working at sea. So I intended to cause defect in it as there was after them a king who seized every [good] ship by force.
وَ أَمَّا ٱلۡغُلَٰمُ فَكَانَ أَبَوَاهُ مُؤۡمِنَيۡنِ فَخَشِينَآ أَن يُرۡهِقَهُمَا طُغۡيَٰنࣰا وَ كُفۡرࣰا﴿٨٠﴾
Waamma alghulamu fakana abawahu muminayni fakhasheena an yurhiqahuma tughyanan wakufran
And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared that he would overburden them by transgression and disbelief.
فَأَرَدۡنَآ أَن يُبۡدِلَهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا خَيۡرࣰا مِّنۡهُ زَكَوٰةࣰ وَ أَقۡرَبَ رُحۡمࣰا﴿٨١﴾
Faaradna an yubdilahuma rabbuhuma khayran minhu zakatan waaqraba ruhman
So we intended that their Lord should substitute for them one better than him in purity and nearer to mercy.
وَ أَمَّا ٱلۡجِدَارُ فَكَانَ لِغُلَٰمَيۡنِ يَتِيمَيۡنِ فِي ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ وَ كَانَ تَحۡتَهُۥ كَنزࣱ لَّهُمَا وَ كَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَٰلِحࣰا فَأَرَادَ رَبُّكَ أَن يَبۡلُغَآ أَشُدَّهُمَا وَ يَسۡتَخۡرِجَا كَنزَهُمَا رَحۡمَةࣰ مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ وَ مَا فَعَلۡتُهُۥ عَنۡ أَمۡرِي ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَأۡوِيلُ مَا لَمۡ تَسۡطِع عَّلَيۡهِ صَبۡرࣰا﴿٨٢﴾
Waamma aljidaru fakana lighulamayni yateemayni fee almadeenati wakana tahtahu kanzun lahuma wakana aboohuma salihan faarada rabbuka an yablugha ashuddahuma wayastakhrija kanzahuma rahmatan min rabbika wama faʿaltuhu ʿan amree thalika taweelu ma lam tastiʿ ʿalayhi sabran
And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure for them, and their father had been righteous. So your Lord intended that they reach maturity and extract their treasure, as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience."
وَ يَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَن ذِي ٱلۡقَرۡنَيۡنِ ۖ قُلۡ سَأَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡكُم مِّنۡهُ ذِكۡرًا﴿٨٣﴾
Wayasaloonaka ʿan thee alqarnayni qul saatloo ʿalaykum minhu thikran
And they ask you, [O Muḥammad], about Dhul-Qarnayn. Say, "I will recite to you about him a report."
إِنَّا مَكَّنَّا لَهُۥ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ مِن كُلِّ شَيۡءࣲ سَبَبࣰا﴿٨٤﴾
Inna makkanna lahu fee alardi waataynahu min kulli shayin sababan
Indeed, We established him upon the earth, and We gave him from everything a way [i.e., means].
فَأَتۡبَعَ سَبَبًا﴿٨٥﴾
Faatbaʿa sababan
So he followed a way
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغَ مَغۡرِبَ ٱلشَّمۡسِ وَجَدَهَا تَغۡرُبُ فِي عَيۡنٍ حَمِئَةࣲ وَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا قَوۡمࣰا ۖ قُلۡنَا يَٰذَا ٱلۡقَرۡنَيۡنِ إِمَّآ أَن تُعَذِّبَ وَ إِمَّآ أَن تَتَّخِذَ فِيهِمۡ حُسۡنࣰا﴿٨٦﴾
Hatta itha balagha maghriba alshshamsi wajadaha taghrubu fee ʿaynin hamiatin wawajada ʿindaha qawman qulna ya tha alqarnayni imma an tuʿaththiba waimma an tattakhitha feehim husnan
Until, when he reached the setting of the sun [i.e., the west], he found it [as if] setting in a body of dark water, and he found near it a people. We [i.e., Allāh] said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, either you punish [them] or else adopt among them [a way of] goodness."
