The Cave
بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Mercifulالحَمدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذى أَنزَلَ عَلىٰ عَبدِهِ الكِتٰبَ وَلَم يَجعَل لَهُ عِوَجا ۜ
Praise GOD, who revealed to His servant this scripture, and made it flawless.قَيِّمًا لِيُنذِرَ بَأسًا شَديدًا مِن لَدُنهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ المُؤمِنينَ الَّذينَ يَعمَلونَ الصّٰلِحٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُم أَجرًا حَسَنًا
A perfect (scripture) to warn of severe retribution from Him, and to deliver good news to the believers who lead a righteous life, that they have earned a generous recompense.مٰكِثينَ فيهِ أَبَدًا
Wherein they abide forever.Cited in
وَيُنذِرَ الَّذينَ قالُوا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ وَلَدًا
And to warn those who said, "GOD has begotten a son!"Cited in
ما لَهُم بِهِ مِن عِلمٍ وَلا لِءابائِهِم ۚ كَبُرَت كَلِمَةً تَخرُجُ مِن أَفوٰهِهِم ۚ إِن يَقولونَ إِلّا كَذِبًا
They possess no knowledge about this, nor did their parents. What a blasphemy coming out of their mouths! What they utter is a gross lie.فَلَعَلَّكَ بٰخِعٌ نَفسَكَ عَلىٰ ءاثٰرِهِم إِن لَم يُؤمِنوا بِهٰذَا الحَديثِ أَسَفًا
You may blame yourself on account of their response to this narration, and their disbelieving in it; you may be saddened.Cited in
Subject indexBlameHadithMessage › disregardingSaddened
The End of the World*
إِنّا جَعَلنا ما عَلَى الأَرضِ زينَةً لَها لِنَبلُوَهُم أَيُّهُم أَحسَنُ عَمَلًا
We have adorned everything on earth, in order to test them, and thus distinguish those among them who work righteousness.Cited in
Subject indexCreation › purpose ofTests › being put to the
وَإِنّا لَجٰعِلونَ ما عَلَيها صَعيدًا جُرُزًا
Inevitably, we will wipe out everything on it, leaving it completely barren.*Cited in
Subject indexWorld › unveiling end of
The Dwellers of the Cave
أَم حَسِبتَ أَنَّ أَصحٰبَ الكَهفِ وَالرَّقيمِ كانوا مِن ءايٰتِنا عَجَبًا
Why else do you think we are telling you about the people of the cave, and the numbers connected with them? They are among our wondrous signs.إِذ أَوَى الفِتيَةُ إِلَى الكَهفِ فَقالوا رَبَّنا ءاتِنا مِن لَدُنكَ رَحمَةً وَهَيِّئ لَنا مِن أَمرِنا رَشَدًا
When the youths took refuge in the cave, they said, "Our Lord, shower us with Your mercy, and bless our affairs with Your guidance."Cited in
Subject indexCave › people of theYouth
فَضَرَبنا عَلىٰ ءاذانِهِم فِى الكَهفِ سِنينَ عَدَدًا
We then sealed their ears in the cave for a predetermined number of years.Cited in
Subject indexCave › people of theEarsYear
ثُمَّ بَعَثنٰهُم لِنَعلَمَ أَىُّ الحِزبَينِ أَحصىٰ لِما لَبِثوا أَمَدًا
Then we resurrected them to see which of the two parties could count the duration of their stay therein.Cited in
Subject indexCave › people of theResurrectedTwo
نَحنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيكَ نَبَأَهُم بِالحَقِّ ۚ إِنَّهُم فِتيَةٌ ءامَنوا بِرَبِّهِم وَزِدنٰهُم هُدًى
We narrate to you their history, truthfully. They were youths who believed in their Lord, and we increased their guidance.Cited in
وَرَبَطنا عَلىٰ قُلوبِهِم إِذ قاموا فَقالوا رَبُّنا رَبُّ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالأَرضِ لَن نَدعُوَا۟ مِن دونِهِ إِلٰهًا ۖ لَقَد قُلنا إِذًا شَطَطًا
We strengthened their hearts when they stood up and proclaimed: "Our only Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We will never worship any other god beside Him. Otherwise, we would be far astray.Cited in
هٰؤُلاءِ قَومُنَا اتَّخَذوا مِن دونِهِ ءالِهَةً ۖ لَولا يَأتونَ عَلَيهِم بِسُلطٰنٍ بَيِّنٍ ۖ فَمَن أَظلَمُ مِمَّنِ افتَرىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا
"Here are our people setting up gods beside Him. If only they could provide any proof to support their stand! Who is more evil than the one who fabricates lies and attributes them to GOD?
