الكهف

Alhamdu lillahi allathee anzala AAala AAabdihi alkitaba walam yajAAal lahu AAiwajan

All praise be to Allah Who has sent down upon His slave the Book, and has not allowed any crookedness therein[1],

Qayyiman liyunthira basan shadeedan min ladunhu wayubashshira almumineena allatheena yaAAmaloona alssalihati anna lahum ajran hasanan

an upright Book, to warn of severe punishment from Him[2], and to give glad tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds, that they will have a good reward,

Makitheena feehi abadan

wherein they will abide forever;

Wayunthira allatheena qaloo ittakhatha Allahu waladan

and to warn those who say, “Allah has begotten a son[3].”

Ma lahum bihi min AAilmin wala liabaihim kaburat kalimatan takhruju min afwahihim in yaqooloona illa kathiban

They have no knowledge of it, nor did their forefathers[4]. What a monstrous word that comes out of their mouths! They say nothing but lies.

FalaAAallaka bakhiAAun nafsaka AAala atharihim in lam yuminoo bihatha alhadeethi asafan

Perhaps you will grieve yourself to death [O Prophet] over them[5] if they do not believe in this message[6].

Inna jaAAalna ma AAala alardi zeenatan laha linabluwahum ayyuhum ahsanu AAamalan

We have made all that is on earth as an adornment for it, so that We may test them as to which of them is best in deeds.

Wainna lajaAAiloona ma AAalayha saAAeedan juruzan

And We will surely turn all that is on it into a barren land[7].

Am hasibta anna ashaba alkahfi waalrraqeemi kanoo min ayatina AAajaban

Do you think that the people of the Cave and the Inscription were of Our only wondrous signs[8]?

Ith awa alfityatu ila alkahfi faqaloo rabbana atina min ladunka rahmatan wahayyi lana min amrina rashadan

When the youths took refuge in the Cave, and said, “Our Lord, grant us mercy from Yourself, and show us the right way in our ordeal[9].”

Fadarabna AAala athanihim fee alkahfi sineena AAadadan

Then We caused them to fall into a deep sleep in the cave for many years.

Thumma baAAathnahum linaAAlama ayyu alhizbayni ahsa lima labithoo amadan

Then We awakened them so that We may see which of the two parties would be more precise in calculating the length of their stay.

Nahnu naqussu AAalayka nabaahum bialhaqqi innahum fityatun amanoo birabbihim wazidnahum hudan

We relate to you their story in truth. They were youths who believed in their Lord, and We gave them more guidance.

Warabatna AAala quloobihim ith qamoo faqaloo rabbuna rabbu alssamawati waalardi lan nadAAuwa min doonihi ilahan laqad qulna ithan shatatan

We strengthened their hearts when they stood up and proclaimed, “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and earth. We will never call upon any god other than Him, or we would be uttering an outrageous lie[10].”

Haolai qawmuna ittakhathoo min doonihi alihatan lawla yatoona AAalayhim bisultanin bayyinin faman athlamu mimmani iftara AAala Allahi kathiban

These people of ours have taken besides Him other gods. Why do they not bring clear proof about them? Who does greater wrong than one who fabricates lies against Allah?

Waithi iAAtazaltumoohum wama yaAAbudoona illa Allaha fawoo ila alkahfi yanshur lakum rabbukum min rahmatihi wayuhayyi lakum min amrikum mirfaqan

When you have distanced yourselves from them and what they worship other than Allah, take refuge in the cave; your Lord will extend His mercy to you and make for you an easy way out of your ordeal.”

Watara alshshamsa itha talaAAat tazawaru AAan kahfihim thata alyameeni waitha gharabat taqriduhum thata alshshimali wahum fee fajwatin minhu thalika min ayati Allahi man yahdi Allahu fahuwa almuhtadi waman yudlil falan tajida lahu waliyyan murshidan

You would have seen the sun when it rose, it would incline away from their Cave to the right; and when it set, it would turn away from them to the left[11], while they were in its open space. That was one of the signs of Allah. Whoever Allah guides is rightly guided, and whoever He causes to stray, you will never find for him a protecting guide.