قَالَ أَمَّا مَن ظَلَمَ فَسَوۡفَ نُعَذِّبُهُۥ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ فَيُعَذِّبُهُۥ عَذَابࣰا نُّكۡرࣰا﴿٨٧﴾
Qala amma man thalama fasawfa nuʿaththibuhu thumma yuraddu ila rabbihi fayuʿaththibuhu ʿathaban nukran
He said, "As for one who wrongs, we will punish him. Then he will be returned to his Lord, and He will punish him with a terrible punishment [i.e., Hellfire].
وَ أَمَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحࣰا فَلَهُۥ جَزَآءً ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ ۖ وَ سَنَقُولُ لَهُۥ مِنۡ أَمۡرِنَا يُسۡرࣰا﴿٨٨﴾
Waamma man amana waʿamila salihan falahu jazaan alhusna wasanaqoolu lahu min amrina yusran
But as for one who believes and does righteousness, he will have a reward of the best [i.e., Paradise], and we [i.e., Dhul-Qarnayn] will speak to him from our command with ease."
ثُمَّ أَتۡبَعَ سَبَبًا﴿٨٩﴾
Thumma atbaʿa sababan
Then he followed a way
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغَ مَطۡلِعَ ٱلشَّمۡسِ وَجَدَهَا تَطۡلُعُ عَلَىٰ قَوۡمࣲ لَّمۡ نَجۡعَل لَّهُم مِّن دُونِهَا سِتۡرࣰا﴿٩٠﴾
Hatta itha balagha matliʿa alshshamsi wajadaha tatluʿu ʿala qawmin lam najʿal lahum min dooniha sitran
Until, when he came to the rising of the sun [i.e., the east], he found it rising on a people for whom We had not made against it any shield.
كَذَٰلِكَ ۖ وَ قَدۡ أَحَطۡنَا بِمَا لَدَيۡهِ خُبۡرࣰا﴿٩١﴾
Kathalika waqad ahatna bima ladayhi khubran
Thus. And We had encompassed [all] that he had in knowledge.
ثُمَّ أَتۡبَعَ سَبَبًا﴿٩٢﴾
Thumma atbaʿa sababan
Then he followed a way
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغَ بَيۡنَ ٱلسَّدَّيۡنِ وَجَدَ مِن دُونِهِمَا قَوۡمࣰا لَّا يَكَادُونَ يَفۡقَهُونَ قَوۡلࣰا﴿٩٣﴾
Hatta itha balagha bayna alssaddayni wajada min doonihima qawman la yakadoona yafqahoona qawlan
Until, when he reached [a pass] between two mountains, he found beside them a people who could hardly understand [his] speech.
قَالُواْ يَٰذَا ٱلۡقَرۡنَيۡنِ إِنَّ يَأۡجُوجَ وَ مَأۡجُوجَ مُفۡسِدُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَهَلۡ نَجۡعَلُ لَكَ خَرۡجًا عَلَىٰٓ أَن تَجۡعَلَ بَيۡنَنَا وَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ سَدࣰّا﴿٩٤﴾
Qaloo ya tha alqarnayni inna yajooja wamajooja mufsidoona fee alardi fahal najʿalu laka kharjan ʿala an tajʿala baynana wabaynahum saddan
They said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, indeed Gog and Magog are [great] corrupters in the land. So may we assign for you an expenditure that you might make between us and them a barrier?"
قَالَ مَا مَكَّنِّي فِيهِ رَبِّي خَيۡرࣱ فَأَعِينُونِي بِقُوَّةٍ أَجۡعَلۡ بَيۡنَكُمۡ وَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ رَدۡمًا﴿٩٥﴾
Qala ma makkannee feehi rabbee khayrun faaʿeenoonee biquwwatin ajʿal baynakum wabaynahum radman
He said, "That in which my Lord has established me is better [than what you offer], but assist me with strength [i.e., manpower]; I will make between you and them a dam.
