قُلِ اللّٰہُ اَعۡلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثُوۡا ۚ لَہٗ غَیۡبُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ اَبۡصِرۡ بِہٖ وَ اَسۡمِعۡ ؕ مَا لَہُمۡ مِّنۡ دُوۡنِہٖ مِنۡ وَّلِیٍّ ۫ وَّ لَا یُشۡرِکُ فِیۡ حُکۡمِہٖۤ اَحَدًا ﴿۲۷﴾
قُلِ ٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثُواْۖ لَهُۥ غَيۡبُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ أَبۡصِرۡ بِهِۦ وَأَسۡمِعۡۚ مَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِيّٖ وَلَا يُشۡرِكُ فِي حُكۡمِهِۦٓ أَحَدٗا
English
Say, ‘Allah knows best how long they tarried.’ To Him belong the secrets of the heavens and the earth. How Seeing is He! and how Hearing! They have no helper beside Him, and He does not let anyone share in His government.
English Short Commentary
Say, ‘Allah knows best how long they tarried.’[1687] [a]To Him belong the secrets of the heavens and the earth. [b]How Seeing is He, and how Hearing![1687A] They have no helper beside Him, and He does not let anyone share in His judgment.
1687. The early Christians were persecuted in many lands and at different times, e.g. in Rome, Alexandria, etc. They were compelled to seek refuge in caves and catacombs at different times and for different periods. Their stay in the catacombs was not a single, uninterrupted episode. The exact length of the total period of such stay is known only to Allah. (close)
1687A. The words also mean: 'Clear is His Sight and keen His Hearing' or 'He sees all and hears all.' (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
Say, ‘Allah knows best how long they tarried.’ [a]To Him belong the secrets of the heavens and the earth. [b]How Seeing is He! and how Hearing! They have no helper beside Him, and He does not let any one share in His government.[2067]
2067. Commentary:
The words, Say, Allah knows best how long they tarried, purport to say that histories written by Christian writers assign 337 years as the period of the persecution of early Christians and therefore seem to contradict the Quranic statement that this period was 309 years. But this calculation as shown in the previous verse is at fault because the Quran is the revealed word of God and God cannot err in His calculations. Later research into old historical records as explained elsewhere has also supported the Quran. The present verse does not contradict the words, And they stayed in their Cave three hundred years and added nine more (v. 26). These words do not refer to the popular view about the period for which early Christians took refuge in caves but are God’s own words. So the expression, Allah knows best how long they tarried, not only does not contradict but actually supports and corroborates these words.
The words, How Seeing is He! and how Hearing, lend further support to the view that Christian chronologists have erred in fixing the present date of Jesus’ birth and his Crucifixion and that the Quranic statement with regard to the period for which اصحاب الکھف (Dwellers of the Cave) remained hidden in caves is correct. (close)
اُردو
تُو کہہ دے کہ اللہ ہی بہتر جانتا ہے کہ وہ کتنی مدت رہے۔ آسمانوں اور زمین کا غیب اسی کا ہے۔ کیا ہی خوب دیکھنے والا اور کیا ہی خوب سننے والاہے۔ اس کے سوا ان کا کوئی دوست نہیں اور وہ اپنی حکومت میں کسی کو شریک نہیں بناتا۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
تو (انہیں) کہہ (کہ) جتنا (عرصہ غار میں) وہ ٹھہرے رہے اسے اللہ (ہی) بہتر جانتا ہے۔ آسمانوں اور زمین کا غیب اسی کے لئے ہے وہ خوب ہی دیکھنے والا اور خوب ہی سننے والا ہے۔ ان (لوگوں) کا اس کے سوا کوئی بھی مددگار نہیں ہے اور وہ اپنے حکم (اور فیصلوں) میں کسی کو (اپنا) شریک نہیں بناتا۔
Français
Dis : « Allāh sait le mieux combien de temps ils y sont restés. » C’est à Lui qu’appartient l’invisible dans les cieux et sur la terre. Quelle vue qu'est la Sienne et quelle ouïe ! Il n’existe aucun ami pour eux à part Lui, et Il ne permet à personne d’avoir une part dans Son autorité.
Español
Diles: “Al-lah sabe perfectamente cuánto tiempo permanecieron allí”. A Él pertenecen lo invisible de los cielos y la tierra. ¡Qué Vista y qué Oído tiene! No tienen amigos aparte de Él, y Él no permite que nadie comparta Su autoridad.
Deutsch
Sprich: "Allah weiß am besten, wie lange sie darin verweilten. Sein sind die Geheimnisse der Himmel und der Erde. Wie sehend ist Er und wie hörend! Sie haben keinen Helfer außer Ihm, und Er teilt Seine Befehlsgewalt mit keinem."
وَ اتۡلُ مَاۤ اُوۡحِیَ اِلَیۡکَ مِنۡ کِتَابِ رَبِّکَ ۚؕ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِکَلِمٰتِہٖ ۚ۟ وَ لَنۡ تَجِدَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِہٖ مُلۡتَحَدًا ﴿۲۸﴾
وَٱتۡلُ مَآ أُوحِيَ إِلَيۡكَ مِن كِتَابِ رَبِّكَۖ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَٰتِهِۦ وَلَن تَجِدَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مُلۡتَحَدٗا
English
And recite what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord. There is none who can change His words, and thou wilt find no refuge beside Him.
