Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 13-16

We shall narrate to you their news truthfully. Indeed, they were young men who believed in their Lord. And We gave them more guidance.

We strengthened their hearts, as they stood up before the disbelieving people, saying, ‘Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We shall never worship no one besides Him.  If we did, we would certainly have said unjust utterance.’  

These, our people, have worshiped other gods besides Allah. Why do they not bring clear evidence substantiating their worship? Who is more unjust than he who fabricates a lie about Allah? 

Now that you have left them, and that which they worship besides Allah, seek refuge in the cave. Your Lord will generously give you from His mercy and facilitate means of life for you. [Surah al-Kahf: 13-16]

Tafsir 

The Youths Being in the Spaciousness of Belief in Allah

We shall narrate to you their news truthfully. Indeed, they were young men who believed in their Lord. And We gave them more guidance. [13]

O Messenger Muhammad! We, Allah, shall truthfully narrate to you the story of those youths who went to the cave in order to flee from the oppressive disbelievers. They were some young men who believed in the Oneness Allah, their Creator. We increased and strengthened their faith so they could emotionally endure leaving their hometown and kinship to protect their faith. They deserted their comfortable life and went to live in a cave despite its coarse environment.  

(We shall narrate to you their news truthfully.)

Stating that Allah will truthfully reveal the story of the people of the cave to Messenger Muhammad implies that some people knew their story. However, this knowledge was mixed with some myths, and delusions. 

(Indeed, they were young men who believed in their Lord.)

Allah mentioned that they were young men. Typically, young people have a disposition that is more likely to accept the truth than old people, who spend their life adopting and being deceived by false belief. Similarly, most of the followers of the Prophet Muhammad were youths while most of the old people of his tribe disbelieved in the message of Islam except for a few number. 

(And We gave them more guidance.)

Some scholars, such as imam al-Bukhari, inferred from this ayah that belief increases and decreases.  Allah says, interpretation of meaning,  

Those who are rightly guided, We have given them more guidance and led them to the path of piety. [Surah Muhammad: 17]

Then, Allah, Exalted is He, narrates an aspect of how He gave them more guidance. 

We strengthened their hearts, as they stood up before the disbelieving people, saying, ‘Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We shall never worship no one besides Him.  If we did, we would certainly have said unjust utterance.’ [14]

We, Allah, strengthened the young men's hearts with the light of faith so their souls were able to keep away from their comfortable life. They stood before the disbelieving king, who blamed them for abandoning the worship of idols. They said, ‘Our Lord, Allah, is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and the Lord of every created being. We shall never worship other gods besides Him, as there is no creator other than Him. Had we worshipped other gods besides Allah, we would have done an extremely unjust thing and said false utterance.’ 

The ayah indicates how strong the faith of those young men was, and that whoever firmly believes in Allah, Allah will strengthen his heart so that it can endure hardship for His sake.  

Then, ayat state that those young men did not only declare their truthful belief in Allah alone; rather, they condemned their people's worship other gods besides Allah. They said,

These, our people, have worshiped other gods besides Allah. Why do they not bring clear evidence substantiating their worship? Who is more unjust than he who fabricates a lie about Allah? [15]

After those young men gathered, they vowed to worship Allah alone. They abandoned whatever that might be worshipped besides Allah. They condemningly said, ‘These, our people, have weak-mindedly worshipped idols besides Allah. Why do they not bring clear evidence proving the truthfulness of their worship? Indeed, they would be unable to do so.’ 

(Why do they not bring clear evidence substantiating their worship?)

This question brings a motion of censure, for coming up with a proof authenticating their worship of idols is impossible. It also serves as a proof that imitation in creed is invalid; rather, clear evidence must exist to support belief in a specific creed.  
The following is a similar ayah asking the disbelievers to bring evidence to substantiate their claim: 

Say, ‘Have you considered those you worship besides Allah? Show me. What they have created of the earth, or do they have a share in the creation of the heavens? Bring me a scripture before this Quran, or some remnant of knowledge if you are truthful.’ [Surah al-Ahqaf: 4]

Then, the ayah is concluded with a proof confirming that people lie when they worship other gods besides Allah and describing what they say as false utterance. 

(Who is more unjust than he who fabricates a lie about Allah?) 

Indeed, Allah is the only God deserves worship. Any god worshipped besides Allah is false. 

Then, the ayat narrates the conversation that took place between the young men after clearly stating their decisive position, and after declaring firmly and truthfully that they would never worship other gods besides Allah.  

Now that you have left them, and that which they worship besides Allah, seek refuge in the cave. Your Lord will generously give you from His mercy and facilitate means of life for you. [16]

The young men said, 'Now that you have left whatever your people worship besides Allah, go to a cave where you can sincerely worship Allah alone. If you do so, Allah will generously give you from His mercy in this life and the Hereafter, and will facilitate means of life for you.’ 

(…seek refuge in the cave. Your Lord will generously give you from His mercy and facilitate means of life for you.)

This indicates their firm belief in Allah and absolute certainty in His bounty. When they left their people and enjoyments of the worldly life, and decided to retreat to the cave though life therein was hard, they did not feel any doubt with regards to the mercy of Allah. They were certain that Allah would provide for them from His bounty and facilitate their affairs.  

