سُورَةُ الْكَهْفِ
Surah Al-Kahf: Meaning, Stories, and Benefits of Recitation
Revelation
Revealed in Makkah
Verses
110 ayat
Surah No.
Surah 18
Juz
Juz 15 to 16
Explore the four stories in Surah Al-Kahf, why it is recited on Fridays, and what authentic hadith say about protection from the Dajjal. A full guide.
What Is Surah Al-Kahf?
Surah Al-Kahf is the 18th chapter of the Quran, revealed in Makkah, with 110 verses spanning parts of Juz 15 and Juz 16. Its name means “The Cave,” taken from the story of the young men who sought shelter in a cave to protect their faith. It is among the longer Makki surahs and occupies a central position in Islamic life that few chapters match.
The surah was revealed in response to a test posed by the Quraysh, who asked Jewish scholars what question would most expose whether Muhammad was a true prophet. The scholars suggested asking him about a group of young men who disappeared, a man who traveled across the earth, and the nature of the soul. The surah directly answers the first two in its stories. It was also revealed when early Muslims were being persecuted for their faith and needed reassurance that holding to truth, even under pressure, had been the way of believers throughout history.
Story 1: The People of the Cave
Verses 9 through 26 tell the story of a group of young men, their exact number is uncertain, the Quran says some say three, others say five, others say seven, and God knows, who lived in a city under a ruler who demanded they abandon their faith in one God. Rather than comply, they retreated to a cave.
God caused them to sleep there for 309 years. When they woke, they thought they had slept a day or less. One of them went to buy food in the city and was noticed, his coins were centuries old. The city had changed. Their story became known.
The lesson classical scholars drew from this story is about the trial of faith, specifically, the trial of being forced to choose between faith and social acceptance. The young men chose to leave their community and their comfort rather than pretend to believe something they did not. The Quran presents their decision as an act of courage, not retreat.
Story 2: The Owner of Two Gardens
Verses 32 through 44 tell the story of two men. One has two productive gardens, a river running between them, and plenty of wealth. He says, in verse 35, “I do not think this will ever end,” and, in a line that stands out sharply, “And I do not think the Hour will occur.” He dismisses his companion’s reminder to be grateful.
God destroys his gardens. Standing among the ruins, he says: “I wish I had not associated anything with my Lord.”
This story illustrates the trial of wealth. The man’s problem was not that he had gardens, it was that his gardens convinced him he was beyond accountability. Prosperity without gratitude is the specific failure the story is about.

Story 3: Musa and Al-Khidr
Verses 60 through 82 cover the journey of Prophet Musa (Moses) to find a man described as one of God’s servants who had been given special knowledge. Musa agrees not to ask questions and then proceeds to ask three times as Al-Khidr does things that seem wrong or harmful: making a hole in a boat, killing a boy, and rebuilding a wall for a town that did not deserve generosity.
At the end of the journey, Al-Khidr explains each action. The boat had to be damaged because a king was seizing every sound boat. The boy would have grown up to cause his believing parents grief and disbelief. The wall was built because beneath it lay treasure belonging to two orphan boys whose father was righteous, the wall protected their inheritance until they were old enough to claim it.
The story is about the trial of knowledge, the recognition that human understanding is always partial. Musa, who was told he was the most knowledgeable of men and who corrected that assumption, learns that apparent injustice can conceal deeper justice when seen from God’s perspective.
Story 4: Dhul-Qarnayn and the Wall
Verses 83 through 98 tell the story of a powerful, just ruler given authority by God to travel across the earth. He journeys to the west, to the east, and then between two mountain barriers where a people live who cannot understand his language. They ask him to build a barrier against Yajuj and Majuj, destructive forces they cannot stop themselves. Dhul-Qarnayn builds the barrier and refuses payment, saying what his Lord has given him is better than any worldly reward.
He adds that when the time comes, the promise of his Lord, the barrier will be leveled. This is a reference to one of the signs of the Day of Judgment.
The lesson is about the trial of power. Dhul-Qarnayn’s greatness is not his walls or his reach but his refusal to be corrupted by authority. He acts for God, not for reward from creation.
Why Is Surah Al-Kahf Recited on Fridays?
The hadith connecting Surah Al-Kahf to Friday recitation is narrated by Abu Sa’id al-Khudri and recorded by al-Hakim, al-Bayhaqi, and al-Daraqutni. The Prophet said: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday will have a light shining for him between two Fridays.” Al-Albani graded this narration as authentic.
A related narration in al-Hakim describes a light reaching from where the person stands to Makkah on the Day of Resurrection.
