Surah Al-Kahf Recitation, Translation, and Tafseer - The Holy Quran

18:41

اَوْ یُصْبِحَ مَآؤُهَا غَوْرًا فَلَنْ تَسْتَطِیْعَ لَهٗ طَلَبًا(۴۱)

Or else of a morning its water may sink underground, and you will not find a trace of it."

"Or the water of the garden will run off underground so that thou wilt never be able to find it."

18:42

وَ اُحِیْطَ بِثَمَرِهٖ فَاَصْبَحَ یُقَلِّبُ كَفَّیْهِ عَلٰى مَاۤ اَنْفَقَ فِیْهَا وَ هِیَ خَاوِیَةٌ عَلٰى عُرُوْشِهَا وَ یَقُوْلُ یٰلَیْتَنِیْ لَمْ اُشْرِكْ بِرَبِّیْۤ اَحَدًا(۴۲)

And his vines were overtaken (with disaster), and he began to wring his hands (at the loss) of what he had spent on them, for the vines had fallen upon their trellises; and he said: "Would to God that I had not associated any one with my Lord."

So his fruits (and enjoyment) were encompassed (with ruin), and he remained twisting and turning his hands over what he had spent on his property, which had (now) tumbled to pieces to its very foundations, and he could only say, "Woe is me! Would I had never ascribed partners to my Lord and Cherisher!"

18:43

وَ لَمْ تَكُنْ لَّهٗ فِئَةٌ یَّنْصُرُوْنَهٗ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ وَ مَا كَانَ مُنْتَصِرًاؕ(۴۳)

He had no body to help him other than God, nor was he able to save himself.

Nor had he numbers to help him against Allah, nor was he able to deliver himself.

18:44

هُنَالِكَ الْوَلَایَةُ لِلّٰهِ الْحَقِّؕ-هُوَ خَیْرٌ ثَوَابًا وَّ خَیْرٌ عُقْبًا۠(۴۴)

The jurisdiction in this province belongs to God. His is the best reward, and His the best requital.

There, the (only) protection comes from Allah, the True One. He is the Best to reward, and the Best to give success.

18:45

وَ اضْرِبْ لَهُمْ مَّثَلَ الْحَیٰوةِ الدُّنْیَا كَمَآءٍ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهٖ نَبَاتُ الْاَرْضِ فَاَصْبَحَ هَشِیْمًا تَذْرُوْهُ الرِّیٰحُؕ-وَ كَانَ اللّٰهُ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَیْءٍ مُّقْتَدِرًا(۴۵)

Present to them the example of the life of this world so like the water We send down from the skies that mingles with the earth to nourish its vegetation, which then on the morrow turns to stubble and is blown away by the wind. God has power over everything.

Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world: It is like the rain which we send down from the skies: the earth's vegetation absorbs it, but soon it becomes dry stubble, which the winds do scatter: it is (only) Allah who prevails over all things.

18:46

اَلْمَالُ وَ الْبَنُوْنَ زِیْنَةُ الْحَیٰوةِ الدُّنْیَاۚ-وَ الْبٰقِیٰتُ الصّٰلِحٰتُ خَیْرٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَّ خَیْرٌ اَمَلًا(۴۶)

Wealth and children are only the gloss of this world, but good deeds that abide are better with your Lord for recompense, and better for expectation.

Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world: But the things that endure, good deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best as (the foundation for) hopes.

18:47

وَ یَوْمَ نُسَیِّرُ الْجِبَالَ وَ تَرَى الْاَرْضَ بَارِزَةًۙ-وَّ حَشَرْنٰهُمْ فَلَمْ نُغَادِرْ مِنْهُمْ اَحَدًاۚ(۴۷)

The day We shall move the mountains, and you see the earth an open plain, We shall gather them together, leaving none behind.

One Day We shall remove the mountains, and thou wilt see the earth as a level stretch, and We shall gather them, all together, nor shall We leave out any one of them.

