Sura 18: Al-Kahf (The Cave) - Quran Inspector

In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

بِسْمِbis'miIn (the) nameٱللَّهِl-lahi(of) God,ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِl-raḥmāniMost Gracious,ٱلرَّحِيمِl-raḥīmiMost Merciful.

[18:1] Praise GOD, who revealed to His servant this scripture, and made it flawless.

ٱلْحَمْدُal-ḥamduAll praise beلِلَّهِlillahito Godٱلَّذِىٓalladhīthe One whoأَنزَلَanzalaHe revealedعَلَىٰʿalātoعَبْدِهِʿabdihiHis servantٱلْكِتَـٰبَl-kitābathe scripture,وَلَمْwalamand notيَجْعَلyajʿalHe madeلَّهُۥlahuin itعِوَجَاʿiwajā(any) crookedness / flaw. ﴿١﴾

[18:2] 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.

قَيِّمًاqayyimanStraight / perfect,لِّيُنذِرَliyundhirathat He may warn (of)بَأْسًاbasana retributionشَدِيدًاshadīdansevere,مِّنminfromلَّدُنْهُladun'hunear Him,وَيُبَشِّرَwayubashiraand He give good newsٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَl-mu'minīna(to) the believers,ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose whoيَعْمَلُونَyaʿmalūna[they] doٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِl-ṣāliḥāti[the] righteous deeds,أَنَّannathatلَهُمْlahumfor themأَجْرًاajrana rewardحَسَنًاḥasanangood. ﴿٢﴾

[18:3] Wherein they abide forever.

مَّـٰكِثِينَmākithīnaOnes who abideفِيهِfīhiin itأَبَدًاabadanforever. ﴿٣﴾

[18:4] And to warn those who said, "GOD has begotten a son!"

وَيُنذِرَwayundhiraAnd He warnsٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose whoقَالُوا۟qālū[they] said,ٱتَّخَذَittakhadha"[He] took / begotٱللَّهُl-lahuGodوَلَدًاwaladana son." ﴿٤﴾

[18:5] 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.

مَّاmāNotلَهُمlahumfor themبِهِۦbihiin itمِنْminanyعِلْمٍʿil'minknowledgeوَلَاwalāand notلِـَٔابَآئِهِمْliābāihimof their forefathers / parents.كَبُرَتْkaburatIt was grievous / grave (blasphemous)كَلِمَةًkalimatan(the) wordتَخْرُجُtakhrujuit comes outمِنْminofأَفْوَٰهِهِمْafwāhihimtheir mouths.إِنinNotيَقُولُونَyaqūlūnathey sayإِلَّاillāexceptكَذِبًاkadhibana lie. ﴿٥﴾

[18:6] You may blame yourself on account of their response to this narration, and their disbelieving in it; you may be saddened.

فَلَعَلَّكَfalaʿallakaThen perhaps you mayبَـٰخِعٌbākhiʿunworry / blame نَّفْسَكَnafsakayourselfعَلَىٰٓʿalāoverءَاثَـٰرِهِمْāthārihimtheir traditions / footsteps / preferencesإِنinifلَّمْlamnotيُؤْمِنُوا۟yu'minūthey believeبِهَـٰذَاbihādhāin thisٱلْحَدِيثِl-ḥadīthi[the] Hadith / narration,أَسَفًاasafansaddened. ﴿٦﴾

[18:7] We have adorned everything on earth, in order to test them, and thus distinguish those among them who work righteousness.

إِنَّاinnāIndeed, weجَعَلْنَاjaʿalnā[we] madeمَاmāwhat (is)عَلَىʿalāonٱلْأَرْضِl-arḍithe earthزِينَةًzīnatanadornmentsلَّهَاlahāfor itلِنَبْلُوَهُمْlinabluwahumthat we may test them,أَيُّهُمْayyuhumwhich of them (is)أَحْسَنُaḥsanubestعَمَلًاʿamalan(in) deeds. ﴿٧﴾

[18:8] Inevitably, we will wipe out everything on it, leaving it completely barren.*

وَإِنَّاwa-innāAnd indeed, we (are)لَجَـٰعِلُونَlajāʿilūnasurely ones who makeمَاmāwhat (is)عَلَيْهَاʿalayhāon itصَعِيدًاṣaʿīdansoilجُرُزًاjuruzanbarren. ﴿٨﴾

*18:8-9 As it turns out, the history of these Christian believers, the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, is directly connected with the end of the world as stated in 18:9 & 21. The role of these believers in unveiling the end of the world is detailed in Appendix 25.

[18:9] 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.

أَمْamOr haveحَسِبْتَḥasib'tayou thought / consideredأَنَّanna[that]أَصْحَـٰبَaṣḥāba(the) companions / people (of)ٱلْكَهْفِl-kahfithe caveوَٱلرَّقِيمِwal-raqīmiand the numbers.كَانُوا۟kānūThey wereمِنْminamongءَايَـٰتِنَاāyātināour signs,عَجَبًاʿajabana wonder? ﴿٩﴾

[18:10] When the youths took refuge in the cave, they said, "Our Lord, shower us with Your mercy, and bless our affairs with Your guidance."

إِذْidhWhenأَوَىawā[he] took refugeٱلْفِتْيَةُl-fit'yatuthe youthsإِلَىilātoٱلْكَهْفِl-kahfithe cave,فَقَالُوا۟faqālūand they said,رَبَّنَآrabbanā"Our Lord!ءَاتِنَاātināGrant usمِنminfromلَّدُنكَladunkaYourselfرَحْمَةًraḥmatanmercy,وَهَيِّئْwahayyiand facilitate / prepare / arrangeلَنَاlanāfor usمِنْmin[from]أَمْرِنَاamrināour affairرَشَدًاrashadan(in the) right path / guidance." ﴿١٠﴾

[18:11] We then sealed their ears in the cave for a predetermined number of years.

فَضَرَبْنَاfaḍarabnāSo we castعَلَىٰٓʿalāoverءَاذَانِهِمْādhānihimtheir earsفِىfīinٱلْكَهْفِl-kahfithe caveسِنِينَsinīnayearsعَدَدًاʿadadana number. ﴿١١﴾

[18:12] Then we resurrected them to see which of the two parties could count the duration of their stay therein.

ثُمَّthummaThenبَعَثْنَـٰهُمْbaʿathnāhumwe resurrected themلِنَعْلَمَlinaʿlamathat we may distinguishأَىُّayyuwhich (of)ٱلْحِزْبَيْنِl-ḥiz'baynithe two partiesأَحْصَىٰaḥṣābest calculated / countedلِمَاlimāfor whatلَبِثُوٓا۟labithūthey remainedأَمَدًاamadan(in) time / duration. ﴿١٢﴾

[18:13] We narrate to you their history, truthfully. They were youths who believed in their Lord, and we increased their guidance.

نَّحْنُnaḥnuWeنَقُصُّnaquṣṣu[we] narrateعَلَيْكَʿalaykato youنَبَأَهُمnaba-ahumtheir story / historyبِٱلْحَقِّbil-ḥaqiin the truth (*truthfully).إِنَّهُمْinnahumIndeed, they (were)فِتْيَةٌfit'yatunyouthsءَامَنُوا۟āmanū(who) they believedبِرَبِّهِمْbirabbihimin their Lord,وَزِدْنَـٰهُمْwazid'nāhumand we increased themهُدًىhudan(in) guidance. ﴿١٣﴾

[18:14] 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.

وَرَبَطْنَاwarabaṭnāAnd we strengthenedعَلَىٰʿalāuponقُلُوبِهِمْqulūbihimtheir heartsإِذْidhwhenقَامُوا۟qāmūthey stood upفَقَالُوا۟faqālūand they said / proclaimed,رَبُّنَاrabbunā"Our Lord (is)رَبُّrabbu(the) Lord (of)ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِl-samāwātithe heavensوَٱلْأَرْضِwal-arḍiand the earth.لَنlanNeverنَّدْعُوَا۟nadʿuwāwe will invoke / worshipمِنminfromدُونِهِۦٓdūnihibesides Himإِلَـٰهًاilāhana god.لَّقَدْlaqadFor certainly,قُلْنَآqul'nāwe (would have) saidإِذًاidhanthenشَطَطًاshaṭaṭana preposterous thing / far from the truth. ﴿١٤﴾

[18:15] "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?

هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِhāulāi"These,قَوْمُنَاqawmunāour people,ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ittakhadhūthey tookمِنminfromدُونِهِۦٓdūnihibesides Himءَالِهَةًālihatangods.لَّوْلَاlawlāWhy notيَأْتُونَyatūnathey comeعَلَيْهِمʿalayhimto themبِسُلْطَـٰنٍۭbisul'ṭāninwith an authorityبَيِّنٍbayyininclear?فَمَنْfamanAnd who (is)أَظْلَمُaẓlamumore wrong / evilمِمَّنِmimmanithan (one) whoٱفْتَرَىٰif'tarāhe fabricatedعَلَىʿalāagainstٱللَّهِl-lahiGodكَذِبًاkadhibana lie? ﴿١٥﴾

[18:16] "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."

وَإِذِwa-idhi"And whenٱعْتَزَلْتُمُوهُمْiʿ'tazaltumūhumyou [all] withdrew from themوَمَاwamāand whatيَعْبُدُونَyaʿbudūnathey worshipإِلَّاillāexcept (besides)ٱللَّهَl-lahaGod,فَأْوُۥٓا۟fawūthen retreat / take refuge [you all]إِلَىilātoٱلْكَهْفِl-kahfithe cave.يَنشُرْyanshur[He] will spread (shower)لَكُمْlakumfor you [all]رَبُّكُمrabbukumyour LordمِّنminofرَّحْمَتِهِۦraḥmatihiHis mercyوَيُهَيِّئْwayuhayyiand He will facilitate / prepare / arrangeلَكُمlakumfor you [all]مِّنْmin[from]أَمْرِكُمamrikumyour affair / decisionمِّرْفَقًاmir'faqan(in) ease." ﴿١٦﴾

*18:16-20 Ephesus is located about 200 miles south of ancient Nicene, and 30 miles south of today's Izmir in Turkey. The dwellers of the cave were young Christians who wanted to follow the teachings of Jesus, and worship God alone. They were fleeing the persecution of neo-Christians who proclaimed a corrupted Christianity three centuries after Jesus, following the Nicene Conferences, when the Trinity doctrine was announced. In 1928, Franz Miltner, an Austrian archeologist discovered the tomb of the seven sleepers of Ephesus. Their history is well documented in several encyclopedias.

