"Audhu billahi minash shaytanirrajeem"

Bismi Llaahi l-raḥmaani l-raḥeem

1. Alhamdu lillahi allathee anzala AAala AAabdihi alkitaba walam yajAAal lahu AAiwajan;

   Hamd (the evaluation of the corporeal worlds as He wills) belongs to Allah, who has disclosed to His servant the knowledge of the reality and sunnatullah (Book) in which there is no discrepancy.

2. Qayyiman liyunthira basan shadeedan min ladunhu wayubashshira almumineena allatheena yaAAmaloona alssalihati anna lahum ajran hasanan;

   It is (a) straight (Book)... from His ladun to warn against a severe suffering and to give the good news to the believers, who fulfill the requirements of their faith, that they will have a good reward.

3. Makitheena feehi abadan;

   Those (believers) will reside therein forever.

4. Wayunthira allatheena qaloo ittakhatha Allahu waladan;

   And to warn those who say, “Allah has taken a son.”

5. Ma lahum bihi min AAilmin wala liabaihim kaburat kalimatan takhruju min afwahihim in yaqooloona illa kathiban;

   Neither they, nor their forefathers, have any knowledge of it! Grave is the word their mouths utter! They speak nothing but lies!

6. FalaAAallaka bakhiAAun nafsaka AAala atharihim in lam yuminoo bihatha alhadeethi asafan;

   So, if they don’t believe in this warning, will you ruin yourself in grief over them?

7. Inna jaAAalna ma AAala alardi zeenatan laha linabluwahum ayyuhum ahsanu AAamalan;

   We adorned everything on earth (or the bodily life) for it, so that it may become apparent who will display the best conduct!

8. Wainna lajaAAiloona ma AAalayha saAAeedan juruzan;

   We will certainly turn everything on earth (the body) into barren soil!

9. Am hasibta anna ashaba alkahfi waalrraqeemi kanoo min ayatina AAajaban;

   Or did you think that (only) the Ashab-al Kahf (companions of the cave) and the inscription (on stone) were among Our wondrous signs?

10. Ith awa alfityatu ila alkahfi faqaloo rabbana atina min ladunka rahmatan wahayyi lana min amrina rashadan;

    And when the youths retreated to the cave and said “Our Rabb (the Name composition comprising our essential reality), grant us a grace (a blessing with your favor) from Yourself (Your ladun) and form within us a state of perfection in this matter.”

11. Fadarabna AAala athanihim fee alkahfi sineena AAadadan;

    So We cast (a veil) over their ears (closed their perception to the world; put them to sleep) in the cave for many years.

12. Thumma baAAathnahum linaAAlama ayyu alhizbayni ahsa lima labithoo amadan;

    Then We revived them (with a new understanding of life) that We might know (‘Know’ here denotes ‘reveal’ so that they may know – Elmalili Tafsir, Vol 5, Pg 3226) which of the two factions were most precise in calculating the time they had remained there.

13. Nahnu naqussu AAalayka nabaahum bialhaqqi innahum fityatun amanoo birabbihim wazidnahum hudan;

    (My Rasul) We narrate their story to you in truth... Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Rabb (B-Rabbihim; as their essential reality in their consciousness)... Hence, We increased them in experiencing their essential reality.

14. Warabatna AAala quloobihim ith qamoo faqaloo rabbuna rabbu alssamawati waalardi lan nadAAuwa min doonihi ilahan laqad qulna ithan shatatan;

    We put a nexus in their hearts (fixed their consciousness upon a state of constant observation)! They (those youths) stood up and said, “Our Rabb (the dimension of Names comprising our essence) is the Rabb of the heavens and the earth (the One who forms everything in existence with His Names)! Never will we accept a god (an administrator in existence) besides Him (equivalent to Him)! For if we speak the contrary, we would have spoken an absurd thing that defies the mind and logic.”

15. Haolai qawmuna ittakhathoo min doonihi alihatan lawla yatoona AAalayhim bisultanin bayyinin faman athlamu mimmani iftara AAala Allahi kathiban;

    These, our people (who have deified the results of their baseless assumptions) have taken gods besides Him... If only they can show a clear proof of the power of these gods! So, who is more unjust than one who lies and slanders against Allah?

