Tafseer of Surah Al-Kahf
by Imam As-Sa’di
Verse 1
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجًۭا ١
Translation by Dr. Muhsin Khan:
All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has sent down to His slave (Muhammad ﷺ) the Book (the Qur’an), and has not placed therein any crookedness.
Translation by Sahih International:
[All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance.
Verses 1-3
١ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجًۭا
٢ قَيِّمًۭا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًۭا شَدِيدًۭا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًۭا
٣ مَّـٰكِثِينَ فِيهِ أَبَدًۭا
Translation by Dr. Muhsin Khan:
(1) All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has sent down to His slave (Muhammad ﷺ) the Book (the Qur’an), and has not placed therein any crookedness.
(2) (He has made it) Straight to give warning of a severe punishment from Him, and to give glad tidings to the believers (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), who do righteous deeds, that they shall have a fair reward (i.e. Paradise).
(3) They shall abide therein forever.
Translation by Sahih International:
(1) [All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance.
(2) [He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward
(3) In which they will remain forever.
Verses 4-6
٤ وَيُنذِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدًۭا
٥ مَّا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍۢ وَلَا لِءَابَآئِهِمْ ۚ كَبُرَتْ كَلِمَةًۭ تَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ ۚ إِن يَقُولُونَ إِلَّا كَذِبًۭا
٦ فَلَعَلَّكَ بَـٰخِعٌۭ نَّفْسَكَ عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَارِهِمْ إِن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًۭا
Translation by Dr. Muhsin Khan:
(4) And to warn those (Jews, Christians, and pagans) who say, “Allah has begotten a son (or offspring or children).”
(5) No knowledge have they of such a thing, nor had their fathers. Mighty is the word that comes out of their mouths. They utter nothing but a lie.
(6) Perhaps, you, [O Muhammad ﷺ], would kill yourself in grief, following after them, because they believe not in this narration (the Qur’an).
Translation by Sahih International:
(4) And to warn those who say, “Allah has taken a son.”
(5) They have no knowledge of it, nor do their forefathers. Grave is the word that comes out of their mouths; they speak not except a lie.
(6) Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, [and] out of sorrow.
Verses 7-8
٧ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ زِينَةًۭ لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا
٨ وَإِنَّا لَجَاعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًۭا جُرُزًۭا
Translation by Dr. Muhsin Khan:
(7) Verily! We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds.
(8) And verily, We shall make all that is on it (the earth) a bare dry soil (without any vegetation or buildings, etc.).
Translation by Sahih International:
(7) Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed.
(8) And indeed, We will make that which is upon it [into] a barren ground.
Verses 9-12
٩ أَمْ حَسِبْتَ أَنَّ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْكَهْفِ وَٱلرَّقِيمِ كَانُوا۟ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا عَجَبًۭا
١٠ إِذْ أَوَى ٱلْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى ٱلْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةًۭ وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًۭا
١١ فَضَرَبْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ فِى ٱلْكَهْفِ سِنِينَ عَدَدًۭا
١٢ ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَـٰهُمْ لِنَعْلَمَ أَىُّ ٱلْحِزْبَيْنِ أَحْصَىٰ لِمَا لَبِثُوا۟ أَمَدًۭا
Translation by Dr. Muhsin Khan:
(9) Do you think that the people of the Cave and the Inscription (the news or the names of the People of the Cave) were a wonder among Our Signs?
(10) (Remember) when the young men fled for refuge (from their disbelieving folk) to the Cave and said: “Our Lord! Bestow on us mercy from Yourself, and facilitate for us our affair in the right way!”
(11) Therefore, We covered up their hearing (causing them to go in deep sleep) in the Cave for a number of years.
(12) Then We raised them up (from their sleep), that We might test which of the two parties was best at calculating the time period that they had tarried.
Translation by Sahih International:
(9) Or have you thought that the companions of the cave and the inscription were, among Our signs, a wonder?
(10) [Mention] when the youths retreated to the cave and said, “Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.”
(11) So We cast [a cover of sleep] over their ears within the cave for a number of years.
(12) Then We awakened them that We might show which of the two factions was most precise in calculating what [extent] they had remained.
Verses 13-14
١٣ نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ نَبَأَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ فِتْيَةٌ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ وَزِدْنَـٰهُمْ هُدًۭى
١٤ وَرَبَطْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ إِذْ قَامُوا۟ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ لَن نَّدْعُوَا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَـٰهًۭا ۖ لَّقَدْ قُلْنَآ إِذًۭا شَطَطًا
Translation by Dr. Muhsin Khan:
(13) We narrate unto you (O Muhammad ﷺ) their story with truth. Truly! They were young men who believed in their Lord (Allah), and We increased them in guidance.
(14) And We made their hearts firm and strong (with the light of faith in Allah and bestowed upon them patience to bear the separation of their kith and kin and dwellings). When they stood up and said: “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, never shall we call upon any ilâh (god) other than Him; if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity in disbelief.”
Translation by Sahih International:
(13) It is We who relate to you, [O Muhammad], their story in truth. Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.
(14) And We made firm their hearts when they stood up and said, “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Never will we invoke besides Him any deity. We would have certainly spoken, then, an excessive transgression.”
Verses 15-16
١٥ هَـٰؤُلَآءِ قَوْمُنَا ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةًۭ ۖ لَّوْلَا يَأْتُونَ عَلَيْهِم بِسُلْطَٰنٍۢ بَيِّنٍۢ ۖ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًۭا
١٦ وَإِذِ ٱعْتَزَلْتُمُوهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ فَأْوُۥٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلْكَهْفِ يَنشُرْ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ وَيُهَيِّئْ لَكُم مِّنْ أَمْرِكُمْ مِّرْفَقًۭا
Translation by Dr. Muhsin Khan:
(15) “These our people have taken for worship gods other than Him (Allah). Why do they not bring for them a clear authority? And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah.”