[18:17] 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.

وَتَرَىwatarāAnd you (could) seeٱلشَّمْسَl-shamsathe sun,إِذَاidhāwhenطَلَعَتṭalaʿatit rose,تَّزَٰوَرُtazāwaruit turning asideعَنʿanfromكَهْفِهِمْkahfihimtheir caveذَاتَdhāta[it] toٱلْيَمِينِl-yamīnithe right,وَإِذَاwa-idhāand whenغَرَبَتgharabatit set,تَّقْرِضُهُمْtaqriḍuhumit passing away from themذَاتَdhāta[it] toٱلشِّمَالِl-shimālithe leftوَهُمْwahumwhile theyفِىfī(lay) inفَجْوَةٍfajwatin(the) opening / hollowمِّنْهُmin'huthereof.ذَٰلِكَdhālikaThat (was)مِنْminfromءَايَـٰتِāyāti(the) signs / portentsٱللَّهِl-lahi(of) God.مَنmanWhoeverيَهْدِyahdi[He] guidesٱللَّهُl-lahuGodفَهُوَfahuwathen he (is)ٱلْمُهْتَدِl-muh'tadithe guided one,وَمَنwamanand whoeverيُضْلِلْyuḍ'lilHe lets go astrayفَلَنfalanthen neverتَجِدَtajidayou will findلَهُۥlahufor himوَلِيًّاwaliyyana protector (teacher),مُّرْشِدًاmur'shidandirector to the right path / one who guides. ﴿١٧﴾

*18:17 This sign, or hint, tells us that the cave was facing north.

[18:18] 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.

وَتَحْسَبُهُمْwataḥsabuhumAnd you (would) think themأَيْقَاظًاayqāẓanawakeوَهُمْwahumwhile theyرُقُودٌruqūdun(were) asleep.وَنُقَلِّبُهُمْwanuqallibuhumAnd we turned themذَاتَdhāta[it] toٱلْيَمِينِl-yamīnithe rightوَذَاتَwadhātaand [it] toٱلشِّمَالِl-shimālithe left,وَكَلْبُهُمwakalbuhumwhile their dogبَـٰسِطٌbāsiṭunstretchedذِرَاعَيْهِdhirāʿayhihis two forelegsبِٱلْوَصِيدِbil-waṣīdiat the enclosure / entrance.لَوِlawiIfٱطَّلَعْتَiṭṭalaʿtayou looked / peeredعَلَيْهِمْʿalayhimat them,لَوَلَّيْتَlawallaytasurely you would have turned backمِنْهُمْmin'humfrom themفِرَارًاfirāranfleeing / (in) flightوَلَمُلِئْتَwalamuli'taand surely you would have been filledمِنْهُمْmin'humby themرُعْبًاruʿ'ban(with) terror. ﴿١٨﴾

[18:19] 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.

وَكَذَٰلِكَwakadhālikaAnd thusبَعَثْنَـٰهُمْbaʿathnāhumwe raised themلِيَتَسَآءَلُوا۟liyatasāalūthat they may questionبَيْنَهُمْbaynahumamong them.قَالَqāla[He] saidقَآئِلٌqāiluna speakerمِّنْهُمْmin'humamong them,كَمْkam"How long (have)لَبِثْتُمْlabith'tumyou [all] remained?"قَالُوا۟qālūThey said,لَبِثْنَاlabith'nā"We remainedيَوْمًاyawmana dayأَوْaworبَعْضَbaʿḍaa portion / part (of)يَوْمٍyawmina day."قَالُوا۟qālūThey said,رَبُّكُمْrabbukum"Your Lordأَعْلَمُaʿlamuknows bestبِمَاbimāof whatلَبِثْتُمْlabith'tumyou [all] remained.فَٱبْعَثُوٓا۟fa-ib'ʿathūSo send [you all]أَحَدَكُمaḥadakumone of you [all]بِوَرِقِكُمْbiwariqikumwith your silver coin / moneyهَـٰذِهِۦٓhādhihithisإِلَىilātoٱلْمَدِينَةِl-madīnatithe city,فَلْيَنظُرْfalyanẓurand let him seeأَيُّهَآayyuhāwhich (is)أَزْكَىٰazkā(the) cleanestطَعَامًاṭaʿāmanfood,فَلْيَأْتِكُمfalyatikumand let him bring to you [all]بِرِزْقٍbiriz'qinof provisionمِّنْهُmin'hufrom it,وَلْيَتَلَطَّفْwalyatalaṭṭafand let him be careful / cautious / subtle.وَلَاwalāAnd notيُشْعِرَنَّyush'ʿirannathey be awareبِكُمْbikumabout you [all]أَحَدًاaḥadananyone." ﴿١٩﴾

[18:20] "If they discover you, they will stone you, or force you to revert to their religion, then you can never succeed."

إِنَّهُمْinnahum"Indeed, [they]إِنinifيَظْهَرُوا۟yaẓharūthey come to knowعَلَيْكُمْʿalaykumabout you [all],يَرْجُمُوكُمْyarjumūkumthey will stone you [all]أَوْaworيُعِيدُوكُمْyuʿīdūkumthey revert you [all]فِىfītoمِلَّتِهِمْmillatihimtheir religion.وَلَنwalanAnd neverتُفْلِحُوٓا۟tuf'liḥūyou [all] will succeedإِذًاidhanthenأَبَدًاabadanever." ﴿٢٠﴾

[18:21] 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."

وَكَذَٰلِكَwakadhālikaAnd thusأَعْثَرْنَاaʿtharnāwe let it be discoveredعَلَيْهِمْʿalayhimabout themلِيَعْلَمُوٓا۟liyaʿlamūthat they may knowأَنَّannathatوَعْدَwaʿda(the) promiseٱللَّهِl-lahi(of) God (is)حَقٌّḥaqquntrue,وَأَنَّwa-annaand thatٱلسَّاعَةَl-sāʿatathe Hourلَاlā(there is) noرَيْبَraybadoubtفِيهَآfīhāabout it.إِذْidhWhenيَتَنَـٰزَعُونَyatanāzaʿūnathey disputedبَيْنَهُمْbaynahumbetween them(selves)أَمْرَهُمْamrahum(about) their affairفَقَالُوا۟faqālūand they said,ٱبْنُوا۟ib'nū"Build [you all]عَلَيْهِمʿalayhimover themبُنْيَـٰنًاbun'yānana building.رَّبُّهُمْrabbuhumTheir Lordأَعْلَمُaʿlamuknows bestبِهِمْbihimabout them."قَالَqāla[He] saidٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose whoغَلَبُوا۟ghalabūthey prevailedعَلَىٰٓʿalāinأَمْرِهِمْamrihimtheir matter,لَنَتَّخِذَنَّlanattakhidhanna"Surely we will takeعَلَيْهِمʿalayhimover themمَّسْجِدًاmasjidana place of worship." ﴿٢١﴾

*18:21 As detailed in Appendix 25, this story helped pinpoint the end of the world.

[18:22] 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.

سَيَقُولُونَsayaqūlūnaThey will say,ثَلَـٰثَةٌthalāthatun"(they were) three,رَّابِعُهُمْrābiʿuhum(the) fourth of themكَلْبُهُمْkalbuhumtheir dog."وَيَقُولُونَwayaqūlūnaAnd they say,خَمْسَةٌkhamsatun"(they were) fiveسَادِسُهُمْsādisuhum(the) sixth of themكَلْبُهُمْkalbuhumtheir dog"رَجْمًۢاrajmanguessingبِٱلْغَيْبِbil-ghaybiabout the unseen.وَيَقُولُونَwayaqūlūnaAnd they say,سَبْعَةٌsabʿatun"(they were) seven"وَثَامِنُهُمْwathāminuhumand the eighth of themكَلْبُهُمْkalbuhumtheir dog.قُلqulSay,رَّبِّىٓrabbī"My Lord,أَعْلَمُaʿlamuknows bestبِعِدَّتِهِمbiʿiddatihimof their number.مَّاmāNotيَعْلَمُهُمْyaʿlamuhum[he] knows themإِلَّاillāexceptقَلِيلٌqalīluna few.فَلَاfalāSo (do) notتُمَارِtumāri[you] argueفِيهِمْfīhimabout themإِلَّاillāexceptمِرَآءًmirāan(with) an argumentظَـٰهِرًاẓāhiranobvious,وَلَاwalāand (do) notتَسْتَفْتِtastaftiyou seek advice / seek opinion / inquireفِيهِمfīhimabout themمِّنْهُمْmin'humamong themأَحَدًاaḥadan(from) anyone." ﴿٢٢﴾

[18:23] You shall not say that you will do anything in the future,

وَلَاwalāAnd (do) notتَقُولَنَّtaqūlannayou [all] sayلِشَا۟ىْءٍlishāy'inof anything,إِنِّىinnī"Indeed, Iفَاعِلٌfāʿilun(will) doذَٰلِكَdhālikathatغَدًاghadantomorrow." ﴿٢٣﴾

[18:24] 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."

إِلَّآillāExcept,أَنan"Thatيَشَآءَyashāa[He] willsٱللَّهُl-lahuGod."وَٱذْكُرwa-udh'kurAnd rememberرَّبَّكَrabbakayour Lordإِذَاidhāwhenنَسِيتَnasītayou forgotوَقُلْwaquland say,عَسَىٰٓʿasā"Perhapsأَنan[that]يَهْدِيَنِyahdiyani[He] guides meرَبِّىrabbīmy Lordلِأَقْرَبَli-aqrabato a nearer / closerمِنْminofهَـٰذَاhādhāthisرَشَدًاrashadanright path." ﴿٢٤﴾

*18:24 This important commandment gives us daily opportunities to remember God.