16. Waithi iAAtazaltumoohum wama yaAAbudoona illa Allaha fawoo ila alkahfi yanshur lakum rabbukum min rahmatihi wayuhayyi lakum min amrikum mirfaqan;

    Since you have distanced yourselves from them and the things they worship besides Allah, retreat to the cave so your Rabb may spread His grace over you and form a benefit for you from what you do.

17. Watara alshshamsa itha talaAAat tazawaru AAan kahfihim thata alyameeni waitha gharabat taqriduhum thata alshshimali wahum fee fajwatin minhu thalika min ayati Allahi man yahdi Allahu fahuwa almuhtadi waman yudlil falan tajida lahu waliyyan murshidan;

    When the sun rises it turns from the right side of the cave... And when it sets it passes from their left side... They are within an open space thereof... This is a sign of Allah... Whoever Allah guides (to his essential reality) is enabled to reach the reality... And whoever He leads astray, never will you find for him a friend/guide to enlighten him.

18. Watahsabuhum ayqathan wahum ruqoodun wanuqallibuhum thata alyameeni wathata alshshimali wakalbuhum basitun thiraAAayhi bialwaseedi lawi ittalaAAta AAalayhim lawallayta minhum firaran walamulita minhum ruAAban;

    You would have thought they were awake though they lay asleep (as though dead)... We turned them to the right and to the left... And their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance (of the cave)! Had you seen them in that state, you would have turned away from them in flight; you would have been apprehensive and frightened!

19. Wakathalika baAAathnahum liyatasaaloo baynahum qala qailun minhum kam labithtum qaloo labithna yawman aw baAAda yawmin qaloo rabbukum aAAlamu bima labithtum faibAAathoo ahadakum biwariqikum hathihi ila almadeenati falyanthur ayyuha azka taAAaman falyatikum birizqin minhu walyatalattaf wala yushAAiranna bikum ahadan;

    Thus We revived (resurrected) them (a quality of the Name Baith manifested upon them) so that they may question one another about what they experienced... One of them said, “How long have you remained?” Some of them said, “We have remained a day or a part of a day”... The others said, “Your Rabb knows better how long you remained... So send one of you with this silver coin (money) to the city and let him see what food is clean and bring back some sustenance for you; let him be cautious and not let others be aware of you.”

20. Innahum in yathharoo AAalaykum yarjumookum aw yuAAeedookum fee millatihim walan tuflihoo ithan abadan;

    “For if they become aware of you they will stone you to death or turn you to their belief... Then you will never have the opportunity to succeed!”

21. Wakathalika aAAtharna AAalayhim liyaAAlamoo anna waAAda Allahi haqqun waanna alsaAAata la rayba feeha ith yatanazaAAoona baynahum amrahum faqaloo ibnoo AAalayhim bunyanan rabbuhum aAAlamu bihim qala allatheena ghalaboo AAala amrihim lanattakhithanna AAalayhim masjidan;

    So We informed them about them, so that they know the word of Allah (resurrection) is Truth, and that of the hour (of death) there is no doubt! When they were arguing about the affair among themselves they said, “Construct over them a building. Their Rabb knows best about them (about what they are)” Those whose word prevailed over the matter said, “Surely, we will construct over them (the people of the cave) a masjid (a prayer house).”

22. Wakathalika aAAtharna AAalayhim liyaAAlamoo anna waAAda Allahi haqqun waanna alsaAAata la rayba feeha ith yatanazaAAoona baynahum amrahum faqaloo ibnoo AAalayhim bunyanan rabbuhum aAAlamu bihim qala allatheena ghalaboo AAala amrihim lanattakhithanna AAalayhim masjidan;

    They will say, “They were three, the fourth was a dog”... “They were five, the sixth was a dog”... This is merely guessing at the unknown (ranting and fabricating about things they do not know)! They will say, “They were seven, the eighth was a dog”... Say, “My Rabb knows better their number... None knows them except a few”... Do not argue about them other than exchanging ideas and do not ask them anything about them!

23. Wala taqoolanna lishayin innee faAAilun thalika ghadan;

    Do not say “I will definitely do it tomorrow” about anything (for you do not know if Allah wills that thing or not)!

24. Illa an yashaa Allahu waothkur rabbaka itha naseeta waqul AAasa an yahdiyani rabbee liaqraba min hatha rashadan;

    Except when adding, “Insha Allah – If Allah wills” (you cannot know how Allah’s new manifestation will be)! And remember (dhikr) your Rabb (the Names comprising your essence) when you forget! And say, “I hope my Rabb enables me to attain perfection in His closeness (the dimension of the Reflection of Attributes, in the experience of the unity of existence. [See the topic of the Reflection of Divine Attributes in The Perfect Man, by Abdulqadir al-Jili.])

