18: al-Kahf الكهف

Text and Translation

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

BISMIL LAAHIR RAHMAANIR RAHEEM

In the Name of Allah, the All-merciful, the All-compassionate

اَ لْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِىْۤ اَنْزَلَ عَلٰى عَبْدِهِ الْكِتٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ لَّهٗ عِوَجًا ؕ‏(1)

Praise be to Allah, Who hath sent to His Servant the Book, and hath allowed therein no Crookedness:

قَيِّمًا لِّيُنْذِرَ بَاْسًا شَدِيْدًا مِّنْ لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ الَّذِيْنَ يَعْمَلُوْنَ الصّٰلِحٰتِ اَنَّ لَهُمْ اَجْرًا حَسَنًا ۙ‏(2)

(He hath made it) Straight (and Clear) in order that He may warn (the godless) of a terrible Punishment from Him, and that He may give Glad Tidings to the Believers who work righteous deeds, that they shall have a goodly Reward,

مّٰكِثِيْنَ فِيْهِ اَبَدًا ۙ‏(3)

Wherein they shall remain for ever:

وَّيُنْذِرَ الَّذِيْنَ قَالُوا اتَّخَذَ اللّٰهُ وَلَدًا‏(4)

Further, that He may warn those (also) who say, “Allah hath begotten a son”:

مَا لَهُمْ بِهٖ مِنْ عِلْمٍ وَّلَا لِاٰبَآئِهِمْ‌ؕ كَبُرَتْ كَلِمَةً تَخْرُجُ مِنْ اَفْوَاهِهِمْ‌ؕ اِنْ يَّقُوْلُوْنَ اِلَّا كَذِبًا‏(5)

No knowledge have they of such a thing, nor had their fathers. It is a grievous thing that issues from their mouths as a saying what they say is nothing but falsehood!

فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ عَلٰٓى اٰثَارِهِمْ اِنْ لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوْا بِهٰذَا الْحَدِيْثِ اَسَفًا‏(6)

Thou wouldst only, perchance, fret thyself to death, following after them, in grief, if they believe not in this Message.

اِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْاَرْضِ زِيْنَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ اَ يُّهُمْ اَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا‏(7)

That which is on earth we have made but as a glittering show for the earth, in order that We may test them - as to which of them are best in conduct.

وَاِنَّا لَجٰعِلُوْنَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيْدًا جُرُزًا ؕ‏(8)

Verily what is on earth we shall make but as dust and dry soil (without growth or herbage).

اَمْ حَسِبْتَ اَنَّ اَصْحٰبَ الْكَهْفِ وَالرَّقِيْمِۙ كَانُوْا مِنْ اٰيٰتِنَا عَجَبًا‏(9)

Or dost thou reflect that the Companions of the Cave and of the Inscription were wonders among Our Sign?

اِذْ اَوَى الْفِتْيَةُ اِلَى الْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوْا رَبَّنَاۤ اٰتِنَا مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَّهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ اَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا‏(10)

Behold, the youths betook themselves to the Cave: they said, “Our Lord! bestow on us Mercy from Thyself, and dispose of our affair for us in the right way!”

فَضَرَبْنَا عَلٰٓى اٰذَانِهِمْ فِى الْكَهْفِ سِنِيْنَ عَدَدًا ۙ‏(11)

Then We draw (a veil) over their ears, for a number of years, in the Cave, (so that they heard not):

ثُمَّ بَعَثْنٰهُمْ لِنَعْلَمَ اَىُّ الْحِزْبَيْنِ اَحْصٰى لِمَا لَبِثُوْۤا اَمَدًا‏(12)

Then We roused them, in order to test which of the two parties was best at calculating the term of years they had tarried!

نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ نَبَاَهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ‌ؕ اِنَّهُمْ فِتْيَةٌ اٰمَنُوْا بِرَبِّهِمْ وَزِدْنٰهُمْ هُدًى‌ۖ‏(13)

We relate to thee their story in truth: they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We advanced them in guidance:

وَّرَبَطْنَا عَلٰى قُلُوْبِهِمْ اِذْ قَامُوْا فَقَالُوْا رَبُّنَا رَبُّ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ لَنْ نَّدْعُوَا۫ مِنْ دُوْنِهٖۤ اِلٰهًا‌ لَّقَدْ قُلْنَاۤ اِذًا شَطَطًا‏(14)

We gave strength to their hearts: Behold, they stood up and said: “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and of the earth: never shall we call upon any god other than Him: if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity!