The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus*
وَإِذِ اعتَزَلتُموهُم وَما يَعبُدونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ فَأوۥا إِلَى الكَهفِ يَنشُر لَكُم رَبُّكُم مِن رَحمَتِهِ وَيُهَيِّئ لَكُم مِن أَمرِكُم مِرفَقًا
"Since you wish to avoid them, and their worshiping of other than GOD,* let us take refuge in the cave. May your Lord shower you with His mercy and direct you to the right decision."Cited in
A Guiding Teacher is a Prerequisite
وَتَرَى الشَّمسَ إِذا طَلَعَت تَزٰوَرُ عَن كَهفِهِم ذاتَ اليَمينِ وَإِذا غَرَبَت تَقرِضُهُم ذاتَ الشِّمالِ وَهُم فى فَجوَةٍ مِنهُ ۚ ذٰلِكَ مِن ءايٰتِ اللَّهِ ۗ مَن يَهدِ اللَّهُ فَهُوَ المُهتَدِ ۖ وَمَن يُضلِل فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ وَلِيًّا مُرشِدًا
You could see the sun when it rose coming from the right side of their cave, and when it set, it shone on them from the left, as they slept in the hollow thereof. This is one of GOD's portents.* Whomever GOD guides is the truly guided one, and whomever He sends astray, you will not find for him a guiding teacher.وَتَحسَبُهُم أَيقاظًا وَهُم رُقودٌ ۚ وَنُقَلِّبُهُم ذاتَ اليَمينِ وَذاتَ الشِّمالِ ۖ وَكَلبُهُم بٰسِطٌ ذِراعَيهِ بِالوَصيدِ ۚ لَوِ اطَّلَعتَ عَلَيهِم لَوَلَّيتَ مِنهُم فِرارًا وَلَمُلِئتَ مِنهُم رُعبًا
You would think that they were awake, when they were in fact asleep. We turned them to the right side and the left side, while their dog stretched his arms in their midst. Had you looked at them, you would have fled from them, stricken with terror.Cited in
Subject indexCave › people of theDogsTerror
وَكَذٰلِكَ بَعَثنٰهُم لِيَتَساءَلوا بَينَهُم ۚ قالَ قائِلٌ مِنهُم كَم لَبِثتُم ۖ قالوا لَبِثنا يَومًا أَو بَعضَ يَومٍ ۚ قالوا رَبُّكُم أَعلَمُ بِما لَبِثتُم فَابعَثوا أَحَدَكُم بِوَرِقِكُم هٰذِهِ إِلَى المَدينَةِ فَليَنظُر أَيُّها أَزكىٰ طَعامًا فَليَأتِكُم بِرِزقٍ مِنهُ وَليَتَلَطَّف وَلا يُشعِرَنَّ بِكُم أَحَدًا
When we resurrected them, they asked each other, "How long have you been here?" "We have been here one day or part of the day," they answered. "Your Lord knows best how long we stayed here, so let us send one of us with this money to the city. Let him fetch the cleanest food, and buy some for us. Let him keep a low profile, and attract no attention.Cited in
إِنَّهُم إِن يَظهَروا عَلَيكُم يَرجُموكُم أَو يُعيدوكُم فى مِلَّتِهِم وَلَن تُفلِحوا إِذًا أَبَدًا
"If they discover you, they will stone you, or force you to revert to their religion, then you can never succeed."
Connection With the End of the World*
وَكَذٰلِكَ أَعثَرنا عَلَيهِم لِيَعلَموا أَنَّ وَعدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّ السّاعَةَ لا رَيبَ فيها إِذ يَتَنٰزَعونَ بَينَهُم أَمرَهُم ۖ فَقالُوا ابنوا عَلَيهِم بُنيٰنًا ۖ رَبُّهُم أَعلَمُ بِهِم ۚ قالَ الَّذينَ غَلَبوا عَلىٰ أَمرِهِم لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيهِم مَسجِدًا
We caused them to be discovered, to let everyone know that GOD's promise is true, and to remove all doubt concerning the end of the world.* The people then disputed among themselves regarding them. Some said, "Let us build a building around them." Their Lord is the best knower about them. Those who prevailed said, "We will build a place of worship around them."Cited in
سَيَقولونَ ثَلٰثَةٌ رابِعُهُم كَلبُهُم وَيَقولونَ خَمسَةٌ سادِسُهُم كَلبُهُم رَجمًا بِالغَيبِ ۖ وَيَقولونَ سَبعَةٌ وَثامِنُهُم كَلبُهُم ۚ قُل رَبّى أَعلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم ما يَعلَمُهُم إِلّا قَليلٌ ۗ فَلا تُمارِ فيهِم إِلّا مِراءً ظٰهِرًا وَلا تَستَفتِ فيهِم مِنهُم أَحَدًا
Some would say, "They were three; their dog being the fourth," while others would say, "Five; the sixth being their dog," as they guessed. Others said, "Seven," and the eighth was their dog. Say, "My Lord is the best knower of their number." Only a few knew the correct number. Therefore, do not argue with them; just go along with them. You need not consult anyone about this.
Remembering God Every Chance We Get
وَلا تَقولَنَّ لِشَا۟يءٍ إِنّى فاعِلٌ ذٰلِكَ غَدًا
You shall not say that you will do anything in the future,إِلّا أَن يَشاءَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَاذكُر رَبَّكَ إِذا نَسيتَ وَقُل عَسىٰ أَن يَهدِيَنِ رَبّى لِأَقرَبَ مِن هٰذا رَشَدًا
without saying, "GOD willing."* If you forget to do this, you must immediately remember your Lord and say, "May my Lord guide me to do better next time."