The ayah also indicates that withdrawing from the environment of disbelief in order to protect one’s creed leads to attaining the mercy of Allah and His limitless bounty. Allah mentions in the Quran that when Prophet Ibrahim left his people for the sake of Allah, Allah rewarded him from His vast bounty. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, 

He said, ‘Peace be upon you. I will ask my Lord to forgive you. Indeed, He is ever gracious to me. I will leave you and what you worship besides Allah, will invoke my Lord. I hope I will not be miserable by invoking my Lord. When he left them and what they worship besides Allah, We gave him Isaac and Jacob. Each of them, We made a prophet. And We gave them from Our mercy and We made for them a sublime, lasting praise. [Surah Maryam: 47-50]

Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 9-12

English Translation of Surah al-Kahf

Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 9-12

Do you think that the story of the people of the cave and the Inscription were among Our marvelous signs?

Mention when the young men sought refuge in the cave, they said, ‘O our Lord! Give us mercy from You, and facilitate right guidance for us in our affairs.’

Then We sealed up their ears, causing them to sleep in the cave for a number of years. 

Then We awakened them so that We would make clear which of the two parties correctly calculated how long they had been there. 

[Surah al-Kahf: 9-12]

Stories of the Quran are like an ever-flowing river full of beneficial lessons and admonitions. One of the stories of the Quran is the story of the youth of the cave who are mentioned in surah al-Kahf. It narrates the news of the youths who fled from their town to protect their faith from the tyrant disbelievers. They went to a cave and decided to remain therein until the affliction ended. They did not imagine that they would remain deeply sleeping there for more than three centuries. They woke up at a time in which breezes of freedom blew, and the era of the tyrants had ended.  

Relationship between the Story of the Youth of the Cave and the Previous Part

As Messenger Muhammad was deeply sad because of his people's disbelief in the message of Islam, this story came to call his attention to the fact that he should not concern himself so much about how the disbelievers would respond to his message. That is because he did his duty of conveying the message of Islam in the best manner. In addition, he should remember that being guided to the straight path is in the Hands of Allah, Exalted is He. The story of the youth of the cave is an example of how Allah guided those youths to the true path through natural disposition and sound evidence.

Relationship between the Stories in Surah al-Kahf and its Theme

At the beginning of surah al-Kahf, Allah mentions that whatever is on the earth of enjoyment is a test to show the true nature of people, reveal their goals, and motivate them to do righteous deeds. Allah says, interpretation of meaning,

Indeed, We have made what is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them as to which of them does the best deed. [7] 

Indeed, We shall make what is on it a barren ground. [8]

Afterwards, Allah has given an example, revealing people’s attitudes towards enjoyments of the worldly life. The first example was the story of the people of the cave, who were youths but were not deceived by the enjoyments of their age, kinship, and authority. Rather, they deserted all these enjoyments, and fled to the cave to worship Allah alone.

After this story, there is another story that is about to unfold. It is the story of the owner of the two gardens. This man was so allured by the trial of wealth that he became self-conceited. However, his believer fellow successfully passed the test and was saved from the affliction as he knew the true transient nature of the worldly life. Thus, he was not deceived by its enjoyments; rather, he sincerely admonished his fellow.

Then, a commentary showing the true nature of the worldly life was presented. Afterwards, surah al-Kahf discusses the state of those who were deceived by Satan, who refused to prostrate before Adam when Allah commanded him to do so. Allah says, interpretation of meaning,

Mention when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam.’ They prostrated except Satan, who was one of the jinn. He disobeyed the command of his Lord. Then do you take him and his descendants as allies instead of Me though they are your enemies? How an evil substitute for the wrongdoers is! [50]

Then, the story of Messenger Moses with al-Khadr unfolded itself to demonstrate that acquiring Shariah knowledge provides protection from trials. In addition, it established that no matter how much knowledge a scholar may have, there would be someone who has more knowledge than his. In addition a human being's knowledge, no matter how great, is nothing compared to the knowledge of Allah, the Omniscient. 

Then the ayat mention the story of Dhu-al-Qarnayn. He was not deceived by the trial of kingship and authority; rather, he employed his kingdom and authority to spread the religion of Allah, advocate the oppressed, and confront the tyrants. Whenever Allah gave him a blessing, he would thank Him, and the higher he got in ranking, the humbler he got in acting.

Accordingly, the relationship between the story of the people of the cave and the other stories in surah al-Kahf has become clearer. All the stories of surah al-Kahf explore the idea of being tested by the enjoyments of the worldly life, people’s reaction to these enjoyments, and means of protection from these trials. 

Tafsir 

Do you think that the story of the people of the cave and the Inscription were among Our marvelous signs? [9]

Imam Fakhar ad-Dyn ar-Rãzy said, ‘You should note that the people were amazed by the story of the people of the cave. They asked Messenger Muhammad about it in order to test him. Therefore, Allah said, ‘Do you think that the story of the people of the cave were the only amazing sign of Ours? Do not think so. Rather, all Our sings are amazing. The One, who is able to create the heavens and the earth, and put all kinds of minerals, plants, and animals therein, and then will make the earth a barren ground, is able, out of His mercy, to protect those group of people for more than three hundred years by means of causing them to fall asleep.’  

 Scholars of interpretation of the Quran mention the following narration about the cause of revealing the ayat about the people of the cave:

The disbelievers of Quraysh sent an-Nadr bin al-Harth and Uqba bin abi Mu’yt to the Jewish rabbis in al-Madinah and caused them to ask the rabbis about Messenger Muhammad and tell them about him as they had knowledge unknown to Quraysh about the old Scriptures and prophets of Allah. These two men went to al-Madinah and asked the rabbis about Messenger Muhammad. The rabbis told them to ask Messenger Muhammad about three matters. If he were to give a proper response, then he would be a prophet and messenger sent by Allah; otherwise, he would be a liar. The three things were: The amazing story of a group of young men; a man who traveled around the world; the true nature of the soul. They told them that if he answered your questions, then he would be a prophet and that they should believe in him. Then the two men went back to Mecca. They said, ‘O people of Quraysh! We brought you something that would settle the dispute between Muhammad and us. The rabbis told us to ask him about three matters.’