هٰٓؤُلَاۤءِ قَوْمُنَا اتَّخَذُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِهٖۤ اٰلِهَةً‌ ؕ لَوْ لَا يَاْتُوْنَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِسُلْطٰنٍۢ بَيِّنٍ‌ ؕ فَمَنْ اَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرٰى عَلَى اللّٰهِ كَذِبًا ؕ‏(15)

“These our people have taken for worship gods other than Him: why do they not bring forward an authority clear (and convincing) for what they do? Who doth more wrong than such as invent a falsehood against Allah?

وَاِذِ اعْتَزَلْتُمُوْهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُوْنَ اِلَّا اللّٰهَ فَاْوٗۤا اِلَى الْكَهْفِ يَنْشُرْ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُمْ مِّنْ رَّحْمَتِهٖ وَيُهَيِّئْ لَكُمْ مِّنْ اَمْرِكُمْ مِّرْفَقًا‏(16)

“When ye turn away from them and the things they worship other than Allah, betake yourselves to the Cave: Your Lord will shower His mercies on you and disposes of your affair towards comfort and ease.”

وَتَرَى الشَّمْسَ اِذَا طَلَعَتْ تَّزٰوَرُ عَنْ كَهْفِهِمْ ذَاتَ الْيَمِيْنِ وَاِذَا غَرَبَتْ تَّقْرِضُهُمْ ذَاتَ الشِّمَالِ وَهُمْ فِىْ فَجْوَةٍ مِّنْهُ‌ ؕ ذٰ لِكَ مِنْ اٰيٰتِ اللّٰهِ‌ ؕ مَنْ يَّهْدِ اللّٰهُ فَهُوَ الْمُهْتَدِ ‌ۚ وَمَنْ يُّضْلِلْ فَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَهٗ وَلِيًّا مُّرْشِدًا‏(17)

Thou wouldst have seen the sun, when it rose, declining to the right from their Cave, and when it set, turning away from them to the left, while they lay in the open space in the midst of the Cave. Such are among the Signs of Allah: He whom Allah, guides is rightly guided; but he whom Allah leaves to stray, for him wilt thou find no protector to lead him to the Right Way.

وَ تَحْسَبُهُمْ اَيْقَاظًا وَّهُمْ رُقُوْدٌ ‌‌ۖ وَنُقَلِّبُهُمْ ذَاتَ الْيَمِيْنِ وَ ذَاتَ الشِّمَالِ‌‌ ۖ وَكَلْبُهُمْ بَاسِطٌ ذِرَاعَيْهِ بِالْوَصِيْدِ‌ ؕ لَوِ اطَّلَعْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَوَلَّيْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِرَارًا وَّلَمُلِئْتَ مِنْهُمْ رُعْبًا‏(18)

Thou wouldst have deemed them awake, whilst they were asleep, and We turned them on their right and on their left sides: their dog stretching forth his two fore-legs on the threshold: if thou hadst come up on to them, thou wouldst have certainly turned back from them in flight, and wouldst certainly have been filled with terror of them.

وَكَذٰلِكَ بَعَثْنٰهُمْ لِيَتَسَآءَلُوْا بَيْنَهُمْ‌ ؕ قَالَ قَآئِلٌ مِّنْهُمْ كَمْ لَبِثْتُمْ ؕ قَالُوْا لَبِثْنَا يَوْمًا اَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍ‌ ؕ قَالُوْا رَبُّكُمْ اَعْلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثْتُمْ ؕ فَابْعَثُوْۤا اَحَدَكُمْ بِوَرِقِكُمْ هٰذِهٖۤ اِلَى الْمَدِيْنَةِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ اَيُّهَاۤ اَزْكٰى طَعَامًا فَلْيَاْتِكُمْ بِرِزْقٍ مِّنْهُ وَلْيَتَلَطَّفْ وَلَا يُشْعِرَنَّ بِكُمْ اَحَدًا‏(19)

Such (being their state), we raised them up (from sleep), that they might question each other. Said one of them, “How long have ye stayed (here)?” They said, “We have stayed (perhaps) a day, or part of a day.” (At length) they (all) said, “Allah (alone) knows best how long ye have stayed here.... Now send ye then one of you with this money of yours to the town: let him find out which is the best food (to be had) and bring some to you, that (ye may) satisfy your hunger therewith: And let him behave with care and courtesy, and let him not inform any one about you.

اِنَّهُمْ اِنْ يَّظْهَرُوْا عَلَيْكُمْ يَرْجُمُوْكُمْ اَوْ يُعِيْدُوْكُمْ فِىْ مِلَّتِهِمْ وَلَنْ تُفْلِحُوْۤا اِذًا اَبَدًا‏(20)

“For if they should come upon you, they would stone you or force you to return to their cult, and in that case ye would never attain prosperity.”