[300 + 9]*
وَلَبِثوا فى كَهفِهِم ثَلٰثَ مِا۟ئَةٍ سِنينَ وَازدادوا تِسعًا
They stayed in their cave three hundred years, increased by nine.*Cited in
Subject indexCave › people of theNineThree hundred
قُلِ اللَّهُ أَعلَمُ بِما لَبِثوا ۖ لَهُ غَيبُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالأَرضِ ۖ أَبصِر بِهِ وَأَسمِع ۚ ما لَهُم مِن دونِهِ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلا يُشرِكُ فى حُكمِهِ أَحَدًا
Say, "GOD is the best knower of how long they stayed there." He knows all secrets in the heavens and the earth. By His grace you can see; by His grace you can hear. There is none beside Him as Lord and Master, and He never permits any partners to share in His kingship.وَاتلُ ما أوحِىَ إِلَيكَ مِن كِتابِ رَبِّكَ ۖ لا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمٰتِهِ وَلَن تَجِدَ مِن دونِهِ مُلتَحَدًا
You shall recite what is revealed to you of your Lord's scripture. Nothing shall abrogate His words, and you shall not find any other source beside it.
Quranic Study Groups
وَاصبِر نَفسَكَ مَعَ الَّذينَ يَدعونَ رَبَّهُم بِالغَدوٰةِ وَالعَشِىِّ يُريدونَ وَجهَهُ ۖ وَلا تَعدُ عَيناكَ عَنهُم تُريدُ زينَةَ الحَيوٰةِ الدُّنيا ۖ وَلا تُطِع مَن أَغفَلنا قَلبَهُ عَن ذِكرِنا وَاتَّبَعَ هَوىٰهُ وَكانَ أَمرُهُ فُرُطًا
You shall force yourself to be with those who worship their Lord day and night, seeking Him alone. Do not turn your eyes away from them, seeking the vanities of this world. Nor shall you obey one whose heart we rendered oblivious to our message; one who pursues his own desires, and whose priorities are confused.
Absolute Freedom of Religion
وَقُلِ الحَقُّ مِن رَبِّكُم ۖ فَمَن شاءَ فَليُؤمِن وَمَن شاءَ فَليَكفُر ۚ إِنّا أَعتَدنا لِلظّٰلِمينَ نارًا أَحاطَ بِهِم سُرادِقُها ۚ وَإِن يَستَغيثوا يُغاثوا بِماءٍ كَالمُهلِ يَشوِى الوُجوهَ ۚ بِئسَ الشَّرابُ وَساءَت مُرتَفَقًا
Proclaim: "This is the truth from your Lord," then whoever wills let him believe, and whoever wills let him disbelieve. We have prepared for the transgressors a fire that will completely surround them. When they scream for help, they will be given a liquid like concentrated acid that scalds the faces. What a miserable drink! What a miserable destiny!إِنَّ الَّذينَ ءامَنوا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ إِنّا لا نُضيعُ أَجرَ مَن أَحسَنَ عَمَلًا
As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, we never fail to recompense those who work righteousness.Cited in
Subject indexRewards › from GodWorks › righteous
أُولٰئِكَ لَهُم جَنّٰتُ عَدنٍ تَجرى مِن تَحتِهِمُ الأَنهٰرُ يُحَلَّونَ فيها مِن أَساوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلبَسونَ ثِيابًا خُضرًا مِن سُندُسٍ وَإِستَبرَقٍ مُتَّكِـٔينَ فيها عَلَى الأَرائِكِ ۚ نِعمَ الثَّوابُ وَحَسُنَت مُرتَفَقًا
They have deserved gardens of Eden wherein rivers flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and will wear clothes of green silk and velvet, and will rest on comfortable furnishings. What a wonderful reward; what a wonderful abode!
Property as an Idol*
وَاضرِب لَهُم مَثَلًا رَجُلَينِ جَعَلنا لِأَحَدِهِما جَنَّتَينِ مِن أَعنٰبٍ وَحَفَفنٰهُما بِنَخلٍ وَجَعَلنا بَينَهُما زَرعًا
Cite for them the example of two men: we gave one of them two gardens of grapes, surrounded by date palms, and placed other crops between them.كِلتَا الجَنَّتَينِ ءاتَت أُكُلَها وَلَم تَظلِم مِنهُ شَيـًٔا ۚ وَفَجَّرنا خِلٰلَهُما نَهَرًا
Both gardens produced their crops on time, and generously, for we caused a river to run through them.Cited in
وَكانَ لَهُ ثَمَرٌ فَقالَ لِصٰحِبِهِ وَهُوَ يُحاوِرُهُ أَنا۠ أَكثَرُ مِنكَ مالًا وَأَعَزُّ نَفَرًا
Once, after harvesting, he boastfully told his friend: "I am far more prosperous than you, and I command more respect from the people."Cited in
وَدَخَلَ جَنَّتَهُ وَهُوَ ظالِمٌ لِنَفسِهِ قالَ ما أَظُنُّ أَن تَبيدَ هٰذِهِ أَبَدًا
When he entered his garden, he wronged his soul by saying, "I do not think that this will ever end.وَما أَظُنُّ السّاعَةَ قائِمَةً وَلَئِن رُدِدتُ إِلىٰ رَبّى لَأَجِدَنَّ خَيرًا مِنها مُنقَلَبًا
"Moreover, I think this is it; I do not think that the Hour (the Hereafter) will ever come to pass. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will (be clever enough to) possess an even better one over there."قالَ لَهُ صاحِبُهُ وَهُوَ يُحاوِرُهُ أَكَفَرتَ بِالَّذى خَلَقَكَ مِن تُرابٍ ثُمَّ مِن نُطفَةٍ ثُمَّ سَوّىٰكَ رَجُلًا
