Chapter 18 - Al-Kahf
***Please note... The information in the parentheses immediately following the verse number indicates the file or article to which they refer. Verses will continue to be added as the documents are introduced.
18:1-3(21) All praise is to Allah Who sent down the Book of Values to His Subject as He does not wish to leave a doubt or ambiguity in the mission entrusted to him. It is a knowledge that bestows solidarity and stability and is meant to forewarn about the severe punishment to come from His end, and to give glad tidings to those people of faith and peace who perform reformative/constructive deeds, that for them is an excellent reward with which they will abide forever.
18:4-8(21) Furthermore, it also warns that group of men who assert that God has taken unto Himself a son. No knowledge whatever have they of Him, and neither had their forefathers: dreadful is this saying that comes out of their mouths and nothing but falsehood do they utter! But wouldst thou, perhaps, torment thyself to death with grief over their conduct if they are not willing to believe in this message? Behold, We have willed that all beauty on earth be a means by which We put them all to a test in self-evolution (لنبلوھم ایھم), on the criterion of best conduct (احسن عملا); and, verily, We shall subject all that is on it to a high degree of destruction.
18:4-8(21) Furthermore, it also warns that group of men who assert that God has taken unto Himself a son. No knowledge whatever have they of Him, and neither had their forefathers: dreadful is this saying that comes out of their mouths and nothing but falsehood do they utter! But wouldst thou, perhaps, torment thyself to death with grief over their conduct if they are not willing to believe in this message? Behold, We have willed that all beauty on earth be a means by which We put them all to a test in self-evolution (لنبلوھم ایھم), on the criterion of best conduct (احسن عملا); and, verily, We shall subject all that is on it to a high degree of destruction.
18:10-12(21) It had come to pass that when those youth took refuge in the divine guidance (الکھف), they had beseeched thus: "O our Sustainer! Bestow on us grace from Thyself, and endow us with consciousness of what is right for our mission!" And thereupon We made them set off (فضربنا) by giving ear for a complete learning (علیٰ آذانھم) in our Guidance (فی الکھف) for many years to come. Then we deputed them on its dissemination (بعثناھم) so that we may mark out which of the two opposing fronts has fully covered and understood (احصیٰ) that for which they had passed through (لبثوا) an extreme (امدا) confrontation.
18:13-15(21) We are relating to you the news of them which reflect the truth about them. They were young men who had attained to faith in their Sustainer: and so We had deepened their consciousness about our guidance and endowed their hearts with strength, so that they took a firm stand and proclaimed that their Lord alone was the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth. Never shall we invoke any authority other than Him: If we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity! These people of ours have taken to obeying other authorities instead of Him, without being able to adduce any reasonable evidence in support of their beliefs. Therefore, who could be more wicked than he who invents a lie about God?
18:16(21) And O people, now that you have withdrawn from them and from all that they obey instead of God, take refuge in the divine guidance (فآووا الی الکھفِ): God will spread His grace over you, and will endow you all help and assistance in your affairs.
18:17(21) And it is amply clear to you O Messenger that whenever the sun of glory rises (الشمس اذا طلعت) upon a people, it is always based upon (تزاورُ عن) the same divine guidance that those youth had pursued (کھفھم), and embodies blessings and achievements (ذات الیمینِ) and when it declines (اذا غربت), it is because the community, by moving away (تقرضھم) from that guidance, becomes undesirable, hateful and devious (ذات الشمالِ), while those reformers already distance themselves away from it (فجوۃ منہ). These are the open signs as to how God’s guidance works. Indeed whom God guides, he alone becomes the guided one (المھتد); whereas, for him whom He lets go astray, thou can never find a protector and guide.
18:18(21) And should you reckon that they were rendered incapacitated or killed (ایقاظا), they were rather kept in silent waiting (رقود) during which time our laws kept causing transformations in their community (نقلبھم) embodying progress and blessings (ذات الیمین) and decline and wretchedness (ذات الشمال) in certain degrees. During this time their hard struggle and the intensity of their spirit (کلبھم) continued to expand (باسط) and stretch its arms in both directions firmly (ذراعیہ بالوصید). Hadst thou come upon them during that period, thou wouldst surely have turned away from them in flight (لولّیت منھم فرارا), as you would surely have been filled with awe of them (رعبا).
18:19-20(21) And in the course of time We directed (بعثناھم) them to hold a decisive discussion among them (لیتساءلوا بینھم). One of them raised the question as to how long a time have you spent (کم لبثتم) in this struggle. Some said that they must have spent a certain period of time (یوما لبثنا), or a part of that period (بعض یوم). Others suggested to let their Sustainer know exactly how long they had endured, but for now, let us depute (فابعثوا) this matured and intelligent one (بورقکم ھذہ) of your group (احدکم) to the town to assess as to what are the most vital points of information (ازکیٰ طعاما) and then bring you (فلیا تکم) the knowledge thereof (برزق منہ). But let him take extra precaution and use very subtle manners (لیتلطّف) and by no means make anyone aware of you (یشعرن بکم): for, behold, if they should capture you, they might subject you to torture (یرجموکم), or forcefully turn you back to their faith (یعیدوکم فی ملتھم), in which case you would never attain success in your mission.