ءَاتُونِي زُبَرَ ٱلۡحَدِيدِ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا سَاوَىٰ بَيۡنَ ٱلصَّدَفَيۡنِ قَالَ ٱنفُخُواْ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَعَلَهُۥ نَارࣰا قَالَ ءَاتُونِيٓ أُفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡهِ قِطۡرࣰا﴿٩٦﴾
Atoonee zubara alhadeedi hatta itha sawa bayna alsadafayni qala onfukhoo hatta itha jaʿalahu naran qala atoonee ofrigh ʿalayhi qitran
Bring me bars of iron" - until, when he had leveled [them] between the two mountain walls, he said, "Blow [with bellows]," until when he had made it [like] fire, he said, "Bring me, that I may pour over it molten copper."
فَمَا ٱسۡطَٰعُوٓاْ أَن يَظۡهَرُوهُ وَ مَا ٱسۡتَطَٰعُواْ لَهُۥ نَقۡبࣰا﴿٩٧﴾
Fama istaʿoo an yathharoohu wama istataʿoo lahu naqban
So they [i.e., Gog and Magog] were unable to pass over it, nor were they able [to effect] in it any penetration.
قَالَ هَٰذَا رَحۡمَةࣱ مِّن رَّبِّي ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعۡدُ رَبِّي جَعَلَهُۥ دَكَّآءَ ۖ وَ كَانَ وَعۡدُ رَبِّي حَقࣰّا﴿٩٨﴾
Qala hatha rahmatun min rabbee faitha jaa waʿdu rabbee jaʿalahu dakkaa wakana waʿdu rabbee haqqan
[Dhul-Qarnayn] said, "This is a mercy from my Lord; but when the promise of my Lord comes [i.e., approaches], He will make it level, and ever is the promise of my Lord true."
وَ تَرَكۡنَا بَعۡضَهُمۡ يَوۡمَئِذࣲ يَمُوجُ فِي بَعۡضࣲ ۖ وَ نُفِخَ فِي ٱلصُّورِ فَجَمَعۡنَٰهُمۡ جَمۡعࣰا﴿٩٩﴾
Watarakna baʿdahum yawmaithin yamooju fee baʿdin wanufikha fee alssoori fajamaʿnahum jamʿan
And We will leave them that day surging over each other, and [then] the Horn will be blown, and We will assemble them in [one] assembly.
وَ عَرَضۡنَا جَهَنَّمَ يَوۡمَئِذࣲ لِّلۡكَٰفِرِينَ عَرۡضًا﴿١٠٠﴾
Waʿaradna jahannama yawmaithin lilkafireena ʿardan
And We will present Hell that Day to the disbelievers, on display -
ٱلَّذِينَ كَانَتۡ أَعۡيُنُهُمۡ فِي غِطَآءٍ عَن ذِكۡرِي وَ كَانُواْ لَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ سَمۡعًا﴿١٠١﴾
Allatheena kanat aʿyunuhum fee ghitain ʿan thikree wakanoo la yastateeʿoona samʿan
Those whose eyes had been within a cover [removed] from My remembrance, and they were not able to hear.
أَفَحَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ أَن يَتَّخِذُواْ عِبَادِي مِن دُونِيٓ أَوۡلِيَآءَ ۚ إِنَّآ أَعۡتَدۡنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلۡكَٰفِرِينَ نُزُلࣰا﴿١٠٢﴾
Afahasiba allatheena kafaroo an yattakhithoo ʿibadee min doonee awliyaa inna aʿtadna jahannama lilkafireena nuzulan
Then do those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants instead of Me as allies? Indeed, We have prepared Hell for the disbelievers as a lodging.
قُلۡ هَلۡ نُنَبِّئُكُم بِٱلۡأَخۡسَرِينَ أَعۡمَٰلًا﴿١٠٣﴾
Qul hal nunabbiokum bialakhsareena aʿmalan
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Shall we [believers] inform you of the greatest losers as to [their] deeds?
ٱلَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعۡيُهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَ هُمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمۡ يُحۡسِنُونَ صُنۡعًا﴿١٠٤﴾
Allatheena dalla saʿyuhum fee alhayati alddunya wahum yahsaboona annahum yuhsinoona sunʿan
[They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work."
أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمۡ وَ لِقَآئِهِۦ فَحَبِطَتۡ أَعۡمَٰلُهُمۡ فَلَا نُقِيمُ لَهُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ وَزۡنࣰا﴿١٠٥﴾
Olaika allatheena kafaroo biayati rabbihim waliqaihi fahabitat aʿmaluhum fala nuqeemu lahum yawma alqiyamati waznan
Those are the ones who disbelieve in the verses of their Lord and in [their] meeting Him, so their deeds have become worthless; and We will not assign to them on the Day of Resurrection any weight [i.e., importance].
ذَٰلِكَ جَزَآؤُهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُ بِمَا كَفَرُواْ وَ ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ ءَايَٰتِي وَ رُسُلِي هُزُوًا﴿١٠٦﴾
Thalika jazaohum jahannamu bima kafaroo waittakhathoo ayatee warusulee huzuwan
That is their recompense - Hell - for what they denied and [because] they took My signs and My messengers in ridicule.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَ عَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ كَانَتۡ لَهُمۡ جَنَّٰتُ ٱلۡفِرۡدَوۡسِ نُزُلًا﴿١٠٧﴾
Inna allatheena amanoo waʿamiloo alssalihati kanat lahum jannatu alfirdawsi nuzulan
Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - they will have the Gardens of Paradise as a lodging,
خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يَبۡغُونَ عَنۡهَا حِوَلࣰا﴿١٠٨﴾
Khalideena feeha la yabghoona ʿanha hiwalan
Wherein they abide eternally. They will not desire from it any transfer.
قُل لَّوۡ كَانَ ٱلۡبَحۡرُ مِدَادࣰا لِّكَلِمَٰتِ رَبِّي لَنَفِدَ ٱلۡبَحۡرُ قَبۡلَ أَن تَنفَدَ كَلِمَٰتُ رَبِّي وَ لَوۡ جِئۡنَا بِمِثۡلِهِۦ مَدَدࣰا﴿١٠٩﴾
Qul law kana albahru midadan likalimati rabbee lanafida albahru qabla an tanfada kalimatu rabbee walaw jina bimithlihi madadan
Say, "If the sea were ink for [writing] the words of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord were exhausted, even if We brought the like of it in [continual] supplement."
قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرࣱ مِّثۡلُكُمۡ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَٰهُكُمۡ إِلَٰهࣱ وَٰحِدࣱ ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرۡجُواْ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلۡيَعۡمَلۡ عَمَلࣰا صَٰلِحࣰا وَ لَا يُشۡرِكۡ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَحَدَۢا﴿١١٠﴾
Qul innama ana basharun mithlukum yooha ilayya annama ilahukum ilahun wahidun faman kana yarjoo liqaa rabbihi falyaʿmal ʿamalan salihan wala yushrik biʿibadati rabbihi ahadan
Say, "I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone."
Translation: Saheeh International · Transliteration
About this surah
Name
This Surah takes its name from v. 9 in which the word (Al-Kahf) occurs.
Period of Revelation
This is the first of those Surahs which were sent down in the third stage of Prophethood at Makkah. We have already divided the life of the Holy Prophet at Makkah into four stages in the Introduction to Chapter VI. According to that division, the third stage lasted from the fifth to the tenth year of Prophethood. What distinguishes this stage from the second and the fourth stages is that during the second stage the Quraish mainly resorted to ridiculing, scoffing, threatening, tempting, raising objections and making false propaganda against the Holy Prophet and his followers in order to suppress the Islamic Movement. But during the third stage they employed the weapons of persecution, manhandling and economic pressure for the same purpose. So much so that a large number of the Muslims had to emigrate from Arabia to Habasha, and those who remained behind were besieged in Shi'ib Abi Talib along with the Holy Prophet and his family. To add to their misery, a complete social and economic boycott was applied against them. The only redeeming feature was that there were two personalities, Abu Talib and Hadrat Khadijah, whose personal influence had been conducive to the support of two great families of the Quraish. However, when in the tenth year of Prophethood these two persons died, the fourth stage began with such severe persecutions and forced the Holy Prophet and all his Companions to emigrate from Makkah.