Scholars have discussed when on Friday the recitation should happen. Some say Friday begins from Maghrib on Thursday night, so recitation from Thursday evening counts. Others say it means the day of Friday itself. Most commonly, Muslims recite it either on Thursday night after Maghrib or on Friday before or after Jumu’ah prayer.
The connection between the surah’s stories and Friday is a matter scholars have reflected on: Friday is the day associated with the beginning and end of creation, making it a fitting day to recite a surah about trials that span human history.

Surah Al-Kahf and Protection from the Dajjal
A hadith in Sahih Muslim, reported by Abu Darda, records that the Prophet said: “Whoever memorizes the first ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf will be protected from the Dajjal.” A narration in other collections extends this to the last ten verses. Al-Albani’s verification of the narration about the last ten verses is frequently cited.
The four trials in the surah, faith, wealth, knowledge, and power, are understood by scholars to correspond to the four types of deception the Dajjal will use. He will claim to be a prophet (faith trial), display apparent wealth and provision (wealth trial), appear to have knowledge of the unseen (knowledge trial), and wield immense temporal authority (power trial). The surah provides an example of correct response to each, which is why the narration about it as protection from the Dajjal is understood in this symbolic and practical sense.
Read the Complete Surah in Arabic
Here is the complete Arabic text of Surah Al-Kahf, all 110 verses in the Uthmani script, each with transliteration, English translation, and Urdu translation, so you can read the entire chapter right here.
1 بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَا ۜ
18:1 Alhamdu lillaahil lazeee anzala ‘alaa ‘abdihil kitaaba wa lam yaj’al lahoo ‘iwajaa
[All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance.
تمام تعریفیں اسی اللہ کے لئے سزاوار ہیں جس نے اپنے بندے پر یہ قرآن اتارا اور اس میں کوئی کسر باقی نہ چھوڑی
2 قَيِّمًۭا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًۭا شَدِيدًۭا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًۭا
18:2 Qaiyimal liyunzira baasan shadeedam mil ladunhu wa yubashshiral mu’mineenal lazeena ya’maloonas saalihaati anna lahum ajran hasanaa
[He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward
بلکہ ہر طرح سے ٹھیک ٹھاک رکھا تاکہ اپنے پاس کی سخت سزا سے ہوشیار کردے اور ایمان ﻻنے اور نیک عمل کرنے والوں کو خوشخبریاں سنا دے کہ ان کے لئے بہترین بدلہ ہے
3 مَّٰكِثِينَ فِيهِ أَبَدًۭا
18:3 Maakiseena feehi abadaa
In which they will remain forever
جس میں وه ہمیشہ ہمیشہ رہیں گے
4 وَيُنذِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدًۭا
18:4 Wa yunziral lazeena qaalut takhazal laahu waladaa
And to warn those who say, “Allah has taken a son.”
اور ان لوگوں کو بھی ڈرا دے جو کہتے ہیں کہ اللہ تعالیٰ اوﻻد رکھتا ہے
5 مَّا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍۢ وَلَا لِءَابَآئِهِمْ ۚ كَبُرَتْ كَلِمَةًۭ تَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ ۚ إِن يَقُولُونَ إِلَّا كَذِبًۭا
18:5 Maa lahum bihee min ‘ilminw wa laa li aabaaa’ihim; kaburat kalimatan takhruju min afwaahihim; iny yaqooloona illaa kazibaa
They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers. Grave is the word that comes out of their mouths; they speak not except a lie.
در حقیقت نہ تو خود انہیں اس کا علم ہے نہ ان کے باپ دادوں کو۔ یہ تہمت بڑی بری ہے جو ان کے منھ سے نکل رہی ہے وه نرا جھوٹ بک رہے ہیں
6 فَلَعَلَّكَ بَٰخِعٌۭ نَّفْسَكَ عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِمْ إِن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهَٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا
18:6 Fala’allaka baakhi’un nafsaka ‘alaaa aasaarihim illam yu;minoo bihaazal hadeesi asafaa
Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, [and] out of sorrow.
پس اگر یہ لوگ اس بات پر ایمان نہ ﻻئیں تو کیا آپ ان کے پیچھے اسی رنج میں اپنی جان ہلاک کر ڈالیں گے؟
7 إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ زِينَةًۭ لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا
18:7 Innaa ja’alnaa ma ‘alal ardi zeenatal lahaa linabluwahum ayyuhum ahsanu ‘amalaa
Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed.