25. Walabithoo fee kahfihim thalatha miatin sineena waizdadoo tisAAan;

    (And some say) they remained in their cave for three hundred years and added nine to it.

26. Walabithoo fee kahfihim thalatha miatin sineena waizdadoo tisAAan;

    Say, “Allah knows best how long they remained... To Him belongs the unknown (aspects) of the heavens and the earth! He is One whose sight and hearing cannot be comprehended with the mind! They have no friend or guardian besides Him! And there is none to share His verdict!”

27. Waotlu ma oohiya ilayka min kitabi rabbika la mubaddila likalimatihi walan tajida min doonihi multahadan;

    Recite (decipher – understand) what has been revealed to you (to your consciousness) of the Book of your Rabb (the knowledge pertaining to the dimension of the Names comprising your essence)! There is none to change His words! And you will never find a refuge other than Him.

28. Waisbir nafsaka maAAa allatheena yadAAoona rabbahum bialghadati waalAAashiyyi yureedoona wajhahu wala taAAdu AAaynaka AAanhum tureedu zeenata alhayati alddunya wala tutiAA man aghfalna qalbahu AAan thikrina waittabaAAa hawahu wakana amruhu furutan;

    Keep yourself (consciousness) patient with those who pray to their Rabb, in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance! Do not turn away from them desiring the adornments of the worldly life! And do not obey the one whose perception has been confined in his cocoon, deprived of remembering Us, and who follows his baseless ideas, and whose case has gone beyond all bounds!

29. Waquli alhaqqu min rabbikum faman shaa falyumin waman shaa falyakfur inna aAAtadna lilththalimeena naran ahata bihim suradiquha wain yastagheethoo yughathoo bimain kaalmuhli yashwee alwujooha bisa alshsharabu wasaat murtafaqan;

    Say, “The Truth is from your Rabb! So, whoever wills – let him believe, and whoever wills – let him deny!” Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose enormous waves have surrounded them from all sides! If they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like molten lead, which scalds their faces! How wretched a drink; how wretched an abode!

30. Inna allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati inna la nudeeAAu ajra man ahsana AAamalan;

    Indeed, those who have believed (that the One denoted by the name Allah is manifest with His Names, and that He is the Ahad and the Samad) and who fulfill the requirements of their faith, surely We will not allow to be lost the results of their righteous deeds!

31. Olaika lahum jannatu AAadnin tajree min tahtihimu alanharu yuhallawna feeha min asawira min thahabin wayalbasoona thiyaban khudran min sundusin waistabraqin muttakieena feeha AAala alaraiki niAAma alththawabu wahasunat murtafaqan;

    For them there will be Paradises of Eden underneath which rivers flow, they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, resting on couches... How excellent a return and how favorable an abode (a metaphoric narration of the heavenly state of life; please refer to 13:35 and 47:15).

32. Waidrib lahum mathalan rajulayni jaAAalna liahadihima jannatayni min aAAnabin wahafafnahuma binakhlin wajaAAalna baynahuma zarAAan;

    (My Rasul) present to them the example of the two men: We gave two gardens of grapevines to one of them, and encircled them with date palms and placed crop fields between them.

33. Kilta aljannatayni atat okulaha walam tathlim minhu shayan wafajjarna khilalahuma naharan;

    Both the gardens produced their fruits and did not fall short in anything... And We caused a river to gush forth between the two gardens.

34. Wakana lahu thamarun faqala lisahibihi wahuwa yuhawiruhu ana aktharu minka malan waaAAazzu nafaran;

    (This man) had other means of income as well... So, when he came across the other man, he said, “I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in number.”

35. Wadakhala jannatahu wahuwa thalimun linafsihi qala ma athunnu an tabeeda hathihi abadan;

    And he entered his garden, wronging himself, he said, “I do not think this wealth will ever perish.”

36. Wama athunnu alssaAAata qaimatan walain rudidtu ila rabbee laajidanna khayran minha munqalaban;

    “I do not think the Doomsday will occur! And, if I am indeed returned to my Rabb, I am sure I will find even a better life than this.”