His friend said to him, as he debated with him, "Have you disbelieved in the One who created you from dust, then from a tiny drop, then perfected you into a man?لٰكِنّا۠ هُوَ اللَّهُ رَبّى وَلا أُشرِكُ بِرَبّى أَحَدًا
"As for me, GOD is my Lord, and I will never set up any other god besides my Lord.Cited in
Important Commandment
وَلَولا إِذ دَخَلتَ جَنَّتَكَ قُلتَ ما شاءَ اللَّهُ لا قُوَّةَ إِلّا بِاللَّهِ ۚ إِن تَرَنِ أَنا۠ أَقَلَّ مِنكَ مالًا وَوَلَدًا
"When you entered your garden, you should have said, 'This is what GOD has given me (Mã Shã Allãh). No one possesses power except GOD (Lã Quwwata Ellã Bellãh).' You may see that I possess less money and less children than you.Cited in
فَعَسىٰ رَبّى أَن يُؤتِيَنِ خَيرًا مِن جَنَّتِكَ وَيُرسِلَ عَلَيها حُسبانًا مِنَ السَّماءِ فَتُصبِحَ صَعيدًا زَلَقًا
"My Lord may grant me better than your garden. He may send a violent storm from the sky that wipes out your garden, leaving it completely barren.Cited in
أَو يُصبِحَ ماؤُها غَورًا فَلَن تَستَطيعَ لَهُ طَلَبًا
"Or, its water may sink deeper, out of your reach."وَأُحيطَ بِثَمَرِهِ فَأَصبَحَ يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّيهِ عَلىٰ ما أَنفَقَ فيها وَهِىَ خاوِيَةٌ عَلىٰ عُروشِها وَيَقولُ يٰلَيتَنى لَم أُشرِك بِرَبّى أَحَدًا
Indeed, his crops were wiped out, and he ended up sorrowful, lamenting what he had spent on it in vain, as his property lay barren. He finally said, "I wish I never set up my property as a god beside my Lord."Cited in
وَلَم تَكُن لَهُ فِئَةٌ يَنصُرونَهُ مِن دونِ اللَّهِ وَما كانَ مُنتَصِرًا
No force on earth could have helped him against GOD, nor was it possible for him to receive any help.Cited in
Subject indexJews › false doctrines
هُنالِكَ الوَلٰيَةُ لِلَّهِ الحَقِّ ۚ هُوَ خَيرٌ ثَوابًا وَخَيرٌ عُقبًا
That is because the only true Lord and master is GOD; He provides the best recompense, and with Him is the best destiny.وَاضرِب لَهُم مَثَلَ الحَيوٰةِ الدُّنيا كَماءٍ أَنزَلنٰهُ مِنَ السَّماءِ فَاختَلَطَ بِهِ نَباتُ الأَرضِ فَأَصبَحَ هَشيمًا تَذروهُ الرِّيٰحُ ۗ وَكانَ اللَّهُ عَلىٰ كُلِّ شَيءٍ مُقتَدِرًا
Cite for them the example of this life as water that we send down from the sky to produce plants of the earth, then they turn into hay that is blown away by the wind. GOD is able to do all things.
Rearranging Our Priorities
المالُ وَالبَنونَ زينَةُ الحَيوٰةِ الدُّنيا ۖ وَالبٰقِيٰتُ الصّٰلِحٰتُ خَيرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوابًا وَخَيرٌ أَمَلًا
Money and children are the joys of this life, but the righteous works provide an eternal recompense from your Lord, and a far better hope.Cited in
Subject indexChildren › testHopeMoney › a testPriority
وَيَومَ نُسَيِّرُ الجِبالَ وَتَرَى الأَرضَ بارِزَةً وَحَشَرنٰهُم فَلَم نُغادِر مِنهُم أَحَدًا
The day will come when we wipe out the mountains, and you will see the earth barren. We will summon them all, not leaving out a single one of them.Cited in
Subject indexGathering › soulsMountains › on Day of Resurrection
وَعُرِضوا عَلىٰ رَبِّكَ صَفًّا لَقَد جِئتُمونا كَما خَلَقنٰكُم أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۚ بَل زَعَمتُم أَلَّن نَجعَلَ لَكُم مَوعِدًا
They will be presented before your Lord in a row. You have come to us as individuals, just as we created you initially. Indeed, this is what you claimed will never happen.Cited in
وَوُضِعَ الكِتٰبُ فَتَرَى المُجرِمينَ مُشفِقينَ مِمّا فيهِ وَيَقولونَ يٰوَيلَتَنا مالِ هٰذَا الكِتٰبِ لا يُغادِرُ صَغيرَةً وَلا كَبيرَةً إِلّا أَحصىٰها ۚ وَوَجَدوا ما عَمِلوا حاضِرًا ۗ وَلا يَظلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدًا
The record will be shown, and you will see the guilty fearful of its contents. They will say, "Woe to us. How come this book leaves nothing, small or large, without counting it?" They will find everything they had done brought forth. Your Lord is never unjust towards anyone.Cited in
Classification of God's Creatures
وَإِذ قُلنا لِلمَلٰئِكَةِ اسجُدوا لِءادَمَ فَسَجَدوا إِلّا إِبليسَ كانَ مِنَ الجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَن أَمرِ رَبِّهِ ۗ أَفَتَتَّخِذونَهُ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُ أَولِياءَ مِن دونى وَهُم لَكُم عَدُوٌّ ۚ بِئسَ لِلظّٰلِمينَ بَدَلًا