روئے زمین پر جو کچھ ہے ہم نے اسے زمین کی رونق کا باعﺚ بنایا ہے کہ ہم انہیں آزمالیں کہ ان میں سے کون نیک اعمال واﻻ ہے
8 وَإِنَّا لَجَٰعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًۭا جُرُزًا
18:8 Wa innaa lajaa ‘iloona maa ‘alaihaa sa’aeedan juruzaa
And indeed, We will make that which is upon it [into] a barren ground.
اس پر جو کچھ ہے ہم اسے ایک ہموار صاف میدان کر ڈالنے والے ہیں
9 أَمْ حَسِبْتَ أَنَّ أَصْحَٰبَ ٱلْكَهْفِ وَٱلرَّقِيمِ كَانُوا۟ مِنْ ءَايَٰتِنَا عَجَبًا
18:9 Am hasibta anna Ashaabal Kahfi war Raqeemi kaanoo min Aayaatinaa ‘ajabaa
Or have you thought that the companions of the cave and the inscription were, among Our signs, a wonder?
کیا تو اپنے خیال میں غار اور کتبے والوں کو ہماری نشانیوں میں سے کوئی بہت عجیب نشانی سمجھ رہا ہے؟
10 إِذْ أَوَى ٱلْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى ٱلْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةًۭ وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًۭا
18:10 Iz awal fityatu ilal Kahfi faqaaloo Rabbanaaa aatinaa mil ladunka rahmatanw wa haiyi’ lanaa min amrinaa rashadaa
[Mention] when the youths retreated to the cave and said, “Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.”
ان چند نوجوانوں نے جب غار میں پناه لی تو دعا کی کہ اے ہمارے پروردگار! ہمیں اپنے پاس سے رحمت عطا فرما اور ہمارے کام میں ہمارے لئے راه یابی کو آسان کردے
11 فَضَرَبْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ فِى ٱلْكَهْفِ سِنِينَ عَدَدًۭا
18:11 Fadarabnaa ‘alaaa aazaanihim fil Kahfi seneena ‘adadaa
So We cast [a cover of sleep] over their ears within the cave for a number of years.
پس ہم نے ان کے کانوں پر گنتی کے کئی سال تک اسی غار میں پردے ڈال دیئے
12 ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَٰهُمْ لِنَعْلَمَ أَىُّ ٱلْحِزْبَيْنِ أَحْصَىٰ لِمَا لَبِثُوٓا۟ أَمَدًۭا
18:12 Summa ba’asnaahum lina’lama ayyul hizbaini ahsaa limaa labisooo amadaa
Then We awakened them that We might show which of the two factions was most precise in calculating what [extent] they had remained in time.
پھر ہم نے انہیں اٹھا کھڑا کیا کہ ہم یہ معلوم کرلیں کہ دونوں گروه میں سے اس انتہائی مدت کو جو انہوں نے گزاری کس نے زیاده یاد رکھی ہے
13 نَّحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ نَبَأَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ فِتْيَةٌ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ وَزِدْنَٰهُمْ هُدًۭى
18:13 Nahnu naqussu ‘alaika naba ahum bilhaqq; innahum fityatun aamanoo bi Rabbihim wa zidnaahum hudaa
It is We who relate to you, [O Muhammad], their story in truth. Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.
ہم ان کا صحیح واقعہ تیرے سامنے بیان فرما رہے ہیں۔ یہ چند نوجوان اپنے رب پر ایمان ﻻئے تھے اور ہم نے ان کی ہدایت میں ترقی دی تھی
14 وَرَبَطْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ إِذْ قَامُوا۟ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ لَن نَّدْعُوَا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَٰهًۭا ۖ لَّقَدْ قُلْنَآ إِذًۭا شَطَطًا
18:14 Wa rabatnaa ‘alaa quloo bihim iz qaamoo faqaaloo Rabbunaa Rabbus samaawaati wal ardi lan nad’uwa min dooniheee ilaahal laqad qulnaaa izan shatataa
And We made firm their hearts when they stood up and said, “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Never will we invoke besides Him any deity. We would have certainly spoken, then, an excessive transgression.