37. Qala lahu sahibuhu wahuwa yuhawiruhu akafarta biallathee khalaqaka min turabin thumma min nutfatin thumma sawwaka rajulan;

    His friend said to him, “Are you denying your essence? He created you from dust, then created you from a sperm drop and then made you into a conscious man!”

38. Lakinna huwa Allahu rabbee wala oshriku birabbee ahadan;

    “Thus HU is Allah, my Rabb! I do not associate anything with my Rabb (the Names comprising my essence)!”

39. Walawla ith dakhalta jannataka qulta ma shaa Allahu la quwwata illa biAllahi in tarani ana aqalla minka malan wawaladan;

    “If only you had said, when you entered your garden, “MashaAllah (this formation is by the will of Allah) la kuwwata illa Billah – power (which appears to manifest on me) belongs only to Allah”... Although you see me less in wealth and children.”

40. FaAAasa rabbee an yutiyani khayran min jannatika wayursila AAalayha husbanan mina alssamai fatusbiha saAAeedan zalaqan;

    “It may be that my Rabb will give me a better Paradise (garden) than yours and will send upon your garden a calamity from the sky and it will become a dry, dusty ground.”

41. Aw yusbiha maoha ghawran falan tastateeAAa lahu talaban;

    “Or the water (of your garden) will be sunken down (into the earth) and you will not be able to find it again.”

42. Waoheeta bithamarihi faasbaha yuqallibu kaffayhi AAala ma anfaqa feeha wahiya khawiyatun AAala AAurooshiha wayaqoolu ya laytanee lam oshrik birabbee ahadan;

    And his wealth was encompassed and ruined! In the end he was rubbing his hands about (in loss) over what he had spent on his garden, which had collapsed upon its trellises, saying, “I wish I had not associated anything with my Rabb.”

43. Walam takun lahu fiatun yansuroonahu min dooni Allahi wama kana muntasiran;

    He had neither a helper besides Allah, nor the strength to fend for himself!

44. Hunalika alwalayatu lillahi alhaqqi huwa khayrun thawaban wakhayrun AAuqban;

    Thus, as can be seen, the manifestation of the Name Waliyy belongs only to Allah, the Truth (Allah is the One who enables the state of wilayah)! He is better in giving reward and better in enabling the experience of an outcome.

45. Waidrib lahum mathala alhayati alddunya kamain anzalnahu mina alssamai faikhtalata bihi nabatu alardi faasbaha hasheeman tathroohu alrriyahu wakana Allahu AAala kulli shayin muqtadiran;

    Present to them the example of the worldly life... (The life of this world) is like water We bring down from the sky, which mixes with the vegetation of the earth... then (the vegetation) becomes dry remnants scattered by the winds... Allah is Muqtadir over all things.

46. Almalu waalbanoona zeenatu alhayati alddunya waalbaqiyatu alssalihatu khayrun AAinda rabbika thawaban wakhayrun amalan;

    Wealth and children are but the adornments of the worldly life (they are transient and temporary – bound to perish)! But the enduring deeds done as the requirements of faith are better both as reward in the sight of your Rabb, and as expectation.

47. Wayawma nusayyiru aljibala watara alarda barizatan wahasharnahum falam nughadir minhum ahadan;

    The day We make the mountains walk (render dysfunctional the organs) you will see the earth naked! We will gather all of them, such that none will be disregarded!

48. WaAAuridoo AAala rabbika saffan laqad jitumoona kama khalaqnakum awwala marratin bal zaAAamtum allan najAAala lakum mawAAidan;

    They will be presented to their Rabb in rows (according to the level of their faith)! Indeed, you have come to Us as We created you the first time (cleansed from the identity, as pure consciousness)... Perhaps you did not think We will form this phase for you!

49. WawudiAAa alkitabu fatara almujrimeena mushfiqeena mimma feehi wayaqooloona ya waylatana ma lihatha alkitabi la yughadiru sagheeratan wala kabeeratan illa ahsaha wawajadoo ma AAamiloo hadiran wala yathlimu rabbuka ahadan;

    “The book (the full record of an individual’s life) will be laid open, and those who are guilty will be filled with dread at the information they see and will exclaim: ‘Oh, woe unto us! What kind of a book (recorded information) is this! It leaves out nothing, small or great, but takes all our thoughts and deeds into account!’ They will find in their presence all that they have done! Your Rabb does not wrong anyone.”