وَكَذٰلِكَ اَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ وَعْدَ اللّٰهِ حَقٌّ وَّاَنَّ السَّاعَةَ لَا رَيْبَ فِيْهَا ‌ۚ اِذْ يَتَنَازَعُوْنَ بَيْنَهُمْ اَمْرَهُمْ‌ فَقَالُوْا ابْنُوْا عَلَيْهِمْ بُنْيَانًا ‌ ؕ رَبُّهُمْ اَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ‌ؕ قَالَ الَّذِيْنَ غَلَبُوْا عَلٰٓى اَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ مَّسْجِدًا‏(21)

Thus did We make their case known to the people, that they might know that the promise of Allah is true, and that there can be no doubt about the Hour of Judgment. Behold, they dispute among themselves as to their affair. (Some) said, “Construct a building over them”: Their Lord knows best about them: those who prevailed over their affair said, “Let us surely build a place of worship over them.”

سَيَقُوْلُوْنَ ثَلٰثَةٌ رَّابِعُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ‌ۚ وَيَقُوْلُوْنَ خَمْسَةٌ سَادِسُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ رَجْمًۢا بِالْغَيْبِ‌ۚ وَيَقُوْلُوْنَ سَبْعَةٌ وَّثَامِنُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ‌ؕ قُلْ رَّبِّىْۤ اَعْلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِمْ مَّا يَعْلَمُهُمْ اِلَّا قَلِيْلٌ فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيْهِمْ اِلَّا مِرَآءً ظَاهِرًا وَّلَا تَسْتَفْتِ فِيْهِمْ مِّنْهُمْ اَحَدًا‏(22)

(Some) say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them; (others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth, doubtfully guessing at the unknown; (yet others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth. Say thou: “My Lord knoweth best their number; It is but few that know their (real case).” Enter not, therefore, into controversies concerning them, except on a matter that is clear, nor consult any of them about (the affair of) the Sleepers.

وَلَا تَقُوْلَنَّ لِشَاىْءٍ اِنِّىْ فَاعِلٌ ذٰ لِكَ غَدًا ۙ‏(23)

Nor say of anything, “I shall be sure to do so and so tomorrow”-

اِلَّاۤ اَنْ يَّشَآءَ اللّٰهُ‌ وَاذْكُرْ رَّبَّكَ اِذَا نَسِيْتَ وَقُلْ عَسٰٓى اَنْ يَّهْدِيَنِ رَبِّىْ لِاَقْرَبَ مِنْ هٰذَا رَشَدًا‏(24)

Without adding, “So please Allah!” and call thy Lord to mind when thou forgettest, and say, “I hope that my Lord will guide me ever closer (even) than this to the right road.”

وَلَبِثُوْا فِىْ كَهْفِهِمْ ثَلٰثَ مِائَةٍ سِنِيْنَ وَازْدَادُوْا تِسْعًا‏(25)

So they stayed in their Cave three hundred years, and (some) add nine (more)

قُلِ اللّٰهُ اَعْلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثُوْا‌ ۚ لَهٗ غَيْبُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ‌ ؕ اَبْصِرْ بِهٖ وَاَسْمِعْ‌ ؕ مَا لَهُمْ مِّنْ دُوْنِهٖ مِنْ وَّلِىٍّ  وَّلَا يُشْرِكُ فِىْ حُكْمِهٖۤ اَحَدًا‏(26)

???

Say: Allah knows best how long they remained; to Him are (known) the unseen things of the heavens and the earth; how clear His sight and how clear His hearing! There is none to be a guardian for them besides Him, and He does not make any one His associate in His Judgment.

وَاتْلُ مَاۤ اُوْحِىَ اِلَيْكَ مِنْ كِتَابِ رَبِّكَ ‌ؕ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمٰتِهٖ‌ ۚ وَلَنْ تَجِدَ مِنْ دُوْنِهٖ مُلْتَحَدًا‏(27)

???

And recite what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord, there is none who can alter His words; and you shall not find any refuge besides Him.

وَاصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ الَّذِيْنَ يَدْعُوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ بِالْغَدٰوةِ وَالْعَشِىِّ يُرِيْدُوْنَ وَجْهَهٗ‌ وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنٰكَ عَنْهُمْ‌ ۚ تُرِيْدُ زِيْنَةَ الْحَيٰوةِ الدُّنْيَا‌ ۚ وَ لَا تُطِعْ مَنْ اَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهٗ عَنْ ذِكْرِنَا وَاتَّبَعَ هَوٰٮهُ وَكَانَ اَمْرُهٗ فُرُطًا‏(28)

???