ہم نے ان کے دل مضبوط کردیئے تھے جب کہ یہ اٹھ کھڑے ہوئے اور کہنے لگے کہ ہمارا پروردگار تو وہی ہے جو آسمان وزمین کا پروردگار ہے، ناممکن ہے کہ ہم اس کے سوا کسی اور معبود کو پکاریں اگر ایسا کیا تو ہم نے نہایت ہی غلط بات کہی
15 هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوْمُنَا ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةًۭ ۖ لَّوْلَا يَأْتُونَ عَلَيْهِم بِسُلْطَٰنٍۭ بَيِّنٍۢ ۖ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًۭا
18:15 Haaa’ulaaa’i qawmunat takhazoo min dooniheee aalihatal law laa yaatoona ‘alaihim bisultaanim baiyin; faman azlamu mimmaniftaraa ‘alal laahi kazibaa
These, our people, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for [worship of] them a clear authority? And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allah a lie?”
یہ ہے ہماری قوم جس نے اس کے سوا اور معبود بنا رکھے ہیں۔ ان کی خدائی کی یہ کوئی صاف دلیل کیوں پیش نہیں کرتے اللہ پر جھوٹ افترا باندھنے والے سے زیاده ﻇالم کون ہے؟
16 وَإِذِ ٱعْتَزَلْتُمُوهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ فَأْوُۥٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلْكَهْفِ يَنشُرْ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ وَيُهَيِّئْ لَكُم مِّنْ أَمْرِكُم مِّرْفَقًۭا
18:16 Wa izi’tazal tumoohum wa maa ya’budoona illal laaha faawooo ilal kahfi yanshur lakum Rabbukum mir rahmatihee wa yuhaiyi’ lakum min amrikum mirfaqa
[The youths said to one another], “And when you have withdrawn from them and that which they worship other than Allah, retreat to the cave. Your Lord will spread out for you of His mercy and will prepare for you from your affair facility.”
جب کہ تم ان سے اور اللہ کے سوا ان کے اور معبودوں سے کناره کش ہوگئے تو اب تم کسی غار میں جا بیٹھو، تمہارا رب تم پر اپنی رحمت پھیلا دے گا اور تمہارے لئے تمہارے کام میں سہولت مہیا کردے گا
17 ۞ وَتَرَى ٱلشَّمْسَ إِذَا طَلَعَت تَّزَٰوَرُ عَن كَهْفِهِمْ ذَاتَ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَإِذَا غَرَبَت تَّقْرِضُهُمْ ذَاتَ ٱلشِّمَالِ وَهُمْ فِى فَجْوَةٍۢ مِّنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ مَن يَهْدِ ٱللَّهُ فَهُوَ ٱلْمُهْتَدِ ۖ وَمَن يُضْلِلْ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُۥ وَلِيًّۭا مُّرْشِدًۭا
18:17 Wa tarash shamsa izaa tala’at tazaawaru ‘an kahfihim zaatal yameeni wa izaa gharabat taqriduhum zaatash shimaali wa hum fee fajwatim minh; zaalika min Aayaatillaah; mai yahdil laahu fahuwal muhtad, wa mai yudlil falan tajida lahoo waliyyam murshidaa
And [had you been present], you would see the sun when it rose, inclining away from their cave on the right, and when it set, passing away from them on the left, while they were [laying] within an open space thereof. That was from the signs of Allah. He whom Allah guides is the [rightly] guided, but he whom He leaves astray – never will you find for him a protecting guide.
آپ دیکھیں گے کہ آفتاب بوقت طلوع ان کے غار سے دائیں جانب کو جھک جاتا ہے اور بوقت غروب ان کے بائیں جانب کترا جاتا ہے اور وه اس غار کی کشاده جگہ میں ہیں۔ یہ اللہ کی نشانیوں میں سے ہے۔ اللہ تعالیٰ جس کی رہبری فرمائے وه راه راست پر ہے اور جسے وه گمراه کردے ناممکن ہے کہ آپ اس کا کوئی کارساز اور رہنما پاسکیں
18 وَتَحْسَبُهُمْ أَيْقَاظًۭا وَهُمْ رُقُودٌۭ ۚ وَنُقَلِّبُهُمْ ذَاتَ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَذَاتَ ٱلشِّمَالِ ۖ وَكَلْبُهُم بَٰسِطٌۭ ذِرَاعَيْهِ بِٱلْوَصِيدِ ۚ لَوِ ٱطَّلَعْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَوَلَّيْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِرَارًۭا وَلَمُلِئْتَ مِنْهُمْ رُعْبًۭا
18:18 Wa tahsabuhum ayqaazanw wa hum ruqood; wa nuqallibuhum zaatal yameeni wa zaatash shimaali wa kalbuhum baasitun ziraa’ayhi bilwaseed; lawit tala’ta ‘alaihim la wallaita minhum firaaranw wa lamuli’ta minhum rubaa
And you would think them awake, while they were asleep. And We turned them to the right and to the left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. If you had looked at them, you would have turned from them in flight and been filled by them with terror.