50. Waith qulna lilmalaikati osjudoo liadama fasajadoo illa ibleesa kana mina aljinni fafasaqa AAan amri rabbihi afatattakhithoonahu wathurriyyatahu awliyaa min doonee wahum lakum AAaduwwun bisa lilththalimeena badalan;

    “And [mention] when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam,’ and all but Iblis prostrated. He was of the jinn... (thus, in favor of his ego) he disobeyed the command of his Rabb (he did not have the knowledge of the reality [the jinni have no apprehension of the knowledge of the reality], they live purely by the ego. A.H.). So do you take him (Iblis) and his offspring as friends in My stead despite their enmity towards you? How bad a choice of friends for the wrongdoers!

51. Ma ashhadtuhum khalqa alssamawati waalardi wala khalqa anfusihim wama kuntu muttakhitha almudilleena AAadudan;

    I did not hold them (the jinni) witness to the creation of the heavens and the earth, or to the creation of themselves! Never can those who lead the people astray be in servitude to Me!

52. Wayawma yaqoolu nadoo shurakaiya allatheena zaAAamtum fadaAAawhum falam yastajeeboo lahum wajaAAalna baynahum mawbiqan;

    During that time when it is said, “Call My partners whom you assumed existed”, and they will call upon them, but they will not respond to them... We have put an unsurpassable barrier between them.

53. Waraa almujrimoona alnnara fathannoo annahum muwaqiAAooha walam yajidoo AAanha masrifan;

    When the guilty ones saw the fire, they were certain they were going to fall in... There was no other destination for them but the fire!

54. Walaqad sarrafna fee hatha alqurani lilnnasi min kulli mathalin wakana alinsanu akthara shayin jadalan;

    Indeed, in this Quran We have presented the truths with every kind of example for the people! But man has ever been most keen on arguing against the reality.

55. Wama manaAAa alnnasa an yuminoo ith jaahumu alhuda wayastaghfiroo rabbahum illa an tatiyahum sunnatu alawwaleena aw yatiyahumu alAAathabu qubulan;

    What can prevent the people from believing and asking for forgiveness of their Rabb when there has come to them a guide (Rasul) leading them to the path of the reality, other than waiting for the precedent of the former people to befall them, or for the punishment to appear directly in front of them!

56. Wama nursilu almursaleena illa mubashshireena wamunthireena wayujadilu allatheena kafaroo bialbatili liyudhidoo bihi alhaqqa waittakhathoo ayatee wama onthiroo huzuwan;

    We disclose the Rasuls only as givers of good tidings and as warners... Those who deny the knowledge of the reality strive to cover the Truth with baseless ideas! They took My signs and the things of which they are warned as amusement (they did not take it seriously enough to evaluate it)!

57. Waman athlamu mimman thukkira biayati rabbihi faaAArada AAanha wanasiya ma qaddamat yadahu inna jaAAalna AAala quloobihim akinnatan an yafqahoohu wafee athanihim waqran wain tadAAuhum ila alhuda falan yahtadoo ithan abadan;

    Who can do more wrong than the one who is reminded of the proofs of his Rabb (inherent divine qualities), but turns away from them and forgets what he prepared and put forth with his own hands? Indeed, We have imprisoned them into their cocoons for not realizing the truth (due to their denial) and placed a heaviness into their ears! Even if you invite them to the reality they will never attain guidance!

58. Warabbuka alghafooru thoo alrrahmati law yuakhithuhum bima kasaboo laAAajjala lahumu alAAathaba bal lahum mawAAidun lan yajidoo min doonihi mawilan;

    Your Rabb is the Ghafur and possessor of grace! Had He willed to enforce the consequences of their doings immediately, surely He would have hastened the suffering (death)! Rather, there is an appointed time for them, from which they will never be able to escape.

59. Watilka alqura ahlaknahum lamma thalamoo wajaAAalna limahlikihim mawAAidan;

    These are the cities We destroyed for having wronged, and We had appointed a time for their destruction.

60. Waith qala moosa lifatahu la abrahu hatta ablugha majmaAAa albahrayni aw amdiya huquban;

    And Moses said to the youngster in his service, “I will continue traveling until I reach the junction of the two seas, even if it takes me many years.”

61. Falamma balagha majmaAAa baynihima nasiya hootahuma faittakhatha sabeelahu fee albahri saraban;

    But when they reached the junction of the two seas, they forgot their fish (there)... So, it (the fish) took its course into the sea and was gone!