English Short Commentary
‘And recite what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord. [c]There is none who can change His words, and thou wilt find no refuge beside Him.
English Five Volume Commentary
[a]And recite what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord. [b]There is none who can change His words, and thou wilt find no refuge beside Him.[2068]
2068. Commentary:
The verse makes it clear that the above account of the Dwellers of the Cave is not meant merely as an interesting narrative but refers to events of the past of great spiritual significance, at the same time constituting a forewarning to Muslims to be always prepared for hardships like those that the Dwellers of the Cave had to suffer. In fact according to Ibn ‘Abbas the Holy Prophet is reported to have said that اصحاب الکھف (Dwellers of the Cave) are the companions of the Imam Mahdi (Manthur). The words, there is none who can change His words, also support the assumption that the account of the Dwellers of the Cave contains mighty prophecies, otherwise there was no sense in using such challenging words as these. See the following verses. (close)
اُردو
اور تلاوت کر اُس کی جو تیرے ربّ کی کتاب میں سے تیری طرف وحی کیا جاتا ہے۔ اس کے کلمات کو کوئی تبدیل نہیں کر سکتا اور تُو اس کے سوا ہرگز کوئی پناہ گاہ نہ پائے گا۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور تیرے رب کی کتاب میں سے جو (حصہ) تجھ پر وحی (کے ذریعہ سے نازل) ہوتا ہے اسے پڑھ (کر لوگوں کو سنا) اس کی باتوں کو کوئی بھی تبدیل کر سکنے والا نہیں ہے اور اسے چھوڑ کر تو کوئی پناہ کی جگہ نہیں پائے گا۔
Français
Et récite ce qui t’a été révélé du Livre de ton Seigneur. Personne ne peut changer Ses paroles, et tu ne trouveras aucun refuge en dehors de Lui.
Español
“Recita lo que te ha sido revelado del Libro de tu Señor. No hay nadie que pueda cambiar Sus palabras, y no hallarás refugio fuera de Él”.
Deutsch
Und verlies, was dir von dem Buche deines Herrn offenbart ward. Da ist keiner, der Seine Worte verändern könnte, und du wirst außer Ihm keine Zuflucht finden.
وَ اصۡبِرۡ نَفۡسَکَ مَعَ الَّذِیۡنَ یَدۡعُوۡنَ رَبَّہُمۡ بِالۡغَدٰوۃِ وَ الۡعَشِیِّ یُرِیۡدُوۡنَ وَجۡہَہٗ وَ لَا تَعۡدُ عَیۡنٰکَ عَنۡہُمۡ ۚ تُرِیۡدُ زِیۡنَۃَ الۡحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنۡیَا ۚ وَ لَا تُطِعۡ مَنۡ اَغۡفَلۡنَا قَلۡبَہٗ عَنۡ ذِکۡرِنَا وَ اتَّبَعَ ہَوٰٮہُ وَ کَانَ اَمۡرُہٗ فُرُطًا ﴿۲۹﴾
وَٱصۡبِرۡ نَفۡسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلۡغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلۡعَشِيِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجۡهَهُۥۖ وَلَا تَعۡدُ عَيۡنَاكَ عَنۡهُمۡ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَلَا تُطِعۡ مَنۡ أَغۡفَلۡنَا قَلۡبَهُۥ عَن ذِكۡرِنَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ وَكَانَ أَمۡرُهُۥ فُرُطٗا
English
And keep thyself attached to those who call on their Lord, morning and evening, seeking His pleasure; and let not thy eyes pass beyond them, seeking the adornment of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his evil inclinations, and his case exceeds all bounds.
English Short Commentary
[a]And keep thyself attached to those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His pleasure; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the adornment of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his low desires, and his case exceeds all legitimate bounds.
English Five Volume Commentary
[c]And keep thyself attached to those who call on their Lord, morning and evening, seeking His pleasure; and let not thy eyes pass beyond them, seeking the adornment of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his evil inclinations and his case exceeds all bounds.[2069]
2069. Commentary:
This verse lends further support to the fact that the preceding verses embody some very important prophecies. In fact, we are here told that at the time of the predominance and ascendancy of Christian nations there will be living in the world a people who, as true representatives of Islam, will be engaged night and day in prayer and Divine worship. The so-called Muslims will, at that time—the time of Imam Mahdi—pin all their hopes about the future political glory and greatness of Islam on the employment of material means and will look down upon the poor and politically unimportant followers of the Imam Mahdi for concentrating on prayer and worship. The verse warns Muslims that on prayer and Divine worship alone will depend the eventual salvation and success of Islam.
