Category: Al-Kahf

Praise be to Allah Who has revealed the Book (the Quran) to His servant and did not make it complicated.

It is straightforward so that He may warn about the terrible punishment for the unbelievers from Him and give good news to the believers who do good deeds that they shall have a goodly reward,

which they will enjoy forever.

Further to warn those who say “Allah has begotten a son.”
Meaning:-
Begotten is the past participle of the verb Beget: To produce (children) by sexual reproduction.

They have no knowledge about it, nor do their forefathers, this is a monstrous word that comes from their mouths. They speak nothing but a lie.
Meaning:-
Monstrous: inhumanly or outrageously evil or wrong.

O Muhammad! You probably will kill yourself in grief over them, if they do not believe in this Message (The Qur’an).
Meaning:-
Grief: sorrow, heartbreak, pain, distress, to suffer disappointment.

We have decked the earth with all kinds of ornaments to test the people and to see which of them do the best deeds.
Meaning:-
deck: decorate, garnish, cover.

In the end We shall reduce all that is on it to a barren wasteland.
Meaning:-
Barren: not producing results; fruitless:

Do you think that the Companions of the Cave and of Ar-Raqeem (this may refer to the name of their dog, or the tablet on which their names are inscribed or the mountain in which the cave is situated) were among Our wonderful signs?
Meaning:-
Inscribed: to write, print, mark, or engrave (words, characters, etc.).

When those young men took refuge in the cave, they said “Our Lord! Have mercy on us from Yourself and guide us out of our ordeal.”
Meaning:-
Refuge: shelter, protection, safety, security, asylum.
Ordeal: a painful or horrific experience, any extremely severe or trying test, experience, or trial.

So We put upon their ears a cover (put them into a deep sleep) for a number of years in the cave,

and then awakened them to find out which of the two parties (believers and nonbelievers who were arguing about the fact of life after death) could best tell the length of their stay.

Now We tell you their real story. They were young men who believed in their Lord, and on them We had bestowed Our guidance.
Meaning:-
Bestowed: to present as a gift, an honor

We put courage in their hearts when they stood up and declared: “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, we shall never appeal to any other deity except Him, for if we do, we shall be saying something improper.
Meaning:-
Deity: God; Supreme Being, like a god or goddess, Fake God.

These people of ours have taken for worship other gods besides Him; if they are right, why do they not bring forth any convincing proof of their divinity? Who is more wicked than the one who invents a lie about Allah?”
Meaning:-
Divinity: Divinity is the nature or quality of being God, which can be a god
Wicked: evil or morally bad in principle or practice; sinful; iniquitous:

(They said one to another), `So (now) when you have left them and that which they worship apart from Allâh, you should take shelter in the Place of Refuge. (If you do so) your Lord will extend to you His mercy and will provide some ease for you in (this) affair of yours.´
Meaning:-
Refuge: shelter, protection.

And you would have seen the sun, as it rose, inclining away from their cave to the right, and as it set, declining away from them to the left, while they lay in its open space. 1 That is one of the signs of Allah. Whoever Allah guides is truly guided; but he whom He lets go astray, you will never find for them a guiding mentor.
Meaning:-
Astray: into error, away from the correct path or direction

And you would have thought they were awake, though they were asleep. We turned them over, to the right and left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. Had you looked at them, you would have certainly fled away from them, filled with horror.

In the same miraculous way We woke them up from sleep so that they could question one another. One of them asked: “How long have you been here?” The others answered: “Maybe we have been here for a day or part of a day.” Finally they concluded: “Our Lord knows best how long we have stayed here. Anyhow let one of us go to the city with this silver coin, and let him find who has the purest food and bring us something to eat. Let him behave with caution and let him not disclose our whereabouts.

For, indeed, if they find out about you, they will stone you ˹to death˺, or turn you back to their religion, and in that case you will never be successful.”

In this way We brought them to people’s attention so that they might know that God’s promise [of resurrection] is true and that there is no doubt about the Last Hour, [though] people argue among themselves. [Some] said, ‘Construct a building over them: their Lord knows best about them.’ Those who had the say in their matter said, ‘We shall build a place of worship over them.’
Meaning:-
Resurrection: the rising of the dead on Judgment Day.

They 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 Muhammad], “My Lord knows best their ˹exact˺ number. Only a few people know as well.” So do not argue about them except with sure knowledge, and do not ask any of these people about them.

And never say of anything, “I will definitely do this tomorrow,”

Unless (you add to it) `Allah willing.´ And remember your Lord whenever you forget (and make a mistake) and say, `I hope my Lord will guide me and bring me ever closer than this to the right path (leading to success).

Some say they stayed in their cave three hundred years and some add another nine.

