Chapter 18
Surah Al Kahf (The Cave)
18.21
surah 18 - verse 21
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | And even so We made them stumble upon them, that they might know that God's promise is true, and that the Hour -- there is no doubt of it. When they were contending among themselves of their affair then they said, 'Build over them a building; their Lord knows of them very well.' Said those who prevailed over their affair, 'We will raise over them a place of worship.' |
| Maududi | Thus did We make their case known to the people of the city so that they might know that Allah's promise is true, and that there is absolutely no doubt that the Hour will come to pass. But instead of giving thought to this, they disputed with one another concerning the People of the Cave, some saying: "Build a wall over them. Their Lord alone knows best about them." But those who prevailed over their affairs said: "We shall build a place of worship over them." |
| Pickthall | And in like manner We disclosed them (to the people of the city) that they might know that the promise of Allah is true, and that, as for the Hour, there is no doubt concerning it. When (the people of the city) disputed of their case among themselves, they said: Build over them a building; their Lord knoweth best concerning them. Those who won their point said: We verily shall build a place of worship over them. |
| Sahih | And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allah is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they disputed among themselves about their affair and [then] said, "Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them." Said those who prevailed in the matter, "We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid." |
| Yusuf Ali | 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." |
18.22
surah 18 - verse 22
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | (They will say, 'Three; and 'their dog was the fourth of them.' They will say, 'Five; and their dog was the sixth of them, guessing at the Unseen. They will say, 'Seven; and their dog was the eighth of them.' Say: 'My Lord knows very well their number, and none knows them, except a few.' So do not dispute with them, except in outward disputation, and ask not any of them for a pronouncement on them. |
| Maududi | Some will say concerning them: "They were three and their dog, the fourth"; and some will say: "They were five, and their dog, the sixth" -- all this being merely guesswork; and still others will say: "They were seven, and their dog, the eighth." Say: "My Lord knows their number best. Only a few know their correct number. So do not dispute concerning their number, but stick to what is evident, and do not question anyone about them." |
| Pickthall | (Some) will say: They were three, their dog the fourth, and (some) say: Five, their dog the sixth, guessing at random; and (some) say: Seven, and their dog the eighth. Say (O Muhammad): My Lord is Best Aware of their number. None knoweth them save a few. So contend not concerning them except with an outward contending, and ask not any of them to pronounce concerning them. |
| Sahih | 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 is most knowing of their number. None knows them except a few. So do not argue about them except with an obvious argument and do not inquire about them among [the speculators] from anyone." |
| Yusuf Ali | (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. |
18.23
surah 18 - verse 23
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | And do not say, regarding anything, 'I am going to do that tomorrow,' |
| Maududi | And never say about anything: "I shall certainly do this tomorrow" |
| Pickthall | And say not of anything: Lo! I shall do that tomorrow, |
| Sahih | And never say of anything, "Indeed, I will do that tomorrow," |
| Yusuf Ali | Nor say of anything, "I shall be sure to do so and so tomorrow"- |
18.24
surah 18 - verse 24
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | but only, 'If God will'; and mention thy Lord, when thou forgettest, and say, 'It may be that my Lord will guide me unto something nearer to rectitude than this.') |
| Maududi | unless Allah should will it. And should you forget (and make such a statement), remember your Lord and say: "I expect my Lord to guide me to what is nearer to rectitude than this." |
| Pickthall | Except if Allah will. And remember thy Lord when thou forgettest, and say: It may be that my Lord guideth me unto a nearer way of truth than this. |
| Sahih | Except [when adding], "If Allah wills." And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct." |
| Yusuf Ali | 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." |
18.25
surah 18 - verse 25
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | And they tarried in the Cave three hundred years, and to that they added nine more. |
| Maududi | They remained in the Cave for three hundred years; and others added nine more years. |
| Pickthall | And (it is said) they tarried in their Cave three hundred years and add nine. |
| Sahih | And they remained in their cave for three hundred years and exceeded by nine. |
| Yusuf Ali | So they stayed in their Cave three hundred years, and (some) add nine (more) |
18.26
surah 18 - verse 26
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | Say: 'God knows very well how long they tarried. To Him belongs the Unseen in the heavens and in the earth. How well He sees! How well He hears! They have no protector, apart from Him, and He associates in His government no one.' |
| Maududi | Say: "Allah knows best how long they remained in it, for only He knows all that is hidden in the heavens and the earth. How well He sees; how well He hears! The creatures have no other guardian than Him; He allows none to share His authority." |
| Pickthall | Say: Allah is Best Aware how long they tarried. His is the Invisible of the heavens and the earth. How clear of sight is He and keen of hearing! They have no protecting friend beside Him, and He maketh none to share in His government. |
| Sahih | Say, "Allah is most knowing of how long they remained. He has [knowledge of] the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. How Seeing is He and how Hearing! They have not besides Him any protector, and He shares not His legislation with anyone." |