We said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam." They fell prostrate, except Satan. He became a jinn, for he disobeyed the order of His Lord.* Will you choose him and his descendants as lords instead of Me, even though they are your enemies? What a miserable substitute!Cited in
Subject indexAdam › angels prostrate beforeAngels › creation of manCreatures (see also Animals, Birds & specific names) › classification ofEnemies › of God, believers & messengersIblis (see also Satan)Jinns (see also Companions,Devils) › creation ofJinns (see also Companions,Devils) › descendants of SatanProstration (see also Contact prayer) › angelsProstration (see also Contact prayer) › commandedProstration (see also Contact prayer) › Satan refusedSatan (see also devils, Iblis) › feudSubstitute
ما أَشهَدتُهُم خَلقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالأَرضِ وَلا خَلقَ أَنفُسِهِم وَما كُنتُ مُتَّخِذَ المُضِلّينَ عَضُدًا
I never permitted them to witness the creation of the heavens and the earth, nor the creation of themselves. Nor do I permit the wicked to work in My kingdom.Cited in
وَيَومَ يَقولُ نادوا شُرَكاءِىَ الَّذينَ زَعَمتُم فَدَعَوهُم فَلَم يَستَجيبوا لَهُم وَجَعَلنا بَينَهُم مَوبِقًا
The day will come when He says, "Call upon My partners, whom you claimed to be gods beside Me," they will call on them, but they will not respond to them. An insurmountable barrier will separate them from each other.Cited in
Subject indexBarrierIdol worship › idols powerless
وَرَءَا المُجرِمونَ النّارَ فَظَنّوا أَنَّهُم مُواقِعوها وَلَم يَجِدوا عَنها مَصرِفًا
The guilty will see Hell, and will realize that they will fall into it. They will have no escape therefrom.Cited in
Subject indexEvading › hell
Disbelievers Refuse to Accept the Completeness of the Quran
وَلَقَد صَرَّفنا فى هٰذَا القُرءانِ لِلنّاسِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ ۚ وَكانَ الإِنسٰنُ أَكثَرَ شَيءٍ جَدَلًا
We have cited in this Quran every kind of example, but the human being is the most argumentative creature.Cited in
Subject indexArgueHumans › faults
وَما مَنَعَ النّاسَ أَن يُؤمِنوا إِذ جاءَهُمُ الهُدىٰ وَيَستَغفِروا رَبَّهُم إِلّا أَن تَأتِيَهُم سُنَّةُ الأَوَّلينَ أَو يَأتِيَهُمُ العَذابُ قُبُلًا
Nothing prevented the people from believing, when the guidance came to them, and from seeking the forgiveness of their Lord, except that they demanded to see the same (kind of miracles) as the previous generations, or challenged to see the retribution beforehand.وَما نُرسِلُ المُرسَلينَ إِلّا مُبَشِّرينَ وَمُنذِرينَ ۚ وَيُجٰدِلُ الَّذينَ كَفَروا بِالبٰطِلِ لِيُدحِضوا بِهِ الحَقَّ ۖ وَاتَّخَذوا ءايٰتى وَما أُنذِروا هُزُوًا
We only send the messengers as simply deliverers of good news, as well as warners. Those who disbelieve argue with falsehood to defeat the truth, and they take My proofs and warnings in vain.
Divine Intervention
وَمَن أَظلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـٔايٰتِ رَبِّهِ فَأَعرَضَ عَنها وَنَسِىَ ما قَدَّمَت يَداهُ ۚ إِنّا جَعَلنا عَلىٰ قُلوبِهِم أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفقَهوهُ وَفى ءاذانِهِم وَقرًا ۖ وَإِن تَدعُهُم إِلَى الهُدىٰ فَلَن يَهتَدوا إِذًا أَبَدًا
Who are more evil than those who are reminded of their Lord's proofs, then disregard them, without realizing what they are doing. Consequently, we place shields on their hearts to prevent them from understanding it (the Quran), and deafness in their ears. Thus, no matter what you do to guide them, they can never ever be guided.وَرَبُّكَ الغَفورُ ذُو الرَّحمَةِ ۖ لَو يُؤاخِذُهُم بِما كَسَبوا لَعَجَّلَ لَهُمُ العَذابَ ۚ بَل لَهُم مَوعِدٌ لَن يَجِدوا مِن دونِهِ مَوئِلًا
Yet, your Lord is the Forgiver, full of mercy. If He called them to account for their deeds, He would annihilate them right there and then. Instead, He gives them a respite until a specific, predetermined time; then they can never escape.وَتِلكَ القُرىٰ أَهلَكنٰهُم لَمّا ظَلَموا وَجَعَلنا لِمَهلِكِهِم مَوعِدًا
Many a community we annihilated because of their transgressions, we designated a specific time for their annihilation.