Then, the people of Quraysh went to Messenger Muhammad and asked him the questions raised by the rabbis. Messenger Muhammad said that he would answer their questions the next day. He did not say, ‘If Allah wills.’ The revelation did not come to Messenger Muhammad for fifteen days, and the people of Mecca spread false rumors about the matter, saying, ‘Muhammad promised us to answer our questions the next day, but fifteen days have passed and he has not answered our questions yet.’

 Messenger Muhammad became so sad; then, the angel Gabriel brought him the answer about the people of the cave, the man who travelled around the world, and the true nature of the soul.

Do you think that the story of the people of the cave and the Inscription were among Our marvelous signs? [9]

 The scholars of Tafsir mention different meanings for ‘the inscription’, they are as follows: A tablet on which the names of the youths were written; the name of the town, from which the youths fled; the name of the mountain wherein the cave was located; the name of the dog that was with the youths; or the name of the valley wherein the cave was located. 

The most correct opinion is that ‘the inscription’ refers to the name of the tablet on which the names of the youths and their story were written when they went in the cave. 

O Messenger Muhammad! Do you think that the story of the people of the cave that We have narrated to you was an amazing sign, denoting Our Omnipotence? No, do not think so. Nothing is impossible for Our Omnipotence.  

             

Then, Allah, Exalted is He, narrated what the youths said when they entered into the cave.

Mention when the young men sought refuge in the cave, they said, ‘O our Lord! Give us mercy from You, and facilitate right guidance for us in our affairs.’ [10]

O Messenger Muhammad! Mention to the people about the youths who left their homes and families in order to protect their faith. They went to the cave and made it their dwelling. They humbly prayed to Allah in the cave, saying, ‘O Allah! Grant us from Your mercy what will guide our hearts, make easy our affairs, and protect us from trials. O Allah! We pray to You so that You may facilitate this matter for us, i.e. their escape from their people to protect their faith, and make us firm in our belief whereby our guidance to Your obedience increases.’ 

This ayah explicitly talks about fleeing to protect one’s faith, and leaving families, relatives, and homelands to be saved from affliction that the person may encounter. Messenger Muhammad and his companions left their hometown to protect their faith. Living in the mountains, seeking solitude away from the people, and fleeing from the tyrants is the method adopted by the prophets and messengers of Allah and the righteous slaves of Allah. 

Then, Allah states what happened to those youths when they went into the cave and humbly prayed to Allah.

Then We sealed up their ears, causing them to sleep in the cave for a number of years. [11]

After the youths settled in the cave, and submissively prayed to Allah to protect them, Allah put a heavy veil on their ears, preventing them from hearing anything. Therefore, they did not hear anything that might wake them up. They kept on sleeping for many years.

Allah, Exalted is He, especially put a veil on their ears because ears are the most sensitive organ when it comes to waking up, and sleep does not become so deep except when the hearing is inactive. 

 Then, Allah, Exalted is He, mentions what happened to those youths after this long sleep.

Then We awakened them so that We would make clear which of the two parties correctly calculated how long they had been there. [12]

      

Then, We, Allah, raised them up from their sleep in a manner similar to that of raising the dead from their graves so that it would become clear which of the two parties, differing about the period of their stay in cave, was able to correctly calculate how long they had been there.

The apparent meaning of the ayah is that one of the parties is the youths themselves as they thought that they stayed for a short time in the cave, and      the other party is the inhabitants of the city in whose time the youths were raised up from their sleep. This is the opinion of the majority of the scholars. However, other scholars say that the two parties are the disbelieving parties who differed about how long the youths stayed in the cave while other scholars say that the two parties are believing parties. 

After this summary of the story of the youths of the cave, Allah gives a detailed account of their story in the following ayat.

Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 1-8

English Translation of Surah al-Kahf

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 56-60

Asking for Miracles

Insisting on disbelief and extreme stubbornness make the disbelievers and the stubborn people ask for farfetched or strange things that agree with their hardline positions, and stagnant minds. The position of Quraysh, the tribe of the Messengerﷺ, was such. They demanded the Messengerﷺ to do things that he could not do to maintain their stubborn position, and deep-rooted misguidance. Such a position neither justified their disbelief, nor supported their misguidance. On the contrary, it denotes their being so far from rational principles, and impossibility of their belief and reform. The Quran narrates about their position to record their obstinacy. 

(Say, ‘Call those whom you claimed to be gods besides Allah. They are unable to remove harm, nor transfer it to another person.’ 

Those, whom they worship, do themselves seek means of approach to their Lord. They hope for His mercy and fear His torment. Indeed, the torment of your Lord must be feared. 

There is no town but We shall destroy it before the Day of Judgment, or torture it with severe torment. That is recorded in the Book. 

Nothing has prevented Us from sending miracles, except that the former nations disbelieved in them. We gave Thamud the she-camel as a clear miracle, but they disbelieved in it. And We do not send miracles, but as warning.

Mention when We told you that your Lord is fully aware of the people. And We did not make the vision We showed you as well as the cursed tree in the Quran, but as a test for people. We warn them, but it only increases them extreme transgression.) [Quran Surah al-Isra: 56-60] 

Relationship with the Previous Part

After condemning the disbelievers’ denial of resurrection on the Day of Judgment, Allah refuted their worship of the angels, the jinn, Jesus, and Uzair, who are some of His creatures. The angels, the jinn, Jesus, and Uzair worship, and obey Allah, Exalted is He, and fear His torment. Indeed, the only true God deserving worship is Allah. He alone can bring benefit and remove harm. 