[18:25] They stayed in their cave three hundred years, increased by nine.*

وَلَبِثُوا۟walabithūAnd they remainedفِىfīinكَهْفِهِمْkahfihimtheir caveثَلَـٰثَthalātha(for) threeمِا۟ئَةٍmi-atinhundredسِنِينَsinīnayearsوَٱزْدَادُوا۟wa-iz'dādūand they increased (by)تِسْعًاtis'ʿannine. ﴿٢٥﴾

*18:25 The difference between 300 solar years and 300 lunar years is nine years. Thus, discovering the end of the world was predetermined by the Almighty to take place in 1980 AD (1400 AH), 300 years (309 lunar years) before the end of the world (see 72:27 & Appendix 25).

[18:26] 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.

قُلِquliSay,ٱللَّهُl-lahu"Godأَعْلَمُaʿlamuknows bestبِمَاbimāabout what (period)لَبِثُوا۟labithūthey remained."لَهُۥlahuFor Him (is)غَيْبُghaybu(the) unseen / secrets (of)ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِl-samāwātithe heavensوَٱلْأَرْضِwal-arḍiand the earth.أَبْصِرْabṣirDo see*بِهِۦbihiby Him*وَأَسْمِعْwa-asmiʿand do hear (*by His grace you can see and hear).مَاmāNotلَهُمlahumfor themمِّنminfromدُونِهِۦdūnihibesides Himمِنminanyوَلِىٍّwaliyyinprotector / lord and master,وَلَاwalāand notيُشْرِكُyush'rikuHe shares / partnersفِىfī[in]حُكْمِهِۦٓḥuk'mihiHis commands / kingshipأَحَدًاaḥadan(with) anyone. ﴿٢٦﴾

[18:27] 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.

وَٱتْلُwa-ut'luAnd reciteمَآmāwhatأُوحِىَūḥiyait was communicated / revealedإِلَيْكَilaykato youمِنminofكِتَابِkitābi(the) book / scriptureرَبِّكَrabbika(of) your Lord.لَاlāNoمُبَدِّلَmubaddilaone [who] can abrogateلِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦlikalimātihiof His wordsوَلَنwalanand neverتَجِدَtajidayou findمِنminfromدُونِهِۦdūnihibesides Him / itمُلْتَحَدًاmul'taḥadana refuge (source). ﴿٢٧﴾

[18:28] 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.

وَٱصْبِرْwa-iṣ'birAnd endure / be patient,نَفْسَكَnafsakayourself,مَعَmaʿawithٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose whoيَدْعُونَyadʿūnathey call / worshipرَبَّهُمrabbahumtheir Lordبِٱلْغَدَوٰةِbil-ghadatiin the morningوَٱلْعَشِىِّwal-ʿashiyiand the evening.يُرِيدُونَyurīdūnaThey desireوَجْهَهُۥwajhahuHis Face (*to direct one's devotion / purpose / whole being towards)وَلَاwalāAnd (let) notتَعْدُtaʿdu[it] pass beyondعَيْنَاكَʿaynākayour eyesعَنْهُمْʿanhum(away) from them,تُرِيدُturīduit desiringزِينَةَzīnataadornments / vanities (of)ٱلْحَيَوٰةِl-ḥayatithe life (of)ٱلدُّنْيَاl-dun'yāthe world.وَلَاwalāAnd (do) notتُطِعْtuṭiʿyou obeyمَنْmanwhomأَغْفَلْنَاaghfalnāwe have made heedlessقَلْبَهُۥqalbahuhis heartعَنʿanofذِكْرِنَاdhik'rināour remembrance / message,وَٱتَّبَعَwa-ittabaʿaand he followedهَوَىٰهُhawāhuhis opinion / desireوَكَانَwakānaand [he] wasأَمْرُهُۥamruhuhis affairفُرُطًاfuruṭanexcessive / negligent (confused). ﴿٢٨﴾

[18:29] 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!

وَقُلِwaquliAnd say / proclaim,ٱلْحَقُّl-ḥaqu"The truthمِنmin(is) fromرَّبِّكُمْrabbikumyour Lord,فَمَنfamanso whoeverشَآءَshāa[he] willedفَلْيُؤْمِنfalyu'minthen let him believeوَمَنwamanand whoeverشَآءَshāa[he] willedفَلْيَكْفُرْfalyakfurthen let him disbelieve."إِنَّآinnāIndeed, weأَعْتَدْنَاaʿtadnā[we] preparedلِلظَّـٰلِمِينَlilẓẓālimīnafor the wrongdoers / transgressorsنَارًاnārana fire,أَحَاطَaḥāṭait (will) completely surroundبِهِمْbihimof themسُرَادِقُهَاsurādiquhāits strong and firm enclosure.وَإِنwa-inAnd ifيَسْتَغِيثُوا۟yastaghīthūthey scream for help,يُغَاثُوا۟yughāthūthey will be helpedبِمَآءٍbimāinwith waterكَٱلْمُهْلِkal-muh'lilike [the] molten brass,يَشْوِىyashwīit scaldsٱلْوُجُوهَl-wujūhathe faces.بِئْسَbi'saMiserable (is)ٱلشَّرَابُl-sharābuthe drink,وَسَآءَتْwasāatand it (is) a miserableمُرْتَفَقًاmur'tafaqanresting place (destiny). ﴿٢٩﴾

[18:30] As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, we never fail to recompense those who work righteousness.

إِنَّinnaIndeed,ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose whoءَامَنُوا۟āmanūthey believedوَعَمِلُوا۟waʿamilūand they didٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِl-ṣāliḥātithe good deeds,إِنَّاinnāindeed, weلَاlānotنُضِيعُnuḍīʿu[we] let go to wasteأَجْرَajra(the) rewardمَنْman(of one) whoأَحْسَنَaḥsana[he] did goodعَمَلًاʿamalandeeds. ﴿٣٠﴾

[18:31] 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!

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَulāikaThose,لَهُمْlahumfor them (are)جَنَّـٰتُjannātugardensعَدْنٍʿadninof Eden,تَجْرِىtajrīit flowsمِنminfromتَحْتِهِمُtaḥtihimuunderneath themٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُl-anhāruthe rivers / streams.يُحَلَّوْنَyuḥallawnaThey adornedفِيهَاfīhāthereinمِنْmin[of] (with)أَسَاوِرَasāwirabraceletsمِنminofذَهَبٍdhahabingoldوَيَلْبَسُونَwayalbasūnaand they will wearثِيَابًاthiyābanclothes,خُضْرًاkhuḍ'rangreen,مِّنminofسُندُسٍsundusinfine silk / velvetوَإِسْتَبْرَقٍwa-is'tabraqinand heavy brocade / velvet,مُّتَّكِـِٔينَmuttakiīna[ones] reclining / restingفِيهَاfīhāthereinعَلَىʿalāonٱلْأَرَآئِكِl-arāikithe comfortable furnishings.نِعْمَniʿ'maExcellent (is)ٱلثَّوَابُl-thawābuthe reward,وَحَسُنَتْwaḥasunatand it is a good / wonderfulمُرْتَفَقًاmur'tafaqanresting place (abode). ﴿٣١﴾

[18:32] 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.

وَٱضْرِبْwa-iḍ'ribAnd set forth / citeلَهُمlahumfor themمَّثَلًاmathalanan example ofرَّجُلَيْنِrajulaynitwo men:جَعَلْنَاjaʿalnāWe providedلِأَحَدِهِمَاli-aḥadihimāfor one of the twoجَنَّتَيْنِjannataynitwo gardensمِنْminofأَعْنَـٰبٍaʿnābingrapes,وَحَفَفْنَـٰهُمَاwaḥafafnāhumāand we surrounded both of themبِنَخْلٍbinakhlinwith date-palms,وَجَعَلْنَاwajaʿalnāand we placedبَيْنَهُمَاbaynahumābetween both of themزَرْعًاzarʿancrops. ﴿٣٢﴾

*18:32-42 The Quran cites many examples of the different gods that people worship beside God; they include children (7:190), religious leaders and scholars (9:31), property (18:42), dead saints and prophets (16:20-21, 35:14, & 46:5-6), and the ego (25:43, 45:23).

[18:33] Both gardens produced their crops on time, and generously, for we caused a river to run through them.

كِلْتَاkil'tāBoth (of)ٱلْجَنَّتَيْنِl-janataynithe two gardensءَاتَتْātatit brought forthأُكُلَهَاukulahāits produceوَلَمْwalamand notتَظْلِمtaẓlimit does wrongمِّنْهُmin'hufrom itشَيْـًٔاshayananything.وَفَجَّرْنَاwafajjarnāAnd we caused to gushخِلَـٰلَهُمَاkhilālahumāwithin both of themنَهَرًاnaharana river. ﴿٣٣﴾

[18:34] Once, after harvesting, he boastfully told his friend: "I am far more prosperous than you, and I command more respect from the people."

وَكَانَwakānaAnd he hadلَهُۥlahufrom itثَمَرٌthamarunfruit / harvest,فَقَالَfaqālaso he saidلِصَـٰحِبِهِۦliṣāḥibihito his companion / friendوَهُوَwahuwawhile heيُحَاوِرُهُۥٓyuḥāwiruhu[he] was talking with him,أَنَا۠anā"I amأَكْثَرُaktharumore than / much moreمِنكَminkathan youمَالًاmālan(in) wealthوَأَعَزُّwa-aʿazzuand mightierنَفَرًاnafaran(in) company / man-power." ﴿٣٤﴾

[18:35] When he entered his garden, he wronged his soul by saying, "I do not think that this will ever end.

وَدَخَلَwadakhalaAnd he enteredجَنَّتَهُۥjannatahuhis gardenوَهُوَwahuwawhile he (was) ظَالِمٌẓālimununjustلِّنَفْسِهِۦlinafsihito himself / his soul.قَالَqālaHe said,مَآmā"NotأَظُنُّaẓunnuI thinkأَنanthatتَبِيدَtabīda[it] will perishهَـٰذِهِۦٓhādhihithisأَبَدًاabadanever. ﴿٣٥﴾

[18:36] "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."

وَمَآwamā"And notأَظُنُّaẓunnuI thinkٱلسَّاعَةَl-sāʿatathe Hourقَآئِمَةًqāimatanit will come (to pass).وَلَئِنwala-inAnd surely ifرُّدِدتُّrudidttuI was returnedإِلَىٰilātoرَبِّىrabbīmy Lord,لَأَجِدَنَّla-ajidannaI will surely findخَيْرًاkhayranbetterمِّنْهَاmin'hāthan thisمُنقَلَبًاmunqalaban(as) a return." ﴿٣٦﴾

[18:37] 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?

