Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf Ayah 22

Some will say, ‘They were three and their dog was the fourth.’ Others will say, ‘They were five, and their dog was the sixth.’ Their statements were conjectures. And others will say, ‘They were seven, and their dog was the eighth.’ Say, ‘My Lord knows best their number. No one knows about their number but a few.’ Thus, do not argue about them, but superficially, nor ask anyone about them.

[Surah al-Kahf: 22]

Tafsir 

The Number of the Young Men of the Cave 

 People at the time of Messenger Muhammad disputed over the number of the young men of the cave. Some people said that they were three and their dog was the fourth. Others said that they were five and their dog was the sixth. Both parties had no proof supporting their statements. They only made conjectures without having any evidence, which indicates that their conjectures were untrue. Moreover, other people said that the young men of the cave were seven and their dog was the eighth. The Quran does not comment on this opinion, which indicates that it was the correct opinion.

 Then the decisive statement about the number of the young men of the cave and information related to their affairs comes. 

(Say, ‘My Lord knows best their number. No one knows about their number but a few.’) 

O Messenger!  Say, ‘My Lord, Allah, knows best the number of the young men of the cave. Allah has not mentioned their number in the Quran. He has commanded us to leave knowledge of any information related to them to Him alone.’ 

The Quran mentions the most important information about the young men of the story. Moreover, the significance of the story is the most important thing that people should focus on. The people of the cave were young men, who fled from their town to protect their belief in the Oneness of Allah so that the disbelievers would not force them to return to disbelief. They went to a cave, where Allah caused them to sleep for a long time. Thus, they became a striking example.

There are certain issues such as their number, their names, and what was the name of their town, that have no bearing on the matter. Therefore, Allah said, (Thus, do not argue about them, but superficially, nor ask anyone about them.) In other words, do not dispute over their number or any information related to the young men of the cave. 

People curiously ask questions about things, such as, when and where the story took place, names and numbers of its characters. They even ask about the name of the dog of the young men of the cave. Such matters are of no bearing to the significance of the story. 

We should note that the stories of the Quran do not mention information about the characters for certain reasons. For example, contemplating the story of the young men of the cave shows us that obscuring its characters serves as clarifying means for the significance of the story. That is because if the Quran tells us, for example, where it took place, some people may say, ‘This story is restricted to that place.’ Therefore, Allah obscures the names of the young men of the cave and where the story took place so that the intended lesson can be learned by spreading the story with such description, i.e. it is not restricted to a particular time, place, or a certain group of people. Supporting and following the truth is obligatory in all circumstances and by all people. 

(Say, ‘My Lord knows best their number. No one knows about their number but a few.’)

O Messenger! Say to those who disputed over the number of the young men of the cave, ‘Allah knows best their number. If you know something about them, it is based on speculation, while Allah’s knowledge about them is certain.’

 Allah confirms that a few people know their number, (No one knows about their number but a few.) However, there is no contradiction between what was stated before it, i.e. Allah knows best their number. That is because the knowledge of a few people who know the number of the young men of the cave is general and speculative, but Allah’s knowledge is certain, detailed, and comprehensive. Moreover, the few people who knew the number of the young men of the cave acquired such knowledge as Allah informed them the matter by revelation, e.g. Messenger Muhammad. 

(Thus, do not argue about them, but superficially, nor ask anyone about them.)

O Messenger! The matter of the young men of the cave is as We, Allah, told you. Thus, do not argue about their matter with those who disputed over them except to the extent provided to you in the Quran, and do not ask anyone about their story because what We revealed to you is sufficient.

Translation and Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 21

English Translation of Surah al-Kahf

 

The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl Ayah 80

Allah has made your houses places of settling for you. And He has made for you from the hides of the cattle houses that you easily carry when traveling and settling, and from their wool, fur, and hair, you make furniture, which you enjoy for a while. [Quran Surah an-Nahl: 80] 

Allah has made your houses places of settling where you settle and find comfort. Indeed, no one can truly appreciate the blessing of settling in a house and finding security and safety therein except a person who has lost it and could not find a secure, safe, and comfortable dwelling.

The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl Translation and Tafsir

The Noble Quran English Translation of Surah an-Nahl

Tasir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah: 78 -81

Commandments and Guidelines to Messenger Muhammad

Firm following of the teachings of Islam, seeking Allah’s help, constant performance of the prayers, and avoiding falsehood and its followers are signs, denoting the Muslims’ adherence to Islam. These fundamental factors make Muslims have strong belief. Thus, they must always pray to Allah to help and guide them to follow the teachings of Islam and make their belief firm. 

(Perform the prayer from the sun’s decline until nightfall, and perform the dawn prayer. Indeed, recitation of the Quran at dawn is well- attended.

During the night, perform a voluntary prayer, reciting the Quran. Your Lord will raise you to a praised position.

Say, ‘O my Lord! Make me enter on all my affairs a truthful entrance, make me end them a truthful end, and grant me, from You, a supporting authority.’