Then Allah mentions that the end of the former disbelieving nations was annihilation and destruction, or severe torment such as, killing, and enslavement. 

Then Allah told the disbelievers, who asked for great miracles, that granting them what they demanded, would not be in their interests. If the miracles were granted and they disbelieved in them, they would be punished and annihilated. Such punishment was the share of the former disbelieving nations. When Thamud, the tribe of Prophet Saleh, disbelieved in their Messenger, they were punished and annihilated.   

Finally, Allah mentions that the Night Journey of al-Al-Isra and Ascension to the heaven, which Messenger Muhammad did, were tests for the belief of people; just as the cursed tree mentioned in the Quran was a test.

Ayah 56-57: Cause of Revelation

The scholars of Tafsir mention some narrations about the cause of revelation of these ayat. Ibn Kathîr said , ‘Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said regarding the following ayah: (Say, ‘Call those whom you claimed to be gods besides Allah. They are unable to remove harm, nor transfer it to another person.’): The disbelievers used to say, ‘We worship the angels, Jesus, and Uzair.’ Al-Bukhãrî narrated that Abdul-Allah bin Mas’ûd, may Allah be pleased with him, said about this ayah, (There is no town but We shall destroy it before the Day of Judgment, or torture it with severe torment. That is recorded in the Book.): ‘Some people used to worship the jinn, but these jinn embraced Islam.’ In another narration, he said, ‘Some people used to worship a group of jinn, but these jinn embraced Islam, and those people insisted on worshipping them.’

Imam al-Qurtuby  said, ‘(Say, ‘Call those whom you claimed to be gods besides Allah.): When Quraysh suffered from draught, they complained to the Messengerﷺ. Then Allah revealed this ayah.’ Al-Hassan said, ‘The ayah refers to the angels, Jesus, and Uzair.’ Ibn Mas’ûd said, ‘It refers to the jinn.’ (They are unable to remove harm…), that is to say, they cannot remove the draught you are suffering from, according to the statement of Muqãtil. (nor transfer it to another person.), that it to say, they cannot change poverty into richness, and illness into healthiness.’ 

Imam at-Tabarî  said, ‘The most correct opinion on the interpretation of the ayah is the narration of ibn Mas’ûd, that is to say, Allah  informed about the gods that were worshipped and that the disbelievers invoked them to bring them closer to Allah during the time of Prophet Muhammad. It is known that Uzair was not alive during the time of the Prophetﷺ. Similarly, Jesus was raised to the heaven then. On the other hand, whoever, seeks to be close to Allah, must obey Him, and do righteous deeds. As for the thing cannot do righteous deeds, how can it seek to be close to Allah? If such opinion is non-sense, then the correct opinion is the narration of ibn Mas’ûd, or that the ayah refers to the angles. These two meanings are the most possible interpretations of the ayah.’

Tafsir

(Say, ‘Call those whom you claimed to be gods besides Allah. They are unable to remove harm, nor transfer it to another person.’) [56]

Challenging the disbelievers and seeking to guide them to the right path, Allah, Exalted is He, says, 
O Messenger! Tell the disbelievers, who worship other gods besides Allah that these gods cannot remove harm from you, e.g. poverty, illness, or drought, nor transfer it to another person. Indeed, these false gods cannot help them. Therefore, do not worship them. You must worship Allah sincerely, and obey Him as He is the only true God, deserving worship.  
The ayah mentions only removing harms because human beings usually seek to remove harm when calamities befall more than seeking to attain benefit. 

Then Allah says that every god worshipped besides Him needs His help, reward, and pleasure.

(Those, whom they worship, do themselves seek means of approach to their Lord. They hope for His mercy and fear His torment. Indeed, the torment of your Lord must be feared.) [57] 

The false gods that are worshipped besides Allah seek to be close to Allah, hope for His mercy, and fear His torment. 
Ayah 56 & 57 logically clarify that Allah, Exalted is He, is the Creator of everything in the universe, and He alone manages the affairs of His slaves. Every created being needs Allah’s help, forgiveness, and pleasure. Those whom the disbelievers claim that they are gods besides Allah, such as Jesusﷺ, Uzair, and the angels, are slaves of Allah, who seek to be closer to Allah by obeying Him, hoping for His mercy, and fearing His torment. 

Then Allah, Exalted is He, mentions that His rules must realize. 

(There is no town but We shall destroy it before the Day of Judgment, or torture it with severe torment. That is recorded in the Book.) [58]

 Allah, Exalted is He, says that He has ordained and recorded in the Preserved Tablet that there is no town but He will destroy by annihilating its inhabitants or torturing them because of their sins. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, 

(How many a town that transgressively disobeyed the command of its Lord and His Messengers. So We severely called it to account, and tortured it dreadful torment.)[Quran 65:8] 

Then Allah, Exalted is He, mentions some of His bounties on the Muslims. 

(Nothing has prevented Us from sending miracles, except that the former nations disbelieved in them. We gave Thamud the she-camel as a clear miracle, but they disbelieved in it. And We do not send miracles, but as warning.) [59]

Cause of Revelation 

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the people of Mecca asked the Prophetﷺ to make the mount of as-Safa and Marwa gold, and remove the mountains so that they could cultivate the land. It was said to him, ‘If you want, they will be given a respite. And if you want, they will be given their request. If they disbelieve after that, they will be destroyed just as the former nations were destroyed.’ The Prophet said, ‘No. I would rather that they would be given a respite.’ Then Allah, Exalted is He, revealed, (Nothing has prevented Us from sending miracles, except that the former nations disbelieved in them.) 