18:48

وَ عُرِضُوْا عَلٰى رَبِّكَ صَفًّاؕ-لَقَدْ جِئْتُمُوْنَا كَمَا خَلَقْنٰكُمْ اَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۭ٘-بَلْ زَعَمْتُمْ اَلَّنْ نَّجْعَلَ لَكُمْ مَّوْعِدًا(۴۸)

They will be arraigned before their Lord row on row, (and He will say): "Well, you have come to Us as We had first created you, even though you imagined We had fixed no time for this meeting."

And they will be marshalled before thy Lord in ranks, (with the announcement), "Now have ye come to Us (bare) as We created you first: aye, ye thought We shall not fulfil the appointment made to you to meet (Us)!":

18:49

وَ وُضِعَ الْكِتٰبُ فَتَرَى الْمُجْرِمِیْنَ مُشْفِقِیْنَ مِمَّا فِیْهِ وَ یَقُوْلُوْنَ یٰوَیْلَتَنَا مَالِ هٰذَا الْكِتٰبِ لَا یُغَادِرُ صَغِیْرَةً وَّ لَا كَبِیْرَةً اِلَّاۤ اَحْصٰىهَاۚ-وَ وَجَدُوْا مَا عَمِلُوْا حَاضِرًاؕ-وَ لَا یَظْلِمُ رَبُّكَ اَحَدًا۠(۴۹)

The ledger (of their deeds) would be placed before them. Then you will see the sinners terrified at its contents, and say: "Alas, what a written revelation this, which has not left unaccounted the smallest or the greatest thing!" They will find in it whatsoever they had done. Your Lord does not wrong any one.

And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say, "Ah! woe to us! what a Book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!" They will find all that they did, placed before them: And not one will thy Lord treat with injustice.

18:50

وَ اِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلٰٓىٕكَةِ اسْجُدُوْا لِاٰدَمَ فَسَجَدُوْۤا اِلَّاۤ اِبْلِیْسَؕ-كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ اَمْرِ رَبِّهٖؕ-اَفَتَتَّخِذُوْنَهٗ وَ ذُرِّیَّتَهٗۤ اَوْلِیَآءَ مِنْ دُوْنِیْ وَ هُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّؕ-بِئْسَ لِلظّٰلِمِیْنَ بَدَلًا(۵۰)

When We said to the angels: "Bow before Adam in adoration," they all bowed but Iblis. He was one of the jinni and rebelled against his Lord´s command. And yet you take him and his offspring as your friends instead of Me, even though they are your enemies. How sad a substitute for the evil-doers!

Behold! We said to the angels, "Bow down to Adam": They bowed down except Iblis. He was one of the Jinns, and he broke the Command of his Lord. Will ye then take him and his progeny as protectors rather than Me? And they are enemies to you! Evil would be the exchange for the wrong-doers!

18:51

مَاۤ اَشْهَدْتُّهُمْ خَلْقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ وَ لَا خَلْقَ اَنْفُسِهِمْ۪-وَ مَا كُنْتُ مُتَّخِذَ الْمُضِلِّیْنَ عَضُدًا(۵۱)

I did not call them to witness the creation of the heavens and the earth, nor their own creation. I would not take as helpers those who lead (men) astray.

I called them not to witness the creation of the heavens and the earth, nor (even) their own creation: nor is it for helpers such as Me to take as lead (men) astray!

18:52

وَ یَوْمَ یَقُوْلُ نَادُوْا شُرَكَآءِیَ الَّذِیْنَ زَعَمْتُمْ فَدَعَوْهُمْ فَلَمْ یَسْتَجِیْبُوْا لَهُمْ وَ جَعَلْنَا بَیْنَهُمْ مَّوْبِقًا(۵۲)

The day He will say: "Call those you had called My compeers," they will call them, but will get no response, and We shall place a gulf between them.

