18.Surah Al Kahf

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا ...

18: 7.     That which is on earth We have made but as a glittering show for the earth,

C2332. This world's goods-,worldly power, glory, wealth, position, and all that men scramble for,- are but a fleeting show.

The possession or want of them does not betoken a man's real value or position in the coming world, the world which is to endure. Yet they have their uses.

They test a man's sterling quality. He who becomes their slave loses rank in the next world. He who uses them if he gets them, and does not fall into despair if he does not get them, shows his true mettle and quality. His conduct proclaims him.

... لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ﴿٧﴾

in order that We may test them -- as to which of them are best in conduct.

وَإِنَّا لَجَاعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا ﴿٨﴾

18: 8.     Verily what is on earth We shall make but as dust and dry soil (without growth or herbage).

C2333. The fairest sights on the earth will become as dust and waste when this earth vanishes, and true spiritual values are restored.

Youksel’s version

18:7 We have made what is on earth an adornment for it, so that We will test them as to who is better in deeds.

18:8 We will then make what is on it a barren wasteland.*

20 Sura Taha

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْجِبَالِ...   

20: 105. They ask thee concerning the mountains:

C2630. In the last verse, it was the deceptiveness and relativity of Time that was dealt with. Here we come to the question of space, solidity, bulk.

The question was actually put to the holy Prophet: what will become of the solid Mountains, or in the English phrase, "the eternal hills"?

They are no more substantial than anything else in this temporal world. When the "new world", (13:5) of which Unbelievers doubted, is actually in being, the mountains will cease to exist.

We can imagine the scene of judgment as a level plain, in which there are no ups and downs and no places of concealment. All is straight and level, without comers, mysteries, or lurking doubts.

...فَقُلْ يَنسِفُهَا رَبِّي نَسْفًا ﴿١٠٥﴾

say,

"My Lord will uproot them and scatter them as dust;"

C2631. The one word nasafa carries the ideas of:

-         tearing up by the roots,

-         scattering like chaff or dust,

-         and winnowing.

Its twofold repetition here intensifies its meaning.

فَيَذَرُهَا قَاعًا صَفْصَفًا ﴿١٠٦﴾

20: 106. "He will leave them as plains smooth and level;"

لَا تَرَى فِيهَا عِوَجًا وَلَا أَمْتًا ﴿١٠٧﴾

20: 107. Nothing crooked or curved wilt thou see in their place."

Asad’s version

20:105

AND THEY WILL ask thee about [what will happen to] the mountains [when this world comes to an end]. Say, then: "My Sustainer will scatter them far and wide,

(20: 106) and leave the earth 8 ' level and bare,

(20:107) [so that] thou wilt see no curve thereon, and no ruggedness."'