قَالَqālaHe saidلَهُۥlahuto himصَاحِبُهُۥṣāḥibuhuhis companion / friendوَهُوَwahuwawhile heيُحَاوِرُهُۥٓyuḥāwiruhu[he] was talking to him,أَكَفَرْتَakafarta"Have you disbelievedبِٱلَّذِىbi-alladhīin the One whoخَلَقَكَkhalaqakaHe created youمِنminfromتُرَابٍturābindustثُمَّthummathenمِنminfromنُّطْفَةٍnuṭ'fatina tiny drop of semenثُمَّthummathenسَوَّىٰكَsawwākaHe perfected youرَجُلًاrajulan(into) a man? ﴿٣٧﴾

[18:38] "As for me, GOD is my Lord, and I will never set up any other god besides my Lord.

لَّـٰكِنَّا۠lākinnā"But as for me,هُوَhuwaHe (is)ٱللَّهُl-lahuGod,رَبِّىrabbīmy Lord,وَلَآwalāand notأُشْرِكُush'rikuI associate partnersبِرَبِّىٓbirabbīwith my Lordأَحَدًاaḥadananyone. ﴿٣٨﴾

[18:39] "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.

وَلَوْلَآwalawlā"And why (did) not,إِذْidhwhenدَخَلْتَdakhaltayou enteredجَنَّتَكَjannatakayour gardenقُلْتَqul'tayou said,مَاmā 'Whatشَآءَshāa[He] willedٱللَّهُl-lahuGod;لَاlānoقُوَّةَquwwatapowerإِلَّاillāexceptبِٱللَّهِbil-lahiwith God.'إِنin"Indeedتَرَنِtaraniyou see [me]أَنَا۠anāmeأَقَلَّaqallapoorer / lesserمِنكَminkathan youمَالًاmālan(in) wealthوَوَلَدًاwawaladanand children, ﴿٣٩﴾

[18:40] "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.

فَعَسَىٰfaʿasā"but perhapsرَبِّىٓrabbīmy Lordأَنanthatيُؤْتِيَنِyu'tiyaniHe will give meخَيْرًاkhayranbetterمِّنminthanجَنَّتِكَjannatikayour gardenوَيُرْسِلَwayur'silaand He sendsعَلَيْهَاʿalayhāupon itحُسْبَانًاḥus'bānana reckoning / calamity / punishmentمِّنَminafromٱلسَّمَآءِl-samāithe sky,فَتُصْبِحَfatuṣ'biḥathen it becomesصَعِيدًاṣaʿīdanbarren soilزَلَقًاzalaqanslippery / barren, ﴿٤٠﴾

[18:41] "Or, its water may sink deeper, out of your reach."

أَوْaw"Orيُصْبِحَyuṣ'biḥa[it] becomesمَآؤُهَاmāuhāits waterغَوْرًاghawransunken (deeper),فَلَنfalanso neverتَسْتَطِيعَtastaṭīʿayou will be ableلَهُۥlahuto itطَلَبًاṭalabanseek." ﴿٤١﴾

[18:42] 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."

وَأُحِيطَwa-uḥīṭaAnd it was surrounded / encompassed (wiped out)بِثَمَرِهِۦbithamarihiwith his fruits / crops,فَأَصْبَحَfa-aṣbaḥaso he beganيُقَلِّبُyuqallibu[it] twistingكَفَّيْهِkaffayhihis handsعَلَىٰʿalāoverمَآmāwhatأَنفَقَanfaqahe spentفِيهَاfīhāon it,وَهِىَwahiyawhile it (had)خَاوِيَةٌkhāwiyatundesolate / collapsedعَلَىٰʿalāonعُرُوشِهَاʿurūshihāits trellises,وَيَقُولُwayaqūluand he say,يَـٰلَيْتَنِىyālaytanī"Oh, I wishلَمْlamnotأُشْرِكْush'rikI associate partners بِرَبِّىٓbirabbīwith my Lordأَحَدًاaḥadananyone." ﴿٤٢﴾

[18:43] No force on earth could have helped him against GOD, nor was it possible for him to receive any help.

وَلَمْwalamAnd notتَكُنtakunit wasلَّهُۥlahufor himفِئَةٌfi-atuna groupيَنصُرُونَهُۥyanṣurūnahu[they] help himمِنminfromدُونِdūniother thanٱللَّهِl-lahiGod,وَمَاwamāand notكَانَkānahe wasمُنتَصِرًاmuntaṣiranone who is supported. ﴿٤٣﴾

[18:44] That is because the only true Lord and master is GOD; He provides the best recompense, and with Him is the best destiny.

هُنَالِكَhunālikaThere and then,ٱلْوَلَـٰيَةُl-walāyatuthe protection / lord and masterلِلَّهِlillahiis Godٱلْحَقِّl-ḥaqithe True.هُوَhuwaHe (is)خَيْرٌkhayrun(the) bestثَوَابًاthawāban(to) recompenseوَخَيْرٌwakhayrunand (the) bestعُقْبًاʿuq'ban(for) the final end / destiny. ﴿٤٤﴾

[18:45] 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.

وَٱضْرِبْwa-iḍ'ribAnd set forth / citeلَهُمlahumfor themمَّثَلَmathalaan example ofٱلْحَيَوٰةِl-ḥayatithe life (of)ٱلدُّنْيَاl-dun'yāthe world,كَمَآءٍkamāinlike waterأَنزَلْنَـٰهُanzalnāhu(which) we sent it downمِنَminafromٱلسَّمَآءِl-samāithe sky,فَٱخْتَلَطَfa-ikh'talaṭathen mixedبِهِۦbihiwith itنَبَاتُnabātu(the) plants / vegetation (of)ٱلْأَرْضِl-arḍithe earthفَأَصْبَحَfa-aṣbaḥathen it becameهَشِيمًاhashīmandry stalks / hay,تَذْرُوهُtadhrūhu[it] scatters itٱلرِّيَـٰحُl-riyāḥuthe winds.وَكَانَwakānaAnd [He] isٱللَّهُl-lahuGodعَلَىٰʿalāoverكُلِّkullieveryشَىْءٍshayinthingمُّقْتَدِرًاmuq'tadiranAll Able. ﴿٤٥﴾

[18:46] 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.

ٱلْمَالُal-māluThe wealthوَٱلْبَنُونَwal-banūnaand the children (are)زِينَةُzīnatuadornments / joys (of)ٱلْحَيَوٰةِl-ḥayatithe life (of)ٱلدُّنْيَاl-dun'yāthe world.وَٱلْبَـٰقِيَـٰتُwal-bāqiyātuBut the enduring / lasting / eternalٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُl-ṣāliḥātu[the] righteous worksخَيْرٌkhayrun(are) betterعِندَʿindafromرَبِّكَrabbikayour Lordثَوَابًاthawāban(for) recompenseوَخَيْرٌwakhayrunand betterأَمَلًاamalan(for) hope. ﴿٤٦﴾

[18:47] 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.

وَيَوْمَwayawmaAnd (the) Dayنُسَيِّرُnusayyiruwe will cause to moveٱلْجِبَالَl-jibālathe mountainsوَتَرَىwatarāand you will seeٱلْأَرْضَl-arḍathe earthبَارِزَةًbārizatan(as) a leveled plainوَحَشَرْنَـٰهُمْwaḥasharnāhumand we summoned themفَلَمْfalamand notنُغَادِرْnughādirwe will leave outمِنْهُمْmin'humfrom themأَحَدًاaḥadananyone. ﴿٤٧﴾

[18:48] 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.

وَعُرِضُوا۟waʿuriḍūAnd they (will be) presentedعَلَىٰʿalābeforeرَبِّكَrabbikayour Lordصَفًّاṣaffan(in) a rank / row / line,لَّقَدْlaqad"Certainly,جِئْتُمُونَاji'tumūnāyou [all] came to usكَمَاkamāasخَلَقْنَـٰكُمْkhalaqnākumwe created you [all]أَوَّلَawwala(the) firstمَرَّةٍۭmarratintime.بَلْbalNay,زَعَمْتُمْzaʿamtumyou [all] claimedأَلَّنallanthat neverنَّجْعَلَnajʿalawe will make / appointلَكُمlakumfor you [all]مَّوْعِدًاmawʿidanan appointment." ﴿٤٨﴾

[18:49] 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.

وَوُضِعَwawuḍiʿaAnd it (will be) placedٱلْكِتَـٰبُl-kitābuthe recordفَتَرَىfatarāand you will seeٱلْمُجْرِمِينَl-muj'rimīnathe sinners / guilty onesمُشْفِقِينَmush'fiqīna[those] worried / fearfulمِمَّاmimmāof what (is)فِيهِfīhiin it,وَيَقُولُونَwayaqūlūnaand they will say,يَـٰوَيْلَتَنَاyāwaylatanā"O! Woe to us!مَالِmāliHow comeهَـٰذَاhādhāthisٱلْكِتَـٰبِl-kitābi[the] book,لَاlānotيُغَادِرُyughādiruit leavesصَغِيرَةًṣaghīratana small thingوَلَاwalāand notكَبِيرَةًkabīratana big thingإِلَّآillāexcept (that)أَحْصَىٰهَاaḥṣāhāit counted / recorded it?"وَوَجَدُوا۟wawajadūAnd they foundمَاmāwhatعَمِلُوا۟ʿamilūthey didحَاضِرًاḥāḍiranpresented.وَلَاwalāAnd notيَظْلِمُyaẓlimu[He] is unjust / wrongsرَبُّكَrabbukayour Lordأَحَدًاaḥadan(with) anyone. ﴿٤٩﴾

[18:50] 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!