Watahsabuhum ayqathan wahum ruqoodun wanuqallibuhum thata alyameeni wathata alshshimali wakalbuhum basitun thiraAAayhi bialwaseedi lawi ittalaAAta AAalayhim lawallayta minhum firaran walamulita minhum ruAAban

You would have thought they were awake, although they were asleep. We turned them over on their right and left sides, when their dog stretched its forelegs at the entrance. If you had seen them, you would have fled away from them, filled with horror[12].

Wakathalika baAAathnahum liyatasaaloo baynahum qala qailun minhum kam labithtum qaloo labithna yawman aw baAAda yawmin qaloo rabbukum aAAlamu bima labithtum faibAAathoo ahadakum biwariqikum hathihi ila almadeenati falyanthur ayyuha azka taAAaman falyatikum birizqin minhu walyatalattaf wala yushAAiranna bikum ahadan

Similarly, We awakened them so that they might question one another. One of them said, “How long have you been here?” They said, “We have been here for a day or part of a day.” They said, “Your Lord knows best how long have you been here. Send one of you with these silver coins of yours to the city, and let him see who has the most pure food and bring some provision from it. And be cautious and let no one know about you.

Innahum in yathharoo AAalaykum yarjumookum aw yuAAeedookum fee millatihim walan tuflihoo ithan abadan

For if they find out about you, they will stone you or force you back to their religion, and then you will never succeed.”

Wakathalika aAAtharna AAalayhim liyaAAlamoo anna waAAda Allahi haqqun waanna alsaAAata la rayba feeha ith yatanazaAAoona baynahum amrahum faqaloo ibnoo AAalayhim bunyanan rabbuhum aAAlamu bihim qala allatheena ghalaboo AAala amrihim lanattakhithanna AAalayhim masjidan

This is how We made their case known so that the people might know that the promise of Allah is true and that there is no doubt about the Hour. When they were disputing among themselves[13] concerning their matter [of resurrection], they said, “Build a structure over them. Their Lord knows best about them.” Those who prevailed in their matter said, “We will surely build over them a place of worship.”

Sayaqooloona thalathatun rabiAAuhum kalbuhum wayaqooloona khamsatun sadisuhum kalbuhum rajman bialghaybi wayaqooloona sabAAatun wathaminuhum kalbuhum qul rabbee aAAlamu biAAiddatihim ma yaAAlamuhum illa qaleelun fala tumari feehim illa miraan thahiran wala tastafti feehim minhum ahadan

Some will say, “They were three, their dog was the fourth,” while others will say, “They were five, their dog was the sixth,” – merely guessing at the unseen. And others will say, “They were seven, their dog was the eighth.” Say, “My Lord knows best their number; no one knows about them except a few[14]. So do not argue about them except in a brief manner, nor ask anyone about them.”

Wala taqoolanna lishayin innee faAAilun thalika ghadan

And never say about anything, “I will surely do this tomorrow[15],”

Illa an yashaa Allahu waothkur rabbaka itha naseeta waqul AAasa an yahdiyani rabbee liaqraba min hatha rashadan

without adding, “if Allah wills.” And remember your Lord if you forget, and say, “My Lord will hopefully guide me to something closer to what is right[16].”

Walabithoo fee kahfihim thalatha miatin sineena waizdadoo tisAAan

They remained in their cave for three hundred years, plus nine[17].

Quli Allahu aAAlamu bima labithoo lahu ghaybu alssamawati waalardi absir bihi waasmiAA ma lahum min doonihi min waliyyin wala yushriku fee hukmihi ahadan

Say, “Allah knows best how long they remained. To Him belongs [the knowledge of] the unseen of the heavens and earth. How well He sees and how well He hears[18]! They have no protector besides Him, and He shares His command with none.”

Waotlu ma oohiya ilayka min kitabi rabbika la mubaddila likalimatihi walan tajida min doonihi multahadan

Recite what has been revealed to you from the Book of your Lord. None can change His Words, and you will never find any refuge except with Him[19].

Waisbir nafsaka maAAa allatheena yadAAoona rabbahum bialghadati waalAAashiyyi yureedoona wajhahu wala taAAdu AAaynaka AAanhum tureedu zeenata alhayati alddunya wala tutiAA man aghfalna qalbahu AAan thikrina waittabaAAa hawahu wakana amruhu furutan

Be patient with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His pleasure. Do not turn your eyes away from them, desiring the adornments of the life of this world. And do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, who follows his desires and whose affairs [deeds] are at loss.