18:21(21) AND IN THIS way We had drawn the attention of their community to their achievements, so that they might know that God's promise was true, and that there can be no doubt as to approaching time of the final judgment. And so, while they were debating among themselves, some recommended to build (ابنُوا) a case against them (علیھم) on solid grounds; God knows best what they have gone through." Said they whose opinion on their plight prevailed in the end: "We shall definitely be taking steps (لنتّخذنّ) by raising a center of submission to surrender (مسجدا) to their teachings”.
18:22(21) Some will continue to gossip that they were three, the fourth of them being their dog; while others will say they were five, with their dog as the sixth of them, idly guessing at something of which they can have no knowledge. And some will say, they were seven, the eighth of them being their dog. Say: "My Sustainer knows best how many they were. They had very little knowledge of them. Hence, do not argue with people about them in the absence of an obvious argument, and do not issue a conclusive statement about them to anyone.
18:23-24(21) AND NEVER say about anything, "Behold, I shall do this tomorrow," without adding, "if God so wills." And if thou should ever lose the right track, do invoke your Lord’s attributes and say: "I pray that my Sustainer guide me, even closer than this, to a consciousness of what is right!"
18:25-27(21) AND according to them they remained in their shelter three hundred years; and some have added nine to that number. Tell them, only God knows best how long they remained there. For Him alone is the knowledge of the hidden reality of the heavens and the earth: how well does He see and hear! No guardian have they apart from Him, since He allots to no one a share in His rule!" AND follow closely whatever has been revealed to thee of thy Sustainer's writ. There is nothing that could alter His words; and thou canst find no refuge other than with Him.
18:54(35) We have cited in this Quran every example for the people. But man is often given to contention. But the human being is always most argumentative.
18:59-61(22) “These were the communities which Our laws subjected to obscurity and oblivion (اھلک بٌھن ) when they violated the values of Justice and fair play (ظلووا ), and a time was appointed for their downfall (لوھلکھن ) as per the laws. And recall in the same connection when Moses had said to his young companion “I will not draw back from my mission (لا ابزح ) until I reach the point (حتیٰ ابلػ ) of bringing unity (هجوع ) against the disparity between the two confronting fronts (البحزیي ) in the community, or keep moving ahead (اهضی ) with full vigilance to accomplish this task facing all obstacles (حمبب ). After all, when as a result of these efforts, both groups reached (بلؽب ) the state of unity between them (هجوع بی ھٌوب ), the reality came up that both of them had totally abandoned their appointed destination ( or had forgotten all about the guidance or teachings imparted to them) ( سًیب حوتھوب ). But then (as a result of struggle by Moses), the same guidance made its way ( فبتّخذ سبیلہ ) quickly (سَزَبب ) in the situation of split and confrontation ( فی البحزِ ).”
18:62-64(22) “When Moses and his companion passed that stage (جبوسا ), Moses asked his young companion: “Bring before us now our next (or future) course of action (ؼذاء بً ) as we have now fully envisioned (لمی بٌ ) our target (صًبب ) with reference to this journey of ours (هي سفزِ بً )”. He replied: “have you noticed when, for the accomplishment of our mission, we had resorted to a harsh and persistent attitude ( اوينا الی الصخرةِ ), I had also temporarily neglected the target/destination of divine teachings ( نسیتُ الحوتَ ); and who could have caused forgetfulness of Divine teachings except the sentiments of rebellion and aggression ( الّا الشیطانُ ). Still the divine teachings made their way (و اتّخذَ سبیلہ ) in the middle of crisis ( فی البحرِ ) in a surprising way.” Moses said: “That is what we exactly wanted to take place”. So, they went back to their former course.”
18:65-70(22) “It so happened that they came across a subject of ours whom we had blessed with abundance of resources from our end and had ourselves endowed with knowledge. Upon meeting him Moses requested him : “Can we keep company with you so that we may learn from your guidance”. He said: “You may not have the capacity to bear with me patiently; and how you can keep patience about events whose perspective may be beyond your comprehension”. Moses said: "God willing, you will find me patient, and I will not disobey you in anything." He said, "Well then, if you would follow me, do not ask me about anything till I speak of it to you."