One Day He will say, "Call on those whom ye thought to be My partners," and they will call on them, but they will not listen to them; and We shall make for them a place of common perdition.

18:53

وَ رَاَ الْمُجْرِمُوْنَ النَّارَ فَظَنُّوْۤا اَنَّهُمْ مُّوَاقِعُوْهَا وَ لَمْ یَجِدُوْا عَنْهَا مَصْرِفًا۠(۵۳)

The sinners will see the Fire and know that they will be thrown into it and will not find a way of escape from it.

And the Sinful shall see the fire and apprehend that they have to fall therein: no means will they find to turn away therefrom.

18:54

وَ لَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا فِیْ هٰذَا الْقُرْاٰنِ لِلنَّاسِ مِنْ كُلِّ مَثَلٍؕ-وَ كَانَ الْاِنْسَانُ اَكْثَرَ شَیْءٍ جَدَلًا(۵۴)

We have explained in various ways all things to men in this Qur´an; but of all things man is most contentious.

We have explained in detail in this Qur'an, for the benefit of mankind, every kind of similitude: but man is, in most things, contentious.

18:55

وَ مَا مَنَعَ النَّاسَ اَنْ یُّؤْمِنُوْۤا اِذْ جَآءَهُمُ الْهُدٰى وَ یَسْتَغْفِرُوْا رَبَّهُمْ اِلَّاۤ اَنْ تَاْتِیَهُمْ سُنَّةُ الْاَوَّلِیْنَ اَوْ یَاْتِیَهُمُ الْعَذَابُ قُبُلًا(۵۵)

There is nothing to prevent men from believing when the guidance has come to them, and asking for their Lord´s forgiveness, unless they want the example of earlier people visited upon them, or the punishment to appear right before their eyes.

And what is there to keep back men from believing, now that Guidance has come to them, nor from praying for forgiveness from their Lord, but that (they ask that) the ways of the ancients be repeated with them, or the Wrath be brought to them face to face?

18:56

وَ مَا نُرْسِلُ الْمُرْسَلِیْنَ اِلَّا مُبَشِّرِیْنَ وَ مُنْذِرِیْنَۚ-وَ یُجَادِلُ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا بِالْبَاطِلِ لِیُدْحِضُوْا بِهِ الْحَقَّ وَ اتَّخَذُوْۤا اٰیٰتِیْ وَ مَاۤ اُنْذِرُوْا هُزُوًا(۵۶)

We never send apostles but to convey happy tidings, and to warn. But those who disbelieve contend with false arguments to nullify the truth. They make a mockery of My revelations and of what they had been warned.

We only send the messengers to give Glad Tidings and to give warnings: But the unbelievers dispute with vain argument, in order therewith to weaken the truth, and they treat My Signs as a jest, as also the fact that they are warned!

18:57

وَ مَنْ اَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ ذُكِّرَ بِاٰیٰتِ رَبِّهٖ فَاَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا وَ نَسِیَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ یَدٰهُؕ-اِنَّا جَعَلْنَا عَلٰى قُلُوْبِهِمْ اَكِنَّةً اَنْ یَّفْقَهُوْهُ وَ فِیْۤ اٰذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًاؕ-وَ اِنْ تَدْعُهُمْ اِلَى الْهُدٰى فَلَنْ یَّهْتَدُوْۤا اِذًا اَبَدًا(۵۷)

Who is more unjust than he who, on being reminded of his Lord´s revelations, turns away from them, and forgets the evil deeds he had committed in the past. Verily We have placed a covering on their hearts so that they do not understand, and a deafness in their ears so that however you may call them to guidance they will never be guided aright.

And who doth more wrong than one who is reminded of the Signs of his Lord, but turns away from them, forgetting the (deeds) which his hands have sent forth? Verily We have set veils over their hearts lest they should understand this, and over their ears, deafness, if thou callest them to guidance, even then will they never accept guidance.