Waquli alhaqqu min rabbikum faman shaa falyumin waman shaa falyakfur inna aAAtadna lilththalimeena naran ahata bihim suradiquha wain yastagheethoo yughathoo bimain kaalmuhli yashwee alwujooha bisa alshsharabu wasaat murtafaqan

Say, “The truth is from your Lord. Whoever wills may believe, and whoever wills may disbelieve.” We have prepared for the wrongdoers a Fire which will encompass them like the walls. If they cry for relief, they will be relieved with water like boiling oil that will scald the faces. What a terrible drink, and what a terrible resting place!

Inna allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati inna la nudeeAAu ajra man ahsana AAamalan

Those who believe and do righteous deeds, We will not let the reward of those who do good deeds to go to waste.

Olaika lahum jannatu AAadnin tajree min tahtihimu alanharu yuhallawna feeha min asawira min thahabin wayalbasoona thiyaban khudran min sundusin waistabraqin muttakieena feeha AAala alaraiki niAAma alththawabu wahasunat murtafaqan

It is they who will have Gardens of Eternity, under which rivers flow. They will be adorned therein with golden bracelets and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining on adorned couches. What an excellent reward, and what a pleasant resting place!

Waidrib lahum mathalan rajulayni jaAAalna liahadihima jannatayni min aAAnabin wahafafnahuma binakhlin wajaAAalna baynahuma zarAAan

Give them an example of two men[20]: to one of them We gave two gardens of grapevines and surrounded them with palm trees, and placed between them crops[21].

Kilta aljannatayni atat okulaha walam tathlim minhu shayan wafajjarna khilalahuma naharan

Each garden yielded its produce and did not fall short in the least, and We caused a stream to flow through them.

Wakana lahu thamarun faqala lisahibihi wahuwa yuhawiruhu ana aktharu minka malan waaAAazzu nafaran

And he had abundant fruit. He said to his companion, as he was conversing with him, “I am greater than you in wealth and superior in followers.”

Wadakhala jannatahu wahuwa thalimun linafsihi qala ma athunnu an tabeeda hathihi abadan

He entered his garden, having wronged himself[22], and said, “I do not think that this will ever perish,

Wama athunnu alssaAAata qaimatan walain rudidtu ila rabbee laajidanna khayran minha munqalaban

nor do I think that the Hour will ever come. Even if I am brought back to my Lord, I will surely find something better than this[23].”

Qala lahu sahibuhu wahuwa yuhawiruhu akafarta biallathee khalaqaka min turabin thumma min nutfatin thumma sawwaka rajulan

His companion said, while conversing with him, “Do you disbelieve in He Who created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then fashioned you into a well-proportioned man[24]?

Lakinna huwa Allahu rabbee wala oshriku birabbee ahadan

As for me: He is Allah, my Lord, and I do not associate anyone with my Lord.

Walawla ith dakhalta jannataka qulta ma shaa Allahu la quwwata illa biAllahi in tarani ana aqalla minka malan wawaladan

If only you had said, when you entered your garden, ‘This is by Allah’s Will; there is no power except with Allah.’ Even though you see me as inferior to you in wealth and children,

FaAAasa rabbee an yutiyani khayran min jannatika wayursila AAalayha husbanan mina alssamai fatusbiha saAAeedan zalaqan

it may well be that my Lord will give me something better than your garden, and send upon your garden a thunderbolt from the heaven, turning it into a barren land.

Aw yusbiha maoha ghawran falan tastateeAAa lahu talaban

Or its water may sink, so you will never be able to get it back.”

Waoheeta bithamarihi faasbaha yuqallibu kaffayhi AAala ma anfaqa feeha wahiya khawiyatun AAala AAurooshiha wayaqoolu ya laytanee lam oshrik birabbee ahadan

Eventually, all his produce was destroyed and he started wringing his hands [in dismay] over what he had spent on it, as it had collapsed on its trellises, and he said, “Oh, would that I had not associated anyone with my Lord!”