Valuable Lessons from Moses and His Teacher
وَإِذ قالَ موسىٰ لِفَتىٰهُ لا أَبرَحُ حَتّىٰ أَبلُغَ مَجمَعَ البَحرَينِ أَو أَمضِىَ حُقُبًا
Moses said to his servant, "I will not rest until I reach the point where the two rivers meet, no matter how long it takes."Cited in
Subject indexServants › household/heavenlyTeacher › Moses'
فَلَمّا بَلَغا مَجمَعَ بَينِهِما نَسِيا حوتَهُما فَاتَّخَذَ سَبيلَهُ فِى البَحرِ سَرَبًا
When they reached the point where they met, they forgot their fish, and it found its way back to the river, sneakily.Cited in
Subject indexFishSneakTeacher › Moses'
فَلَمّا جاوَزا قالَ لِفَتىٰهُ ءاتِنا غَداءَنا لَقَد لَقينا مِن سَفَرِنا هٰذا نَصَبًا
After they passed that point, he said to his servant, "Let us have lunch. All this traveling has thoroughly exhausted us."Cited in
قالَ أَرَءَيتَ إِذ أَوَينا إِلَى الصَّخرَةِ فَإِنّى نَسيتُ الحوتَ وَما أَنسىٰنيهُ إِلَّا الشَّيطٰنُ أَن أَذكُرَهُ ۚ وَاتَّخَذَ سَبيلَهُ فِى البَحرِ عَجَبًا
He said, "Remember when we sat by the rock back there? I paid no attention to the fish. It was the devil who made me forget it, and it found its way back to the river, strangely."Cited in
قالَ ذٰلِكَ ما كُنّا نَبغِ ۚ فَارتَدّا عَلىٰ ءاثارِهِما قَصَصًا
(Moses) said, "That was the place we were looking for." They traced their steps back.Cited in
Subject indexFootstepsTeacher › Moses'
فَوَجَدا عَبدًا مِن عِبادِنا ءاتَينٰهُ رَحمَةً مِن عِندِنا وَعَلَّمنٰهُ مِن لَدُنّا عِلمًا
They found one of our servants, whom we blessed with mercy, and bestowed upon him from our own knowledge.Cited in
قالَ لَهُ موسىٰ هَل أَتَّبِعُكَ عَلىٰ أَن تُعَلِّمَنِ مِمّا عُلِّمتَ رُشدًا
Moses said to him, "Can I follow you, that you may teach me some of the knowledge and the guidance bestowed upon you?"Cited in
Subject indexLearningTeacher › Moses'Wisdom › messengers
قالَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَستَطيعَ مَعِىَ صَبرًا
He said, "You cannot stand to be with me."Cited in
Subject indexTeacher › Moses'
وَكَيفَ تَصبِرُ عَلىٰ ما لَم تُحِط بِهِ خُبرًا
"How can you stand that which you do not comprehend?"Cited in
Subject indexTeacher › Moses'
قالَ سَتَجِدُنى إِن شاءَ اللَّهُ صابِرًا وَلا أَعصى لَكَ أَمرًا
He said, "You will find me, GOD willing, patient. I will not disobey any command you give me."Cited in
Subject indexTeacher › Moses'
قالَ فَإِنِ اتَّبَعتَنى فَلا تَسـَٔلنى عَن شَيءٍ حَتّىٰ أُحدِثَ لَكَ مِنهُ ذِكرًا
He said, "If you follow me, then you shall not ask me about anything, unless I choose to tell you about it."Cited in
Subject indexTeacher › Moses'
فَانطَلَقا حَتّىٰ إِذا رَكِبا فِى السَّفينَةِ خَرَقَها ۖ قالَ أَخَرَقتَها لِتُغرِقَ أَهلَها لَقَد جِئتَ شَيـًٔا إِمرًا
So they went. When they boarded a ship, he bore a hole in it. He said, "Did you bore a hole in it to drown its people? You have committed something terrible."Cited in
Subject indexDrownShipsTeacher › Moses'
قالَ أَلَم أَقُل إِنَّكَ لَن تَستَطيعَ مَعِىَ صَبرًا
He said, "Did I not say that you cannot stand to be with me?"Cited in
Subject indexTeacher › Moses'
قالَ لا تُؤاخِذنى بِما نَسيتُ وَلا تُرهِقنى مِن أَمرى عُسرًا
He said, "I am sorry. Do not punish me for my forgetfulness; do not be too harsh with me."Cited in
Subject indexExcusesTeacher › Moses'
فَانطَلَقا حَتّىٰ إِذا لَقِيا غُلٰمًا فَقَتَلَهُ قالَ أَقَتَلتَ نَفسًا زَكِيَّةً بِغَيرِ نَفسٍ لَقَد جِئتَ شَيـًٔا نُكرًا
So they went. When they met a young boy, he killed him. He said, "Why did you kill such an innocent soul, who did not kill another soul? You have committed something horrendous."Cited in
Subject indexInnocenceKilling › allowedTeacher › Moses'
قالَ أَلَم أَقُل لَكَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَستَطيعَ مَعِىَ صَبرًا
He said, "Did I not tell you that you cannot stand to be with me?"Cited in
Subject indexTeacher › Moses'
قالَ إِن سَأَلتُكَ عَن شَيءٍ بَعدَها فَلا تُصٰحِبنى ۖ قَد بَلَغتَ مِن لَدُنّى عُذرًا
He said, "If I ask you about anything else, then do not keep me with you. You have seen enough apologies from me."Cited in
Subject indexTeacher › Moses'