| Yusuf Ali | Say: "Allah knows best how long they stayed: with Him is (the knowledge of) the secrets of the heavens and the earth: how clearly He sees, how finely He hears (everything)! They have no protector other than Him; nor does He share His Command with any person whatsoever. |
18.27
surah 18 - verse 27
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | Recite what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord; no man can change His words. Apart from Him, thou wilt find no refuge. |
| Maududi | (O Prophet), recite to them from the Book of your Lord what has been revealed to you for none may change His words; (and were you to make any change in His words) you will find no refuge from Him. |
| Pickthall | And recite that which hath been revealed unto thee of the Scripture of thy Lord. There is none who can change His words, and thou wilt find no refuge beside Him. |
| Sahih | And recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no changer of His words, and never will you find in other than Him a refuge. |
| Yusuf Ali | And recite (and teach) what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord: none can change His Words, and none wilt thou find as a refuge other than Him. |
18.28
surah 18 - verse 28
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | And restrain thyself with those who call upon their Lord at morning and evening, desiring His countenance, and let not thine eyes turn away from them, desiring the adornment of the present life; and obey not him whose heart We have made neglectful of Our remembrance so that he follows his own lust, and his affair has become all excess. |
| Maududi | Keep yourself content with those who call upon their Lord, morning and evening, seeking His pleasure, and do not let your eyes pass beyond them. Do you seek the pomp and glitter of the world? Do not follow him whose heart We have caused to be heedless of Our remembrance, and who follows his desires, and whose attitude is of excess. |
| Pickthall | Restrain thyself along with those who cry unto their Lord at morn and evening, seeking His Countenance; and let not thine eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, who followeth his own lust and whose case hath been abandoned. |
| Sahih | And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect. |
| Yusuf Ali | And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life; no obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds. |
18.29
surah 18 - verse 29
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | Say: 'The truth is from your Lord; so let whosoever will believe, and let whosoever will disbelieve.' Surely We have prepared for the evildoers a fire, whose pavilion encompasses them; if they call for succour, they will be succoured with water like molten copper, that shall scald their faces -- how evil a potion, and how evil a resting-place! |
| Maududi | And proclaim: "This is the Truth from your Lord. Now let him who will, believe; and let him who will, disbelieve. We have prepared a Fire for the wrong-doers whose billowing folds encompass them. If they ask for water, they will be served with a drink like dregs of oil that will scald their faces. How dreadful a drink, and how evil an abode! |
| Pickthall | Say: (It is) the truth from the Lord of you (all). Then whosoever will, let him believe, and whosoever will, let him disbelieve. Lo! We have prepared for disbelievers Fire. Its tent encloseth them. If they ask for showers, they will be showered with water like to molten lead which burneth the faces. Calamitous the drink and ill the resting-place! |
| Sahih | And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve." Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them. And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place. |
| Yusuf Ali | 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! |
18.30
surah 18 - verse 30
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | Surely those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness -- surely We leave not to waste the wage of him who does good works; |
| Maududi | As for those who believe and do good We shall not cause their reward to be lost. |
| Pickthall | Lo! as for those who believe and do good works - Lo! We suffer not the reward of one whose work is goodly to be lost. |
| Sahih | Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds. |
| Yusuf Ali | 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. |
18.31
surah 18 - verse 31
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | those -- theirs shall be Gardens of Eden, underneath which rivers flow; therein they shall be adorned with bracelets of gold, and they shall be robed in green garments of silk and brocade, therein reclining upon couches -- O, how excellent a reward! And O, how fair a resting-place! |
| Maududi | They shall dwell in the Gardens of Eternity, beneath which streams flow. There they will be adorned with bracelets of gold, will be arrayed in green garments of silk and rich brocade, and will recline on raised couches. How excellent is their reward, and how nice their resting-place!" |
| Pickthall | As for such, theirs will be Gardens of Eden, wherein rivers flow beneath them; therein they will be given armlets of gold and will wear green robes of finest silk and gold embroidery, reclining upon throne therein. Blest the reward, and fair the resting-place! |
| Sahih | Those will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place. |
| Yusuf Ali | 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! |
18.32
surah 18 - verse 32
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | And strike for them a similitude: two men. To one of them We assigned two gardens of vines, and surrounded them with palm-trees, and between them We set a sown field; |
| Maududi | (O Muhammad), propound a parable to them. There were two men of whom We bestowed upon one of the two vineyards, surrounding both of them with date-palms and putting a tillage in between. |
| Pickthall | Coin for them a similitude: Two men, unto one of whom We had assigned two gardens of grapes, and We had surrounded both with date-palms and had put between them tillage. |
