18. Surah Al Kahf
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَقُلِ
الْحَقُّ مِن
رَّبِّكُمْ...
18: 29. Say, "The Truth is from your Lord":
... فَمَن شَاء فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَاء فَلْيَكْفُرْ...
let him who will, believe, and let him who will, reject (it):
C2371. Our choice in our limited Free-will involves a corresponding personal responsibility. We are offered the Truth: again and again is it pressed on our attention,
If we reject it, we must take all the terrible consequences which are prefigured in the Fire of Hell. Its flames and roof will completely enclose us like a tent. Ordinarily there is water to quench the heat of thirst: here the only drink will be like molten brass, thick, heavy, burning, sizzling. Before it reaches the mouth of the unfortunates, drops of it will scald their faces as it is poured out.
... إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَا...
for the wrongdoers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and flames), like the wall and roof of a tent, will hem them in:
... وَإِن يَسْتَغِيثُوا يُغَاثُوا بِمَاء كَالْمُهْلِ يَشْوِي الْوُجُوهَ...
if they implore relief they will be granted water like melted brass that will scald their faces.
... بِئْسَ الشَّرَابُ وَسَاءتْ مُرْتَفَقًا ﴿٢٩﴾
How dreadful the drink!
How uncomfortable a couch to recline on!
إِنَّ
الَّذِينَ
آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا
الصَّالِحَاتِ
إِنَّا لَا
نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ
مَنْ أَحْسَنَ
عَمَلًا ﴿٣٠﴾
18: 30. As to those who believe and work righteousness, verily We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who do a (single) righteous deed.
C2372. The righteous will be rewarded, as has been said again and again, beyond their merits: 28:84: 30:39.
Not a single good deed of theirs will lose its reward, and the mercy of Allah will blot out their sins.
أُوْلَئِكَ
لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ
عَدْنٍ تَجْرِي
مِن تَحْتِهِمُ
الْأَنْهَارُ...
18: 31. For them will be Gardens of Eternity; beneath them rivers will flow;
... يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِّن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ...
they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade;
C2373. Heaven is figured by all the pictures of ease and comfort which we can imagine in our present state:
Gardens: perpetual springs of crystal water, which we can see as in a landscape from above; the finest and most costly ornaments; the most beautiful clothes to wear; green is the colour mentioned, because it is the most refreshing to the eye, and fits in well with the Garden; the wearer takes the choice of fine silk or heavy brocade; and for rest and comfort, high thrones of dignity on which the blessed ones recline.
... مُّتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا عَلَى الْأَرَائِكِ...
they will recline therein on raised thrones.
... نِعْمَ الثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا ﴿٣١﴾
How good the recompense!
How beautiful a couch to recline on!
C2374. This picture is in parallel contrast to the picture of Misery in the last verse.
Other Versions:
18: 29
Asad And say: “ The truth [has now come] from your Sustainer: let, then, him who wills, believe in it, and let him who wills, reject it.”……….
Pickthall Say: (It is) the truth from the Lord of you (all). Then whosoever will, let him believe, and whosoever will, let him disbelieve. Lo! We have prepared for disbelievers Fire. Its tent encloseth them. If they ask for showers, they will be showered with water like to molten lead which burneth the faces. Calamitous the drink and ill the resting place!
Transliteration Wa qulil haqqu mir rabbikum, faman sya_'a falyu'miw wa man sya_'a falyakfur, inna_ a'tadna_ liz za_limina na_ra_(n), aha_ta bihim sura_diquha_, wa iy yastagisu_ yuga_su bi ma_'in kal muhli yasywil wuju_h(a), bi'sasy syara_b(u), wa sa_'at murtafaqa_(n).
18: 30
Asad [But,] behold, as for those who attain to faith and do righteous deeds – verily, We do not fail to requite any who persevere in doing good:
Pickthall Lo! as for those who believe and do good works, Lo! We suffer not the reward of one whose work is goodly to be lost.
Transliteration Innal lazina a_manu_ wa 'amilus sa_liha_ti inna_ la_ nudi'u ajra man ahsana 'amala_(n).
18: 31
Pickthall As for such, theirs will be Gardens of Eden, wherein rivers flow beneath them; therein they will be given armlets of gold and will wear green robes of finest silk and gold embroidery, reclining upon thrones therein. Blest the reward, and fair the resting place!
Transliteration Ula_'ika lahum janna_tu 'adnin tajri min tahtihimul anha_ru yuhallauna fiha_ min asa_wira min zahabiw wa yalbasu_na siya_ban khudram min sundusiw wa istabraqim muttaki'ina fiha_ 'alal ara_'ik(i), ni'massawa_b(u), wa hasunat murtafaqa_(n).