Walam takun lahu fiatun yansuroonahu min dooni Allahi wama kana muntasiran

He had none to support him against Allah, nor could he support himself.

Hunalika alwalayatu lillahi alhaqqi huwa khayrun thawaban wakhayrun AAuqban

In that situation[25], the authority only rests with Allah, the True God. He is best in reward and best in outcome.

Waidrib lahum mathala alhayati alddunya kamain anzalnahu mina alssamai faikhtalata bihi nabatu alardi faasbaha hasheeman tathroohu alrriyahu wakana Allahu AAala kulli shayin muqtadiran

Give them the example of the life of this world: it is like the plants of the earth, thriving when sustained by the rain We send down from the sky, but soon they turn into chaff scattered by the winds. Allah has full power over all things.

Almalu waalbanoona zeenatu alhayati alddunya waalbaqiyatu alssalihatu khayrun AAinda rabbika thawaban wakhayrun amalan

Wealth and children are the adornments of the life of this world, but the lasting righteous deeds are better with your Lord in reward and better in hope.

Wayawma nusayyiru aljibala watara alarda barizatan wahasharnahum falam nughadir minhum ahadan

And [beware of] the Day when We will move the mountains away, and you will see the earth laid bare[26]; We will gather them all and not leave behind anyone of them.

WaAAuridoo AAala rabbika saffan laqad jitumoona kama khalaqnakum awwala marratin bal zaAAamtum allan najAAala lakum mawAAidan

They will be presented before your Lord in rows, “Now you have come to Us as We created you the first time[27], although you claimed that We would never appoint a time for your return.”

WawudiAAa alkitabu fatara almujrimeena mushfiqeena mimma feehi wayaqooloona ya waylatana ma lihatha alkitabi la yughadiru sagheeratan wala kabeeratan illa ahsaha wawajadoo ma AAamiloo hadiran wala yathlimu rabbuka ahadan

And the record [of deeds] will be placed before them, and you will see the wicked scared of what it contains. They will say, “Woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing, small or big, except that it has recorded it?” They will find all what they did before them, and your Lord does not wrong anyone.

Waith qulna lilmalaikati osjudoo liadama fasajadoo illa ibleesa kana mina aljinni fafasaqa AAan amri rabbihi afatattakhithoonahu wathurriyyatahu awliyaa min doonee wahum lakum AAaduwwun bisa lilththalimeena badalan

And [remember] when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Adam,” so they all prostrated except Iblīs, who was one of the jinn, but he disobeyed the command of his Lord. Will you then take him and his progeny as protectors instead of Me[28], even though they are your enemies[29]? What a terrible exchange for the wrongdoers!

Ma ashhadtuhum khalqa alssamawati waalardi wala khalqa anfusihim wama kuntu muttakhitha almudilleena AAadudan

I did not call them to witness the creation of the heavens and earth, nor even the creation of their own selves, and I would not take those who misguide others as helpers[30].

Wayawma yaqoolu nadoo shurakaiya allatheena zaAAamtum fadaAAawhum falam yastajeeboo lahum wajaAAalna baynahum mawbiqan

And [beware of] the Day when He will say, “Call upon those whom you claimed to be My partners.” So they will call them, but they will not respond to them[31], and We will make them share the same doom.

Waraa almujrimoona alnnara fathannoo annahum muwaqiAAooha walam yajidoo AAanha masrifan

The wicked will see the Fire and realize that they are bound to fall into it, and they will find no escape from it.

Walaqad sarrafna fee hatha alqurani lilnnasi min kulli mathalin wakana alinsanu akthara shayin jadalan

We have surely diversified in this Qur’an every kind of example for people[32], but man is the most quarrelsome of all beings[33].

Wama manaAAa alnnasa an yuminoo ith jaahumu alhuda wayastaghfiroo rabbahum illa an tatiyahum sunnatu alawwaleena aw yatiyahumu alAAathabu qubulan

Nothing prevents people from believing when guidance comes to them and from seeking forgiveness from their Lord except that the fate of the earlier nations should come to them, or that the punishment should come before their eyes.