وَإِذْwa-idhAnd when / recallقُلْنَاqul'nāwe saidلِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِlil'malāikatito the angels,ٱسْجُدُوا۟us'judū"Prostrate [you all]لِـَٔادَمَliādamato Adam,"فَسَجَدُوٓا۟fasajadūso they prostratedإِلَّآillāexceptإِبْلِيسَib'līsaIblis (Satan).كَانَkānaHe becameمِنَminaofٱلْجِنِّl-jinithe jinn,فَفَسَقَfafasaqafor he rebelledعَنْʿanagainstأَمْرِamri(the) command / orderرَبِّهِۦٓrabbihi(of) his Lord.أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُۥafatattakhidhūnahuWill you [all] then take himوَذُرِّيَّتَهُۥٓwadhurriyyatahuand his descendantsأَوْلِيَآءَawliyāa(as) protectors / lordsمِنminfromدُونِىdūnīinstead of Me,وَهُمْwahumwhile they (are)لَكُمْlakumto you [all]عَدُوٌّۢʿaduwwunan enemy?بِئْسَbi'saMiserableلِلظَّـٰلِمِينَlilẓẓālimīnafor the wrongdoers (is)بَدَلًاbadalan(the) substitute / exchange. ﴿٥٠﴾

*18:50 When the great feud in the heavenly society took place (38:69), all creatures became classified into angels, jinns, and humans (Appendix 7).

[18:51] 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.*

مَّآmāNotأَشْهَدتُّهُمْashhadttuhumI had them witnessخَلْقَkhalqa(the) creation (of)ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِl-samāwātithe heavensوَٱلْأَرْضِwal-arḍiand the earthوَلَاwalāand notخَلْقَkhalqa(the) creation (of)أَنفُسِهِمْanfusihimthemselvesوَمَاwamāand notكُنتُkuntuI AmمُتَّخِذَmuttakhidhaOne to takeٱلْمُضِلِّينَl-muḍilīnathe misleaders / wicked [ones]عَضُدًاʿaḍudan(as) helpers. ﴿٥١﴾

*18:51 God knew that Satan and his supporters (jinns and humans) were going to make the wrong decision. Hence their exclusion from witnessing the creation process.

[18:52] 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.

وَيَوْمَwayawmaAnd (the) DayيَقُولُyaqūluHe will say,نَادُوا۟nādū"Call [you all]شُرَكَآءِىَshurakāiyaMy partners,ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose whoزَعَمْتُمْzaʿamtumyou [all] claimed."فَدَعَوْهُمْfadaʿawhumThen they called themفَلَمْfalambut notيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟yastajībūthey respondلَهُمْlahumto them.وَجَعَلْنَاwajaʿalnāAnd we madeبَيْنَهُمbaynahumbetween themمَّوْبِقًاmawbiqana place of destruction / insurmountable barrier. ﴿٥٢﴾

[18:53] The guilty will see Hell, and will realize that they will fall into it. They will have no escape therefrom.

وَرَءَاwaraāAnd [he] (will) seeٱلْمُجْرِمُونَl-muj'rimūnathe guilty [ones]ٱلنَّارَl-nārathe Fire / Hell,فَظَنُّوٓا۟faẓannūthen they (will) realizeأَنَّهُمannahumthat they (are)مُّوَاقِعُوهَاmuwāqiʿūhāones to fall in it.وَلَمْwalamAnd notيَجِدُوا۟yajidūthey will findعَنْهَاʿanhāfrom itمَصْرِفًاmaṣrifana refuge / escape. ﴿٥٣﴾

[18:54] We have cited in this Quran every kind of example, but the human being is the most argumentative creature.

وَلَقَدْwalaqadAnd certainly,صَرَّفْنَاṣarrafnāwe explainedفِىfīinهَـٰذَاhādhāthisٱلْقُرْءَانِl-qur'āni[the] Quranلِلنَّاسِlilnnāsifor the peopleمِنminofكُلِّkullievery (kind of)مَثَلٍmathalinexample.وَكَانَwakānaBut [he] wasٱلْإِنسَـٰنُl-insānuthe man / human beingأَكْثَرَakthara(in) mostشَىْءٍshayinmatters / thingsجَدَلًاjadalanargumentative. ﴿٥٤﴾

[18:55] 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.

وَمَاwamāAnd notمَنَعَmanaʿait preventedٱلنَّاسَl-nāsathe peopleأَنanthatيُؤْمِنُوٓا۟yu'minūthey believeإِذْidhwhenجَآءَهُمُjāahumu[it] came to themٱلْهُدَىٰl-hudāthe guidanceوَيَسْتَغْفِرُوا۟wayastaghfirūand they ask forgivenessرَبَّهُمْrabbahum(of) their Lord,إِلَّآillāexceptأَنanthatتَأْتِيَهُمْtatiyahum[it] comes to themسُنَّةُsunnatu(the same) example / precedentsٱلْأَوَّلِينَl-awalīna(as) the former [ones] (people) / past generationsأَوْaworيَأْتِيَهُمُyatiyahumu[it] comes to themٱلْعَذَابُl-ʿadhābuthe punishment / retributionقُبُلًاqubulanbefore (them) (*face to face)? ﴿٥٥﴾

[18:56] 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.

وَمَاwamāAnd notنُرْسِلُnur'siluwe sendٱلْمُرْسَلِينَl-mur'salīnathe messengersإِلَّاillāexcept (as)مُبَشِّرِينَmubashirīnabearers of good newsوَمُنذِرِينَwamundhirīnaand (as) warners.وَيُجَـٰدِلُwayujādiluAnd [he] argues,ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose whoكَفَرُوا۟kafarū[they] disbelieved,بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِbil-bāṭiliwith the falsehood,لِيُدْحِضُوا۟liyud'ḥiḍūthat they may refuteبِهِbihitherebyٱلْحَقَّl-ḥaqathe truth.وَٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟wa-ittakhadhūAnd they tookءَايَـٰتِىāyātīMy verses / proofsوَمَآwamāand whatأُنذِرُوا۟undhirūthey were warnedهُزُوًاhuzuwan(in) ridicule. ﴿٥٦﴾

[18:57] 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.

وَمَنْwamanAnd who (is)أَظْلَمُaẓlamumore wrongمِمَّنmimmanthan one (who)ذُكِّرَdhukkirahe was remindedبِـَٔايَـٰتِbiāyātiof (the) verses / proofsرَبِّهِۦrabbihi(of) his Lord,فَأَعْرَضَfa-aʿraḍabut [he] turned awayعَنْهَاʿanhāconcerning it,وَنَسِىَwanasiyaand he forgotمَاmāwhatقَدَّمَتْqaddamat[it] sent forthيَدَاهُyadāhuboth his hands?إِنَّاinnāIndeed, weجَعَلْنَاjaʿalnā[we] have placedعَلَىٰʿalāoverقُلُوبِهِمْqulūbihimtheir heartsأَكِنَّةًakinnatancoverings / shields,أَنanlestيَفْقَهُوهُyafqahūhuthey understand itوَفِىٓwafīand inءَاذَانِهِمْādhānihimtheir earsوَقْرًاwaqrandeafness.وَإِنwa-inAnd ifتَدْعُهُمْtadʿuhumyou call themإِلَىilātoٱلْهُدَىٰl-hudāthe guidance,فَلَنfalanthen neverيَهْتَدُوٓا۟yahtadūthey will be guidedإِذًاidhanthenأَبَدًاabadanever. ﴿٥٧﴾

[18:58] 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.

وَرَبُّكَwarabbukaAnd your Lord (is)ٱلْغَفُورُl-ghafūruthe Forgiver,ذُوdhūPossessor / full ofٱلرَّحْمَةِl-raḥmatithe Mercy.لَوْlawIfيُؤَاخِذُهُمyuākhidhuhumHe holds them to accountبِمَاbimāfor whatكَسَبُوا۟kasabūthey earned,لَعَجَّلَlaʿajjalasurely He would have hastenedلَهُمُlahumufor themٱلْعَذَابَl-ʿadhābathe punishment / retribution.بَلbalButلَّهُمlahumfor them (is)مَّوْعِدٌmawʿidunan appointment,لَّنlanneverيَجِدُوا۟yajidūthey will findمِنminfromدُونِهِۦdūnihiother than itمَوْئِلًاmawilanan escape. ﴿٥٨﴾

[18:59] Many a community we annihilated because of their transgressions, we designated a specific time for their annihilation.

وَتِلْكَwatil'kaAnd theseٱلْقُرَىٰٓl-qurā[the] towns / communities,أَهْلَكْنَـٰهُمْahlaknāhumwe destroyed themلَمَّاlammāwhenظَلَمُوا۟ẓalamūthey did wrong / transgressed,وَجَعَلْنَاwajaʿalnāand we madeلِمَهْلِكِهِمlimahlikihimfor their destructionمَّوْعِدًاmawʿidanan appointed time. ﴿٥٩﴾

[18:60] 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."

وَإِذْwa-idhAnd when / recallقَالَqāla[he] saidمُوسَىٰmūsāMosesلِفَتَىٰهُlifatāhuto his servant,لَآlā"NotأَبْرَحُabraḥuI will ceaseحَتَّىٰٓḥattāuntilأَبْلُغَablughaI reachمَجْمَعَmajmaʿa(the) gathering place / junction (of)ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِl-baḥraynithe two seas / riversأَوْaworأَمْضِىَamḍiyaI shall go on (for)حُقُبًاḥuqubanan unlimited period of time." ﴿٦٠﴾

[18:61] When they reached the point where they met, they forgot their fish, and it found its way back to the river, sneakily.

فَلَمَّاfalammāBut whenبَلَغَاbalaghāthey both reachedمَجْمَعَmajmaʿa(the) gathering place / junctionبَيْنِهِمَاbaynihimābetween the two,نَسِيَاnasiyāthey both forgotحُوتَهُمَاḥūtahumāboth their fish,فَٱتَّخَذَfa-ittakhadhaand it takesسَبِيلَهُۥsabīlahuits wayفِىfīintoٱلْبَحْرِl-baḥrithe river,سَرَبًاsarabansneakily. ﴿٦١﴾

[18:62] After they passed that point, he said to his servant, "Let us have lunch. All this traveling has thoroughly exhausted us."

فَلَمَّاfalammāThen whenجَاوَزَاjāwazāthey [both] passed beyond / crossedقَالَqālahe saidلِفَتَىٰهُlifatāhuto his servant, ءَاتِنَاātinā"Bring usغَدَآءَنَاghadāanāour early meal / lunch.لَقَدْlaqadCertainlyلَقِينَاlaqīnāwe met / experiencedمِنmininسَفَرِنَاsafarināour journeyهَـٰذَاhādhāthis,نَصَبًاnaṣabanfatigue." ﴿٦٢﴾

[18:63] 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."