Say, ‘The truth has come, and the falsehood has vanished. Indeed, falsehood is ever bound to vanish.’)[Quran Surah al-Isra: 78-81]

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous part discussed establishing the creed of belief in the Oneness of Allah, the occurrence of the Day of Judgment, and the truthfulness of the Messengers of Allah. 

Then Allah commanded Messenger Muhammad to perform righteous deeds, the greatest of which is performing the prayer. He commanded His Messenger to constantly worship Him alone, and not worry himself about the cunning and plots of the disbelievers. Allah would protect him from their evil plots and make him victorious.

  

Tafsir

(Perform the prayer from the sun’s decline until nightfall, and perform the dawn prayer. Indeed, recitation of the Quran at dawn is well- attended.) [78]

O Messenger! Perform the obligatory prayers at their appointed times from the time of the sun’s decline until nightfall. 

These prayers include the noon prayer, mid-day prayer, evening prayer, and night prayer. 

The ayah addressed Messenger Muhammad and his nation is included the addressing. 

(And perform the dawn prayer. Indeed, recitation of the Quran at dawn is well- attended.)

O Messenger! Perform the dawn prayer. Verily, the angels of night and day witness the dawn prayer. At dawn time, the angels of day descend, and the angels of night ascend to the heaven. 

Recitation of the Quran during the dawn prayer is specifically mentioned, and it is said that the angels of day and night witness it in order to motivate Muslims to perform it in congregation and to refer to the virtue of long recitation of the Quran therein. 

Abu Hurarya, may Allah be pleased with him, said, I heard the Messenger of Allah saying, ‘The reward of a congregational prayer is twenty-five times greater than a prayer that a person affords alone. The angels of the night and day gather at the time of dawn prayer.’ Abu Hurarya said, ‘Recite if you wish: (Indeed, recitation of the Quran at dawn is well- attended.)’ 

Then Allah instructs the believers to practice another act of worship that purifies and elevates the soul, and helps it to overcome pains and worries. 

(During the night, perform a voluntary prayer, reciting the Quran. Your Lord will raise you to a praised position.) [79]

O Messenger! Wake up at night, and perform the voluntary night prayer, reciting the Quran. This night prayer will elevate your status. Verily, Allah, your Lord, will resurrect you on the Day of Judgment. He will make you intercede for people asking Allah to have His mercy on them, as they will be suffering great horrors. The people will praise the status that you will have then. 

Abu Hurarya, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Messenger Muhammad said about, (Your Lord will raise you to a praised status.), ‘It is the praised status, in which I will intercede for my nation.’ 

Then Allah commanded Messenger Muhammad to constantly ask Allah’s help and invoke Him to guide him to what pleases Him. 

 (Say, ‘O my Lord! Make me enter on all my affairs a truthful entrance, make me end them a truthful end, and grant me, from You, a supporting authority.’) [80]

Al-Baghawy said, ‘The scholars of Tafsir differ about the interpretation of (Say, ‘O my Lord! Make me enter on all my affairs a truthful entrance, make me end them a truthful end, and grant me, from You, a supporting authority.’) Ibn Abbas, al-Hassan, and Qatãda said that it means ‘O Allah! Make me enter al-Madinah a truthful entrance, and make me leave Mecca a truthful departure.’ It was revealed when Messenger Muhammad was commanded to migrate to al-Madinah.’ Ad-Dahãk said, ‘O Allah! Make me leave Mecca a truthful departure, protect me from the danger of the disbelievers, and make me enter Mecca a truthful entrance, and grant me victory over the disbelievers.’ Mujãhid said, ‘O Allah! Make me enter on the message You sent me with a truthful entrance, and make me leave this world after fulfilling my obligations so that I leave it a truthful departure.’ Al-Hassan said, ‘O Allah! Make me enter a truthful entrance to Paradise, and make me leave Mecca a truthful departure.’ It was also said, ‘O Allah! Make me enter on Your obedience, and make me leave Your disobedience.’’ 

Ibn Attya said, ‘The best apparent meaning of the ayah is that it is invocation, in which Messenger Muhammad was instructed to ask Allah to facilitate all his affairs, travels, and whatever things he might encounter in this world and  after dying. Thus, the meaning of the ayah is general.’ 

(…and grant me, from You, a supporting authority.)

O Allah! Grant me a supporting authority that will make me victorious over my enemies, and grant me strength that will help me to establish Islam, and eradicate worshipping other gods besides You.

Qatãda said, ‘Indeed, Messenger Muhammad knew that he could not manage the affairs of Islamic message unless he had authority. Thus, he asked Allah to grant him a supporting authority that upholds the Quran, penalties legislated by the Islamic law, and obligations Allah has ordained. Verily, authority is mercy that Allah grants His slaves; otherwise, they would attack one another and accordingly the strong would destroy the weak.’ 

Then Allah told Messenger Muhammad the good news that victory definitely would come.