The verse further mentions the following three main causes of the misfortunes and miseries of Muslims at that time: (a) they will be neglectful of prayer and Divine worship; (b) love of the world will be their overpowering passion; and (c) they will be wholly lost in the pursuit of material comforts and a life of luxury. But their deliverance will lie in a complete change of their outlook and the programme of their life. (close)
اُردو
اور تُو خود بھی صبر کر اُن لوگوں کے ساتھ جو صبح بھی اور شام کو بھی اپنے ربّ کو، اس کی رضا چاہتے ہوئے، پکارتے ہیں۔ اور تیری نگاہیں اُن سے تجاوز نہ کریں اس حال میں کہ تو دنیا کی زندگی کی زینت چاہتا ہو۔ اور اس کی پیروی نہ کر جس کے دل کو ہم نے اپنی یاد سے غافل کر رکھا ہے اور وہ اپنی ہوس کے پیچھے لگ گیا ہے اور اس کا معاملہ حد سے بڑھا ہوا ہے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور اپنے آپ کو ان لوگوں کے ساتھ رکھ جو اپنے رب کو اس کی خوشنودی چاہتے ہوئے صبح و شام پکارتے ہیں اور تیری نظریں ان کو پیچھے چھوڑ کر آگے نہ نکل جائیں (اور اگر تو ایسا کرے گا تو) تو ورلی زندگی کی زینت چاہے گا اور جس کے دل کو ہم نے اپنی یاد سے غافل کر دیا ہو اور اس نے اپنی گری ہوئی خواہش کی پیروی اختیار کی ہو اور اس کا معاملہ حد سے بڑھا ہوا ہو اس کی فرمانبرداری مت کر۔
Français
Et toi-même fais preuve de patience en compagnie de ceux qui invoquent leur Seigneur, matin et soir, tout en recherchant Son plaisir ; et ne laisse pas tes yeux aller au-delà d’eux, en quête de l’ornement de la vie de ce monde ; et n’obéis pas à celui dont Nous avons rendu le cœur indifférent à Notre souvenir, et qui suit ses mauvais penchants, et dont le cas dépasse toutes les limites.
Español
Mantente unido a quienes invocan a su Señor, mañana y tarde, buscando Su agrado; no permitas que tus ojos se aparten de ellos, buscando las galas de la vida del mundo; y no obedezcas a aquel cuyo corazón lo hemos hecho distraído de Nuestro recuerdo ni a quien sigue sus inclinaciones malvadas, superando en su conducta todos los límites.
Deutsch
Halte dich zu denen, die ihren Herrn anrufen des Morgens und des Abends, im Trachten nach Seinem Wohlgefallen; und lass deine Blicke nicht über sie hinauswandern, indem du nach dem Gepränge des irdischen Lebens begehrst; und gehorche nicht dem, dessen Herz Wir achtlos machten der Erinnerung an Uns, der seinen bösen Gelüsten folgt und dessen Fall ein äußerster ist.
وَ قُلِ الۡحَقُّ مِنۡ رَّبِّکُمۡ ۟ فَمَنۡ شَآءَ فَلۡیُؤۡمِنۡ وَّ مَنۡ شَآءَ فَلۡیَکۡفُرۡ ۙ اِنَّاۤ اَعۡتَدۡنَا لِلظّٰلِمِیۡنَ نَارًا ۙ اَحَاطَ بِہِمۡ سُرَادِقُہَا ؕ وَ اِنۡ یَّسۡتَغِیۡثُوۡا یُغَاثُوۡا بِمَآءٍ کَالۡمُہۡلِ یَشۡوِی الۡوُجُوۡہَ ؕ بِئۡسَ الشَّرَابُ ؕ وَ سَآءَتۡ مُرۡتَفَقًا ﴿۳۰﴾
وَقُلِ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمۡۖ فَمَن شَآءَ فَلۡيُؤۡمِن وَمَن شَآءَ فَلۡيَكۡفُرۡۚ إِنَّآ أَعۡتَدۡنَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمۡ سُرَادِقُهَاۚ وَإِن يَسۡتَغِيثُواْ يُغَاثُواْ بِمَآءٖ كَٱلۡمُهۡلِ يَشۡوِي ٱلۡوُجُوهَۚ بِئۡسَ ٱلشَّرَابُ وَسَآءَتۡ مُرۡتَفَقًا

English
And say, ‘It is the truth from your Lord; wherefore let him who will, believe, and let him who will, disbelieve.’ Verily, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose flaming canopy shall enclose them. And if they cry for help, they will be helped with water like molten lead which will burn the faces. How dreadful the drink, and how evil is the Fire as a resting place!
English Short Commentary
And say, [b]‘It is the truth from your Lord; wherefore let him who will, believe, and let him, who will, disbelieve.’ [c]Verily, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose flaming canopy shall enclose them. And if they cry for help, they will be helped with water like molten lead which would scald their faces. How dreadful the drink and how evil the resting place!
English Five Volume Commentary
And say, [a]‘It is the truth from your Lord; wherefore let him who will, believe, and let him who will, disbelieve.’ [b]Verily, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose flaming canopy shall enclose them. And if they cry for help, they will be helped with water like molten lead which would burn the faces. How dreadful the drink, and how evil is the Fire as a resting place![2070]
2070. Important Words:
سرادقھا (whose tent). سرادق is derived from سردق. They say سردق البیت i.e. he covered the house with an awning over its interior court. سرادق means, an awning extended over the interior court of a house; a tent of cotton or hair-cloth; a tent; smoke rising high and surrounding a thing; dust rising or spreading itself. They say سرادق المجد علیک ممدود i.e. the canopy of glory is extended over thee (Lane & Aqrab).
مرتفقا (resting place) is derived from رفق i.e. he was or became gentle or he acted or behaved gently ارتفق means, he bought or demanded aid or help or he profited by him or it (a thing) or he made use of it; he leaned upon his elbow; and, it was or became full. مرتفقا means, a place or thing upon which one leans, hence a place of rest (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The words, It is the truth from your Lord, signify that the prophecy, implied in the foregoing verses, that the great material might and glory of Western Christian nations will be reduced to dust and that Islam will emerge triumphant and full of new life shall most surely come to pass.