Wama nursilu almursaleena illa mubashshireena wamunthireena wayujadilu allatheena kafaroo bialbatili liyudhidoo bihi alhaqqa waittakhathoo ayatee wama onthiroo huzuwan

We do not send the messengers except as bearers of glad tidings and warners. But those who disbelieve seek to undermine the truth with false arguments, and they take My verses and warnings in ridicule.

Waman athlamu mimman thukkira biayati rabbihi faaAArada AAanha wanasiya ma qaddamat yadahu inna jaAAalna AAala quloobihim akinnatan an yafqahoohu wafee athanihim waqran wain tadAAuhum ila alhuda falan yahtadoo ithan abadan

Who could be more wrong than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord, but he turns away from them and forgets what his hands have sent forth? We have placed veils on their hearts so that they cannot understand it, and deafness in their ears. Even if you call them to guidance, they will never be guided.

Warabbuka alghafooru thoo alrrahmati law yuakhithuhum bima kasaboo laAAajjala lahumu alAAathaba bal lahum mawAAidun lan yajidoo min doonihi mawilan

But your Lord is the All-Forgiving, Lord of Mercy. If He were to take them to task for what they did, He would have hastened their punishment. Yet there is an appointed time for them from which they will find no escape.

Watilka alqura ahlaknahum lamma thalamoo wajaAAalna limahlikihim mawAAidan

Those are the towns We destroyed when they persisted in wrongdoing, and We set an appointed time for their destruction.

Waith qala moosa lifatahu la abrahu hatta ablugha majmaAAa albahrayni aw amdiya huquban

And [remember] when Moses said to his servant, “I will not give up until I reach the junction of the two seas, or I travel for ages.”

Falamma balagha majmaAAa baynihima nasiya hootahuma faittakhatha sabeelahu fee albahri saraban

But when they reached the junction of the two seas, they forgot their fish, which made its way into the sea, slipping away.

Falamma jawaza qala lifatahu atina ghadaana laqad laqeena min safarina hatha nasaban

When they traveled further, he said to his servant, “Bring us our morning meal; this journey has truly exhausted us.”

Qala araayta ith awayna ila alssakhrati fainnee naseetu alhoota wama ansaneehu illa alshshaytanu an athkurahu waittakhatha sabeelahu fee albahri AAajaban

He said, “You remember when we rested by the rock, I forgot the fish; it was none who made me forget to mention it except Satan, and it made its way into the sea amazingly.”

Qala thalika ma kunna nabghi fairtadda AAala atharihima qasasan

Moses said, “That is exactly what we were looking for.” So they turned back, retracing their footsteps.

Fawajada AAabdan min AAibadina ataynahu rahmatan min AAindina waAAallamnahu min ladunna AAilman

There they found one of Our slaves[34] upon whom We bestowed Our mercy[35] and We taught him from Our Own knowledge[36].

Qala lahu moosa hal attabiAAuka AAala an tuAAallimani mimma AAullimta rushdan

Moses said to him, “May I follow you so that you may teach me some knowledge that you have been taught?”

Qala innaka lan tastateeAAa maAAiya sabran

He said, “You will never be able to have patience with me.”

Wakayfa tasbiru AAala ma lam tuhit bihi khubran

How can you have patience with that which you have no knowledge about?”

Qala satajidunee in shaa Allahu sabiran wala aAAsee laka amran

Moses said, “You will find me patient, if Allah wills; and I will not disobey any of your orders.”

Qala faini ittabaAAtanee fala tasalnee AAan shayin hatta ohditha laka minhu thikran

He said, “Then if you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I mention it to you.”

Faintalaqa hatta itha rakiba fee alssafeenati kharaqaha qala akharaqtaha litughriqa ahlaha laqad jita shayan imran

So they both set out, until when they boarded a ship, he made a hole in it. Moses said, “Did you make a hole in it to drown its people? You have done something terrible!”

Qala alam aqul innaka lan tastateeAAa maAAiya sabran

He said, “Did I not tell you that you will never be able to have patience with me?”

Qala la tuakhithnee bima naseetu wala turhiqnee min amree AAusran

Moses said, “Do not take me to task for what I forgot, and do not make it too difficult for me to follow you.”

Faintalaqa hatta itha laqiya ghulaman faqatalahu qala aqatalta nafsan zakiyyatan bighayri nafsin laqad jita shayan nukran

Then they proceeded until they met a boy, and the man killed him. Moses said, “Did you kill an innocent soul who killed none? You have done something monstrous!”