آپ خیال کرتے کہ وه بیدار ہیں، حاﻻنکہ وه سوئے ہوئے تھے، خود ہم ہی انہیں دائیں بائیں کروٹیں دﻻیا کرتے تھے، ان کا کتا بھی چوکھٹ پر اپنے ہاتھ پھیلائے ہوئے تھا۔ اگر آپ جھانک کر انہیں دیکھنا چاہتے تو ضرور الٹے پاؤں بھاگ کھڑے ہوتے اور ان کے رعب سے آپ پر دہشت چھا جاتی
19 وَكَذَٰلِكَ بَعَثْنَٰهُمْ لِيَتَسَآءَلُوا۟ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ قَالَ قَآئِلٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ كَمْ لَبِثْتُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَبِثْنَا يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍۢ ۚ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثْتُمْ فَٱبْعَثُوٓا۟ أَحَدَكُم بِوَرِقِكُمْ هَٰذِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ فَلْيَنظُرْ أَيُّهَآ أَزْكَىٰ طَعَامًۭا فَلْيَأْتِكُم بِرِزْقٍۢ مِّنْهُ وَلْيَتَلَطَّفْ وَلَا يُشْعِرَنَّ بِكُمْ أَحَدًا
18:19 Wa kazaalika ba’asnaahum liyatasaaa’aloo bainahum; qaala qaaa’ilum minhum kam labistum qaaloo labisnaa yawman aw ba’da yawm; qaaloo Rabbukum a’almu bimaa labistum fab’asooo ahadakum biwariqikum haazihee ilal madeenati falyanzur ayyuhaaa azkaa ta’aaman falyaatikum birizqim minhu walyatalattaf wa laa yush’iranna bikum ahadaa
And similarly, We awakened them that they might question one another. Said a speaker from among them, “How long have you remained [here]?” They said, “We have remained a day or part of a day.” They said, “Your Lord is most knowing of how long you remained. So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city and let him look to which is the best of food and bring you provision from it and let him be cautious. And let no one be aware of you.
اسی طرح ہم نے انہیں جگا کر اٹھا دیا کہ آپس میں پوچھ گچھ کرلیں۔ ایک کہنے والے نے کہا کہ کیوں بھئی تم کتنی دیر ٹھہرے رہے؟ انہوں نے جواب دیا کہ ایک دن یا ایک دن سے بھی کم۔ کہنے لگے کہ تمہارے ٹھہرے رہنے کا بخوبی علم اللہ تعالیٰ ہی کو ہے۔ اب تو تم اپنے میں سے کسی کو اپنی یہ چاندی دے کر شہر بھیجو وه خوب دیکھ بھال لے کہ شہر کا کون سا کھانا پاکیزه تر ہے، پھر اسی میں سے تمہارے کھانے کے لئے لے آئے، اور وه بہت احتیاط اور نرمی برتے اور کسی کو تمہاری خبر نہ ہونے دے
20 إِنَّهُمْ إِن يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ يَرْجُمُوكُمْ أَوْ يُعِيدُوكُمْ فِى مِلَّتِهِمْ وَلَن تُفْلِحُوٓا۟ إِذًا أَبَدًۭا
18:20 Innahum iny yazharoo ‘alaikum yarjumookum aw yu’eedookum fee millatihim wa lan tuflihooo izan abadaa
Indeed, if they come to know of you, they will stone you or return you to their religion. And never would you succeed, then – ever.”
اگر یہ کافر تم پر غلبہ پالیں تو تمہیں سنگسار کر دیں گے یا تمہیں پھر اپنے دین میں لوٹا لیں گے اور پھر تم کبھی بھی کامیاب نہ ہو سکو گے
21 وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّۭ وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهَآ إِذْ يَتَنَٰزَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ ۖ فَقَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ عَلَيْهِم بُنْيَٰنًۭا ۖ رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًۭا
18:21 Wa kazaalika a’sarnaa ‘alaihim liya’lamooo anna wa’dal laahi haqqunw wa annas Saa’ata laa raiba feehaa iz yatanaaza’oona bainahum amrahum faqaalub noo ‘alaihim bunyaanaa; Rabbuhum a’lamu bihim; qaalal lazeena ghalaboo ‘alaaa amrihim lanat takhizanna ‘alaihim masjidaa
And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allah is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they disputed among themselves about their affair and [then] said, “Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them.” Said those who prevailed in the matter, “We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid.”