18:58

وَ رَبُّكَ الْغَفُوْرُ ذُو الرَّحْمَةِؕ-لَوْ یُؤَاخِذُهُمْ بِمَا كَسَبُوْا لَعَجَّلَ لَهُمُ الْعَذَابَؕ-بَلْ لَّهُمْ مَّوْعِدٌ لَّنْ یَّجِدُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِهٖ مَوْىٕلًا(۵۸)

But your Lord is forgiving, full of benevolence. If He had pleased to punish them for their doings He would have punished them immediately. But a term is fixed for them from which they will find no escape.

But your Lord is Most forgiving, full of Mercy. If He were to call them (at once) to account for what they have earned, then surely He would have hastened their punishment: but they have their appointed time, beyond which they will find no refuge.

18:59

وَ تِلْكَ الْقُرٰۤى اَهْلَكْنٰهُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوْا وَ جَعَلْنَا لِمَهْلِكِهِمْ مَّوْعِدًا۠(۵۹)

As for these habitations, We destroyed them only when they transgressed; even so We had fixed a time for their annihilation.

Such were the populations we destroyed when they committed iniquities; but we fixed an appointed time for their destruction.

18:60

وَ اِذْ قَالَ مُوْسٰى لِفَتٰىهُ لَاۤ اَبْرَحُ حَتّٰۤى اَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ الْبَحْرَیْنِ اَوْ اَمْضِیَ حُقُبًا(۶۰)

When Moses said to his servant (Joshua): "I will not give up till I reach the confluence of two oceans, or I will journey on and on."

Behold, Moses said to his attendant, "I will not give up until I reach the junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in travel."

18:61

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَا مَجْمَعَ بَیْنِهِمَا نَسِیَا حُوْتَهُمَا فَاتَّخَذَ سَبِیْلَهٗ فِی الْبَحْرِ سَرَبًا(۶۱)

When they reached the confluence they forgot the fish (they had brought as food) which swiftly made its way into the sea.

But when they reached the Junction, they forgot (about) their Fish, which took its course through the sea (straight) as in a tunnel.

18:62

فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَا قَالَ لِفَتٰىهُ اٰتِنَا غَدَآءَنَا٘-لَقَدْ لَقِیْنَا مِنْ سَفَرِنَا هٰذَا نَصَبًا(۶۲)

When they had gone past (the confluence), Moses said to his servant: "Give me my breakfast. I am exhausted from this journey."

When they had passed on (some distance), Moses said to his attendant: "Bring us our early meal; truly we have suffered much fatigue at this (stage of) our journey."

18:63

قَالَ اَرَءَیْتَ اِذْ اَوَیْنَاۤ اِلَى الصَّخْرَةِ فَاِنِّیْ نَسِیْتُ الْحُوْتَ٘-وَ مَاۤ اَنْسٰىنِیْهُ اِلَّا الشَّیْطٰنُ اَنْ اَذْكُرَهٗۚ-وَ اتَّخَذَ سَبِیْلَهٗ فِی الْبَحْرِ ﳓ عَجَبًا(۶۳)

He said: "You see, I forgot the fish on the rock where we had stopped. Only Satan made me forget to mention this; but the wonder is the fish escaped to the sea."

He replied: "Sawest thou (what happened) when we betook ourselves to the rock? I did indeed forget (about) the Fish: none but Satan made me forget to tell (you) about it: it took its course through the sea in a marvellous way!"

18:64

قَالَ ذٰلِكَ مَا كُنَّا نَبْغِ ﳓ فَارْتَدَّا عَلٰۤى اٰثَارِهِمَا قَصَصًاۙ(۶۴)

Moses said: "But that is exactly what we were seeking." So they retraced their steps.

Moses said: "That was what we were seeking after:" So they went back on their footsteps, following (the path they had come).

