18. Surah al-Kahf, Mecca 69
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قُلِ
اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ
بِمَا لَبِثُوا...
18: 26. Say:
"Allah knows best how long they stayed:
... لَهُ غَيْبُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ...
with Him is (the knowledge of) the secrets of the heavens and the earth:
... أَبْصِرْ بِهِ وَأَسْمِعْ...
how clearly He sees, how finely He hears (everything)!
... مَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ ...
They have no protector other than Him;
C2366. Who are "they" in this sentence?
- They may be the Companions of the Cave, for they put themselves under the protection of Allah, and disowned all attribution of partners to Him. Or
- "they" may refer to the people in general who go wrong and become "Mushriks" i.e., attribute imaginary partners to Allah.
... وَلَا يُشْرِكُ فِي حُكْمِهِ أَحَدًا ﴿٢٦﴾
nor does He share His Command with any person whatsoever.
C2367. His Command: i.e., Allah's sovereignty of the world, or in His Judgment on the Day of Judgment.
18: 26
Asad Say: “………His 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, since He allots to no one a share in His rule!”
Pickthall Say: Allah is best aware how long they tarried. His is the Invisible of the heavens and the earth. How clear of sight is He and keen of hearing! They have no protecting friend beside Him, and He maketh none to share in His government.
Transliteration Qulilla_hu a'lamu bima_ labisa_, lahu_ gaibus sama_wa_ti wal ard(i), absir bihi wa asmi', ma_ lahum min du_nihi miw waliyy(in), wa la_ yusyriku fi hukmihi ahada_(n).