| Sahih | And present to them an example of two men: We granted to one of them two gardens of grapevines, and We bordered them with palm trees and placed between them [fields of] crops. |
| Yusuf Ali | 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. |
18.33
surah 18 - verse 33
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | each of the two gardens yielded its produce and failed naught in any wise; and We caused to gush amidst them a river. |
| Maududi | Both the vineyards yielded abundant produce without failure and We caused a stream to flow in their midst |
| Pickthall | Each of the gardens gave its fruit and withheld naught thereof. And We caused a river to gush forth therein. |
| Sahih | 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. |
| Yusuf Ali | 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. |
18.34
surah 18 - verse 34
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | So he had fruit; and he said to his fellow, as he was conversing with him, 'I have more abundance of wealth than thou and am mightier in respect of men. |
| Maududi | so the owner had fruit in abundance and he said to his neighbour, while conversing with him: "I have greater wealth than you and I am stronger than you in numbers." |
| Pickthall | And he had fruit. And he said unto his comrade, when he spake with him: I am more than thee in wealth, and stronger in respect of men. |
| Sahih | And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, "I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men." |
| Yusuf Ali | (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." |
18.35
surah 18 - verse 35
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | And he entered his garden, wronging himself; he said, 'I do not think that this will ever perish; |
| Maududi | Then he entered his vine-yard and said, wronging himself: "Surely, I do not believe that all this will ever perish. |
| Pickthall | And he went into his garden, while he (thus) wronged himself. He said: I think not that all this will ever perish. |
| Sahih | And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, "I do not think that this will perish - ever. |
| Yusuf Ali | He went into his garden in a state (of mind) unjust to his soul: He said, "I deem not that this will ever perish, |
18.36
surah 18 - verse 36
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | I do not think that the Hour is coming; and if I am indeed returned to my Lord, I shall surely find a better resort than this.' |
| Maududi | Nor do I believe that the Hour of Resurrection will ever come to pass. And even if I am returned to my Lord, I shall find a better place than this." |
| Pickthall | I think not that the Hour will ever come, and if indeed I am brought back unto my Lord I surely shall find better than this as a resort. |
| Sahih | And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return." |
| Yusuf Ali | "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." |
18.37
surah 18 - verse 37
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | Said his fellow, as he was conversing with him, 'What, disbelievest thou in Him who created thee of dust, then of a sperm-drop, then shaped thee as a man? |
| Maududi | While conversing with him his neighbour exclaimed: "Do you deny Him Who created you out of dust, then out of a drop of sperm, and then fashioned you into a complete man? |
| Pickthall | His comrade, when he (thus) spake with him, exclaimed: Disbelievest thou in Him Who created thee of dust, then of a drop (of seed), and then fashioned thee a man? |
| Sahih | His companion said to him while he was conversing with him, "Have you disbelieved in He who created you from dust and then from a sperm-drop and then proportioned you [as] a man? |
| Yusuf Ali | 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? |
18.38
surah 18 - verse 38
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | But lo, He is God, my Lord, and I will not associate with my Lord any one. |
| Maududi | As for myself, Allah alone is my Lord, and I associate none with my Lord in His Divinity. |
| Pickthall | But He is Allah, my Lord, and I ascribe unto my Lord no partner. |
| Sahih | But as for me, He is Allah, my Lord, and I do not associate with my Lord anyone. |
| Yusuf Ali | "But (I think) for my part that He is Allah, My Lord, and none shall I associate with my Lord. |
18.39
surah 18 - verse 39
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | Why, when thou wentest into thy garden, didst thou not say, "As God will; there is no power except in God"? If thou seest me, that I am less than thou in wealth and children, |
| Maududi | When you entered your vineyard, why did you not say: 'Whatever Allah wills shall come to pass, for there is no power save with Allah!' If you find me less than yourself in wealth and children |
| Pickthall | If only, when thou enteredst thy garden, thou hadst said: That which Allah willeth (will come to pass)! There is no strength save in Allah! Though thou seest me as less than thee in wealth and children, |
| Sahih | And why did you, when you entered your garden, not say, 'What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah '? Although you see me less than you in wealth and children, |
| Yusuf Ali | "Why didst thou not, as thou wentest into thy garden, say: 'Allah's will (be done)! There is no power but with Allah!' If thou dost see me less than thee in wealth and sons, |
18.40
surah 18 - verse 40
| translator's name | verse |
| Arberry | yet it may be that my Lord will give me better than thy garden, and loose on it a thunderbolt out of heaven, so that in the morning it will be a slope of dust, |
| Maududi | it may well be that my Lord will give me something better than your vineyard, and send a calamity upon your vineyard from the heavens and it will be reduced to a barren waste, |
| Pickthall | Yet it may be that my Lord will give me better than thy garden, and will send on it a bolt from heaven, and some morning it will be a smooth hillside, |
| Sahih | It may be that my Lord will give me [something] better than your garden and will send upon it a calamity from the sky, and it will become a smooth, dusty ground, |
| Yusuf Ali | "It may be that my Lord will give me something better than thy garden, and that He will send on thy garden thunderbolts (by way of reckoning) from heaven, making it (but) slippery sand!- |