62. Falamma jawaza qala lifatahu atina ghadaana laqad laqeena min safarina hatha nasaban;

    A little after they passed (their meeting point), Moses said to his servant, “Bring us our lunch; this journey has certainly exhausted us...”

63. Qala araayta ith awayna ila alssakhrati fainnee naseetu alhoota wama ansaneehu illa alshshaytanu an athkurahu waittakhatha sabeelahu fee albahri AAajaban;

    (Moses’ servant) said, “Did you see? I forgot the fish near the rock... Satan made me forget to remind you! And it (the fish) wondrously (came to life) and delved into the sea!”

64. Qala thalika ma kunna nabghi fairtadda AAala atharihima qasasan;

    (Moses) said, “That is what we have been seeking!”... So they returned, following their footprints.

65. Fawajada AAabdan min AAibadina ataynahu rahmatan min AAindina waAAallamnahu min ladunna AAilman;

    And they found a servant from among Our servants to whom We had given (gifted) grace (enabling him to experience his reality) and had disclosed through him Our Knowledge (the manifestation of divine attributes as the pleasing self [nafs-i mardiyya])from Our ladun.

66. Qala lahu moosa hal attabiAAuka AAala an tuAAallimani mimma AAullimta rushdan;

    Moses said to him, “I would like to follow you so that you teach me from the knowledge that has been disclosed through you!”

67. Qala innaka lan tastateeAAa maAAiya sabran;

    (Khidr) said, “You will not be able to bear being with me (your creational program and function are tuned for the exterior; the perception of the eye, you cannot comprehend the interior dimensions of the unknown due to the requirements of your specific function)!”

68. Wakayfa tasbiru AAala ma lam tuhit bihi khubran;

    “How can you bear to witness an event when you are unaware of its essential reality?”

69. Qala satajidunee in shaa Allahu sabiran wala aAAsee laka amran;

    (Moses) said, “With the will of Allah you will find me to be of those who are patient; I will not object to you in any of your affairs.”

70. Qala faini ittabaAAtanee fala tasalnee AAan shayin hatta ohditha laka minhu thikran;

    (Khidr) said, “If you are to follow me, you shall not ask me any questions (regarding how and what I do) until I explain to you the reality of it!”

71. Faintalaqa hatta itha rakiba fee alssafeenati kharaqaha qala akharaqtaha litughriqa ahlaha laqad jita shayan imran;

    So they set out, until when they embarked on a boat (Khidr) made a hole in the boat. (Moses) said, “Have you made this hole so its people may drown? Indeed, you have done a grave thing!”

72. Qala alam aqul innaka lan tastateeAAa maAAiya sabran;

    (Khidr) said, “Did I not tell you that you cannot bear being with me?”

73. Qala la tuakhithnee bima naseetu wala turhiqnee min amree AAusran;

    (Moses) said, “Do not rebuke me for forgetting (my word); do not make my job difficult for me.”

74. Faintalaqa hatta itha laqiya ghulaman faqatalahu qala aqatalta nafsan zakiyyatan bighayri nafsin laqad jita shayan nukran;

    So they continued on their way, until when they met a little boy, Khidr killed him! (Moses) said, “You have killed an innocent person other than for retribution? You have certainly done a horrendous thing!”

75. Qala alam aqul laka innaka lan tastateeAAa maAAiya sabran;

    (Khidr) said, “Did I not tell you that you cannot bear being with me?”

76. Qala in saaltuka AAan shayin baAAdaha fala tusahibnee qad balaghta min ladunnee AAuthran;

    (Moses) said, “If I should ask you about (anything) after this then do not keep me as a companion! Let this be my final excuse!”

77. Faintalaqa hatta itha ataya ahla qaryatin istatAAama ahlaha faabaw an yudayyifoohuma fawajada feeha jidaran yureedu an yanqadda faaqamahu qala law shita laittakhathta AAalayhi ajran;

    So they continued on their way... Finally they reached a town and asked for some food from its people... But they refused to offer their hospitality... Then they (Moses and Khidr) saw a wall about to collapse. (Khidr) restored the wall. (Moses) said, “If you wished you could have obtained a payment for this job.”

78. Qala hatha firaqu baynee wabaynika saonabbioka bitaweeli ma lam tastatiAA AAalayhi sabran;

    (Khidr) said, “This (your third objection) has marked the end of our companionship! I shall give you the interpretation (the inner meanings) of the things you could not bear witnessing.”

