18. [al-Kahf, Mecca 69 ]
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.
وَاصْبِرْ
نَفْسَكَ مَعَ
الَّذِينَ
يَدْعُونَ
رَبَّهُم بِالْغَدَاةِ
وَالْعَشِيِّ
يُرِيدُونَ
وَجْهَهُ...
18: 28. And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking his Face;
The true servants of Allah are those whose hearts are turned to Him morning, noon, and night, and who seek not worldly gain, but Allah's Grace, Allah's own Self, His Presence and nearness.
Even if they are poor in this world's goods, their society gives far more inward and spiritual satisfaction than worldly grandeur or worldly attractions.
... وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا...
and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life;
... وَلَا تُطِعْ مَنْ أَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهُ عَن ذِكْرِنَا...
nor obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us,
... وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ وَكَانَ أَمْرُهُ فُرُطًا ﴿٢٨﴾
one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds.
C2370. For those who stray from Allah's path, Allah's Grace is ever anxious: it seeks to reclaim them and bring them back to the path.
If such a one resists, and follows his own lusts, a point is reached when his case becomes hopeless. Allah's Grace does not then Teach him, and he is abandoned to his pride and insolence. Beware of following the example or advice of such a one or seeking his society, or hankering after his wretched idols.
Others version:
18: 7
Inna_ ja'alna_ ma_ 'alal ardi zinatal laha_ linabluwahum ayyuhum ahsanu 'amala_(n).
Asad Behold, We have willed that all beauty on earth be a means by which We put men to a test, [showing] which of them are best in conduct;
Pickthall Lo! We have placed all that is in the earth as an ornament thereof that we may try them: which of them is best in conduct.
18: 8
Wa inna_ laja_'ilu_na ma_ 'alaiha_ sa'idan juruza_(n
Asad and, verily, We shall reduce all that is on it to barren dust!
Pickthall And lo! We shall make all that is therein a barren mound.
18: 28
Asad And contain yourself in patience by the side of all who at morn and at evening invoke their Sustainer, seeking His countenance, and let not your eyes pass beyond them in quest of the beauties of this world’s life; and pay no heed to any whose heart We have rendered heedless of all remembrance of Us because he had always followed his own desires, abandoning all that is good and true.
Pickthall Restrain thyself along with those who cry unto their Lord at morn and evening, seeking His countenance; and let not thine eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, who followeth his own lust and whose case hath been abandoned.
Transliteration Wa-sbir nafsaka ma'al lazina yad'u_na rabbahum bil gada_ti wal 'asyiyyi yurida_na wajhahu_ wa la_ ta'du 'aina_ka 'anhum, turidu zinatal haya_tid dunya_, wa la_ tuti' man agfalna_ qalbahu_ 'an zikrina_ wa-ttaba'a hawa_hu wa ka_na amruhu_ furuta_(n).
[Asad note: 36……see verse 6:52……note 41]]