18:65

فَوَجَدَا عَبْدًا مِّنْ عِبَادِنَاۤ اٰتَیْنٰهُ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِنْدِنَا وَ عَلَّمْنٰهُ مِنْ لَّدُنَّا عِلْمًا(۶۵)

Then they found one of Our votaries, whom We had blessed and given knowledge from Us.

So they found one of Our servants, on whom We had bestowed Mercy from Ourselves and whom We had taught knowledge from Our own Presence.

18:66

قَالَ لَهٗ مُوْسٰى هَلْ اَتَّبِعُكَ عَلٰۤى اَنْ تُعَلِّمَنِ مِمَّا عُلِّمْتَ رُشْدًا(۶۶)

Moses said to him: "May I attend upon you that you may instruct me in the knowledge you have been taught of the right way?"

Moses said to him: "May I follow thee, on the footing that thou teach me something of the (Higher) Truth which thou hast been taught?"

18:67

قَالَ اِنَّكَ لَنْ تَسْتَطِیْعَ مَعِیَ صَبْرًا(۶۷)

He said: "You will not be able to bear with me.

(The other) said: "Verily thou wilt not be able to have patience with me!"

18:68

وَ كَیْفَ تَصْبِرُ عَلٰى مَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهٖ خُبْرًا(۶۸)

"How can you bear that which is beyond your comprehension?"

"And how canst thou have patience about things about which thy understanding is not complete?"

18:69

قَالَ سَتَجِدُنِیْۤ اِنْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ صَابِرًا وَّ لَاۤ اَعْصِیْ لَكَ اَمْرًا(۶۹)

"You will find me patient if God wills," said Moses; "and I will not disobey you in any thing."

Moses said: "Thou wilt find me, if Allah so will, (truly) patient: nor shall I disobey thee in aught."

18:70

قَالَ فَاِنِ اتَّبَعْتَنِیْ فَلَا تَسْــٴَـلْنِیْ عَنْ شَیْءٍ حَتّٰۤى اُحْدِثَ لَكَ مِنْهُ ذِكْرًا۠(۷۰)

"If you must follow me," he said, "do not ask me any thing until I speak of it to you myself."

The other said: "If then thou wouldst follow me, ask me no questions about anything until I myself speak to thee concerning it."

18:71

فَانْطَلَقَاٙ-حَتّٰۤى اِذَا رَكِبَا فِی السَّفِیْنَةِ خَرَقَهَاؕ-قَالَ اَخَرَقْتَهَا لِتُغْرِقَ اَهْلَهَاۚ-لَقَدْ جِئْتَ شَیْــٴًـا اِمْرًا(۷۱)

So they set out till they (came to the quay) and went on board a ship in which he made a hole, (and Moses said:) "You have made a hole in the boat to drown its passengers? You have done a strange thing!"

So they both proceeded: until, when they were in the boat, he scuttled it. Said Moses: "Hast thou scuttled it in order to drown those in it? Truly a strange thing hast thou done!"

18:72

قَالَ اَلَمْ اَقُلْ اِنَّكَ لَنْ تَسْتَطِیْعَ مَعِیَ صَبْرًا(۷۲)

"Did I not tell you," he replied, "that you will not be able to bear with me?"

He answered: "Did I not tell thee that thou canst have no patience with me?"

18:73

قَالَ لَا تُؤَاخِذْنِیْ بِمَا نَسِیْتُ وَ لَا تُرْهِقْنِیْ مِنْ اَمْرِیْ عُسْرًا(۷۳)

(Moses) said: "Do not hold me for having forgotten, and do not reprove me and make my task difficult."

Moses said: "Rebuke me not for forgetting, nor grieve me by raising difficulties in my case."

18:74

فَانْطَلَقَاٙ-حَتّٰۤى اِذَا لَقِیَا غُلٰمًا فَقَتَلَهٗۙ-قَالَ اَقَتَلْتَ نَفْسًا زَكِیَّةًۢ بِغَیْرِ نَفْسٍؕ-لَقَدْ جِئْتَ شَیْــٴًـا نُّكْرًا(۷۴)

The two went on till they came to a boy, whom he killed. Moses exclaimed: "You have killed an innocent soul who had taken no life. You have done a most abominable thing!"

