18. Surah Al Kahf
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
18:1. Praise be to Allah,
C2325. See n. 2324 to 17:111.
The theme of the last Surah, that Allah is good and worthy of all praise from His creatures, to whom He has granted a clear revelation, is continued in this Surah. The spirit of man makes gradual progress upwards, through the grace and mercy of Allah.
... الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ الْكِتَابَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُ عِوَجَا ﴿١﴾
Who hath sent to His Servant the Book, and hath allowed therein no Crookedness:
C2326. Some people's idea of a Sacred Book is that it should be full of mysteries-dark corners, ambiguous expressions, words so far removed from human speech that they cover anything or nothing.
Pagan oracles were couched in language which suggested one meaning to the hearer and claimed to have the very opposite meaning in the light of events which actually happened subsequently. They were distinctly crooked, not straight.
In the next verse the word "Straight" (qaiyim) is used to characterize the Quran, in contrast to this word "crooked" ('iwaj).
قَيِّمًا
لِّيُنذِرَ
بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا
مِن لَّدُنْهُ...
18:2. (He hath made it) Straight (and Clear) in order that He may warn (the godless) of a terrible Punishment from Him,
C2327. Qayyim:
- straight, that which has no bends and no corners to mystify people,
- that which speaks clearly and unambiguously,
- that which guides to the right path.
Cf. 9:36, where the adjective is used for a straight usage, in contrast to usages, which tend to mystify and deceive people.
The Quran is above all things straight, clear, and perspicuous. Its directions are plain for everyone to understand.
Any book that deals with the highest mysteries of spiritual life must necessarily have portions whose full meaning is clearer to some minds than to others not so well prepared. But here there is nowhere any mystification, any desire to wrap up things in dark sayings repugnant to human reason. Allah's purpose is to give clear warning of spiritual dangers and lead up to the highest bliss.
... وَيُبَشِّرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا ﴿٢﴾
and that He may give Glad Tidings to the Believers who work righteous deeds, that they shall have a goodly Reward.
Other versions:
18: 1
Asad All praise is due to God, who has bestowed this divine writ from on high upon His servant, and has not allowed any deviousness to obscure its meaning.
Pickthall Praise be to Allah Who hath revealed the Scripture unto His slave, and hath not placed therein any crookedness,
Transliteration Al hamdu lilla_hil lazi anzala 'ala_ 'abdihil kita_ba wa lam yaj'al lahu_ 'iwaja_(n).
[ the term ‘iwaj’ signifies “crookedness”, “tortuousness” or “deviation”
as well as distortion or deviousness ….The above phrase is meant to establish the direct, unambiguous character of the Quran and to stress its freedom from all obscurities and internal contradictions: cf, 4:82 – “ Had it issues from any but God, they would surely have found in it many an inner contradiction!”
18: 2
Asad [a divine writ] unerringly straight, meant to warn [the godless] of a severe punishment from Him, and to give unto the believers who do good works the glad tiding that their s shall be a goodly reward
Pickthall (But hath made it) straight, to give warning of stern punishment from Him, and to bring unto the believers who do good works the news that theirs will be a fair reward,
Transliteration Qayyimal liyunzira ba'san syadidam mil ladunhu wa yubasysyiral mu'mininal lazina ya'malu_nas sa_liha_ti anna lahum ajran hasana_