We are helpless drop of sperm

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of The Quran
Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi (The Cave) Verse 36 to 39.

The meaning of Verse 36

"And I don't think that The Last Hour will come. Even if it come and I meet GOD on Judgement Day, surely GOD will reward me with something better than my present garden"



====================================================
My observation :-
He was arrogant. Showing himself to his friend who was not as successful as him. He was also making fun of his friend's religious belief of Judgment Day.

The meaning of Verse 37

His pious friend replied,
"Are you going against GOD WHO has created you from clay. And then from a drop of sperm. Then HE shaped you in a perfect manner and made you a man?"

====================================================
My observation :-

His friend was hinting him that GOD has created Adam from clay and then the offspring of Adam from drop of sperm, trying to make him realize that this worldly life is nothing compared to GOD'd kingdom. This life is like a drop of sperm. Therefore, as human we cannot be arrogant by saying things such as "no disaster will fall on my garden".

Harun Yahya mentioned in his book, "Signs ofthe End of Times in Surat Al-Kahfi", that the pious man was trying to help his arrogant friend to realize the greatness of GOD, by mentioning GOD's sign in Nature and origin of man which is a helpless drop of sperm.

Harun Yahya continues that we often meet these self-contradicting people. They talk profoundly about GOD but they do not lead a life that pleases GOD and did not follow the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad.

Despite that they consider themselves rigtheous and destined for Paradise. They are actually deceiving themselves.

The meaning of Verse 38

"As for me, HE is THE GOD, My LORD. I will not consider anyone equal to my Lord."

====================================================
My observation :-

His pious friend wanted to make him realize that GOD is the only source of success. That is why you find that the theme of the narration here suddenly switch from beautiful garden to GOD.

The arrogant man was so boastful of his garden and successful life that his friend had to interrupt him by mentioning GOD so that he will not forget GOD totally.

The meaning of Verse 39

Why didn't you say, when you enter your garden, that

"All these are from GOD. There is no power except the power of GOD"

Although you may see that I had less wealth, less children than you, but may be, GOD will give me something better than what you have.

GOD can cause calamity to fall on your garden, and it will become barren and dust.
Or GOD can make the water to sink deep into the ground that you will never get water supply again for your garden.



====================================================
Imam Jalalain commented with a hadis, that :-

"Who ever had been given the good things in life, or a beautiful wife or plenty of wealth, and then he said

'All these are from GOD. There is no power except the power of GOD'

then he will never see any unfavourable things happen to whatever he owns."

My wealth is more than yours

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of The Quran,

Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi Verses 32 to 34

The meaning of Verse 32
And give them a parable of two men. WE made for one of them two gardens of vineyards and surrounded them withdate palms and in between the two gardens WE have made a field of grain.


====================================================
Imam Jalalain commented that:-
1) The one with 2 gardens is an unbeliever of

The Truth.
2) The field of grain provide him regular staple food.

The meaning of Verse 33
The two gardens produced fruits

and were not discrimated even a little bit.

And WE made rivers flow in between the two gardens.

The meaning of Verse 34
And he had plenty of fruits. So he said to his friend when they were talking together;

"My wealth is more than yours

and

my followers are stronger."

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

Insya ALLAH we will continue with the next verses

009-7 The Cave 18:31 Gold Bracelets, silk & brocade

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

The meaning of Verse 31

For them are the Paradise of Aden, with rivers flowing underneath them.

In that paradise they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and will wear fine green silk and brocade.

They will be seated in a relaxed and leaning position on a raised platform.

Those are the best rewards and the most pleasant resting place.

====================================================

Imam Jalalain commented that :-

1) They will live in the Paradise of Aden, which

Muhammad Asad later commented are gardens of perpetual

bliss, that is endless perfect joy

2) The grammar may indicate that the bracelets are

only some of the many other ornaments.

3) It is mentioned in The Quran

Chapter 55

Ar-Rahman

Verse 54 ;

"In the inner side are from brocade"

[which I supposed explained the reason why in this

verse 31 is mentioned both 'fine silk and brocade' in one sentence].

4) The raised platforms are like the platforms in traditional Malay weddings, where the brides and bridegrooms will be seated and treated like kings and queens. There will also be many kinds of decorations, clothings and curtains.

009-5 The Cave 18:29 - Boiling water will scald the faces

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

The meaning of Verse 29

Say, "The Truth is from your Lord. Who wants to believe, let them believe. And who wants to reject, let them reject."