(Say, ‘The truth has come, and the falsehood has vanished. Indeed, falsehood is ever bound to vanish.’) [81]

Truth in the ayah refers to the Islamic creed, rules, and teachings that Allah sent Messenger Muhammad to convey. 

Falsehood in the ayah refers to disbelief, worshipping other gods besides Allah, and sins that Allah has prohibited.

O Messenger! Say, thanking Allah, and acknowledging His blessings, ‘The truth, i.e. Islam, has come, and will prevail over all false beliefs, and falsehood has vanished. Indeed, falsehood is ever bound to vanish as it is baseless.’

When commenting on this ayah, the commentators of the Quran mention the following hadith: Abudul-Allah bin Mas’ûd, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that when Messenger Muhammad entered Mecca, there were three hundred and sixty idols around the Ka’ba. Then he began to thrust them with a stick that was in his hand, saying, ‘The truth has come, and the falsehood has vanished. Indeed, falsehood is ever bound to vanish.).’ 

Learned Lessons

• (Perform the prayer from the sun’s decline…), the ayah is evidence, indicating that the five daily prayers are obligatory. It also generally refers to their appointed times, which the Sunnah of Messenger has given a detailed description thereof.

• (Indeed, recitation of the Quran at dawn is well- attended.), recitation of the Quran during the prayers is required. Moreover, the angels of the night and day witness the dawn prayer.

• It is recommended to pray a voluntary prayer at night. 

• Messenger Muhammad will attain the praised status on the Day of Judgment, i.e. interceding for his nation.

• Messenger Muhammad had the best status in this world and will have best status in the Hereafter. It includes every entering on and ending of an affair, e.g. entering al-Madinah, and leaving Mecca. 

• Messenger Muhammad had the strongest evidence and authority. Allah made him defeat his enemies and granted him victory. 

Tafsir Surah al-Isra: Ayah 73-77

English Translation of Surah al-Isra

The Youth of the Cave in Town after Centuries

Translation and Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 21

Similarly, We caused them to be found so that they would know that Allah’s promise is true, and that the Hour undoubtedly will occur. Then they were in dispute about their matter. They said, ‘Build a structure over them. Their Lord knows best about them.’ Those who had authority then said, ‘We shall surely build a mosque over their place.’ 

[Surah al-Kahf: 21]

Tafsir

The surah goes on depicting another event related to the story of the young men of the cave after they were found by the people of the town. It strikingly reveals Allah’s Omnipotence, and Wisdom. 

Similarly, We caused them to be found so that they would know that Allah’s promise is true, and that the Hour undoubtedly will occur. Then they were in dispute about their matter. They said, ‘Build a structure over them. Their Lord knows best about them.’ Those who had authority then said, ‘We shall surely build a mosque over their place.’ [21]

The ayah sets forth the rationale for making the people of the town know about the young men of the cave. 

Just as We, Allah, made the young men sleep for a long time, and caused them to be raised, We made the people of the town know about them so that they would know that resurrection would certainly take place on the Day of Judgment. 

Whoever saw the young men of the cave, and knew of their affairs would be certain that the One, who was able to make them sleep for so long time, and then raise them again, is able to bring the dead back to life. Moreover, Allah will resurrect people on the Day of Judgment, call them to account for what they did in the worldly life and recompense them according to their deeds.

 The scholars mention how the people of the town knew about the young men of the cave. The person whom the young men of the cave sent to the town to buy them food went to the market. When he bought the food, he gave the seller the silver coins. When the seller saw the coins, he was astonished because the coins went back to a very early time. Then he made other merchants see him. They asked him about where he found the coins. He told them about his story and his fellows who fled from the town because they feared that the disbelievers would persecute them. The people took that person to their king and told him about his story. Then the king went with that person to the cave to see his fellows. When he saw them, he welcomed them. Then Allah caused the young men of the cave to die.

Then the ayah narrates what happened after the young men died.

(Then they were in dispute about their matter. They said, ‘Build a structure over them. Their Lord knows best about them.’ Those who had authority then said, ‘We shall surely build a mosque over their place.’) 

The people who found the young men of the cave disputed over them. Some of them said that they should build a structure over their place, so the people would not reach out to them.  

(Their Lord knows best about them.)

Some scholars believe that the disputing people said this statement. They said, ‘Leave their matter to Allah. He knows best about their affairs.’ Other scholars maintain that Allah said this statement that is to say, leave this dispute.  Allah, knows best about their affairs. 

(Those who had authority then said, ‘We shall surely build a mosque over their place.’) 

The people who had authority and power then said, ‘We shall build a mosque over their graves so that we shall worship Allah there.’ 

It is prohibited to build mosques over graves and worship Allah there in Islam. Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Allah has cursed the Jews and Christians. They have made their prophets’ graves places for prayer.’ 

Tafsir of Surah al-kahf Ayah: 19-20

English Translation of Surah al-Kahf