قَالَqālaHe said,أَرَءَيْتَara-ayta"Have you seen,إِذْidhwhenأَوَيْنَآawaynāwe retiredإِلَىilātoٱلصَّخْرَةِl-ṣakhratithe rock?فَإِنِّىfa-innīThen indeed, Iنَسِيتُnasītu[I] forgotٱلْحُوتَl-ḥūtathe fish.وَمَآwamāAnd notأَنسَىٰنِيهُansānīhu[he] had me forget itإِلَّاillāexceptٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُl-shayṭānuthe devilأَنْanthatأَذْكُرَهُۥadhkurahuI remember / mention it.وَٱتَّخَذَwa-ittakhadhaAnd it tookسَبِيلَهُۥsabīlahuits wayفِىfīintoٱلْبَحْرِl-baḥrithe river,عَجَبًاʿajabanstrangely." ﴿٦٣﴾

[18:64] (Moses) said, "That was the place we were looking for." They traced their steps back.

قَالَqālaHe said,ذَٰلِكَdhālika"That (is)مَاmāwhatكُنَّاkunnāwe wereنَبْغِnabghi[we] to seek."فَٱرْتَدَّاfa-ir'taddāSo they both returnedعَلَىٰٓʿalāoverءَاثَارِهِمَاāthārihimāboth their footprints,قَصَصًاqaṣaṣanretracing. ﴿٦٤﴾

[18:65] They found one of our servants, whom we blessed with mercy, and bestowed upon him from our own knowledge.

فَوَجَدَاfawajadāThen they both foundعَبْدًاʿabdana servantمِّنْminfromعِبَادِنَآʿibādināour servants,ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُātaynāhu(whom) we gave himرَحْمَةًraḥmatanmercyمِّنْminfromعِندِنَاʿindinā[by] us,وَعَلَّمْنَـٰهُwaʿallamnāhuand we taught himمِنminfromلَّدُنَّاladunnāus a عِلْمًاʿil'manknowledge. ﴿٦٥﴾

[18:66] Moses said to him, "Can I follow you, that you may teach me some of the knowledge and the guidance bestowed upon you?"

قَالَqāla[He] saidلَهُۥlahuto himمُوسَىٰmūsāMoses,هَلْhal"May,أَتَّبِعُكَattabiʿukaI follow youعَلَىٰٓʿalāonأَنanthatتُعَلِّمَنِtuʿallimaniyou teach meمِمَّاmimmāof whatعُلِّمْتَʿullim'tayou were taught (of)رُشْدًاrush'dan(the) right path / guidance?" ﴿٦٦﴾

[18:67] He said, "You cannot stand to be with me.

قَالَqālaHe said,إِنَّكَinnaka"Indeed, youلَنlanneverتَسْتَطِيعَtastaṭīʿayou will be able (to have) مَعِىَmaʿiyawith meصَبْرًاṣabranpatience. ﴿٦٧﴾

[18:68] "How can you stand that which you do not comprehend?"

وَكَيْفَwakayfa"And how (can)تَصْبِرُtaṣbiruyou have patienceعَلَىٰʿalāforمَاmāwhatلَمْlamnotتُحِطْtuḥiṭyou comprehendبِهِۦbihiof itخُبْرًاkhub'ranany knowledge / awareness?" ﴿٦٨﴾

[18:69] He said, "You will find me, GOD willing, patient. I will not disobey any command you give me."

قَالَqālaHe said,سَتَجِدُنِىٓsatajidunī"You will find me,إِنinifشَآءَshāa[He] willedٱللَّهُl-lahuGodصَابِرًاṣābiranpatient,وَلَآwalāand notأَعْصِىaʿṣīI will disobeyلَكَlaka[to] yourأَمْرًاamranorder / command." ﴿٦٩﴾

[18:70] He said, "If you follow me, then you shall not ask me about anything, unless I choose to tell you about it."

قَالَqālaHe said,فَإِنِfa-ini"Then ifٱتَّبَعْتَنِىittabaʿtanīyou follow meفَلَاfalā[so] (do) notتَسْـَٔلْنِىtasalnīyou ask meعَنʿanaboutشَىْءٍshayinanythingحَتَّىٰٓḥattāuntilأُحْدِثَuḥ'dithaI initiate / narrateلَكَlakato youمِنْهُmin'huof itذِكْرًاdhik'rana mention." ﴿٧٠﴾

[18:71] 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."

فَٱنطَلَقَاfa-inṭalaqāSo they both set outحَتَّىٰٓḥattāuntilإِذَاidhāwhenرَكِبَاrakibāthey both boardedفِىfīonٱلسَّفِينَةِl-safīnatithe shipخَرَقَهَاkharaqahāhe made a hole in it.قَالَqālaHe said,أَخَرَقْتَهَاakharaqtahā"Have you made a hole in itلِتُغْرِقَlitugh'riqathat you may drownأَهْلَهَاahlahāits people?لَقَدْlaqadCertainly,جِئْتَji'tayou brought / doneشَيْـًٔاshayana thingإِمْرًاim'rangrievous / terrible." ﴿٧١﴾

[18:72] He said, "Did I not say that you cannot stand to be with me?"

قَالَqālaHe said,أَلَمْalam"Did notأَقُلْaqulI say,إِنَّكَinnakaindeed, youلَنlanneverتَسْتَطِيعَtastaṭīʿayou will be able (to have) مَعِىَmaʿiyawith meصَبْرًاṣabranpatience?" ﴿٧٢﴾

[18:73] He said, "I am sorry. Do not punish me for my forgetfulness; do not be too harsh with me."

قَالَqālaHe said,لَاlā"(Do) notتُؤَاخِذْنِىtuākhidh'nīyou punish me / hold me accountableبِمَاbimāfor whatنَسِيتُnasītuI forgotوَلَاwalāand (do) notتُرْهِقْنِىtur'hiq'nīyou be harsh with me / burden meمِنْmininأَمْرِىamrīmy affairعُسْرًاʿus'ranhardship / difficulty." ﴿٧٣﴾

[18:74] 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."

فَٱنطَلَقَاfa-inṭalaqāThen they both set outحَتَّىٰٓḥattāuntilإِذَاidhāwhenلَقِيَاlaqiyāthey both metغُلَـٰمًاghulāmana boy,فَقَتَلَهُۥfaqatalahuthen he killed him.قَالَqālaHe said,أَقَتَلْتَaqatalta"Have you killedنَفْسًاnafsana soul,زَكِيَّةًۢzakiyyatanpure / innocent,بِغَيْرِbighayrifor other than*نَفْسٍnafsina soul (*who did not kill another soul)?لَّقَدْlaqadCertainly,جِئْتَji'tayou brought / doneشَيْـًٔاshayana thingنُّكْرًاnuk'ranterrible / evil / horrendous." ﴿٧٤﴾

[18:75] He said, "Did I not tell you that you cannot stand to be with me?"

قَالَqālaHe said,أَلَمْalam"Did notأَقُلaqulI sayلَّكَlakato youإِنَّكَinnakaindeed you,لَنlanneverتَسْتَطِيعَtastaṭīʿayou will be able (to have) مَعِىَmaʿiyawith meصَبْرًاṣabranpatience?" ﴿٧٥﴾

[18:76] He said, "If I ask you about anything else, then do not keep me with you. You have seen enough apologies from me."

قَالَqālaHe said,إِنin"Ifسَأَلْتُكَsa-altukaI ask youعَنʿanaboutشَىْءٍۭshayinanythingبَعْدَهَاbaʿdahāafter it,فَلَاfalāthen (do) notتُصَـٰحِبْنِىtuṣāḥib'nīyou keep me as a companion.قَدْqadVerily,بَلَغْتَbalaghtayou reachedمِنmin[of]لَّدُنِّىladunnīfrom meعُذْرًاʿudh'ranan excuse." ﴿٧٦﴾

[18:77] 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!"

فَٱنطَلَقَاfa-inṭalaqāThen they both set outحَتَّىٰٓḥattāuntilإِذَآidhāwhenأَتَيَآatayāthey both cameأَهْلَahla(to the) people (of)قَرْيَةٍqaryatina town / community,ٱسْتَطْعَمَآis'taṭʿamāthey both asked for foodأَهْلَهَاahlahā(from) its people,فَأَبَوْا۟fa-abawbut they refusedأَنanthatيُضَيِّفُوهُمَاyuḍayyifūhumāthey offer hospitality / host both of them.فَوَجَدَاfawajadāThen they both foundفِيهَاfīhāin itجِدَارًاjidārana wallيُرِيدُyurīduit intendsأَنanthatيَنقَضَّyanqaḍḍait collapses,فَأَقَامَهُۥfa-aqāmahuso he set it straight / fixed it.قَالَqālaHe said,لَوْlaw"Ifشِئْتَshi'tayou wishedلَتَّخَذْتَlattakhadhtasurely you could have takenعَلَيْهِʿalayhifor itأَجْرًاajrana payment / wage." ﴿٧٧﴾

[18:78] He said, "Now we have to part company. But I will explain to you everything you could not stand.

قَالَqālaHe said,هَـٰذَاhādhā"This (is)فِرَاقُfirāqupartingبَيْنِىbaynībetween meوَبَيْنِكَwabaynikaand between you.سَأُنَبِّئُكَsa-unabbi-ukaI will inform youبِتَأْوِيلِbitawīliof (the) interpretation / explanationمَاmā(of) whatلَمْlamnotتَسْتَطِعtastaṭiʿyou are able (to have)عَّلَيْهِʿalayhifor itصَبْرًاṣabranpatience. ﴿٧٨﴾

[18:79] "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.