Qala alam aqul laka innaka lan tastateeAAa maAAiya sabran

The man said, “Did I not tell you that you will never be able to have patience with me?”

Qala in saaltuka AAan shayin baAAdaha fala tusahibnee qad balaghta min ladunnee AAuthran

Moses said, “If I ask you about anything after this, do not keep me in your company, for then you would be excused concerning me.”

Faintalaqa hatta itha ataya ahla qaryatin istatAAama ahlaha faabaw an yudayyifoohuma fawajada feeha jidaran yureedu an yanqadda faaqamahu qala law shita laittakhathta AAalayhi ajran

Then they went on until they came to the people of a town[37]. They asked its people for food, but they refused to offer them hospitality. They found there a wall that was about to collapse, but he repaired it. Moses said, “If you wished, you could have taken some payment for it.”

Qala hatha firaqu baynee wabaynika saonabbioka bitaweeli ma lam tastatiAA AAalayhi sabran

The man said, “This is the parting of ways between me and you. I will inform you of the interpretation of that which you could not bear with patience.

Amma alssafeenatu fakanat limasakeena yaAAmaloona fee albahri faaradtu an aAAeebaha wakana waraahum malikun yakhuthu kulla safeenatin ghasban

“As for the ship, it belonged to some poor people who worked at sea. I wanted to make it defective because there was a king ahead of them who seized every [good] ship by force.

Waamma alghulamu fakana abawahu muminayni fakhasheena an yurhiqahuma tughyanan wakufran

“As for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared that he would overburden them with his rebellion and disbelief[38].

Faaradna an yubdilahuma rabbuhuma khayran minhu zakatan waaqraba ruhman

So we hoped that their Lord would give them another in his place, more righteous and tender-hearted.

Waamma aljidaru fakana lighulamayni yateemayni fee almadeenati wakana tahtahu kanzun lahuma wakana aboohuma salihan faarada rabbuka an yablugha ashuddahuma wayastakhrija kanzahuma rahmatan min rabbika wama faAAaltuhu AAan amree thalika taweelu ma lam tastiAA AAalayhi sabran

As for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was a treasure under it that belonged to them. Their father was a righteous man, so your Lord willed that they should reach their maturity and retrieve their treasure[39], as a mercy from your Lord; I did not do it of my own accord. This is the interpretation of that which you could not bear with patience.”

Wayasaloonaka AAan thee alqarnayni qul saatloo AAalaykum minhu thikran

They ask you about Dhul-Qarnayn[40]. Say, “I will tell you something about him.”

Inna makkanna lahu fee alardi waataynahu min kulli shayin sababan

We established him on earth and gave him the means to achieve everything[41].

FaatbaAAa sababan

He pursued a course[42],

Hatta itha balagha maghriba alshshamsi wajadaha taghrubu fee AAaynin hamiatin wawajada AAindaha qawman qulna ya tha alqarnayni imma an tuAAaththiba waimma an tattakhitha feehim husnan

until when he reached the far west, he found the sun setting in a dark body of water, and he found some people nearby. We said, “O Dhul-Qarnayn, either punish them or treat them with kindness.”

Qala amma man thalama fasawfa nuAAaththibuhu thumma yuraddu ila rabbihi fayuAAaththibuhu AAathaban nukran

He said, “As for one who does wrong[43], we will punish him, then he will be brought back to his Lord, and He will punish him grievously.

Waamma man amana waAAamila salihan falahu jazaan alhusna wasanaqoolu lahu min amrina yusran

But he who believes and does righteous deeds, he will have the best reward[44], and we will enjoin upon him to do what is easy.”

Thumma atbaAAa sababan

Then he pursued another course,

Hatta itha balagha matliAAa alshshamsi wajadaha tatluAAu AAala qawmin lam najAAal lahum min dooniha sitran

until when he reached the far east, he found the sun rising on a people for whom We provided no shelter from it[45].

Kathalika waqad ahatna bima ladayhi khubran

So it was, and We had full knowledge about him[46].