O Messenger! We did not give the disbelievers their requests when they asked you to bring them miracles because We knew that they would disbelieve in them if they were given their requests just as the former disbelieving nations did. In which case, they would deserve annihilating torment, as it is the rule applied against whoever disbelieves after seeing the clear the miracles of Allah. 

(We gave Thamud the she-camel as a clear miracle, but they disbelieved in it.)

Thamud is the tribe of Prophet Saleh . They were specifically mentioned because the people of Mecca knew them well since they used to pass by the remains of their houses when traveling to ash-Shãm.

The she-camel was the miracle Allah gave the people of Thamud in order to believe in their messenger, but they disbelieved, killed the she-camel, and extremely transgressed.  

O Messenger! The people of Thamud asked their prophet Saleh to bring them a miracle. We granted them the she-camel as a clear miracle. However, they disbelieved in it. Thus, We destroyed them. 
(…the she-camel as a clear miracle…), it means that the she-camel was an obvious miracle that the people of Thamud could see. 

In other words, O Muhammad! We, out of Our mercy, did not give your people their request. That is because if We gave them a miracle and they insisted on disbelief, We would destroy them as We did with the former disbelieving nations. 

(And We do not send miracles, but as warning.)

Allah grants miracles, denoting the truthfulness of His Messengers to warn their people about the evil consequence of their disbelief. 
Then Allah mentioned something in order to increase the firmness of Messenger Muhammad, and that denotes His comprehensive knowledge, and limitless wisdom.

Mention when We told you that your Lord is fully aware of the people. And We did not make the vision We showed you as well as the cursed tree in the Qur’an, but as a test for people. We warn them, but it only increases them extreme transgression. 

Allah urges His Prophetﷺ to convey the message of Islam. He assures him that He will protect him from whoever wants to harm him. 

(Mention when We told you that your Lord is fully aware of the people.) 

O Messenger! Mention when We told you that your Lord, Allah, is aware of the people, and His knowledge and ability encompass them. They are under His control. He will protect you from them. Thus, go ahead. Convey the message of Islam without any fear from anyone. Indeed, Allah will guard you. 

This statement implies solace to the Prophetﷺ, and good news to His companions that they will be victorious as well as urges them to keep on following the path of Islam without fear from anyone except Allah, Exalted is He. 

(And We did not make the vision We showed you as well as the cursed tree in the Quran, but as a test for people.)

The vision refers to the night journey that the Prophetﷺ made to Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, in which he saw miracles. Allah caused His Prophetﷺ to make this journey to test the people and clearly distinguish those whose faith was strong from those whose faith was weak.

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said about (And We did not make the vision…). It refers to what the Messengerﷺ saw with his eyes during the night journey to Jerusalem. And (…the cursed tree in the Quran…), it refers to the tree of Zaqûm.’  

Whatever the Messengerﷺ saw during that journey was a test for the people because some people renounced Islam when he told them what he saw, and some people hesitated to embrace it. People’s mind could not accept the idea of the Prophet’s travel from the Sacred mosque in Mecca to al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, then ascension to the heavens, and returning to Mecca in one night. 
O Messenger! We did not make the vision that We showed you, and cursed tree mentioned in the Quran but as a test for the people. Some believers renounced their belief in Islam, and the disbelievers adhered more to their disbelief when the Prophetﷺ told them what he saw during his night journey to Jerusalem. 

As for the disbelievers’ test regarding the cursed tree, abû Jahal, and the disbelievers said, ‘Muhammad says that there is a tree in Hellfire. The fire consumes trees, so how does a tree grow inside Hellfire? 

(We warn them, but it only increases them extreme transgression.)

We warn the disbelievers by means of threatening with torment and punishment; however, our warning increases them nothing but extreme transgression, and disbelief.

Learned Lessons

• None is able to remove harm, such as poverty, illness, or affliction, and change it into another state, or transfer it to another person except Allah, Exalted is He.
• There is no point in seeking help from other than Allah, Exalted is He. False gods worshipped besides Allah, such as the angels, Jesus, and Uzair, seek to be closer to Allah, humbly hope for His forgiveness, and fear His punishment. 
• There is no oppressive town but Allah will destroy or torture with severe torment before the Day of Judgment. Thus, the oppressors and tyrants must fear Allah and stop oppressing people. 
• Allah did not grant the disbelievers their request when they asked the Messengerﷺ to bring them miracles because if He granted them their request and they did not believe, He would annihilate them just as He did with the former nations. Moreover, Allah did not torment the disbelievers of Mecca, as He knew that some of them would believe in the future.
• Allah, Exalted is He, gave His Messengerﷺ the good news that He is fully aware of the people. Thus, he should convey the Islamic message without fear, depending on Allah, Who would protect and guard him.
• The night journey of al-Al-Isra and the cursed tree in Hellfire are tests for the people. Whoever is destined to be a believer will believe in them. Likewise, whoever is destined to be a disbeliever will disbelieve in them.

Tafsir of Surah al-sra: Ayah 53- 55

English Translation of Surah al-Isra 

Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 1-8

In the Name of Allah, the Giver of Mercy, the Most Merciful

Praise is due to Allah, Who has revealed the Book to His slave and has not made any deviance therein. 

He has made it strictly consistent to warn of severe torment from Him and give good news to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward.