It appears from the theme of the Surah that it was revealed at the beginning of the third stage when in spite of persecutions and opposition, migration to Habasha had not yet taken place. That is why the story of "Ashab-i-Kahf " (the Companions of the Cave) has been related to comfort and encourage the persecuted Muslims and to show them how the righteous people have been saving their Faith in the past.
Subject and Topics
This Surah was revealed to answer three questions which the mushriks of Makkah, in consultation with the people of the Book, had put to the Holy Prophet in order to test him. These were: (1) Who were "the Companions of' the Cave"? (2) What is the real story of Khidr? and (3) What do you know about Zul-Qarnain? As these three questions revolved around the history of the Christians and the Jews, and were unknown in Hijaz, a choice was made to test whether the Holy Prophet possessed any source of knowledge of the hidden and unseen. Allah, however, not only gave a complete answer to their questions but also employed the three stories to the disadvantage of the opponents of Islam in the conflict that was going on at that time in Makkah between Islam and disbelief:
- The questioners were told that "the Companions of the Cave" believed in the same doctrine of Tauhid which was being put forward in the Quran and that their condition was similar to the condition of the persecuted Muslims of Makkah. On the other hand, the persecutors of the Companions of the Cave had behaved in the same way towards them as the disbelievers of the Quraish were behaving towards the Muslims. Besides this, the Muslims have been taught that even if a Believer is persecuted by a cruel society, he should not bow down before falsehood but emigrate from that place, if need be, with trust in God. Incidentally, the disbelievers of Makkah were told that the story of the Companions of the Cave was a clear proof of the creed of the Hereafter, for this showed that Allah has the power to resurrect anyone He wills even after a long sleep of death, as He did in case of the Companions of the Cave.
- The story of the Companions of the Cave has also been used to warn the chiefs of Makkah who were persecuting the small newly formed Muslim Community. At the same time, the Holy Prophet has been instructed that he should in no case make a compromise with their persecutors nor should he consider them to be more important than his poor followers. On the other hand, those chiefs have been admonished that they should not be puffed up with the transitory life of pleasure they were then enjoying but should seek after those excellences which are permanent and eternal.
- The story of Khidr and Moses has been related in such a way as to supply the answer to the question of the disbelievers and to give comfort to the Believers as well. The lesson contained in this story is this "You should have full faith in the wisdom of what is happening in the Divine Factory in accordance with the will of Allah. As the reality is hidden from you, you are at a loss to understand the wisdom of what is happening, and sometimes if it appears that things are going against you, you cry out, 'How and why has this happened'. The fact is that if the curtain be removed from the "unseen", you would yourselves come to know that what is happening here is for the best. Even if some times it appears that something is going against you, you will see that in the end it also produces some good results for you.
- The same is true of the story of Zul-Qarnain for it also admonishes the questioners, as if to say, "O you vain chiefs of Makkah you should learn a lesson from Zul-Qarnain. Though he was a great ruler, a great conqueror and the owner of great resources, he always surrendered to his Creator, whereas you are rebelling against Him even though you are insignificant chieftains in comparison with him. Besides this, though Zul-Qarnain built one of the strongest walls for protection, his real trust was in Allah and not in the "wall". He believed that the wall could protect him against his enemies as long as it was the will of Allah and that there would be crack and holes in it, when it would be His will : whereas you who possess only insignificant fortified abodes and dwellings in comparison with him, consider yourselves to be permanently safe and secure against all sorts of calamities."
While the Quran turned the tables on the questioners who had tried to "expose" the Holy Prophet, in the end of the Surah the same messages have been reiterated that were stated at its beginning: "Tauhid and the Hereafter are absolutely true and real and for your own good you should accept these doctrines, mend your ways in accordance with them and live in this world with this conviction that you are accountable to Allah: otherwise you shall ruin your life and all your doings shall be set at naught."
Source: Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi - Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Quran