Thumma atbaAAa sababan

Then he pursued another course,

Hatta itha balagha bayna alssaddayni wajada min doonihima qawman la yakadoona yafqahoona qawlan

until when he reached [a valley] between the two mountains, he found beyond them a people who could barely understand a word[47].

Qaloo ya tha alqarnayni inna yajooja wamajooja mufsidoona fee alardi fahal najAAalu laka kharjan AAala an tajAAala baynana wabaynahum saddan

They said, “O Dhul-Qarnayn, Gog and Magog are spreading corruption in the land. Can we give you some payment in return for you to construct a barrier between us and them?”

Qala ma makkannee feehi rabbee khayrun faaAAeenoonee biquwwatin ajAAal baynakum wabaynahum radman

He said, “What my Lord has given me is better. But help me with manpower, I will construct a barricade between you and them.

Atoonee zubara alhadeedi hatta itha sawa bayna alsadafayni qala onfukhoo hatta itha jaAAalahu naran qala atoonee ofrigh AAalayhi qitran

Bring me iron blocks” – until when he leveled between the two mountainsides, he said, “Blow [with bellows],” until when he fired them up to extreme heat, he said, “Bring me molten copper to pour over it.”

Fama istaAAoo an yathharoohu wama istataAAoo lahu naqban

Thus they could not climb over it nor could they pierce it[48].

Qala hatha rahmatun min rabbee faitha jaa waAAdu rabbee jaAAalahu dakkaa wakana waAAdu rabbee haqqan

He said, “This is a mercy from my Lord. But when the promise of my Lord comes to pass[49], He will raze it to the ground. The promise of my Lord is ever true.”

Watarakna baAAdahum yawmaithin yamooju fee baAAdin wanufikha fee alssoori fajamaAAnahum jamAAan

On that Day[50] We will let some of them surge like waves over others, and the Trumpet will be blown, then We will gather them all together.

WaAAaradna jahannama yawmaithin lilkafireena AAardan

On that Day We will show Hell to the disbelievers clearly[51],

Allatheena kanat aAAyunuhum fee ghitain AAan thikree wakanoo la yastateeAAoona samAAan

those whose eyes were blind to My signs[52] and they were unable to hear [the truth][53].

Afahasiba allatheena kafaroo an yattakhithoo AAibadee min doonee awliyaa inna aAAtadna jahannama lilkafireena nuzulan

Do the disbelievers think that they can take My slaves as allies instead of Me? We have prepared Hell as a dwelling place for the disbelievers.

Qul hal nunabbiokum bialakhsareena aAAmalan

Say, “Shall we inform you of the greatest losers in terms of their deeds?

Allatheena dalla saAAyuhum fee alhayati alddunya wahum yahsaboona annahum yuhsinoona sunAAan

Those whose efforts in the life of this world are wasted, while they think that they are doing well[54].”

Olaika allatheena kafaroo biayati rabbihim waliqaihi fahabitat aAAmaluhum fala nuqeemu lahum yawma alqiyamati waznan

It is those who disbelieve in the verses of their Lord and their meeting with Him; their deeds will be nullified, and We will give no weight to them on the Day of Resurrection[55].

Thalika jazaohum jahannamu bima kafaroo waittakhathoo ayatee warusulee huzuwan

That is their recompense: Hell, because of their disbelief and taking My verses and messengers in ridicule.

Inna allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati kanat lahum jannatu alfirdawsi nuzulan

As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, they will have gardens of Paradise[56] as a dwelling place[57],

Khalideena feeha la yabghoona AAanha hiwalan

abiding therein forever, never desiring to leave.

Qul law kana albahru midadan likalimati rabbee lanafida albahru qabla an tanfada kalimatu rabbee walaw jina bimithlihi madadan

Say, “If the ocean were ink for [writing] the Words of my Lord, the ocean would surely run dry before the Words of my Lord[58] are finished, even if We brought its like to resupply it.”

Qul innama ana basharun mithlukum yooha ilayya annama ilahukum ilahun wahidun faman kana yarjoo liqaa rabbihi falyaAAmal AAamalan salihan wala yushrik biAAibadati rabbihi ahadan

Say, “I am only a man like you; it has been revealed to me that your God is One God. So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous deeds and associate none in the worship of his Lord.”