(16) “(The young men said to one another): And when you withdraw from them, and that which they worship, except Allah, then seek refuge in the Cave; your Lord will open a way for you from His Mercy and will make easy for you your affair (i.e. will give you what you will need of provision, dwelling, etc.).”
Translation by Sahih International:
(15) “These, our people, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for [worship of] them a clear authority? And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allah a lie?”
(16) “[The youths said to one another], ‘And when you have withdrawn from them and that which they worship other than Allah, retreat to the cave. Your Lord will spread out for you of His mercy and will prepare for you from your affair facility.'”
Verses 17-18
١٧ وَتَرَى ٱلشَّمْسَ إِذَا طَلَعَت تَّزَٰوَرُ عَن كَهْفِهِمْ ذَاتَ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَإِذَا غَرَبَت تَّقْرِضُهُمْ ذَاتَ ٱلشِّمَالِ وَهُمْ فِى فَجْوَةٍۢ مِّنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ مَن يَهْدِ ٱللَّهُ فَهُوَ ٱلْمُهْتَدِ ۖ وَمَن يُضْلِلْ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُۥ وَلِيًّۭا مُّرْشِدًۭا
١٨ وَتَحْسَبُهُمْ أَيْقَاظًۭا وَهُمْ رُقُودٌۭ ۚ وَنُقَلِّبُهُمْ ذَاتَ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَذَاتَ ٱلشِّمَالِ وَكَلْبُهُم بَـٰسِطٌۭ ذِرَاعَيْهِ بِٱلْوَصِيدِ ۚ لَوِ ٱطَّلَعْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَوَلَّيْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِرَارًۭا وَلَمُلِئْتَ مِنْهُمْ رُعْبًۭا
Translation by Dr. Muhsin Khan:
(17) And you might have seen the sun, when it rose, declining to the right from their Cave, and when it set, turning away from them to the left, while they lay in the midst of the Cave. That is one of the Signs of Allah. He whom Allah guides, he is the rightly guided; but he whom He sends astray, for him you will find no Wali (guiding friend) to lead him (to the right Path).
(18) And you would have thought them awake, whereas they were asleep. And We turned them on their right and on their left sides, while their dog stretched forth his two forelegs at the entrance (of the Cave). Had you looked at them, you would certainly have turned back from them in flight, and would certainly have been filled with awe of them.
Translation by Sahih International:
(17) And [had you been present], you would see the sun when it rose, inclining away from their cave on the right, and when it set, passing away from them on the left, while they lay within an open space thereof. That was from the signs of Allah. He whom Allah guides is the [rightly] guided, but he whom He leaves astray – never will you find for him a protecting guide.
(18) And you would think them awake, while they were asleep. And We turned them to the right and to the left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. If you had looked at them, you would have turned from them in flight and been filled by them with terror.
Verses 19-20
١٩ وَكَذَٰلِكَ بَعَثْنَـٰهُمْ لِيَتَسَآءَلُوا۟ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ قَالَ قَآئِلٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ كَمْ لَبِثْتُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَبِثْنَا يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍۢ ۚ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثْتُمْ فَٱبْعَثُوٓا۟ أَحَدَكُم بِوَرِقِكُمْ هَـٰذِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ فَلْيَنظُرْ أَيُّهَآ أَزْكَىٰ طَعَامًۭا فَلْيَأْتِكُم بِرِزْقٍۢ مِّنْهُ وَلْيَتَلَطَّفْ وَلَا يُشْعِرَنَّ بِكُمْ أَحَدًا
٢٠ إِنَّهُمْ إِن يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ يَرْجُمُوكُمْ أَوْ يُعِيدُوكُمْ فِى مِلَّتِهِمْ وَلَن تُفْلِحُوٓا۟ إِذًۭا أَبَدًۭا
Translation by Dr. Muhsin Khan:
(19) And thus We raised them up (from their sleep), that they might question one another. A speaker among them said: “How long have you stayed (here)?” They said: “We have stayed (perhaps) a day or part of a day.” They said: “Your Lord (Allah) knows best how long you have stayed (here). So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the town, and let him find out which is the best food (in the town); and bring some of that to you. And let him be careful and let no man know of you.”
(20) “For if they come to know of you, they will stone you to death, or force you to return to their religion, and in that case, you will never be successful.”
Translation by Sahih International:
(19) And similarly, We awakened them that they might question one another. Said a speaker from among them, “How long have you remained [here]?” They said, “We have remained a day or part of a day.” They said, “Your Lord knows best how long you have remained; so send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city and let him look to which is the best of food and bring you provision from it. And let him be cautious and let no one be aware of you.”
(20) “Indeed, if they come to know of you, they will stone you or return you to their religion. And never would you succeed, then – ever.”
Verse 21
٢١ وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّۭ وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهَآ إِذْ يَتَنَٰزَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ فَقَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ بُنْيَـٰنًۭا ۖ رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًۭا
Translation by Dr. Muhsin Khan:
(21) And thus We made 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. (Remember) when they (the people) disputed among themselves about their case, they said: “Construct a building over them; their Lord knows best about them.” (Then) those who won their point said: “We verily shall build a place of worship over them.”
Translation by Sahih International:
(21) 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 knows best about them.” Said those who prevailed in the matter, “We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid.”