79. Amma alssafeenatu fakanat limasakeena yaAAmaloona fee albahri faaradtu an aAAeebaha wakana waraahum malikun yakhuthu kulla safeenatin ghasban;

    “Let us start with the boat: That boat belonged to the poor people working at sea. I willed to make it faulty because they were to meet a king who would seize every boat by force (since the king was not to take a damaged boat, I actually salvaged the boat for the people in order to help them).

80. Waamma alghulamu fakana abawahu muminayni fakhasheena an yurhiqahuma tughyanan wakufran;

    “As for that little boy, his parents were both believers but we feared he would make them fall into transgression and disbelief (through the person he was to become when he grew older)!”

81. Faaradna an yubdilahuma rabbuhuma khayran minhu zakatan waaqraba ruhman;

    “So we wanted their Rabb to substitute for them one who is better, purer and closer to His grace.”

82. Waamma aljidaru fakana lighulamayni yateemayni fee almadeenati wakana tahtahu kanzun lahuma wakana aboohuma salihan faarada rabbuka an yablugha ashuddahuma wayastakhrija kanzahuma rahmatan min rabbika wama faAAaltuhu AAan amree thalika taweelu ma lam tastiAA AAalayhi sabran;

    “As for the wall: It belonged to two orphan boys in that city... Underneath it there was a treasure that belonged to them (the two orphan boys)... And their father was a righteous man... So your Rabb willed for those two boys to grow older and reach maturity and extract their treasure as grace from your Rabb... I did not do these things out of my own accord! So, this is the interpretation (inner meanings) of the things that you could not bear to witness.”

83. Wayasaloonaka AAan thee alqarnayni qul saatloo AAalaykum minhu thikran;

    They ask you about Dhul-Qarnayn... Say, “I will recite to you a dhikr (remembrance) about him.”

84. Inna makkanna lahu fee alardi waataynahu min kulli shayin sababan;

    We established him upon the earth and made easy for him every path (to attain his wishes).

85. FaatbaAAa sababan;

    So he followed a way.

86. Hatta itha balagha maghriba alshshamsi wajadaha taghrubu fee AAaynin hamiatin wawajada AAindaha qawman qulna ya tha alqarnayni imma an tuAAaththiba waimma an tattakhitha feehim husnan;

    When he finally reached the place where the sun set, he found it setting in dense, dark water... And he found people there! We said, “O Dhul-Qarnayn! You can either punish them or do good for them.”

87. Qala amma man thalama fasawfa nuAAaththibuhu thumma yuraddu ila rabbihi fayuAAaththibuhu AAathaban nukran;

    (Dhul-Qarnayn) said, “We will punish the one who does wrong... And he will be returned to his Rabb and He will punish him with an indescribable torment.”

88. Waamma man amana waAAamila salihan falahu jazaan alhusna wasanaqoolu lahu min amrina yusran;

    But whoever believes (in the reality) and fulfills the requirements of his faith the return of this is best for him... We will apply Our command of ease on him.

89. Thumma atbaAAa sababan;

    Then he (Dhul-Qarnayn) followed (another) way.

90. Hatta itha balagha matliAAa alshshamsi wajadaha tatluAAu AAala qawmin lam najAAal lahum min dooniha sitran;

    Until he came to the place of the rising sun (the place where the sun rises from the lowest point in the north without actually setting). He found it rising upon a people for whom We had not made a cover (against the sun) (i.e. the sun never disappeared).

91. Kathalika waqad ahatna bima ladayhi khubran;

    Thus it is... We had encompassed him with what he had.

92. Thumma atbaAAa sababan;

    Then he (Dhul-Qarnayn) followed one other way.

93. Hatta itha balagha bayna alssaddayni wajada min doonihima qawman la yakadoona yafqahoona qawlan;

    Finally he reached a place between two mountains... He found people there who were almost unable to evaluate any warning.

94. Qaloo ya tha alqarnayni inna yajooja wamajooja mufsidoona fee alardi fahal najAAalu laka kharjan AAala an tajAAala baynana wabaynahum saddan;

    They said, “O Dhul-Qarnayn! Indeed, Gog and Magog are causing corruption on earth! So, shall we pay you a price so that you make a barrier between us and them?”