Wherein they will abide forever.

And it warns those who say, ‘Allah has had a son.’ 

They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers. It is a dreadful word, coming out of their mouths. Indeed, they say nothing but a lie. 

You may destroy yourself, grieving over their rejection, if they do not believe in this Quran.

Indeed, We have made what is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them as to which of them does the best deed.

Indeed, We shall make what is on it a barren ground. 

[Surah al-Kahf: 1-8] 

Tafsir

Praise is due to Allah, Who has revealed the Book to His slave and has not made any deviance therein. [1]

Surah al-Kahf begins by confirming the fact that Allah alone deserves absolute praise and thank. One of the greatest blessings that Allah must be thanked for is revealing the Quran to His Prophet, Messenger, and slave Muhammad. By means of the Quran, Allah, out of His mercy, is paving the way for people to be saved from the darkness of ignorance, and provides them with guidance leading to the straight path. The Quran is totally free from any type of deviance, inconsistency, discrepancy, or differences whether in terms of wording or meaning. Rather, it is characterized by the highest degree of consistency and precision.

Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded people to praise Him because He has revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad since it contains guidance that will save them from ignorance and  guides them to what brings them happiness in this life and the Hereafter. 

He has made it strictly consistent to warn of severe torment from Him and give good news to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward. [2]

(He has made it strictly consistent.)

After confirming that the Quran is free from any deviance, Allah affirmed that it is strictly consistent. Sometimes something may be free from outwardly deviance but it may have inward deviance. Therefore, Allah combines between negating deviance and affirming consistency. 

Allah revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad to warn of His severe torment for the disbelievers who do not believe in His Oneness, and to give good news to the believers who believe in the Oneness of Allah and do righteous deeds that they will enjoy a good reward in Paradise.

Wherein they will abide forever. [3]

The believers who believe in the Oneness of Allah and do the righteous deeds will enjoy a good reward in Paradise wherein they will abide forever. 

And it warns those who say, ‘Allah has had a son.’ [4]

After clarifying the greatness of the Quran, Allah clarifies the enormity of the sins committed by those who fabricate a lie about Him when they claim that He, Exalted is He, has had a son. For example, the Jews claim that Uzair is the son of Allah, the Nazarene claim that Jesus, the son of Mary, is the son of Allah, and some disbelievers claim that the angels are the daughters of Allah.

They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers. It is a dreadful word, coming out of their mouths. Indeed, they say nothing but a lie. [5]

They have no knowledge about what they claim; rather, they say so out of ignorance, false guess, and blind following of their ancestors. Moreover, they have no evidence or proof substantiating such a claim. 

(It is a dreadful word, coming out of their mouths. Indeed, they say nothing but a lie.)

Allah severely criticizes the disbelievers’ claim. He says that their claim that Allah, Exalted is He, has had a son, which their mouths shamelessly utter, is a dreadful statement that has not any proof supporting it. 

Most of the time, Satan whispers evil things in the hearts of people, but they do not utter them, and try to control themselves. So, how about uttering such an enormity about Allah, Exalted is He! Verily, claiming that Allah has had a son is an abhorrent statement. The following ayah refers to the same meaning of the previous ayah. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, 

They say, ‘The All-Merciful has had a child.’ Indeed, you have said an atrocious thing. The heavens are about to burst therefrom, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to crumble to pieces that they have ascribed a child to the All-Merciful. It does not befit the All-Merciful to have a child. None is there in the heavens and the earth but he comes before the All-Merciful as a slave.  [Surah Maryam: 88-93] 

Consolation … Reproof

Addressing Messenger Muhammad in order to ease his grief and sadness caused by the refusal of the disbelievers to believe in the message of Islam, Allah says,

You may destroy yourself, grieving over their rejection, if they do not believe in this Quran. [6]

O Messenger! Do not destroy yourself, grieving over your people’s rejection to believe in Islam. Your duty is only to convey the Islamic message. Allah will call people to account on the Day of Judgment and punish the disbelievers for their disbelief in His Oneness.

This consolation implies reproof. It is as Allah was saying to Messenger Muhammad, ‘How do you busy yourself with what is not your duty?’ In another ayah of the Quran, Allah says, (Indeed, you cannot rightly guide whom you love, but Allah rightly guides whom He wills. He knows best of the rightly guided ones.) [Surah al-Qasas: 56] 

The True Nature of the Worldly Life

Indeed, We have made what is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them as to which of them does the best deed. [7]

Indeed, We shall make what is on it a barren ground. [8]

O Messenger! We, out of Our wisdom, have made whatever is on the earth, e.g. animals, plants, rivers, palaces, etc. adornment for its inhabitants to test them as to who of them will do the best deeds. In other words, who will follow the commands of Allah and who will disobey them; who will swiftly comply with the commands of Allah; and who will not be deceived by the enjoyments of the worldly life. We, out of Our wisdom, are going to make whatever is on earth a barren ground on the Day of Judgment. 

The purpose of the two previous ayat is to further strengthen the heart of Messenger Muhammad and console him because of the sadness he was experiencing due to the disbelievers’ insistence on rejection of Islam.

It is as if Allah was saying to Messenger Muhammad: Go and convey the Islamic message that We have revealed to you; do not care about their insistence on disbelief; and do not feel any grief because of their position. We, out of Our wisdom, have made whatever is on the earth to serve as enjoyments and test for its inhabitants. Thus, those who do good deeds will be distinguished from the evil doers. Moreover, We, out of Our wisdom, will make whatever is on the earth a barren ground on the Day of Judgment. Then We shall call people to account for what they did in worldly life and recompense each person according to his deeds, good or evil. O Messenger! Be patient. Indeed, the disbelievers think that the Day of Judgment will not occur, but it will definitely take place and they will suffer the evil consequences of their disbelief. 