The words, let him who will, believe, and let him who will, disbelieve, hint that the time of the Imam Mahdi will not be the time for waging jihad by the sword, but for the peaceful preaching of Islam.
The last part of the verse answers a natural question that arises from the first part, viz. if there was to be no jihad by the sword how was Islam to come into its own? To this question the last part of the verse returns the answer that God Himself will see to it that the seemingly irresistible might of western Christian nations is completely broken. Divine punish-ment will overtake these nations in the form of wars which will not end until their power is completely shattered and is reduced to ashes and dust. Molten lead and iron will scorch their faces. They will cry for peace and will get bombs and gun-shots instead. Their beautiful residences will become unfit for human habitation and life will become a veritable hell for them. All their efforts to bring about peace in the world, being insincere and dishonest, will come to nothing. (close)
اُردو
اور کہہ دے کہ حق وہی ہے جو تمہارے ربّ کی طرف سے ہو۔ پس جو چاہے وہ ایمان لے آئے اور جو چاہے سو انکار کر دے۔ یقیناً ہم نے ظالموں کے لئے ایسی آگ تیار کر رکھی ہے جس کی دیواریں انہیں گھیرے میں لے لیں گی اور اگر وہ پانی مانگیں گے تو اُنہیں ایسا پانی دیا جائے گا جو پگھلے ہوئے تانبے کی طرح ہوگا جو اُن کے چہروں کو جھلسا دے گا۔ بہت ہی بُرا مشروب ہے اور بہت ہی بُری آرام گاہ ہے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور (لوگوں کو) کہہ دے (کہ) یہ سچائی تمہارے رب کی طرف سے ہی (نازل ہوئی) پس جو چاہے (اس پر) ایمان لائے اور جو چاہے (اس کا) انکار کر دے (مگر یہ یاد رکھے کہ) ہم نے ظالموں کے لئے یقیناً ایک آگ تیار کی ہے جس کی چار دیواری نے (اب بھی) انہیں گھیرا ہوا ہے اور اگر وہ فریاد کریں گے تو ایسے پانی سے ان کی فریاد رسی کی جائے گی جو پگھلے ہوئے تانبے کی طرح ہوگا (اور) چہروں کو جھلس دے گا۔ وہ بہت بری پینے کی چیز ہوگی۔ اور وہ (آگ) برا ٹھکانا ہے۔
Français
Et dis : « C’est la vérité de la part de votre Seigneur ; ainsi, que croie celui qui le veut, et que ne croie pas celui qui ne le veut pas. » En vérité, Nous avons préparé pour les injustes un feu dont les murs les entoureront. Et s’ils demandent à boire, ils seront abreuvés d’une eau tel le cuivre fondu qui leur brûlera le visage. Quel breuvage redoutable ! Et quel mauvais lieu de repos que le Feu !
Español
Diles: “Es la verdad de vuestro Señor; por tanto, el que quiera creer, que crea, y el que no quiera creer, no crea”. En verdad, ara los malvados hemos preparado un fuego cuyo dosel llameante los rodeará. Y si gritan pidiendo ayuda, recibirán agua como plomo fundido que les quemará los rostros. ¡Qué horrible bebida y qué espantoso es el Fuego como lugar de reposo!
Deutsch
Und sprich: "Die Wahrheit ist es von eurem Herrn: darum lass den gläubig sein, der will, und den ungläubig sein, der will." Siehe, Wir haben für die Frevler ein Feuer bereitet, dessen Zelt sie umschließen wird. Wenn sie dann um Hilfe schreien, so wird ihnen geholfen werden mit Wasser gleich geschmolzenem Blei, das die Gesichter verbrennt. Wie schrecklich ist der Trank, und wie schlimm ist das (Feuer) als Lagerstatt!
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ اِنَّا لَا نُضِیۡعُ اَجۡرَ مَنۡ اَحۡسَنَ عَمَلًا ﴿ۚ۳۱﴾
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَٰتِ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ مَنۡ أَحۡسَنَ عَمَلًا
English
Verily, those who believe and do good works — surely, We suffer not the reward of those who do good works to be lost.
English Short Commentary
Verily, those who believe and do good works—surely [d]We suffer not the reward of those who do good works to be lost.
English Five Volume Commentary
Verily, those who believe and do good works—surely, [a]We suffer not the reward of those who do good works to be lost.[2071]
2071. Commentary:
As against the futile efforts of the powerful western nations to establish peace in the world, the tiny and seemingly insignificant but honest contributions towards this noble purpose of those good and righteous people—the companions of the Mahdi, will be crowned with success because though deprived of all worldly pomp and glory they will have firm faith in God and will live up to their noble ideals. (close)
اُردو
یقیناً وہ لوگ جو ایمان لے آئے اور نیک اعمال بجا لائے (سُن لیں کہ) ہم ہرگز اُس کا اجر ضائع نہیں کرتے جس نے عمل کو اچھا بنایا ہو۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
(ہاں) جو لوگ ایمان لائے اور انہوں نے نیک (اور مناسب حال) عمل کیے ہیں (وہ یقیناً بڑے اجر پائیں گے) جنہوں نے اچھے کام کیے ہوں ہم ان کا اجر ہرگز ضائع نہیں کرتے۔
Français
En vérité, ceux qui croient et font de bonnes œuvres – assurément, Nous ne laisserons pas perdre la récompense de ceux qui font de bonnes œuvres.