فَانطَلَقا حَتّىٰ إِذا أَتَيا أَهلَ قَريَةٍ استَطعَما أَهلَها فَأَبَوا أَن يُضَيِّفوهُما فَوَجَدا فيها جِدارًا يُريدُ أَن يَنقَضَّ فَأَقامَهُ ۖ قالَ لَو شِئتَ لَتَّخَذتَ عَلَيهِ أَجرًا
So they went. When they reached a certain community, they asked the people for food, but they refused to host them. Soon, they found a wall about to collapse, and he fixed it. He said, "You could have demanded a wage for that!"Cited in
Subject indexHostingTeacher › Moses'WageWall
There is a Good Reason for Everything
قالَ هٰذا فِراقُ بَينى وَبَينِكَ ۚ سَأُنَبِّئُكَ بِتَأويلِ ما لَم تَستَطِع عَلَيهِ صَبرًا
He said, "Now we have to part company. But I will explain to you everything you could not stand.Cited in
Subject indexReason for everythingTeacher › Moses'
أَمَّا السَّفينَةُ فَكانَت لِمَسٰكينَ يَعمَلونَ فِى البَحرِ فَأَرَدتُ أَن أَعيبَها وَكانَ وَراءَهُم مَلِكٌ يَأخُذُ كُلَّ سَفينَةٍ غَصبًا
"As for the ship, it belonged to poor fishermen, and I wanted to render it defective. There was a king coming after them, who was confiscating every ship, forcibly.Cited in
وَأَمَّا الغُلٰمُ فَكانَ أَبَواهُ مُؤمِنَينِ فَخَشينا أَن يُرهِقَهُما طُغيٰنًا وَكُفرًا
"As for the boy, his parents were good believers, and we saw that he was going to burden them with his transgression and disbelief.*Cited in
فَأَرَدنا أَن يُبدِلَهُما رَبُّهُما خَيرًا مِنهُ زَكوٰةً وَأَقرَبَ رُحمًا
"We willed that your Lord substitute in his place another son; one who is better in righteousness and kindness.Cited in
Subject indexReason for everythingTeacher › Moses'
وَأَمَّا الجِدارُ فَكانَ لِغُلٰمَينِ يَتيمَينِ فِى المَدينَةِ وَكانَ تَحتَهُ كَنزٌ لَهُما وَكانَ أَبوهُما صٰلِحًا فَأَرادَ رَبُّكَ أَن يَبلُغا أَشُدَّهُما وَيَستَخرِجا كَنزَهُما رَحمَةً مِن رَبِّكَ ۚ وَما فَعَلتُهُ عَن أَمرى ۚ ذٰلِكَ تَأويلُ ما لَم تَسطِع عَلَيهِ صَبرًا
"As for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city. Under it, there was a treasure that belonged to them. Because their father was a righteous man, your Lord wanted them to grow up and attain full strength, then extract their treasure. Such is mercy from your Lord. I did none of that of my own volition. This is the explanation of the things you could not stand."Cited in
Zul-Qarnain: The One With the Two Horns or Two Generations
وَيَسـَٔلونَكَ عَن ذِى القَرنَينِ ۖ قُل سَأَتلوا عَلَيكُم مِنهُ ذِكرًا
They ask you about Zul-Qarnain. Say, "I will narrate to you some of his history."إِنّا مَكَّنّا لَهُ فِى الأَرضِ وَءاتَينٰهُ مِن كُلِّ شَيءٍ سَبَبًا
We granted him authority on earth, and provided him with all kinds of means.فَأَتبَعَ سَبَبًا
Then, he pursued one way.حَتّىٰ إِذا بَلَغَ مَغرِبَ الشَّمسِ وَجَدَها تَغرُبُ فى عَينٍ حَمِئَةٍ وَوَجَدَ عِندَها قَومًا ۗ قُلنا يٰذَا القَرنَينِ إِمّا أَن تُعَذِّبَ وَإِمّا أَن تَتَّخِذَ فيهِم حُسنًا
When he reached the far west, he found the sun setting in a vast ocean, and found people there. We said, "O Zul-Qarnain, you can rule as you wish; either punish, or be kind to them."قالَ أَمّا مَن ظَلَمَ فَسَوفَ نُعَذِّبُهُ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّ إِلىٰ رَبِّهِ فَيُعَذِّبُهُ عَذابًا نُكرًا
He said, "As for those who transgress, we will punish them, then, when they return to their Lord, He will commit them to more retribution.وَأَمّا مَن ءامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صٰلِحًا فَلَهُ جَزاءً الحُسنىٰ ۖ وَسَنَقولُ لَهُ مِن أَمرِنا يُسرًا
"As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, they receive a good reward; we will treat them kindly."ثُمَّ أَتبَعَ سَبَبًا
Then he pursued another way.حَتّىٰ إِذا بَلَغَ مَطلِعَ الشَّمسِ وَجَدَها تَطلُعُ عَلىٰ قَومٍ لَم نَجعَل لَهُم مِن دونِها سِترًا
When he reached the far east, he found the sun rising on people who had nothing to shelter them from it.كَذٰلِكَ وَقَد أَحَطنا بِما لَدَيهِ خُبرًا
Naturally, we were fully aware of everything he found out.ثُمَّ أَتبَعَ سَبَبًا
He then pursued another way.حَتّىٰ إِذا بَلَغَ بَينَ السَّدَّينِ وَجَدَ مِن دونِهِما قَومًا لا يَكادونَ يَفقَهونَ قَولًا
When he reached the valley between two palisades, he found people whose language was barely understandable.