95. Qala ma makkannee feehi rabbee khayrun faaAAeenoonee biquwwatin ajAAal baynakum wabaynahum radman;

    (Dhul-Qarnayn) said, “That which my Rabb manifests through me is better... But assist me with your strength and I will make between you and them a barrier.”

96. Atoonee zubara alhadeedi hatta itha sawa bayna alsadafayni qala onfukhoo hatta itha jaAAalahu naran qala atoonee ofrigh AAalayhi qitran;

    “Bring me the blocks of iron...” Until when We leveled both sides, he said, “Blow (with bellows)”... Until it (the iron) became red hot, he said, “Bring it to me, that I may pour molten copper over it.”

97. Fama istaAAoo an yathharoohu wama istataAAoo lahu naqban;

    So they were neither able to pass over it nor penetrate through it!

98. Qala hatha rahmatun min rabbee faitha jaa waAAdu rabbee jaAAalahu dakkaa wakana waAAdu rabbee haqqan;

    (Dhul-Qarnayn) said, “This is a grace from my Rabb... So, when the promise of my Rabb comes, He will make it level... The promise of my Rabb is true.”

99. Watarakna baAAdahum yawmaithin yamooju fee baAAdin wanufikha fee alssoori fajamaAAnahum jamAAan;

    That day We will leave them alone, they will surge over each other like (two different kinds of) waves! And the Horn will be blown, and We will have gathered all of them together.

100. WaAAaradna jahannama yawmaithin lilkafireena AAardan;

     And We will display Hell clearly before the eyes of those who deny the knowledge of the reality!

101. Allatheena kanat aAAyunuhum fee ghitain AAan thikree wakanoo la yastateeAAoona samAAan;

     Their insight (perception) was blocked from my dhikr (remembrance)! And their capacity was inadequate to perceive and comprehend!

102. Afahasiba allatheena kafaroo an yattakhithoo AAibadee min doonee awliyaa inna aAAtadna jahannama lilkafireena nuzulan;

     Did those who deny the knowledge of the reality think they can leave Me (deny the quality of the Name Waliyy in their essence) and take my (external) servants as guardians! We made hell an abode for the deniers of the knowledge of the reality.

103. Qul hal nunabbiokum bialakhsareena aAAmalan;

     Say, “Shall I inform you of the greatest losers as a result of their deeds?”

104. Allatheena dalla saAAyuhum fee alhayati alddunya wahum yahsaboona annahum yuhsinoona sunAAan;

     They are the ones whose efforts in the worldly life have gone to waste while they thought they were doing good!

105. Olaika allatheena kafaroo biayati rabbihim waliqaihi fahabitat aAAmaluhum fala nuqeemu lahum yawma alqiyamati waznan;

     They are the ones who deny the signs (Names) of their Rabb within themselves and the meeting with Him (that they will experience the manifestation of the Names in their consciousness) and thus whose deeds are in vain! And We shall give them no weight (importance) in the Doomsday period.

106. Thalika jazaohum jahannamu bima kafaroo waittakhathoo ayatee warusulee huzuwan;

     That is the hell in which the deniers of the knowledge of the reality will reside; that is the recompense for mocking My signs and Rasuls!

107. Inna allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati kanat lahum jannatu alfirdawsi nuzulan;

     Indeed, those who believe (in the reality) and fulfill its requirements, their place of residence will be Gardens of Paradise.

108. Khalideena feeha la yabghoona AAanha hiwalan;

     They will abide therein eternally... They will never want to leave.

109. Qul law kana albahru midadan likalimati rabbee lanafida albahru qabla an tanfada kalimatu rabbee walaw jina bimithlihi madadan;

     Say, “If the ocean were ink for the words (the manifest meanings) of my Rabb, surely the ocean will be exhausted before the words of my Rabb came to an end! Even if we added another ocean like it!”

110. Qul innama ana basharun mithlukum yooha ilayya annama ilahukum ilahun wahidun faman kana yarjoo liqaa rabbihi falyaAAmal AAamalan salihan wala yushrik biAAibadati rabbihi ahadan;

     Say (my Rasul), “I am merely a man like you (therefore you are also like me) except that the Unity of Uluhiyyah is revealed to my consciousness (the knowledge of Allah is disclosed through me; Risalat)! So, whoever expects to meet their Rabb (experience the requirements of the reality of the Names) let him fulfill the requirements of his faith and (continue) serving His Rabb and not assign any partners to Him!”