Español
En verdad, para quienes creen y hacen buenas obras, sabed ciertamente que no permitiremos que se pierda la recompensa de quienes hacen buenas obras.
Deutsch
Wahrlich, die da glauben und gute Werke tun – wahrlich, Wir lassen den Lohn derjenigen, die gute Werke tun, nicht verloren gehen.
اُولٰٓئِکَ لَہُمۡ جَنّٰتُ عَدۡنٍ تَجۡرِیۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِہِمُ الۡاَنۡہٰرُ یُحَلَّوۡنَ فِیۡہَا مِنۡ اَسَاوِرَ مِنۡ ذَہَبٍ وَّ یَلۡبَسُوۡنَ ثِیَابًا خُضۡرًا مِّنۡ سُنۡدُسٍ وَّ اِسۡتَبۡرَقٍ مُّتَّکِئِیۡنَ فِیۡہَا عَلَی الۡاَرَآئِکِ ؕ نِعۡمَ الثَّوَابُ ؕ وَ حَسُنَتۡ مُرۡتَفَقًا ﴿٪۳۲﴾
أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ جَنَّـٰتُ عَدۡنٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهِمُ ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ يُحَلَّوۡنَ فِيهَا مِنۡ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٖ وَيَلۡبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضۡرٗا مِّن سُندُسٖ وَإِسۡتَبۡرَقٖ مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَرَآئِكِۚ نِعۡمَ ٱلثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتۡ مُرۡتَفَقٗا
English
It is these who will have Gardens of Eternity beneath which streams shall flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, reclining therein upon raised couches. How good the reward and how excellent the place of rest!
English Short Commentary
[e]It is these who will have Gardens of Eternity underneath which streams shall flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, [a]reclining therein upon raised couches.[1688] How good the reward and how excellent the place of rest!
1688. Gold bracelets being symbols of royalty, the verse may signify that Muslims will become rulers of vast and mighty empires and will enjoy great power, honour and dignity and their womenfolk will wear garments of fine silk and heavy brocade interwoven with gold. This prophecy was fulfilled when the treasures of Persia and Rome were laid at the feet of the illiterate Arabs who used to wear clothes made of coarse skins and of the hair of animals. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
[b]It is these who will have Gardens of Eternity beneath which streams shall flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, [c]reclining therein upon raised couches. How good the reward and how excellent the place of rest![2072]
2072. Important Words:
اساور (bracelets) is the plural of سوار which is derived from سار. They say سار او تسور الحائط i.e. he climbed or scaled the wall. تسورalso means, he put on or decked himself with bracelets. سوار means, a man’s or woman’s bracelet of silver or of gold (Lane & Aqrab).
سندس (fine silk) means, thin or fine دیباج (silk brocade) or thin or fine حریر (silk). It is opposed to استبرق (Lane).
استبرق (heavy brocade) is derived from برق which means, it shone, gleamed or glistened. استبرق means, thick دیباج (silk brocade) or دیباج interwoven with gold; thick silk (Lane & Aqrab).
ارائک (raised couches) is the plural of اریکة which is derived from ارک which means, he persisted or persevered. They say ارک بالمکان i.e. he remained in the house, not quitting it. The Arabs say ارک الامر فی عنقه i.e. he compelled him to do the thing; he made him cleave to it. اریکة means, a raised couch in a tent or chamber decorated and adorned with cloth and curtains for a bride; a bed spread upon the ground to sit upon; anything upon which one reclines; a raised couch (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The wearing of bracelets of gold may refer either to this life or the next. In the former case, the words, They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, mean that gold bracelets being symbols of royalty, Muslims will become rulers of vast and mighty empires. But taken as referring to the next life they connote a spiritual sense, meaning that good works of Muslims in this life would assume an embodied form in the next. Or "bracelets of gold" may signify special marks of honour, i.e. the Faithful will enjoy great power, honour and dignity and their womenfolk will wear garments of fine silk and heavy brocade interwoven with gold. This prophecy was fulfilled when the treasures of Persia and Rome were laid at the feet of so-called illiterate and half-civilized Arabs who wore clothes made of coarse skins and the hair of animals.
The words, how good the reward, imply that these things will not make Muslims lovers of ease and luxury and will not lead to their moral or spiritual death. On the contrary they will prove "a good reward" for them, that is, these things will give them peace and contentment of mind.