أَمَّاammā"As forٱلسَّفِينَةُl-safīnatuthe ship,فَكَانَتْfakānatso it wasلِمَسَـٰكِينَlimasākīnafor (the) poor peopleيَعْمَلُونَyaʿmalūna[they] workفِىfīinٱلْبَحْرِl-baḥrithe sea.فَأَرَدتُّfa-aradttuSo I intended / wantedأَنْanthatأَعِيبَهَاaʿībahāI render it defectiveوَكَانَwakānaand there wasوَرَآءَهُمwarāahumafter themمَّلِكٌmalikuna kingيَأْخُذُyakhudhuhe will take / confiscateكُلَّkullaeveryسَفِينَةٍsafīnatinshipغَصْبًاghaṣbanforcefully. ﴿٧٩﴾

[18:80] "As for the boy, his parents were good believers, and we saw that he was going to burden them with his transgression and disbelief.*

وَأَمَّاwa-ammā"And as forٱلْغُلَـٰمُl-ghulāmuthe boyفَكَانَfakānaso [it] wasأَبَوَاهُabawāhu[both] his parentsمُؤْمِنَيْنِmu'minaynitwo believers,فَخَشِينَآfakhashīnāand we fearedأَنanthatيُرْهِقَهُمَاyur'hiqahumāhe will burden both of themطُغْيَـٰنًاṭugh'yānan(with) transgressionوَكُفْرًاwakuf'ranand disbelief. ﴿٨٠﴾

*18:80 Adolf Hitler was a cute and seemingly innocent child. Had he died as a child, many would have grieved, and many would have even questioned God's wisdom. We learn from these profound lessons that there is a good reason behind everything.

[18:81] "We willed that your Lord substitute in his place another son; one who is better in righteousness and kindness.

فَأَرَدْنَآfa-aradnā"So we intendedأَنanthatيُبْدِلَهُمَاyub'dilahumā[He] exchanges / substitutes for both of themرَبُّهُمَاrabbuhumā[both] their Lord,خَيْرًاkhayrana betterمِّنْهُmin'huthan himزَكَوٰةًzakatan(in) purity / righteousnessوَأَقْرَبَwa-aqrabaand nearerرُحْمًاruḥ'man(in) affection / kindness. ﴿٨١﴾

[18:82] "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."

وَأَمَّاwa-ammā"And as forٱلْجِدَارُl-jidāruthe wall,فَكَانَfakānaso it wasلِغُلَـٰمَيْنِlighulāmaynifor two boysيَتِيمَيْنِyatīmaynithey both fatherless / orphansفِىfīinٱلْمَدِينَةِl-madīnatithe city,وَكَانَwakānaand [it] wasتَحْتَهُۥtaḥtahuunder itكَنزٌkanzuna treasureلَّهُمَاlahumāfor both of themوَكَانَwakānaand [he] wasأَبُوهُمَاabūhumā(the) father of both of themصَـٰلِحًاṣāliḥanrighteous.فَأَرَادَfa-arādaSo [He] intended / wanted / willedرَبُّكَrabbukayour Lordأَنanthatيَبْلُغَآyablughāthey both reachأَشُدَّهُمَاashuddahumāboth their maturity / full strength,وَيَسْتَخْرِجَاwayastakhrijāand they both seek to bring out / extractكَنزَهُمَاkanzahumāboth their treasureرَحْمَةًraḥmatan(as) a mercyمِّنminfromرَّبِّكَrabbikayour Lord.وَمَاwamāAnd notفَعَلْتُهُۥfaʿaltuhuI did itعَنْʿanonأَمْرِىamrīmy (own) accord.ذَٰلِكَdhālikaThatتَأْوِيلُtawīlu(the) interpretation / explanationمَاmā(of) whatلَمْlamnotتَسْطِعtasṭiʿyou will be able / you will obeyعَّلَيْهِʿalayhifor itصَبْرًاṣabranpatience / steadily adhere to reason and command." ﴿٨٢﴾

[18:83] They ask you about Zul-Qarnain. Say, "I will narrate to you some of his history."

وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَwayasalūnakaAnd they ask youعَنʿanaboutذِىdhī Dhi- / possessorٱلْقَرْنَيْنِl-qarnayniAl-Qarnain / the two horns / two generations.قُلْqulSay,سَأَتْلُوا۟sa-atlū"I will reciteعَلَيْكُمʿalaykumto you [all]مِّنْهُmin'huabout himذِكْرًاdhik'rana remembrance / history." ﴿٨٣﴾

[18:84] We granted him authority on earth, and provided him with all kinds of means.

إِنَّاinnāIndeed, weمَكَّنَّاmakkannā[we] established / granted authorityلَهُۥlahuto himفِىfīinٱلْأَرْضِl-arḍithe earth,وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُwaātaynāhuand we gave himمِنminofكُلِّkullieveryشَىْءٍshayinthingسَبَبًاsababana means. ﴿٨٤﴾

[18:85] Then, he pursued one way.

فَأَتْبَعَfa-atbaʿaSo he followedسَبَبًاsababana way. ﴿٨٥﴾

[18:86] 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."

حَتَّىٰٓḥattāUntil,إِذَاidhāwhenبَلَغَbalaghahe reachedمَغْرِبَmaghriba(the) setting place (of)ٱلشَّمْسِl-shamsithe sun,وَجَدَهَاwajadahāhe found itتَغْرُبُtaghrubu[it] settingفِىfīinعَيْنٍʿayninspring / water / wide-eyed (of)حَمِئَةٍḥami-atincombination of earth and water / muddy and murky land,وَوَجَدَwawajadaand he foundعِندَهَاʿindahānear itقَوْمًاqawmana community / people.قُلْنَاqul'nāWe said,يَـٰذَاyādhā "O Dhā / possessor ofٱلْقَرْنَيْنِl-qarnayniAl-Qarnain / the two horns / the two generations!إِمَّآimmāEitherأَنanthatتُعَذِّبَtuʿadhibayou punishوَإِمَّآwa-immāorأَنanthatتَتَّخِذَtattakhidhayou takeفِيهِمْfīhimin themحُسْنًاḥus'nan(with) goodness." ﴿٨٦﴾

[18:87] 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.

قَالَqālaHe said,أَمَّاammā"As forمَنman(one) whoظَلَمَẓalama[he] did wrong,فَسَوْفَfasawfathen soonنُعَذِّبُهُۥnuʿadhibuhuwe will punish him.ثُمَّthummaThenيُرَدُّyuradduhe will returnإِلَىٰilātoرَبِّهِۦrabbihihis Lord,فَيُعَذِّبُهُۥfayuʿadhibuhuand He will punish himعَذَابًاʿadhāban(with) a punishment / retributionنُّكْرًاnuk'ranterrible. ﴿٨٧﴾

[18:88] "As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, they receive a good reward; we will treat them kindly."

وَأَمَّاwa-ammā"But as forمَنْman(one) whoءَامَنَāmana[he] believedوَعَمِلَwaʿamilaand he didصَـٰلِحًاṣāliḥanrighteous (deeds),فَلَهُۥfalahuthen for him (is)جَزَآءًjazāana rewardٱلْحُسْنَىٰl-ḥus'nā[the] good / best.وَسَنَقُولُwasanaqūluAnd we will speakلَهُۥlahuto himمِنْminfromأَمْرِنَاamrināour commandيُسْرًاyus'ran(with) ease / gentle." ﴿٨٨﴾

[18:89] Then he pursued another way.

ثُمَّthummaThenأَتْبَعَatbaʿahe followedسَبَبًاsababana way. ﴿٨٩﴾

[18:90] When he reached the far east, he found the sun rising on people who had nothing to shelter them from it.

حَتَّىٰٓḥattāUntil,إِذَاidhāwhenبَلَغَbalaghahe reachedمَطْلِعَmaṭliʿa(the) rising place (of)ٱلشَّمْسِl-shamsithe sun,وَجَدَهَاwajadahāhe found itتَطْلُعُtaṭluʿu[it] risingعَلَىٰʿalāonقَوْمٍqawmina communityلَّمْlamnotنَجْعَلnajʿalwe place / makeلَّهُمlahumfor themمِّنmin fromدُونِهَاdūnihāagainst itسِتْرًاsit'ran(any) shelter. ﴿٩٠﴾

[18:91] Naturally, we were fully aware of everything he found out.

كَذَٰلِكَkadhālikaThusوَقَدْwaqadand verily,أَحَطْنَاaḥaṭnāwe were fully awareبِمَاbimāof whatلَدَيْهِladayhi(was) with himخُبْرًاkhub'ran(of the) knowledge / information. ﴿٩١﴾

[18:92] He then pursued another way.

ثُمَّthummaThenأَتْبَعَatbaʿahe followedسَبَبًاsababana way. ﴿٩٢﴾

[18:93] When he reached the valley between two palisades, he found people whose language was barely understandable.

حَتَّىٰٓḥattāUntil,إِذَاidhāwhenبَلَغَbalaghahe reachedبَيْنَbaynabetweenٱلسَّدَّيْنِl-sadaynithe two palisades,وَجَدَwajadahe foundمِنminfromدُونِهِمَاdūnihimābesides both of themقَوْمًاqawmana community / people,لَّاlānotيَكَادُونَyakādūnathey barelyيَفْقَهُونَyafqahūna[they] understandقَوْلًاqawlan(his) word / speech. ﴿٩٣﴾

[18:94] 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?"

قَالُوا۟qālūThey said,يَـٰذَاyādhā "O Dhā / possessor ofٱلْقَرْنَيْنِl-qarnayniAl-Qarnain / the two horns / the two generations!إِنَّinnaIndeed,يَأْجُوجَyajūjaGogوَمَأْجُوجَwamajūjaand Magog (are)مُفْسِدُونَmuf'sidūnatrouble-makers / corruptorsفِىfīinٱلْأَرْضِl-arḍithe land.فَهَلْfahalSo canنَجْعَلُnajʿaluwe makeلَكَlakato youخَرْجًاkharjana paymentعَلَىٰٓʿalā[on]أَنanthatتَجْعَلَtajʿalayou makeبَيْنَنَاbaynanābetween usوَبَيْنَهُمْwabaynahumand between themسَدًّاsaddana barrier?" ﴿٩٤﴾

*18:94-98 One of my duties as God's Messenger of the Covenant is to state that Gog and Magog, the final sign before the end of the world, will reappear in 2270 AD (1700 AH), just 10 years before the end. Note that Gog and Magog occur in Suras 18 and 21, precisely 17 verses before the end of each sura, representing 17 lunar centuries (see 72:27 and Appendix 25).

[18:95] He said, "My Lord has given me great bounties. If you cooperate with me, I will build a dam between you and them.