We have prepare for those who reject The Truth, fire, which will surround them from all sides like a wall.

And when they beg for drinking water, they will be given drinking water hot like molten lead, or boiling oil, which will scald their faces.

How dreadful is the drink! How miserable is that resting place (Hell).

====================================================

Imam Jalalain commented that :-

1) the sentence,

"And who wants to reject, let them reject." is a warning from God. It is not an option.

2) the word 'resting place' in this verse has a negatif meaning. It is an opposite to Verse 31 later in this same Chapter 18, which means;

"And Paradise is the most pleasant resting place"

It must be understood in this way, as it is not appropiate to say that Hell is a 'resting place'.


=====to be continued if GOD's will========

007-2e The Cave 18:28 Do not be influenced by pride and desire

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

Literal Translation of verse 28.

Be patient in the company of those who call their Lord

in the morning and evening in seeking HIS pleasure.

Do not turn away from them,

in seeking the luxury of this worldly life,

and do not follow those people whom

WE have made their hearts forget to remember US,

and who only follow their desire.

Such are acts of extremely over the limits.

Commentary by Jalalain.

Be patient with the company of your poor followers,

as they are unable to give you any worldly benefit.

Do not leave them for the sake of worldly luxury

and do not join those who were not interested in the Quran,

i.e. Uyaynah ibnu Hishn and his friends,

who do things as they please, especially in idol worship,

which is an act of extremely beyond limit.

Commentary by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

The true servants of GOD are those whose hearts are

turned to HIM morning, noon and night.

They seek only GOD's Grace and HIS Nearness.

The poor followers are rich in spiritual satisfaction than

worldly grandeur.

GOD's Grace is always satisfying.

On the other hand, resisting the Quran and following your own lust

will left you abandoned and hopeless in false pride.

Commentary by Muhammad Asad.

And contained yourself in patience by the side of

all who at morning and at evening invoke their Sustainer,

seeking His countenance,

and let not your eyes pass beyond them

in quest of the beauties of this world's life [36],

and pay no heed to any, whose heart,

We have rendered heedless of all remembrance of US [37]

because he had always follow only his own desires,

abandoning all that is good and true [38]

[Footnote by Muhammad Asad]

[36] Several years before the Muslims exodus to Medina, some of the the pagan chieftains at Mecca wanted to accept Islam on condition that Prophet Muhammad dissociate himself from the company of the former slaves and other poor people among his followers.

[37] The well-knowned commentators, Zamakhshari and Razi explainthe Arabic verb 'aghfalna' is agreeable with the Quranic doctrine and means "whom WE have found to be heedless".

[38] Rejecting all bounds of what is right.

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.
Asbabun Nuzul of verse 28

In the name of The God Most Compassionate Most Merciful

Ibnu Murdawih brought forward a hadis from the chain of narration of Juwaibir from Dhahhak from the companion Ibnu Abbas that is related to His commandments:

"and do not follow those people whom WE have made their hearts forget to remember US"

[Al-Kahfi 18:28]

Ibnu Abbas said that the above verse 28 was revealed in relation to Umayyah ibnu Khalaf Al Jumahiy.

That is because Umayyah suggested to ProphetMuhammad to do things that the Prophet did not like to do, that is, to ask his poor followers to go away from him, so that, the leaders of the pagan Meccan people will be attracted to come near to the Prophet.

After that incident the above verse was revealed.

Ibnu Abu Hatim brought forward a hadis from Ar Rabi' who narrated that, Prophet Muhammad narrated to us, that one day he met Umayyah ibnu Khalaf who persuaded him, while the Prophet, at that time, was not paying attention to what was meant by Umayyah; thus the above verse was revealed.

Ibnu Abu Hatim brought forward another hadis from the chain of Abu Hurairah who narrated that, one dayUyainah ibnu Hishn came to Prophet Muhammad, while Salman, the Prophet's companion was by his side.Uyainah said,

"When we come, ask this person to go away, and then invite us to come in"

Thus the above verse was revealed.

[Apparently, Salman, is one of the 70 poor companions of Prophet Muhammad.]



===will be continued with the grace of GOD===

006-5e Historical events on miraculous sleep for 300 years

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

This is a continuation on the historical events related to the revelation of this Chapter 18.

Ibnu Mardawaih brought forward another hadis from Ibnu Abbas who narrated that when verse 25 of Chapter 18 was revealed which means;

"And they stayed in their cave three hundred."

the companions of the Prophet asked,

"O Messenger of ALLAH, is it 300 years or months?"