The words, and how excellent the place of rest, signify that contacts and friendships formed in accordance with Quranic teaching, being based on sincere and honest motives, will not lead to war and mutual hatred but will bring about real peace and concord in the world. (close)
اُردو
یہی ہیں وہ جن کے لئے ہمیشہ کے باغات ہیں۔ ان کے (قدموں کے) نیچے نہریں بہتی ہیں۔ انہیں وہاں سونے کے کنگن پہنائے جائیں گے اور وہ باریک ریشم اور موٹے ریشم کے سبز کپڑے پہنیں گے۔ اُن میں وہ تختوں پر ٹیک لگائے ہوں گے۔ بہت ہی عمدہ جزا ہے اور بہت ہی اچھی آرام گاہ ہے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
(ہاں ہاں) انہی لوگوں کے لئے دائمی رہائش کے باغات (مقدر) ہیں۔ (ان میں) ان کے (اپنے انتظام کے) نیچے نہریں بہتی ہوں گی۔ ان کے لئے ان میں سونے کے گنگنوں کی قسم کے زیور بنوائے جائیں گے اور وہ باریک ریشم کے اور موٹے ریشم کے سبز کپڑے پہنیں گے (وہ) ان بہشتوں میں آراستہ پلنگوں پر تکیے لگائے (ہوئے بیٹھے) ہوں گے۔ یہ کیا ہی اچھا اجر ہے اور وہ بہت ہی اچھا ٹھکانا ہے۔
Français
Ce sont ceux-là qui auront les Jardins d’Eternité sous lesquels couleront des ruisseaux. Ils y seront parés de bracelets d’or, et ils porteront des vêtements verts de soie fine et de brocart lourd, accoudés sur des canapés. Comme la récompense est bonne ! Et quel excellent lieu de repos !
Español
Son ellos quienes tendrán Jardines de Eternidad por los cuales correrán ríos. Serán adornados allí con brazaletes de oro, y llevarán vestidos verdes de fina seda y grueso brocado, recostándose allí en divanes elevados. ¡Qué buena recompensa y qué excelente lugar de reposo!
Deutsch
Sie sind es, die Gärten der Ewigkeit besitzen werden, durch welche Ströme fließen. Darinnen werden sie geschmückt sein mit Armspangen von Gold und gekleidet in grüne Gewänder aus feiner Seide und schwerem Brokat, darin lehnend auf erhöhten Sitzen. Wie herrlich der Lohn und wie schön die Stätte der Rast!
وَ اضۡرِبۡ لَہُمۡ مَّثَلًا رَّجُلَیۡنِ جَعَلۡنَا لِاَحَدِہِمَا جَنَّتَیۡنِ مِنۡ اَعۡنَابٍ وَّ حَفَفۡنٰہُمَا بِنَخۡلٍ وَّ جَعَلۡنَا بَیۡنَہُمَا زَرۡعًا ﴿ؕ۳۳﴾
۞وَٱضۡرِبۡ لَهُم مَّثَلٗا رَّجُلَيۡنِ جَعَلۡنَا لِأَحَدِهِمَا جَنَّتَيۡنِ مِنۡ أَعۡنَٰبٖ وَحَفَفۡنَٰهُمَا بِنَخۡلٖ وَجَعَلۡنَا بَيۡنَهُمَا زَرۡعٗا
English
And set forth to them the parable of two men: one of them We provided with two gardens of grapes, and surrounded them with datepalms, and between the two We placed corn-fields.
English Short Commentary
And set forth for them the parable of two men—one of them We provided with two gardens of grapes and surrounded them with date-palms, and between the two We placed corn-fields.[1689]
1689. With this verse begins, in the form of a parable, the conditions of the two peoples—Christians and Muslims, the "two men" representing these two peoples and "two gardens" the two periods of the rise of the Christian nations. The verse denotes that in their chequered history Christian nations would rise to great power twice. The first period preceded the advent of Islam while the second began with the dawn of the 17th century. A.D., when Christian nations of Europe began to make great progress and acquire unprecedented power and prestige which reached its zenith in the nineteenth century. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
And set forth to them the parable of two men: one of them We provided with two gardens of grapes, and surrounded them with date-palms, and between the two We placed corn-fields.[2073]
2073. Commentary:
With this verse begins, in the form of a parable, a description of the conditions respectively of Muslim and Christian nations in the Latter Days. The form and wording of the dialogue unmistakably shows that it is no real conversation between two living persons but is a portraiture, in metaphorical language, of the conditions of these two peoples at a certain time. The dialogue represents the decline and degradation of Muslims at their nadir and the power and prosperity of western Christian nations at their zenith in the Latter Days.
Now parables, like dreams, require to be interpreted, and the present and following several verses having been couched in allegorical language it is difficult to grasp and fully appreciate their full significance and beauty without putting on them a construction which their apparent form does not seem to bear. In the language of dreams a "garden" signifies wife, children, riches and life full of happiness; sometimes it also denotes cantonments and army headquarters. "Grapes" represent abundant provisions which can be stored up and last for a long time; "palm trees" signify exercise of authority over large number of men; "corn" in the case of a monarch denotes expansion of his dominions and in that of other people their "work". A "stream" denotes an eminent man and "fruits" mean fresh sources of honour (Ta‘tirul-Anam).
The parable describes the conditions of two men. One of them had two gardens which metaphorically interpreted means that God had bestowed upon him an abundance of wealth and offspring in two separate periods of his life. This interpretation is supported by v. 35 below where the same person says, I am richer than thou in wealth and stronger in respect of men.
The words, and We surrounded them with date-palms, signify that this man will protect his riches and offspring and dominions with military force.