And withhold yourself with those who call on their Lord morning and evening desiring His goodwill, and let not your eyes pass from them, desiring the beauties of this world's life; and do not follow him whose heart We have made unmindful to Our remembrance, and he follows his low desires and his case is one in which due bounds are exceeded.

وَقُلِ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَّبِّكُمْ‌ فَمَنْ شَآءَ فَلْيُؤْمِنْ وَّمَنْ شَآءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ ‌ۙاِنَّاۤ اَعْتَدْنَا لِلظّٰلِمِيْنَ نَارًا ۙ اَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَا‌ ؕ وَاِنْ يَّسْتَغِيْثُوْا يُغَاثُوْا بِمَآءٍ كَالْمُهْلِ يَشْوِى الْوُجُوْهَ‌ؕ بِئْسَ الشَّرَابُ وَسَآءَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا‏(29)

Say, “The truth is from your Lord”: Let him who will believe, and let him who will, reject (it): for the wrong-doers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and flames), like the walls and roof of a tent, will hem them in: if they implore relief they will be granted water like melted brass, that will scald their faces, how dreadful the drink! How uncomfortable a couch to recline on!

اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ اِنَّا لَا نُضِيْعُ اَجْرَ مَنْ اَحْسَنَ عَمَلًا‌ ۚ‏(30)

As to those who believe and work righteousness, verily We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who do a (single) righteous deed.

اُولٰۤئِكَ لَهُمْ جَنّٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِىْ مِنْ تَحْتِهِمُ الْاَنْهٰرُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيْهَا مِنْ اَسَاوِرَ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ وَّ يَلْبَسُوْنَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِّنْ سُنْدُسٍ وَّاِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَّكِئِيْنَ فِيْهَا عَلَى الْاَرَآئِكِ‌ؕ نِعْمَ الثَّوَابُ ؕ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا‏(31)

For them will be Gardens of Eternity; beneath them rivers will flow; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade: They will recline therein on raised thrones. How good the recompense! How beautiful a couch to recline on!

وَاضْرِبْ لَهُمْ مَّثَلًا رَّجُلَيْنِ جَعَلْنَا لِاَحَدِهِمَا جَنَّتَيْنِ مِنْ اَعْنَابٍ وَّحَفَفْنٰهُمَا بِنَخْلٍ وَّجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمَا زَرْعًا ؕ‏(32)

Set forth to them the parable of two men: for one of them We provided two gardens of grape-vines and surrounded them with date palms; in between the two We placed corn-fields.

كِلْتَا الْجَنَّتَيْنِ اٰتَتْ اُكُلَهَا وَلَمْ تَظْلِمْ مِّنْهُ شَيْئًا‌ ۙ وَّفَجَّرْنَا خِلٰلَهُمَا نَهَرًا ۙ‏(33)

Each of those gardens brought forth its produce, and failed not in the least therein: in the midst of them We caused a river to flow.

وَكَانَ لَهٗ ثَمَرٌ‌ ۚ فَقَالَ لِصَاحِبِهٖ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهٗۤ اَنَا اَكْثَرُ مِنْكَ مَالًا وَّاَعَزُّ نَفَرًا‏(34)

(Abundant) was the produce this man had : he said to his companion, in the course of a mutual argument: “more wealth have I than you, and more honour and power in (my following of) men.”

وَدَخَلَ جَنَّتَهٗ وَهُوَ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهٖ‌ ۚ قَالَ مَاۤ اَظُنُّ اَنْ تَبِيْدَ هٰذِهٖۤ اَبَدًا ۙ‏(35)

He went into his garden in a state (of mind) unjust to his soul: He said, “I deem not that this will ever perish,

وَّمَاۤ اَظُنُّ السَّاعَةَ قَآئِمَةً ۙ وَّلَئِنْ رُّدِدْتُّ اِلٰى رَبِّىْ لَاَجِدَنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهَا مُنْقَلَبًا‏(36)

“Nor do I deem that the Hour (of Judgment) will (ever) come: Even if I am brought back to my Lord, I shall surely find (there) something better in exchange.”

قَالَ لَهٗ صَاحِبُهٗ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهٗۤ اَكَفَرْتَ بِالَّذِىْ خَلَقَكَ مِنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ سَوّٰٮكَ رَجُلًاؕ‏(37)

His companion said to him, in the course of the argument with him: “Dost thou deny Him Who created thee out of dust, then out of a sperm-drop, then fashioned thee into a man?