Summary of the Previous Ayat [1-8]

The ayat confirm the following points: Perfect praise is due to Allah alone. The Quran that Allah has revealed to His Messenger Muhammad is free from any deviance. The purpose of revealing the Quran is to give good news to the believers who believe in Islam and do righteous deeds, warn the disbelievers of punishment if they disbelieve in the Oneness of Allah. Allah consoled Messenger Muhammad because he was deeply sad due to the disbelievers’ rejection of Islam. The reality of the worldly life is that Allah has made whatever is on earth to test its inhabitants so the good doers will be distinguished from the evil doers; accordingly, Allah will reward the good doers, and punish the evil doers.

Learned Lessons

• The Quran is free from any deviance. It contains perfect teachings that lead to happiness in the worldly life and the hereafter.
• Pondering on the true nature of the worldly life removes sadness from the heart.
• Invitation do righteous deeds, sincerely comply with Allah’s commands, follow the teachings of Messenger Muhammad, and avoid Allah’s prohibitions. 

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf

English Translation of Surah al-Kahf

Tafsir of Surah al-sra: Ayah 53- 55

Using the Best Manner of Argumentation with the Opponents

Muslims believe in a sublime message sent to guide all humanity to the right path. This belief necessitates that they should embody the noble ethics that the Islamic message represents in their dealings, deeds, and speech. That is because a successful propagator should have a great deal of forbearance, knowledge, leniency, and gentleness in order to be able to convince other people of the validity of his call.

It is a fact that a polite word has attractiveness and charm, affecting the hearts. If sound thinking and a wise method are used with polite words, the result will be convincing the invited people and achieving the desired goal, which is guiding humanity to the straight path of believing in the Oneness of Allah. 

(Tell My slaves that they should say that which is best. Indeed, Satan stirs enmity among them. Verily, Satan is ever an open enemy to man.

Your Lord knows you very well. If He wills, He will have mercy on you, and if He wills, He will torment you. We have not sent you as a guardian over them. 

Your Lord knows very well all those in the heavens and the earth. Indeed, We have favored some Prophets over others, and We gave David the Psalms.) [Quran Surah al-Isra: 53-55] 

Relationship with the Previous Part

 Allah mentioned the indisputable proof, refuting worshipping other gods besides Him, (Say, ‘If there had been other gods besides Allah, as they say, then they would seek to find out a way, leading to the Lord of the Throne.’) [42] He also mentioned the unequivocal evidence confirming the occurrence of resurrection, (They will say, ‘Who will bring us back to life?’ Say, ‘He who created you the first time.’) [51]

 Then Allah has commanded to adopt the best manners and use the best method of argumentation when arguing with opponents. Moreover, Allah has said the duty of the Messenger of Allah is to clearly convey the Islamic message to people and not forcing them to believe in it. Allah has also mentioned that He sent His Messenger to give good news to the believers in the Islamic message and warn the disbelievers in the Islamic message of severe punishment.  

Tafsir 

(Tell My slaves that they should say that which is best. Indeed, Satan stirs enmity among them. Verily, Satan is ever an open enemy to man.) [53]

O Prophet! Tell the believers that when arguing with other people and inviting them to follow the right path, it has to be done in the best manner by using polite and lenient speech. That is because politeness and leniency increase positive feelings and remove negative ones. 

Verily, Satan stirs enmity among people so that discord spreads among them. Satan does his best to incite disagreement among people, as he is their open enemy since the time he refused to prostrate before their father, Adam. 

Then the ayat mention that all creatures will return to Allah, who fully knows their conditions and circumstances. 

(Your Lord knows you very well. If He wills, He will have mercy on you, and if He wills, He will torment you. We have not sent you as a guardian over them.)[ 54]

O people! Allah, your Creator, knows you very well. He knows who deserves to be guided to the straight path and sound belief, and who does not deserve. If He wills, He will have mercy on you, so that He will save you from misguidance, and guide you to the path of obedience and repentance. Likewise, if He wills, He will torment you so that He will not guide you to believe in Him, and accordingly you will die as disbelievers; thus, your final abode will be Hell. 

(We have not sent you as a guardian over them.) 

O Messenger! We have not sent you to be people’s guardian, forcing them to believe in Allah. Rather, We have sent you to clearly convey the Islamic message, give good news to the believers, and warn the disbelievers of severe punishment. 

(Your Lord knows very well all those in the heavens and the earth. Indeed, We have favored some Prophets over others, and We gave David the Psalms.) [55]

O Messenger! Allah is fully aware of those in the heavens and earth. Nothing of their affairs is hidden from Him, Exalted is He. He fully knows the obedient and the disobedient, and who deserves to carry out the noble duty of conveying His message. 

(Indeed, We have favored some Prophets over others, and We gave David the Psalms.)

This is clarification showing Allah’s perfect knowledge, and comprehensive and generous bounty.

Allah, out of His knowledge and wisdom, has favored some Prophets over others, e.g. He spoke directly to Moses, He chose Ibrahim to be His beloved friend, He granted David the Psalms, and He sent Muhammadﷺ to all people. 

Learned Lessons

• Allah has commanded the believers that when arguing with other people, it shall be done by using the best manner of argumentation.

• Satan is an open enemy to people. Thus, they must prevent him from achieving his goals of inciting enmity among them. This can be achieved by using lenient, polite, and respectful manner of communication with each other.