18:71-76(22) “So they set out, but, when they entered (رکبب ) into a human settlement ( فی السفی نٌِ ) and he annoyed, confounded and perplexed them so much as to render them unable to move (خزلھب ). Moses exclaimed, "Have you rendered this community useless (اخزلتھب ) so its residents become economically drowned ( لتؽزِقَ اھلھب )? You have indeed done a dreadful thing!" He replied, "Did I not tell you that you would never be able to bear with me patiently?" He said, "Do not take me to task for what I have forgotten, and do not be hard on me on account of what I have done!" So they travelled on. Then they met a young boy and the man humiliated and reduced him to a lowly position ( فمتلہ ہُ ). Moses said, "You have humiliated an innocent person without his having done a wrong to anyone? Indeed, you have done a terrible thing!" The man said, "Did I not tell you that you would not be able to have any patience with me?" Moses replied, "If I ever ask you about anything after this, do not let me accompany you. I will have given you sufficient excuse."
18:77-82(22) Later on they found a group of people with moral solidarity (جذارا ) whose strength was going to diminish ( یزیذ اى ی مٌقّ ). Hence, the blessed one provided them stability (فبلبهہ ) with his teachings. Moses said, "Had you wished, you could have demanded a remuneration for your labours." He answered, "This is where you and I must part company. But first I will tell you the meaning of the things you could not bear with patiently. "As for the first town we came across, it was a settlement of poor people who toiled on their piece of land. I managed to turn that land temporarily unproductive as they were the target of a ruler who used to usurp the cultivated lands and human settlements (کلّ سفی نٌ ). As for the spoiled youth, his parents were believers and we feared that he would create trouble for them by rebellion and denial of truth. We wanted their Lord to bring about a radical change in their offspring‟s character to make them purer and more compassionate. As for the group of righteous ones in that community, they were actually safeguarding the interests of two young orphans in the town and a treasure of knowledge and wisdom was in their custody for them as their father had been a righteous reformer. So your Lord wanted them to come of age and open up and made public that treasure of knowledge and wisdom as it contained means and sources of sustenance and evolution from their Lord. I did not do [it] of my own accord. That is the explanation of the things about which you were not able to restrain yourself."
18:83-88(22) “They will ask you about Dhi'l-Qarnayn. Say, "I will give you an account of him." We established him in the land, and endowed him with abundance of resources. He kept undertaking adventures to achieve his targets until, he reached a community whose Sun of glory and prosperity was setting into an abyss of darkness. We authorized him to either punish them for their misdeeds, or else treat them with gentleness. Upon which he said, "We shall certainly punish those of them whose misdeeds had caused a decline in their status; then they shall be brought back to their Lord who will punish them with a grievous punishment; but whoever among them believed in the authority of God and set out to do reformative work, shall have a beautiful reward and We shall facilitate his efforts by Our command."
18:89-95(22) “Then he followed yet another trail until he came upon a people where the sun of glory was rising ( هطلع اللومِ ). However, we had not yet provided them with enough safeguards and intelligence (ستزا ) to sustain it. And so it happened they they were provided by him with sufficient guidance. All the constructive and reformative deeds that he continued to carry out we kept monitoring him and he followed his trail of achievements, until he reached right in between two forces facing each other ( بیي السّذّیي ).
He found there a people devoid of the faculty of strategic deliberation (لا یکبدوى یفمھوى ). They implored him : “O Zal Qarnayin, indeed we are confronted with Yajooj and Majooj, the ones causing unrest and violence in our State; so if you can save us by getting rid of them, we are ready to pay you a compensation there for”. He said: “Whatever resources are granted to me by my Lord, are sufficient for this purpose; so if you are willing to assist me with your manpower, I would install a block between you and them.”
18:94-95(23) “They informed him: “O Zal Qarnain, indeed here we have an elite group of perpetrators of chaos and violence (یاجوجَ و ماجوجَ مفسدونَ) in our land; so what about us offering you recompense if you create between them and us a protective division.” He replied: “Whatever my Sustainer has bestowed upon me of resources, that’s sufficient for me; so you just stand up to assist me with your manpower, and I would take steps to settle what is between you and them in an appropriate manner”.
18:96-97(22) “He ordered to bring him the Scripture bearing divine laws ( ہُ سبزَ الحذیذ ).Then through its teaching he made them excel in power and discipline so much that both confronting parties ( الصذفیيِ ) became equal in their strength ( سبووٰ ) Then, he asked them to infuse themselves with a sense of success and inspiration (ا فًخو ); so much so that he converted the community into a symbol of burning fire (جعلہ بًرا ). Then he asked to bring them before him so that he may instruct them not to become ( علیہ افزغ ) weak again by destroying their unity (لطزا ). And then, the gang of violent corrupters was rendered unable ( هب استطبعو ) to confront, dominate or capture (مًبب ) them.”
18:99-100(22) “and he said, "This is a mercy from my Lord. But whenever the time appointed by my Lord comes to pass, He will level it all to dust. My Lord's promise is ever true!" On that Day, We would have let humans surge against each other in terror and then the Trumpet of the last proclamation would have been blown and We would have gathered them all together. On that Day the life of Hell would have been laid bare before those who were the deniers of truth.”