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Allah knows best how long they stayed. With Him ˹alone˺ is ˹the knowledge of˺ the unseen of the heavens and the earth. How perfectly He hears and sees! They have no guardian besides Him, and He does not let anyone share in His command.

Recite what has been revealed to you from the Book (the Quran) of your Lord: no one is authorized to change His Words and if you dare to make any change, you will find no refuge to protect you from Him.
Meaning:-
Refuge: Shelter, protection, safety, security, asylum.

And patiently stick with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His pleasure. Do not let your eyes look beyond them, desiring the luxuries of this worldly life. And do not obey those whose hearts We have made heedless of Our remembrance, who follow ˹only˺ their desires and whose state is ˹total˺ loss.
Meaning:-
heedless: thoughtless, unthinking, imprudent, neglectful.

And say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “˹This is˺ the truth from your Lord. Whoever wills let them believe, and whoever wills let them disbelieve.” Surely We have prepared for the wrongdoers a Fire whose walls will ˹completely˺ surround them. When they cry for aid, they will be aided with water like moltene metal, which will burn ˹their˺ faces. What a horrible drink! And what a terrible place to rest!
Moltene: specially of materials with a high melting point, such as metal and glass) liquefied by heat.

As for those who believe and do good deeds, We certainly never deny the reward of those who are best in deeds.

They are the ones for whom there will be the Gardens of Eden, beneath which rivers flow; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, they will wear green garments of fine silk and rich brocade and they will recline on soft couches. What an excellent reward and what a beautiful residence!
Meaning:-
adorn: make more beautiful or attractive.
brocade: a rich fabric, usually silk, woven with a raised pattern, typically with gold or silver thread.

Give them ˹O Prophet˺ an example of two men. To ˹the disbelieving˺ one We gave two gardens of grapevines, which We surrounded with palm trees and placed ˹various˺ crops in between.

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.
Meaning:-
Gush: flood, rush, a rapid and plentiful stream or burst.

And he possessed much wealth; so he said to his companion, while he disputed with him: I have greater wealth than you, and am mightier in followers.

And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said: I do not think that this will ever perish
Meaning:-
Perish: to suffer destruction or ruin:, disappear

Nor do I believe that the Hour of Judgment will ever come. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will surely find even a better place than this.”

His companion replied while still conversing with him: “Do you disbelieve in Him Who created you from dust, from a drop of semen, and fashioned you into a perfect man?

As for myself, Allah is the One Who is my Lord and I do not associate anyone with Him.

When you entered your garden why did you not say: `It is as Allah pleased, no one has power except Allah!’ Though you see me poorer than yourself in wealth and children,

perhaps my Lord will grant me ˹something˺ better than your garden, and send down upon your garden a thunderbolt from the sky, and it will become a smooth, dusty ground,

Or its waters should sink down into the ground so that you are unable to find it.

And so all his produce was ˹totally˺ ruined, so he started to wring his hands for all he had spent on it, while it had collapsed on its trellises. He cried, “Alas! I wish I had never associated anyone with my Lord ˹in worship˺!”
Meaning:-
Ruined: destroyed or spoiled, place has been very badly damaged
Wring: rub your hands together because of nervousness or anxiety.
Trellises: a framework of this kind used as a support for growing vines or plants.
Alas: an expression of grief, pity, or concern.

And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allah , nor could he defend himself.

There the authority is [completely] for Allah , the Truth. He is best in reward and best in outcome.

And put forward to them the example of the life of this world, it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is Able to do everything.

Likewise, wealth and children are an attraction of this worldly life. But the good righteous deeds (five compulsory prayers, deeds of Allah’s obedience, good and nice talk, remembrance of Allah with glorification, praises and thanks, etc.), that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope.
Meaning:-
Glorification: praise and worship of God.

You should prepare for that Day when We will set the mountains in motion and you will see the earth as a barren waste; when We shall assemble mankind all together, leaving not even a single soul behind.
Meaning:-
Barren:not producing or incapable of producing offspring;

They all will be brought before your Lord standing in rows and Allah will say: “Well! You see that you have returned to Us as We created you at first: even though you claimed that We had not fixed any time for the fulfillment of this promise of meeting with Us!”

Then the book of their deeds will be placed before them. At that time you will see the sinners in great terror because of what is recorded therein. They will say: “Woe to us! What kind of a book is this? It leaves out nothing small or large: all is noted down!” They will find all that they did recorded therein. Your Lord will not be unjust to anyone in the least.
Meaning:-
Woe: great sorrow or distress.

When We said to the angels: “Prostrate yourself before Adam,” all prostrated themselves except Iblees (Shaitan), who was one of the Jinns and chose to disobey the command of his Lord. Would you then take him and his children as your protectors rather than Me, even though they are your enemies? What a bad substitute the wrongdoers have chosen!
Meaning:-
Prostrate: lying stretched out on the ground with one’s face downward, especially in reverence or submission.
Wrongdoer: a person who behaves illegally or dishonestly; an offender.