The expression, and between the two We placed corn-fields, denotes that in between the two gardens there will be ordinary property which will not be so strongly protected. (close)
اُردو
اور ان کے سامنے دو شخصوں کی مثال بیان کر جن میں سے ایک کے لئے ہم نے انگوروں کے دو باغ بنائے تھے اور ان دونوں کو کھجوروں سے گھیر رکھا تھا اور ان دونوں کے درمیان کھیت بنائے تھے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور تو ان کے سامنے ان دو شخصوں کی حالت بیان کر جن میں سے ایک کو ہم نے انگوروں کے دو باغ دئیے تھے اور انہیں ہم نے کھجوروں کے درختوں سے (ہرطرف سے) گھیر رکھا تھا اور ہم نے ان (دونوں کی مقبوضات) کے درمیان کچھ کھیتی بھی پیدا کی تھی۔
Français
Et expose-leur la parabole de deux hommes. Nous avons donné à l’un d’eux deux jardins de vignes, et Nous les avons entourés de dattiers, et entre les deux Nous avons placé des champs cultivés.
Español
Preséntales la parábola de dos hombres: a uno de ellos le proporcionamos dos huertos de vid y, rodeándolos, palmeras, y entre ellos pusimos campos de cereales.
Deutsch
Und stelle ihnen das Gleichnis von zwei Männern: für den einen von ihnen schufen Wir zwei Rebengärten und umgaben sie mit Dattelpalmen, und dazwischen legten Wir Kornfelder an.
کِلۡتَا الۡجَنَّتَیۡنِ اٰتَتۡ اُکُلَہَا وَ لَمۡ تَظۡلِمۡ مِّنۡہُ شَیۡئًا ۙ وَّ فَجَّرۡنَا خِلٰلَہُمَا نَہَرًا ﴿ۙ۳۴﴾
كِلۡتَا ٱلۡجَنَّتَيۡنِ ءَاتَتۡ أُكُلَهَا وَلَمۡ تَظۡلِم مِّنۡهُ شَيۡـٔٗاۚ وَفَجَّرۡنَا خِلَٰلَهُمَا نَهَرٗا
English
Each of the gardens yielded its fruit in abundance, and failed not the least therein. And in between the two We caused a stream to flow.
English Short Commentary
Each of the gardens yielded its fruits in abundance and failed not the least therein. And in between the two We caused a stream[1690] to flow.
1690. "The stream" represents the time of the Holy Prophet, through whom portions of the true teachings of Moses and Jesus were preserved. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
Each of the gardens yielded its fruit in abundance, and failed not the least therein. And in between the two We caused a stream to flow.[2074]
2074. Commentary:
Singular number of the verbs اتت and تظلم shows that the two gardens were, in reality, two parts of one and the same garden.
The words, and failed not the least therein, indicate that these were not gardens in the literal sense of the word but gardens in a metaphorical sense because it is against the laws of nature that trees should continue to yield abundant fruits in many consecutive seasons. But the trees of the gardens mentioned in this verse yielded fruits uniformly in abundance. This shows that they were gardens in the metaphorical sense only. (close)
اُردو
وہ دونوں باغ اپنا پھل لاتے تھے اور اس میں کوئی کمی نہیں کرتے تھے اور ان کے درمیان ہم نے ایک نہر جاری کی تھی۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
ان دونوں باغوں نے (اپنا) اپنا پھل (خوب) دیا اور اس میں سے کچھ (بھی) کم نہ کیا۔ اور ان کے درمیان ہم نے ایک نہر جاری کی تھی۔
Français
Chacun des jardins rapportait ses fruits en abondance sans jamais y manquer. Et entre les deux, Nous avons fait couler un ruisseau.
Español
Ambos huertos produjeron su fruto en abundancia, sin fallar nada en ellos. Y entre ellos hicimos que fluyera un río.
Deutsch
Beide Gärten brachten ihre Früchte hervor und versagten in nichts. Und in ihrer Mitte ließen Wir einen Strom fließen.
وَّ کَانَ لَہٗ ثَمَرٌ ۚ فَقَالَ لِصَاحِبِہٖ وَ ہُوَ یُحَاوِرُہٗۤ اَنَا اَکۡثَرُ مِنۡکَ مَالًا وَّ اَعَزُّ نَفَرًا ﴿۳۵﴾
وَكَانَ لَهُۥ ثَمَرٞ فَقَالَ لِصَٰحِبِهِۦ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُۥٓ أَنَا۠ أَكۡثَرُ مِنكَ مَالٗا وَأَعَزُّ نَفَرٗا

English
And he had fruit in abundance. And he said to his companion, arguing boastfully with him, ‘I am richer than thou in wealth and stronger in respect of men.’
English Short Commentary
And he had fruit in abundance. And he said to his companion boastfully, arguing with him, ‘I am richer than thou in wealth and stronger in respect of men.’[1690A]
1690A. The powerful and prosperous Christian nations would look down upon and taunt the poor and powerless Muslims for their poverty and lack of material resources. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
And he had fruit in abundance. And he said to his companion, arguing boastfully with him, ‘I am richer than thou in wealth and stronger in respect of men.’[2075]
2075. Important Words:
یحاورہ (arguing boastfully with him) is derived fromحار . They say حار الی الشیء i.e. he returned to a thing. حاورہ means, he returned him answer for answer; held dialogue or debate with him; he vied with him for superiority in glorying or boasting or the like (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
Now as to the meaning of the parable as a whole. In the beginning of the Surah it was said that the Holy Prophet had already conveyed the Message of God to the Meccans, and that he was now going to convey it to Christians also. Again, reference was made to the history of early Christians who endured untold persecutions for their belief in the Unity of God and whose successors became idol-worshippers and were entirely engrossed in the pursuit of material wealth.