So ALLAH revealed the continuation of the verse as follows,

"years and add nine".

Ibnu Jarir brought forward another hadis via the chain of Adh Dhahak. And this same hadis was also brought forward by Ibnu Mardawaihfrom the chain of Ibnu Abbas who narrated that The Prophet uttered a vow. Then, only 40 nights later ALLAH sent down HIS revelation;

"And never say of anything,

'Certainly, I shall do that tomorrow.'
except, 'if God wills it'.

And remember your Lord.

When you forget, then say,
'May my Lord shows me nearer

to this Truth.'"

[Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi Verse 23-24]

My Note:

We have discussed this subject of 309 years in the previous posting

on the meaning of verse 23 & 24.

Please refer my previous older post.

Thank you for reading my post.

Please write to me your comments.

006-3e Historical events of The Cave

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

We pause for a while to focus on the historical events relating to the revelation of the Sleepers of the Cave. In short the unbelievers of Mecca did not believe that Prophet Muhammad is a prophet. This chapter in the Quran revealed to them and to us that Prophet Muhammad is a prophet to lead mankind to the real success in this world and the Hereafter.

Allow me to call you to reflect on the purpose why we live in this world. This life on Earth is temporary, just as what was told to us by Prophets Abraham, Eshmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. We will return to the Kingdom of GOD, in the Hereafter, when this world and the universe come to an End.

Somehow, some people in history changed the evidences and created differences between the religion brought by the prophets mentioned above.

Let us be united again as one mankind because the END of the Worlds is very near around the corner. Let us be saved and returned to The Almighty God, Lord of the Worlds with HIS acceptance.

Yeah....I agree with you. Who is GOD?

I have no answer for you. You have to find HIM on your own. It starts with your sincere eagerness and dedtermination to find HIM in your pure hearts.

Lets now look back into the Commentary in Tafsir Jalalain.

Asbabun Nuzul [1] on Chapter 18 The Cave.

In the name of The God Most Compassionate Most Merciful

Ibnu Jarir brought forward a hadis [2] via the narration of Ibnu Ishaq who received it from a Syekh in Egypt, who received it from Ikrimah, and Ikrimahreceived it from a companion of the Prophet, Ibnu Abbas, who narrated that, once the unbelieving Quraisy peoplesent An Nadhr ibnul Harits and Uqbah ibnu Abu Muithas delegation to the Jewish Rabbis in Madinah.

The Quraisy requested the 2 delegates to ask the Rabbis,"Ask them about Muhammad and the news that he brought, because they were the first community to be given the Holy Sciptures. They had the knowledge about the prophets which we do not have."

When the 2 delegates reached Madinah they immediately asked the Rabbis about Muhammad's claim as a prophet and some of what he said.

The Rabbis advised the 2 delegates,
"Ask Muhammad about 3 things. If he can answer them, then he is a true prophet. If he cannot answer them, then he is a fake. Ask him about the youths of the past who went for seclusion from their people, ask him about a man who conquered the Far West and Far East, and ask him about the spirit, What is spirit?"



- - - - will be continued with God's will- - - - - - - - -

Footnote:

[1] Asbabun Nuzul can be understood as the historicalincidents or events that occured before or after a certain verses of the Quran was revealed. Literally, it means "reasons for coming down".

[2] hadis = saying of Prophet Muhammad

006-2e The Cave 18:26 - Only YOU know how long

For my new visitors, this series of the meaning of the Holy Qur'an taken from an authentic source of Tafsir Jalalain. I was translating it into English. May this small effort brings the favour of GOD on all mankind. I fetched the meanings from other translations of the Qur'an as well, to make sure I am on the right track.

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

Literal Translation of verse 26.
Say GOD knows best about their stay. To HIM belongs the unseen of the heavens and earth. HIS vision of them is Most Clear and HIS hearing is Most Sharp. They have no protector other than HIM. And there is no any partner in HIS rule.

Commentary by Jalalain.
Say, ALLAH knows best how long they stayed in the cave, than the people who were talking about them. To HIM belongs all the knowledge of that which are hidden in the heavens and earth. How clear is HIS sight and how sharp is HIS hearing, and HE sees, HE hears and HE knows everything. There is no protector for the inhabitants of the heavens and earth other than HIM. And HE does not appoint any assistant in making HIS decision, as HE does not need any partner.

Commentary by Muhammad Asad.
Say "GOD knows best how long they remained there. HIS alone is the knowledge of the hidden reality of the heavens and the earth. How well does HE see and hear! No guardian have they, apart from HIM, because HE allots to no one a share in HIS rule."