I (Allah) made them (Iblis and his offspring) not to witness (nor took their help in) the creation of the heavens and the earth and not (even) their own creation, nor was I (Allah) to take the misleaders as helpers.
Meaning:-
offspring: children, family.

On the Day of Judgement Allah will say to them: “Call on those whom you thought to be My partners.” They will call them but will receive no answer; and We shall cause animosity between them.
Meaning:-
animosity:bitterness, dislike, hate

The criminals will see the fire and realize that they are going to fall into it; but will find no place to escape.

We have given all kinds of examples in this Qur’an to make the people understand this Message, but man is exceedingly contentious.
Meaning:-
Exceedingly: extremely, exceptionally, especially, tremendously
Contentious: causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.

Nothing can prevent men from believing and seeking the forgiveness of their Lord now that Guidance has come to them, unless they are waiting for the fate of former peoples to overtake them or the scourge to be brought to them face to face.
Meaning:-
Fate: destiny, providence, the stars, chance, luck, serendipity, fortune,
Scourge: a whip used as an instrument of punishment.
Former: came at an earlier time, prior or earlier.

We send the messengers only to Proclaim good news and to give warnings but with false arguments the unbelievers seek to defeat the Truth, through mocking at My revelations and My warnings.
Meaning:-
Proclaim: to announce or declare
false: incorrect, not true or accurate, wrong.
mocking: to attack or treat with ridicule, contempt, or derision, to ridicule by mimicry of action or speech; mimic derisively.
Revelations: revealed by God to humans, the Book of Revelations.

Who is more unjust than the one who, when reminded of the revelations of his Lord, turns away from them and forgets what his own hands have done? In regards to such people, We have cast veils over their hearts, so they do not understand this Qur’an, and have become hard of hearing. invite them as you may towards the guidance, they will never be ˹rightly˺ guided.
Meaning:-
Revelations:- revealed by God to humans, the Book of Revelations.
Veil: conceal, cover or hide.

Your Lord is Most Forgiving, the Lord of Mercy. Had it been His Will to seize them for their sins, He would have hastened their punishment, but for that there is an appointed time, after which they will not find any refuge.

And those cities – We destroyed them when they wronged, and We made for their destruction an appointed time.

Now tell them about the story of Khizr to whom Allah has given special knowledge. The Prophet Musa (Moses) was asked to go to him and learn from him. When Musa set out to meet him at an appointed place, he said to his young servant: “I will not give up my journey until I reach the junction of the two rivers, even if I have to spend ages in travel.”

It so happened that when at last they reached the junction of the two rivers they forgot about the fish they were carrying, which made its way into the river, and disappeared.

When they had passed further, he said to his assistant, “Bring us our meal! We have certainly been exhausted by today’s journey.”

He replied: “You know! I forgot to tell you about the fish, which made its way miraculously into the river, when we were resting beside that rock. It was Shaitan who made me forget to mention this incident to you.”

Musa said: “That is the place we were looking for,” so they went back retracing their footsteps.

There they found one of Our servants (Khizr) whom We had blessed with special favor from Ourselves and whom We had given special knowledge of Our own.

Musa requested of him: “May I follow you so that you may teach me from that True Knowledge which you have been taught?”

He said: Surely you cannot have patience with me

How could you be patient in matters beyond your knowledge?”

Musa said: “If Allah wills, you shall find me patient and I shall not disobey you in any way.”

He said: “If you want to follow me, then do not question me about anything until I tell you about it myself.”

So they set forth, but when they embarked in a boat to cross the river, Khizr made a hole in it. Musa cried out: “Did you make a hole in it to drown its passengers? You have certainly done a terrible thing!”
Meaning:-
Embark: go on board a ship.

He said: Did I not say that you will not be able to have patience with me?

Musa said: “Pardon my forgetfulness, do not be angry with me on account of this mistake.”

So they proceeded until they came across a boy, and Khizr killed him. [Moses] said, “You have killed an innocent person though he had killed nobody. Surely you have done a horrible thing!”

[Khizr] said, “Did I not tell you that with me you would never be able to have patience?”

Moses replied, “If I ever question you about anything after this, then do not keep me in your company, for by then I would have given you enough of an excuse.”

They travelled on until they came to the people of a town. They asked them for some food, but they refused to offer them hospitality. There they found a wall ready to collapse, so Khizr restored it. [Moses] said, “If you wanted you could demand some payment for it!”

Khizr replied: “That’s it, this is the parting between you and me. But first I will explain to you those acts of mine which you could not bear to watch with patience.

“As for the ship, it belonged to some 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.