• Allah’s knowledge is comprehensive. He knows all conditions, affairs, and circumstances of the creatures. If He wills, He will make them obedient, and if He wills, He will torment them due to their disobedience and sins. 

• Allah, Exalted is He, has not sent His Messenger Muhammadﷺ to force people to believe in Islam. Rather, Prophet Muhammad’s duty is to convey the Islamic message, give good news to the obedient, and warn the disobedient of painful torment.  

• Not all prophets enjoy the same status. Allah has favored some of them over the others.

• Just as Allah, Exalted is He, revealed the Psalms to David, He revealed the Quran to Muhammadﷺ.  

   

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 49-52

English Translation of Surah al-Isra

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf

Name of Surah al-Kahf

This surah is named after the cave to which the youths, whose story is mentioned in this surah, went for protection. Naming the surah after those youths indicates their noble rank, perpetuates and honors their memory, and appreciates their steadfastness and sacrifice. Moreover, their story is a practical example for whoever seeks protection from trials.

The main theme of surah al-Kahf is how to seek protection from trials. The greatest of which is the trial of the false Messiah, which Messenger Muhammad warned of. 

Virtues of Surah al-Kahf

There is a number of Prophetic narrations about the virtue of surah al-Kahf, among which are the following,

• Abu ad-Drdra’ reported that Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Whoever memorizes ten ayat from the beginning of surah al-Kahf will be immune to trial of the false Messiah.’ 

• Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported that Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Whoever recites surah al-Kahf on Friday, light will illuminate for him between the two Fridays.’ 

• An-Nawas bin Sam’an reported that Messenger Muhammad mentioned the false Messiah. He said, ‘…if he comes out when I am alive, I will suffice to protect you therefrom and triumph over him, using evidence. But if he comes out when I am not alive, then every Muslim should do his best to triumph over him, using evidence, and Allah will protect every Muslim. Indeed, he is a young man with curly hair, and a protuberant eye. I liken him to Abdul-Uzza bin Qatan. Whoever of you meets him let him recite the beginning of surah al-Kahf before him.’ 

Al-Kahf is a Meccy Surah

Surah al-Kahf was revealed in Mecca where Messenger Muhammad and his followers encountered great hardship, suffering, and pain from the disbelievers. The surah reassured Messenger Muhammad and his followers, informing them that believers before them had encountered similar sufferings, but ultimately triumphed over their enemies. 

Number of its Ayat, Words & Letters 

Surah al-Kahf has one thousand, five hundred, and seventy words. It also has six thousand, three hundred, and sixty letters. 

According to the Madany and Meccy counting, there are one hundred and five ayat in surah al-Kahf. However, it contains one hundred and six ayat according to the Shamy counting, one hundred and ten ayat according to the Kufy counting, and one hundred and eleven ayat according to the Basry counting. 

Main Theme of Surah al-Kahf

Surah al-Kahf mentions that one of the most important goals of revealing the Quran is to show how to attain protection from endless and sweeping trials facing man in this life. These trials include but not limited to authority, youthfulness, kinship, wealth, offspring, love of the worldly life, Satan, knowledge, Gog and Magog, and whims.  

The surah sheds light on these trials and warns of their dangers. It also presents the method of protection and salvation. It is to obey Allah, seek His help, have correct conception, demonstrate values, and see the universe and life from a proper angle. It is also to discern the reality of the worldly life, seek the reward of the Hereafter, have righteous companionship, seek beneficial knowledge, worship Allah in the right manner, show patience and firmness, practice good ethics, and learn lessons from the stories of those came before us. 

Relationships in the Surah

• Some scholars said that surah al-Kahf came in line after surah al-Isra in the Quran since surah al-Isra begins with glorification, and surah al-Kahf beings with praising Allah. Both of which typically come together in the Quran and in everyday speech . For example, Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Thus, glorify your Lord, praising Him and be of those who prostrate.) [Q 15:98]

• The Jews caused the disbelievers of Mecca to ask Messenger Muhammad about the true nature of the spirit, the story of the companions of the cave, and the story of Dhu-al-Qarnayn. Allah mentions the answer for the first question at the end of surah al-Isra. Therefore, it was appropriate to put the surah that has the answer for the remaining questions after surah al-Isra. 

• The main theme of surah al-Kahf is mentioning how to seek protection from trials. It also mentions how the youths of the cave sought protection from the disbelievers by hiding in the cave to protect their faith from the oppressors.

• Surah al-Kahf begins by referring to the bounty of revealing of the Quran. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Praise is due to Allah, Who has revealed the Book to His slave and has not made any deviance therein.) [Surah al-Kahf: 1] 

• Surah al-Kahf is concluded with a statement about the ayat of the Quran, whose miracles and meanings are endless. Thus, the conclusion of the surah confirms and reminds of what is mentioned at the beginning. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (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 thereof as replenishment.’)[Surah al-Kahf: 109]

• The beginning of surah al-Kahf refers to the characteristics and goals of the Quran. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Praise is due to Allah, Who has revealed the Book to His slave and has not made any deviance therein. He has made it strictly consistent to warn of severe torment from Him and give good news to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward.) [Surah al-Kahf: 1-2]

• Surah al-Kahf is concluded with showing the nature and duty of Messenger Muhammad, who brought this revelation. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Say, ‘I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your God is One God. Whoever hopes to meet his Lord should do righteous deeds and must not worship no one besides His Lord.’) [Surah al-Kahf: 110]

English Translation of Surah al-Kahf