Then they proceeded: until, when they met a young man, he slew him. Moses said: "Hast thou slain an innocent person who had slain none? Truly a foul (unheard of) thing hast thou done!"

18:75

قَالَ اَلَمْ اَقُلْ لَّكَ اِنَّكَ لَنْ تَسْتَطِیْعَ مَعِیَ صَبْرًا(۷۵)

He said: "Did I not tell you you will not be able to bear with me?"

He answered: "Did I not tell thee that thou canst have no patience with me?"

18:76

قَالَ اِنْ سَاَلْتُكَ عَنْ شَیْءٍۭ بَعْدَهَا فَلَا تُصٰحِبْنِیْۚ-قَدْ بَلَغْتَ مِنْ لَّدُنِّیْ عُذْرًا(۷۶)

Moses said: "If I ask you any thing again then do not keep me with you. You have my apology."

(Moses) said: "If ever I ask thee about anything after this, keep me not in thy company: then wouldst thou have received (full) excuse from my side."

18:77

فَانْطَلَقَاٙ-حَتّٰۤى اِذَاۤ اَتَیَاۤ اَهْلَ قَرْیَةِ-ﹰاسْتَطْعَمَاۤ اَهْلَهَا فَاَبَوْا اَنْ یُّضَیِّفُوْهُمَا فَوَجَدَا فِیْهَا جِدَارًا یُّرِیْدُ اَنْ یَّنْقَضَّ فَاَقَامَهٗؕ-قَالَ لَوْ شِئْتَ لَتَّخَذْتَ عَلَیْهِ اَجْرًا(۷۷)

The two went on till they came upon some villagers, and asked the people for food, but they refused to entertain them. There they found a wall that was crumbling, which he repaired. Moses remarked: "You could have demanded wages for it if you liked."

Then they proceeded: until, when they came to the inhabitants of a town, they asked them for food, but they refused them hospitality. They found there a wall on the point of falling down, but he set it up straight. (Moses) said: "If thou hadst wished, surely thou couldst have exacted some recompense for it!"

18:78

قَالَ هٰذَا فِرَاقُ بَیْنِیْ وَ بَیْنِكَۚ-سَاُنَبِّئُكَ بِتَاْوِیْلِ مَا لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ عَّلَیْهِ صَبْرًا(۷۸)

"This is the parting of our "ways," he said. "But I will now explain the things you could not bear:

He answered: "This is the parting between me and thee: now will I tell thee the interpretation of (those things) over which thou wast unable to hold patience.

18:79

اَمَّا السَّفِیْنَةُ فَكَانَتْ لِمَسٰكِیْنَ یَعْمَلُوْنَ فِی الْبَحْرِ فَاَرَدْتُّ اَنْ اَعِیْبَهَا وَ كَانَ وَرَآءَهُمْ مَّلِكٌ یَّاْخُذُ كُلَّ سَفِیْنَةٍ غَصْبًا(۷۹)

That boat belonged to poor people who used to toil on the sea. I damaged it because there was a king after them who used to seize every ship by force.

"As for the boat, it belonged to certain men in dire want: they plied on the water: I but wished to render it unserviceable, for there was after them a certain king who seized on every boat by force.

18:80

وَ اَمَّا الْغُلٰمُ فَكَانَ اَبَوٰهُ مُؤْمِنَیْنِ فَخَشِیْنَاۤ اَنْ یُّرْهِقَهُمَا طُغْیَانًا وَّ كُفْرًاۚ(۸۰)

As for the boy, his parents were believers, but we feared that he would harass them with defiance and disbelief.

"As for the youth, his parents were people of Faith, and we feared that he would grieve them by obstinate rebellion and ingratitude (to Allah and man).