Commentary by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.
Say "ALLAH knows best how long they stayed. With him is the knowledge of the secrets of the heavens and the earth. How clearly HE sees, How finely HE hears, They have no protectors other than HIM. Nor does HE shares HIS command with any person whatsoever.

006-1e The Cave 18:25 - They slept in the cave for 300 years ! ! !

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

Literal Translation of verse 25.

And they stayed in their cave three hundred years andadd nine.

Commentary by Jalalain.
And they stayed in their cave 300 years.The calculation of 300 years was based on the countingsystem during the period of the Men of the Cave, which was based on the solar calendar. And when interpreted to the lunar calendar used by the Arabs, an addition of 9 yearsis necessary.

Commentary by Muhammad Asad.
And some people assert that they remained in their cavefor three hundred years, and some have added nine to that numbers.

Muhmmad Asad wrote in his footnote that Abdullah Ibnu Mas'ud, Qatadah, Tabari, Zamakhshari and Ibnu Kathir had their views noted in their marginal explanatory remarks oftheir commentary of the Quran, that this verse has connection with verse 22.

Commentary by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

So they stayed in their cave 300 hundred years, and some add 9 more.

[My understanding is that, 300 years in solar calendar would amount to 309 in lunar calendar. As this history was carried forward from the Christian sources, the narrationwas calculated based on Gregorian solar calendar, which when interpretated with Islamic lunar calendar is 309 years.]

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005-8e The Cave 18:22 - Three Five or Seven?

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

Literal Translation of verse 22.

They will say that there were 3 of them and the forth was their dog, and they will say that there were 5 of them and the sixth was their dog, as their guess of the unseen. Then they will say that there were 7 of them and the eight was their dog. Say,

"My Lord knows best their numbers. None knew their numbers except a few."

Therefore, do not dispute about their affairs, except physical debate only, and do not ask about

it from any of them.

Commentary by Jalalain.

The people during Prophet Muhammad time disputed about the number of the youths in the cave. Some said they were 3 and the 4th was their dog, some others said they were 5 and the 6th was their dog. These 2 opinions came from the Christians in Najran, which were only speculations, as there were no evidence to substantiate their narration.

Then another opinion, among the Muslims, said that they were 7 and the 8th was their dog.

Imam Jalalain explained that the grammatical arrangement of the original Arabic words and sentences, shows that, the third opinion is the acceptable one.

He also narrated that Ibnu Abbas, whom Prophet Muhammad said was well-versed with the knowledge of the Quran, declared that he was among the "few" who knew the correct number

of the youths in the cave, and he said there were 7 of them.

Therefore, do not argue anymore about this matter anddo not ask anyone, not even the people of the book, or the Jews.

Commentary by Muhammad Asad.

And in times to come some people will say they were three and their dog is the fourth. Some others will say they were five and their dog was the sixth, as they idly guessing without any knowledge, until some people will say that they were seven and the eighth of them being their dog. Say,

"My Sustainer knows best how many they were. None but a few have any real knowledge of them. Hence, do not argue about them otherwise than by way of an obvious argument, and do not ask any of those storytellers to enlighten you about them."

Muhammad Asad wrote in his footnote that, the future tense in the first word "sayakuluna" points to the legendary character of the story, and implies that all speculation about its detail is irrelevant to its parabolic, ethical purport. Do not argue about them except for self-evident ethical lesson.

Commentary by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

The controversy is after ages about the number of the Sleepers: were they 3 or 5 or 7?
People answered not from knowledge, but from conjecture.

Gibbon's version, which has now become well-known, makes the number of Sleepers seven.

The number is immaterial. We should pay attention to the spiritual lesson.

The true significance of the story is known only to a few. Most people discuss the details which are not in their knowledge.

It is unprofitable to enter into such immaterial controversies, and many other controversies

that have been waged about religion by shallow men from time immemorial.

Yes, if there is a matter of clear knowledge from experience that matters, we must openly proclaim it, so that the world may be brought to listen to God's Truth.

Vulgar story-mongers as such know little of the true significance of stories and parables.

We have a clear exposition in The Quran. What need is there to go into details of the

number of men in the Cave, or of the length of time they remained in it?

Commentary by Muhammad Taqiuddin & Muhsin Khan

Some say they were 3 and the dog was the 4th. Others say they were 5 and the dog was the 6th, guessing at the unseen. Yet others say they were 7, and the dog was the 8th. Say,

"My Lord knows best their number, none knows them but a few."