قَالَqālaHe said,مَاmā"WhatمَكَّنِّىmakkannīHe strengthened / positioned / established meفِيهِfīhiin itرَبِّىrabbīmy Lord (is)خَيْرٌkhayrunbetter,فَأَعِينُونِىfa-aʿīnūnībut if you [all] assist meبِقُوَّةٍbiquwwatinwith strength (*strongly),أَجْعَلْajʿalI will makeبَيْنَكُمْbaynakumbetween you [all]وَبَيْنَهُمْwabaynahumand between themرَدْمًاradmana barrier / strong wall / dam. ﴿٩٥﴾

[18:96] "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."

ءَاتُونِىātūnī"Bring meزُبَرَzubaramasses (of)ٱلْحَدِيدِl-ḥadīdithe iron"حَتَّىٰٓḥattāuntil,إِذَاidhāwhenسَاوَىٰsāwāhe leveled / filled the gapبَيْنَbaynabetweenٱلصَّدَفَيْنِl-ṣadafaynithe two cliffs / palisades,قَالَqālahe said,ٱنفُخُوا۟unfukhū"Blow [you all]"حَتَّىٰٓḥattāuntilإِذَاidhāwhenجَعَلَهُۥjaʿalahuhe made itنَارًاnāranfire / red hot,قَالَqālahe said,ءَاتُونِىٓātūnī"Bring me,أُفْرِغْuf'righI pourعَلَيْهِʿalayhiover itقِطْرًاqiṭ'rantar." ﴿٩٦﴾

[18:97] Thus, they could not climb it, nor could they bore holes in it.

فَمَاfamāSo notٱسْطَـٰعُوٓا۟is'ṭāʿūthey were ableأَنanthatيَظْهَرُوهُyaẓharūhuthey back / support / ascend / overcome / scale itوَمَاwamāand notٱسْتَطَـٰعُوا۟is'taṭāʿūthey were ableلَهُۥlahuin itنَقْبًاnaqbanto penetrate / tunnel through / bore holes. ﴿٩٧﴾

[18:98] 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."

قَالَqālaHe said,هَـٰذَاhādhā"This (is)رَحْمَةٌraḥmatuna mercyمِّنminfromرَّبِّىrabbīmy Lord.فَإِذَاfa-idhāBut when [in the future]جَآءَjāa[it] cameوَعْدُwaʿdu(the) promise / prophecyرَبِّىrabbī(of) my Lord,جَعَلَهُۥjaʿalahuHe (will) make itدَكَّآءَdakkāacrumble.وَكَانَwakānaAnd [it] wasوَعْدُwaʿdu(the) promise / prophecyرَبِّىrabbī(of) my Lordحَقًّاḥaqqantrue." ﴿٩٨﴾

[18:99] At that time, we will let them invade with one another, then the horn will be blown, and we will summon them all together.

وَتَرَكْنَاwataraknāAnd we (will) leaveبَعْضَهُمْbaʿḍahumsome of themيَوْمَئِذٍyawma-idhin(on) that dayيَمُوجُyamūju[it] will ripple / surge (invade)فِىfīwithبَعْضٍbaʿḍinsome others,وَنُفِخَwanufikhaand it (will be) blownفِىfīinٱلصُّورِl-ṣūrithe horn,فَجَمَعْنَـٰهُمْfajamaʿnāhumthen we (will) gather themجَمْعًاjamʿanall together. ﴿٩٩﴾

[18:100] We will present Hell, on that day, to the disbelievers.

وَعَرَضْنَاwaʿaraḍnāAnd we presentedجَهَنَّمَjahannamaHellيَوْمَئِذٍyawma-idhin(on) that Dayلِّلْكَـٰفِرِينَlil'kāfirīnato the disbelievers,عَرْضًاʿarḍan(on) display. ﴿١٠٠﴾

[18:101] They are the ones whose eyes were too veiled to see My message. Nor could they hear.

ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnaThoseكَانَتْkānat[it] wasأَعْيُنُهُمْaʿyunuhumtheir eyesفِىfīwithinغِطَآءٍghiṭāina veilعَنʿanfromذِكْرِىdhik'rīMy reminder / remembrance / message,وَكَانُوا۟wakānūand they wereلَاlānotيَسْتَطِيعُونَyastaṭīʿūna[they are] ableسَمْعًاsamʿanto listen. ﴿١٠١﴾

[18:102] 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.

أَفَحَسِبَafaḥasibaThen has [he] thought,ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose whoكَفَرُوٓا۟kafarū[they] disbelieved,أَنanthatيَتَّخِذُوا۟yattakhidhūthey (can) takeعِبَادِىʿibādīMy servantsمِنminfromدُونِىٓdūnībesides Meأَوْلِيَآءَawliyāa(as) protectors / gods?إِنَّآinnāIndeed, weأَعْتَدْنَاaʿtadnā[we] preparedجَهَنَّمَjahannamaHellلِلْكَـٰفِرِينَlil'kāfirīnafor the disbelieversنُزُلًاnuzulan(as) an abode. ﴿١٠٢﴾

[18:103] Say, "Shall I tell you who the worst losers are?

قُلْqulSay,هَلْhal"Shallنُنَبِّئُكُمnunabbi-ukumwe inform you [all]بِٱلْأَخْسَرِينَbil-akhsarīnaof the worst losersأَعْمَـٰلًاaʿmālan(in) deeds? ﴿١٠٣﴾

[18:104] "They are the ones whose works in this life are totally astray, but they think that they are doing good."

ٱلَّذِينَalladhīna"Those whoضَلَّḍalla[it] strayedسَعْيُهُمْsaʿyuhumtheir effortفِىfīinٱلْحَيَوٰةِl-ḥayatithe life (of)ٱلدُّنْيَاl-dun'yāthe world,وَهُمْwahumwhile theyيَحْسَبُونَyaḥsabūna[they] thinkأَنَّهُمْannahumthat theyيُحْسِنُونَyuḥ'sinūna[they] are doing goodصُنْعًاṣun'ʿanwork." ﴿١٠٤﴾

[18:105] 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.

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَulāikaThose (are)ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathe ones whoكَفَرُوا۟kafarū[they] disbelievedبِـَٔايَـٰتِbiāyātiin (the) verses / revelationsرَبِّهِمْrabbihim(of) their Lord,وَلِقَآئِهِۦwaliqāihiand meeting Him.فَحَبِطَتْfaḥabiṭatSo [it] became nullified / gone in vainأَعْمَـٰلُهُمْaʿmāluhumtheir deeds,فَلَاfalāso notنُقِيمُnuqīmuwe will assignلَهُمْlahumfor themيَوْمَyawma(on the) Day (of)ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِl-qiyāmatithe Resurrectionوَزْنًاwaznanany weight. ﴿١٠٥﴾

[18:106] Their just requital is Hell, in return for their disbelief, and for mocking My revelations and My messengers.

ذَٰلِكَdhālikaThat (is)جَزَآؤُهُمْjazāuhumtheir requitalجَهَنَّمُjahannamuHellبِمَاbimābecauseكَفَرُوا۟kafarūthey disbelieved,وَٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟wa-ittakhadhūand they tookءَايَـٰتِىāyātīMy verses / revelationsوَرُسُلِىwarusulīand My messengersهُزُوًاhuzuwan(in) ridicule. ﴿١٠٦﴾

[18:107] As for those who believe and lead a righteous life they have deserved a blissful Paradise as their abode.

إِنَّinnaIndeed,ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnathose whoءَامَنُوا۟āmanū[they] believedوَعَمِلُوا۟waʿamilūand [they] didٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِl-ṣāliḥāti[the] righteous deeds,كَانَتْkānatit (will) beلَهُمْlahumfor them جَنَّـٰتُjannātugardens (of)ٱلْفِرْدَوْسِl-fir'dawsi[the] Paradiseنُزُلًاnuzulan(as) an abode. ﴿١٠٧﴾

[18:108] Forever they abide therein; they will never want any other substitute.

خَـٰلِدِينَkhālidīna[Ones] abiding foreverفِيهَاfīhāin it.لَاlāNotيَبْغُونَyabghūnathey will desire / seekعَنْهَاʿanhāfrom itحِوَلًاḥiwalanany substitute. ﴿١٠٨﴾

[18:109] 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."

قُلqulSay,لَّوْlaw"Ifكَانَkāna[it] wereٱلْبَحْرُl-baḥruthe oceanمِدَادًاmidādanink,لِّكَلِمَـٰتِlikalimātifor (the) wordsرَبِّىrabbī(of) my Lord,لَنَفِدَlanafidasurely [it] would have exhaustedٱلْبَحْرُl-baḥruthe oceanقَبْلَqablabeforeأَنan[that]تَنفَدَtanfadait exhaustsكَلِمَـٰتُkalimātu(the) wordsرَبِّىrabbī(of) my Lord,وَلَوْwalaweven ifجِئْنَاji'nāwe broughtبِمِثْلِهِۦbimith'lihiin (the) equivalent of itمَدَدًاmadadan(to) aid / (in) ink." ﴿١٠٩﴾

[18:110] 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."

قُلْqulSay,إِنَّمَآinnamā"Onlyأَنَا۠anāI amبَشَرٌbasharuna humanمِّثْلُكُمْmith'lukumlike you [all].يُوحَىٰٓyūḥāit is revealed / inspiredإِلَىَّilayyato meأَنَّمَآannamāthat onlyإِلَـٰهُكُمْilāhukumyour god (is)إِلَـٰهٌilāhungodوَٰحِدٌwāḥidunOne.فَمَنfamanSo whoeverكَانَkānahe used toيَرْجُوا۟yarjū[he] hope (in)لِقَآءَliqāameetingرَبِّهِۦrabbihihis Lord,فَلْيَعْمَلْfalyaʿmalso let him doعَمَلًاʿamalandeedsصَـٰلِحًاṣāliḥanrighteousوَلَاwalāand notيُشْرِكْyush'rikhe associate partnersبِعِبَادَةِbiʿibādatiin (the) worshipرَبِّهِۦٓrabbihi(of) his Lordأَحَدًۢاaḥadananyone." ﴿١١٠﴾

Sura 18: Al-Kahf (The Cave) الكهف

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