Gog and Magog*
قالوا يٰذَا القَرنَينِ إِنَّ يَأجوجَ وَمَأجوجَ مُفسِدونَ فِى الأَرضِ فَهَل نَجعَلُ لَكَ خَرجًا عَلىٰ أَن تَجعَلَ بَينَنا وَبَينَهُم سَدًّا
They said, "O Zul-Qarnain, Gog and Magog are corruptors of the earth. Can we pay you to create a barrier between us and them?"قالَ ما مَكَّنّى فيهِ رَبّى خَيرٌ فَأَعينونى بِقُوَّةٍ أَجعَل بَينَكُم وَبَينَهُم رَدمًا
He said, "My Lord has given me great bounties. If you cooperate with me, I will build a dam between you and them.ءاتونى زُبَرَ الحَديدِ ۖ حَتّىٰ إِذا ساوىٰ بَينَ الصَّدَفَينِ قالَ انفُخوا ۖ حَتّىٰ إِذا جَعَلَهُ نارًا قالَ ءاتونى أُفرِغ عَلَيهِ قِطرًا
"Bring to me masses of iron." Once he filled the gap between the two palisades, he said, "Blow." Once it was red hot, he said, "Help me pour tar on top of it."فَمَا اسطٰعوا أَن يَظهَروهُ وَمَا استَطٰعوا لَهُ نَقبًا
Thus, they could not climb it, nor could they bore holes in it.قالَ هٰذا رَحمَةٌ مِن رَبّى ۖ فَإِذا جاءَ وَعدُ رَبّى جَعَلَهُ دَكّاءَ ۖ وَكانَ وَعدُ رَبّى حَقًّا
He said, "This is mercy from my Lord. When the prophecy of my Lord comes to pass, He will cause the dam to crumble. The prophecy of my Lord is truth."وَتَرَكنا بَعضَهُم يَومَئِذٍ يَموجُ فى بَعضٍ ۖ وَنُفِخَ فِى الصّورِ فَجَمَعنٰهُم جَمعًا
At that time, we will let them invade with one another, then the horn will be blown, and we will summon them all together.Cited in
Subject indexHorn
وَعَرَضنا جَهَنَّمَ يَومَئِذٍ لِلكٰفِرينَ عَرضًا
We will present Hell, on that day, to the disbelievers.الَّذينَ كانَت أَعيُنُهُم فى غِطاءٍ عَن ذِكرى وَكانوا لا يَستَطيعونَ سَمعًا
They are the ones whose eyes were too veiled to see My message. Nor could they hear.Cited in
Subject indexEyes › veilded or decievedVeils (see also Barriers)
أَفَحَسِبَ الَّذينَ كَفَروا أَن يَتَّخِذوا عِبادى مِن دونى أَولِياءَ ۚ إِنّا أَعتَدنا جَهَنَّمَ لِلكٰفِرينَ نُزُلًا
Do those who disbelieve think that they can get away with setting up My servants as gods beside Me? We have prepared for the disbelievers Hell as an eternal abode.Cited in
Subject indexIdol worship › results ofServants › idolizing
Examine Yourself
قُل هَل نُنَبِّئُكُم بِالأَخسَرينَ أَعمٰلًا
Say, "Shall I tell you who the worst losers are?Cited in
Subject indexLosers
الَّذينَ ضَلَّ سَعيُهُم فِى الحَيوٰةِ الدُّنيا وَهُم يَحسَبونَ أَنَّهُم يُحسِنونَ صُنعًا
"They are the ones whose works in this life are totally astray, but they think that they are doing good."Cited in
أُولٰئِكَ الَّذينَ كَفَروا بِـٔايٰتِ رَبِّهِم وَلِقائِهِ فَحَبِطَت أَعمٰلُهُم فَلا نُقيمُ لَهُم يَومَ القِيٰمَةِ وَزنًا
Such are the ones who disbelieved in the revelations of their Lord and in meeting Him. Therefore, their works are in vain; on the Day of Resurrection, they have no weight.ذٰلِكَ جَزاؤُهُم جَهَنَّمُ بِما كَفَروا وَاتَّخَذوا ءايٰتى وَرُسُلى هُزُوًا
Their just requital is Hell, in return for their disbelief, and for mocking My revelations and My messengers.إِنَّ الَّذينَ ءامَنوا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ كانَت لَهُم جَنّٰتُ الفِردَوسِ نُزُلًا
As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, they have deserved a blissful Paradise as their abode.Cited in
Subject indexHeaven (see also Gardens, Paradise) › deserve
خٰلِدينَ فيها لا يَبغونَ عَنها حِوَلًا
Forever they abide therein; they will never want any other substitute.
The Quran: Everything We Need
قُل لَو كانَ البَحرُ مِدادًا لِكَلِمٰتِ رَبّى لَنَفِدَ البَحرُ قَبلَ أَن تَنفَدَ كَلِمٰتُ رَبّى وَلَو جِئنا بِمِثلِهِ مَدَدًا
Say, "If the ocean were ink for the words of my Lord, the ocean would run out, before the words of my Lord run out, even if we double the ink supply."قُل إِنَّما أَنا۠ بَشَرٌ مِثلُكُم يوحىٰ إِلَىَّ أَنَّما إِلٰهُكُم إِلٰهٌ وٰحِدٌ ۖ فَمَن كانَ يَرجوا لِقاءَ رَبِّهِ فَليَعمَل عَمَلًا صٰلِحًا وَلا يُشرِك بِعِبادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا
Say, "I am no more than a human like you, being inspired that your god is one god. Those who hope to meet their Lord shall work righteousness, and never worship any other god beside his Lord."Cited in