ہم نے اس طرح لوگوں کو ان کے حال سے آگاه کر دیا کہ وه جان لیں کہ اللہ کا وعده بالکل سچا ہے اور قیامت میں کوئی شک وشبہ نہیں۔ جب کہ وه اپنے امر میں آپس میں اختلاف کر رہے تھے کہنے لگے کہ ان کے غار پر ایک عمارت بنا لو۔ ان کا رب ہی ان کے حال کا زیاده عالم ہے۔ جن لوگوں نے ان کے بارے میں غلبہ پایا وه کہنے لگے کہ ہم تو ان کے آس پاس مسجد بنالیں گے
22 سَيَقُولُونَ ثَلَٰثَةٌۭ رَّابِعُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ خَمْسَةٌۭ سَادِسُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ رَجْمًۢا بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۖ وَيَقُولُونَ سَبْعَةٌۭ وَثَامِنُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ ۚ قُل رَّبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم مَّا يَعْلَمُهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌۭ ۗ فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيهِمْ إِلَّا مِرَآءًۭ ظَٰهِرًۭا وَلَا تَسْتَفْتِ فِيهِم مِّنْهُمْ أَحَدًۭا
18:22 Sa yaqooloona salaasatur raabi’uhum kalbuhum wa yaqooloona khamsatun saadisuhum kalbuhum rajmam bilghaib; wa yaqooloona sab’atunw wa saaminuhum kalbuhum; qur Rabbeee a’lamu bi’iddatihim maa ya’lamuhum illaa qaleel; falaa tumaari feehim illaa miraaa’an zaahiranw wa laa tastafti feehim minhum ahadaa
They will say there were three, the fourth of them being their dog; and they will say there were five, the sixth of them being their dog – guessing at the unseen; and they will say there were seven, and the eighth of them was their dog. Say, [O Muhammad], “My Lord is most knowing of their number. None knows them except a few. So do not argue about them except with an obvious argument and do not inquire about them among [the speculators] from anyone.”
کچھ لوگ تو کہیں گے کہ اصحاب کہف تین تھے اور چوتھا ان کا کتا تھا۔ کچھ کہیں گے کہ پانچ تھے اور چھٹا ان کا کتا تھا، غیب کی باتوں میں اٹکل (کے تیر تکے) چلاتے ہیں، کچھ کہیں گے کہ وه سات ہیں اور آٹھواں ان کا کتا ہے۔ آپ کہہ دیجیئے کہ میرا پروردگار ان کی تعداد کو بخوبی جاننے واﻻ ہے، انہیں بہت ہی کم لوگ جانتے ہیں۔ پس آپ ان کے مقدمے میں صرف سرسری گفتگو کریں اور ان میں سے کسی سے ان کے بارے میں پوچھ گچھ بھی نہ کریں
23 وَلَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَا۟ىْءٍ إِنِّى فَاعِلٌۭ ذَٰلِكَ غَدًا
18:23 Wa laa taqoolanna lishai’in innee faa’ilun zaalika ghadaa
And never say of anything, “Indeed, I will do that tomorrow,”
اور ہرگز ہرگز کسی کام پر یوں نہ کہنا کہ میں اسے کل کروں گا
24 إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱذْكُر رَّبَّكَ إِذَا نَسِيتَ وَقُلْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَهْدِيَنِ رَبِّى لِأَقْرَبَ مِنْ هَٰذَا رَشَدًۭا
18:24 Illaaa any yashaaa’al laah; wazkur Rabbaka izaa naseeta wa qul ‘asaaa any yahdiyani Rabbee li aqraba min haazaa rashadaa
Except [when adding], “If Allah wills.” And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, “Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct.”
مگر ساتھ ہی انشاءاللہ کہہ لینا۔ اور جب بھی بھولے، اپنے پروردگار کی یاد کر لیا کرنا اور کہتے رہنا کہ مجھے پوری امید ہے کہ میرا رب مجھے اس سے بھی زیاده ہدایت کے قریب کی بات کی رہبری کرے
25 وَلَبِثُوا۟ فِى كَهْفِهِمْ ثَلَٰثَ مِا۟ئَةٍۢ سِنِينَ وَٱزْدَادُوا۟ تِسْعًۭا
18:25 Wa labisoo fee kahfihim salaasa mi’atin sineena wazdaadoo tis’aa
And they remained in their cave for three hundred years and exceeded by nine.
وه لوگ اپنے غار میں تین سو سال تک رہے اور نو سال اور زیاده گزارے