“And as for the boy, his parents were ˹true˺ believers, and we feared that he would pressure them by transgression and disbelief.
Meaning:-
transgression: violation of a law, command, etc.; sin.

It was our wish that our Lord should grant them another in his place, a son more righteous and better in affection.

“And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city and beneath it their treasure was buried. Since their father was a righteous man, So your Lord willed that these children should attain their maturity and take out their treasure. All this was done as a mercy from your Lord. What I did was not done by my own will. That is the explanation of those actions which you could not bear to watch with patience”.

O Muhammad, they ask you about Zul-Qarnain. Say “I will recite to you some of his story”.
Meaning:-
Zul-Qarnain: This is the story of a righteous king who travelled far and wide. He is titled Ⱬul-Qarnain (lit., the man of the two horns) because of his journeys to the far east and far west (or the two horns/points of sunrise and sunset). Some believe Ⱬul-Qarnain was Alexander the Great, but this is not sound since Alexander the Great was a polytheist. Many scholars believe it was Abu Kuraib Al-Ḥamiri, a righteous king from Yemen.

Indeed We established his power in the land and We gave him all kinds of ways and means.

So he followed a course.

until he reached the setting ˹point˺ of the sun, which appeared to him to be setting in a spring of murky water, where he found some people. We said, “O Ⱬul-Qarnain! Either punish them or treat them kindly.”
Meaning:-
Murky Water: Murky water is dark or dirty, explosive diarrhea that leaves the toilet water dirty and cloudy.

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.

As for him who believes and does good deeds, he will have a good reward and will be assigned an easy task by our command”.

Then he travelled a ˹different˺ course

He left them as they were: We had full knowledge what priority was before him.

Then he travelled a ˹third˺ course

till he reached between two mountains where he found a people who could hardly understand his language.

They requested, “O Ⱬul-Qarnain! Surely Gog and Magog 1 are spreading corruption throughout the land. Should we pay you tribute, provided that you build a wall between us and them?”
Meaning:-
Story of Yajooj and Majooj – The Gog and Magog
God created a nation called Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj. In the beginning they were free. King Zulqarnian imprisoned up behind a wall. They are still imprisoned today, and will be freed near the Day of Judgement. They will come out and create a lot of trouble. Their population is ten times larger than the world’s population.

Zul-Qarnain said: “That which my Lord has granted me is more than enough, just help me with worker-force and I will build a barrier between you and them.

Bring me blocks of iron; until when he had filled up the space between the two mountain sides, he said: Blow, until when he had made it (as) fire, he said: Bring me molten brass which I may pour over it.
Meaning:-
moltene: specially of materials with a high melting point, such as metal and glass) liquefied by heat.

So they [Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog)] were made powerless to scale it or dig through it.
Meaning:-
Story of Yajooj and Majooj – The Gog and Magog
God created a nation called Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj. In the beginning they were free. King Zulqarnian imprisoned up behind a wall. They are still imprisoned today, and will be freed near the Day of Judgement. They will come out and create a lot of trouble. Their population is ten times larger than the world’s population.

He said: “This is a blessing from my Lord. But you should know that when the promise of my Lord shall come to pass, He will level it to the ground, for the promise of my Lord is ever true.”

On that Day We shall let the people loose to surge like waves on one another. The trumpet will be blown and We shall assemble the mankind all together.
Meaning:-
Surge: a sudden powerful forward or upward movement, especially by a crowd or by a natural force such as the waves or tide.

And We will bring forth hell, exposed to view, on that day before the unbelievers.

(To) Those whose eyes had been under a covering from My Reminder (this Quran), and who could not bear to hear (it).

Do the unbelievers think that they can take my servants as protectors, to save themselves from Hell, instead of Me? Certainly We have prepared Hell for the entertainment of such unbelievers.

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Shall we inform you of who will lose the most deeds?

Those whose all efforts in this worldly life had gone astray from the Right Way, but all along they were under the delusion that they were doing good deeds;
Meaning:-
Astray: into error, away from the correct path or direction
delusion: illusion, misconception, misunderstanding, mistake, error.

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 give their deeds any weight on Judgment Day.

That is their recompense – Hell – for what they denied and [because] they took My signs and My messengers in ridicule.
Meaning:-
Ridicule: to make fun of, to contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior.

However, those who believe and do good deeds, they will be entertained with the Gardens of Paradise

to live therein for ever and they will never desire to go anywhere else.

Say (O Muhammad to mankind). “If the sea were ink for (writing) the Words of my Lord, surely, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord would be finished, even if we brought (another sea) like it for its aid.”

O Muhammad, tell them: “I am but a human being like you; the revelation is sent to me to declare that your God is One God; therefore, whoever hopes to meet his Lord, let him do good deeds and join no other deity in the worship of his Lord.”
Meaning:-
deity: multiple gods and goddesses.