So debate not except with clear proof. And consult not any of the people of the book, Jews and Christians, about the affairs of the people of the Cave.

Commentary by Harun Yahya

Such speculation is wrong as they were only guessingat the Unseen. Muslims must not arguebut just say that

"ALLAH knows best."

Obviously, there is no point in listening to arguments based on hearsay, conjecture and ignorance.

ALLAH warns against such arguments,


"Do not pursue what you have no knowledge of. Hearing, sight and hearts will
all be questioned"

[Chapter Al-Isra' Verse 36]


However, ALLAH do reveals some of the unseen to HIS messengers.


"HE is the Knower of the Unseen, and does not divulge HIS Unseen to anyone -
except a Messenger with whom HE is well pleased, and then HE posts sentinels before him
and behind him"

[Chapter Al-Jinn Verse 26 - 27]



--------------to be continued--------------------

005-7e The Cave 18 : 21 Signs of Doomsday

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

Literal Translation of verse 21.

That is how we show them, so that they know that the promise of God is true, and that there is no doubt about the coming of The Hour. When they were contradicting about their affair, some people said,

"Let us built on their cave a building. Their Lord knows best about them."

The people who were dominating their affair said,

"We will built on it a place of worship."

Commentary by Jalalain.

The awakening of the people of the cave, is a sign of the truth of the Day of Resurrection and also as a sign to all people, that ALLAH, The Most Powerful, can put them to death for a long time in their sleep and their body were still intact without food and drink. Thus ALLAH is Very Powerful to bring the dead back to life.

The people of the town had conflicting opinion about building a memorial structure at the location of the cave. The non-religious people preferred a building to cover them up, while the dominating religious faction unanimously agreed to build a house of worship at the entrance of the cave.

Muhammad Taqiuddin Al-Hilali

commented that it was, most probably, the non-religious faction of the people who won the case and build a house of worship over them.

Commentary by Muhammad Asad.

And in this way We have drawn people's attention to their story, so that they know that God's promise of resurrection is true, and there is no doubt about the coming of the Last Hour.

Some people suggest to build a memorial building. Finally, the prevailed opinion agreed to built a house of worship in their memory.

Note that Muhammad Asad did not mentioned wether they were religous or non-religious factions.

Harun Yahya

mentioned in his book "Signs of the End Times in Surat Al-Kahfi",

that, this verse contains clear signs of the End Times and The Hour.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!to be continued!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

005-5e The Cave 18 : 19 - How long did they sleep in the cave

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

Literal Translation of verse 16.
And that was how We woke them up so that they asked one another. One of them asked,

"How long have you stayed here?"

Some of them answered,

"Perhaps a day or half-a-day."

The others answered,

"Your Lord knows best how long you have stayed here. So let one of you go to the town with some silver money, and buy some good food. He must be gentle and should not tell anyone of your affair"

Commentary by Imam Jalalain.
That was what We had done to the People of the Cave. We woke them up so that they asked among themselves of their condition and the period of their stay in the cave. They had entered the cave during sunrise, and they woke up during sunset, so some of them thought that they had been in the cave only for a day.

The Arabic word "wariqikum" means "your silver money". According to an opinion, the town was Tharasus. Good food signify lawful for eating.

+++++++++++to be continued+++++++++++++++++++++++

004-3c The Cave 18:12-13 A mark to the world

Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.

Translation of Verse 12.
Then We awakened them so that We know which of the two parties is more accurate regarding their staying period.

Tafsir Jalalain
Then We awakened them so that We know and witness with clarity which of the two groups, who differed in opinion regarding their stay in the cave, is more accurate and more acceptable, regarding the period of their stay in the cave.

Tafsir Muhammad Asad
And then We awakened them. We did all this so that We might mark out to the world which of the two points of view showed a better comprehension of the time-span during which they had remained in this state.

They were awakened to return to the active life of this world.

=========================================

Translation of verse 13.
We narrate their story to you with truth. Verily, they were youths who had faith in their Lord and We increased to them guidance.

Tafsir Jalalain.
We narrate and read their story to you with truth and enthusiasm. Verily, they were youths who had faith in their Lord and We increased to them guidance.

Tafsir Muhammad Asad.
And now We shall truly relate to you their story, without fictitious additions.
Behold they were young men who had attained to faith in their Sustainer, and so We deepened their consciousness of the right way.

============to be continued============