The Quranic parable bears very close resemblance to the parable of the vineyard in the Gospels (Mark 12:1-12; Matt. 21:33-46 & Luke 20:9-19). It speaks of two peoples—Muslims and Christians. The master of the garden in the Quranic parable represents Christian peoples, and the "grapevines" stand for increase in their wealth and offspring. The hedge of date-palms denotes their armed forces which in the days of their power and glory will safeguard their possessions.
The parable speaks of two gardens which denotes that Christian peoples in their chequered history were to rise to great power twice. The first period preceded the advent of Islam while the second began with the dawn of the 17th century A.D., when Christian nations of Europe began to make great progress and acquire unprecedented power and prestige which reached its zenith in the 19th century. During the interval between these two periods of the progress and prosperity of its followers Christianity resembled a field of corn which was exposed to the danger of being trampled upon and destroyed. In this interval God caused the great stream of Islam to flow and fertilize the entire world. A mighty man of truth—the Holy Prophet Muhammad—made his appearance. His advent constituted the greatest landmark in the religious life of mankind. He gave to the world new concepts, new ideals and new values and left behind him the Quran as humanity’s infallible and eternal guide.
As shown under Important Words, "fruits" signify fresh sources of honour. The expression, and he had fruit in abundance, therefore means that Christian nations would continue to make new scientific inventions and discoveries which would greatly add to their material wealth, power and prosperity. The words, I am richer than thou in wealth and stronger in respect of men, mean that Christian nations will advance their own material wealth and political power and the poverty and backwardness of Muslim peoples as an argument in favour of the truth of their religion. (close)
اُردو
اور اس کے بہت پھل (والے باغ) تھے۔ پس اُس نے اپنے ساتھی سے جب کہ وہ اس سے گفتگو کر رہا تھا کہا کہ میں تجھ سے مال میں زیادہ اور جتھے میں قوی تَر ہوں۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور اسے بہت پھل حاصل (ہوتا) تھا۔ اسی وجہ سے اس نے اپنے ساتھی کو اس سے باتیں کرتے ہوئے (فخریہ طور پر) کہا (کہ دیکھ) تیری نسبت میرا مال زیادہ اور جتھا معزز ہے۔
Français
Et il avait des fruits en abondance. Et il dit à son compagnon, avec qui il conversait : « Je suis plus riche que toi en biens, et plus fort pour ce qui est du nombre d’hommes. »
Español
Tuvo frutos en abundancia. Y dijo a su compañero, cuando conversaba con él: “soy más rico que tú en riquezas y más fuerte en seguidores”.
Deutsch
Und es ward ihm Frucht. Er sprach zu seinem Gefährten, indem er (prahlerisch) mit ihm redete: "Ich bin reicher als du an Besitz und mächtiger an Gefolgschaft."
وَ دَخَلَ جَنَّتَہٗ وَ ہُوَ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفۡسِہٖ ۚ قَالَ مَاۤ اَظُنُّ اَنۡ تَبِیۡدَ ہٰذِہٖۤ اَبَدًا ﴿ۙ۳۶﴾
وَدَخَلَ جَنَّتَهُۥ وَهُوَ ظَالِمٞ لِّنَفۡسِهِۦ قَالَ مَآ أَظُنُّ أَن تَبِيدَ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أَبَدٗا
English
And he entered his garden while he was wronging his soul. He said, ‘I do not think this will ever perish;
English Short Commentary
And he entered his Garden while he was wronging his soul. He said, ‘I do not think that this will ever perish;[1691]
1691. Being proud of their material progress Western Christian nations would give themselves up to a life of ease and luxury and in their conceit and arrogance misconceive that their power, progress and prosperity will last for ever, and being lulled into a false sense of security and complacency, they would be entirely lost in a life of sin and iniquity. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
And he entered his garden while he was wronging his soul. He said, ‘I do not think that this will ever perish;[2076]
2076. Commentary:
The verse purports to say that Christian nations would be very proud of their material progress and would give themselves up to a life of ease and luxury and in their conceit and arrogance misconceive that their power, progress and prosperity would last forever. The words, while he was wronging his soul, mean that lulled into a false sense of security and complacency these people would be entirely lost in a life of sin and iniquity. The words "his garden" do not contradict vv. 33 and 31 above where mention is made of 'two gardens'. For an explanation of this seeming contradiction see v. 34 above. (close)
اُردو
اور وہ اپنے باغ میں اس حال میں داخل ہوا کہ وہ اپنے نفس پر ظلم کرنے والا تھا۔ اس نے کہا میں تو یہ خیال بھی نہیں کر سکتا کہ یہ کبھی برباد ہو جا ئے گا۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور (ایک دفعہ) وہ اپنی جان پر ظلم کرتے ہوئے اپنے باغ میں داخل ہوا (اور) اس نے (اپنے ساتھی سے) کہا (کہ) میں نہیں سمجھتا کہ یہ (میرا باغ) کبھی تباہ ہوگا۔
Français
Et il entra dans son jardin pendant qu’il faisait du tort à son âme. Il dit : « Je ne pense pas que ceci puisse jamais périr ;
Español
Y entró en su huerto mientras perjudicaba a su alma. Dijo: “No creo que esto desaparezca nunca”;
Deutsch
Und er betrat seinen Garten, während er sündig gegen die eigene Seele war. Er sprach: "Ich kann mir nicht vorstellen, dass dieser je zugrunde gehen wird,