Quran-18:45 Surah Al-kahf English Translation,Transliteration and Tafsir(Tafseer).

وَٱضۡرِبۡ لَهُم مَّثَلَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخۡتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَأَصۡبَحَ هَشِيمٗا تَذۡرُوهُ ٱلرِّيَٰحُۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ مُّقۡتَدِرًا

Transliteration:( Wadrib lahum masalal hayaatid dunyaa kamaaa'in anzalnaahu minas samaaa'i fakhtalata bihee nabaatul ardi fa asbaha hasheeman tazroo hur riyaah; wa kaanal laahu 'alaa kulli shai'im muqtadiraa )

45. And relate to them the example of the life of the world: it is like water We sent down [104] from the heaven, then the greenery of the earth because of it came out thickly, and then it became dry grass which the wind scatters. And Allah is powerful [105] over everything [106]. (Kanzul Imaan Translation)

(45) And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it[791] and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allāh is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability. (Saheen International Translation)

Surah Al-Kahf Ayat 45 Tafsir (Commentry)



  • Tafseer-e-Naeemi (Ahmad Yaar Khan)
  • Ibn Kathir
  • Ala-Madudi
  • Shaheen International

104. The world has been compared to heavenly water and not to water of the well, because heavenly water is not within one's control. Also, one has no real information about its coming or not, and that sometimes it falls more than necessary and sometimes less than its need, and sometimes not at all. 

The very same is the condition of this world. For a most exquisite commentary of this verse consult MAWAIZ-E-NAEEMIYAH. It should be remembered that those worldly activities, which are connected with religion, are no longer just worldly activities anymore. They will not perish, but will become eternal: "And the lasting are the good deeds" (S18:V46). Allah Almighty further says: "And say not of those who are killed in the path of Allah as dead" (S2:V154). However, the world, which is bereft of religion, is going to perish. All types of evil are of this world, which is bereft of religion. 

105.This means that due to the present condition of the field its existing greens is not reliable. Who knows when hot air will blow, it leads to destruction. Likewise, the wealth of the world, youth, beauty, strength, etc. is not to be trusted or relied upon. 

A minor calamity can ruin all these. The only time you can really depend on the lush green fields and pregnant cattle is when they are ready for production.

106.This means Allah Almighty has absolute power to create and destroy everything. The world has been compared to greenery because it becomes fresh and mellow and verdant in everyone's eyes, then it withers completely to such an extent that let alone its fresh greenery, no sign is left that it had ever existed.

 

Ibn-Kathir

45. And mention the parable of the worldly life: it is like the water which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is able to do everything. 46. Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Lord for reward and better for hope.


The Parable of the Worldly Life

Allah says:

﴿وَاضْرِبْ لَهُم﴾

(And mention) O Muhammad, to the people,

﴿مَثَلُ الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا﴾

(the parable of the worldly life), its transient nature and how it will eventually cease and come to an end.

﴿كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهِ نَبَاتُ الاٌّرْضِ﴾

(it is like the water which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it,) It mingles with the seeds that are in the earth, so they grow and become good, producing bright, fresh flowers, then after that,

﴿فَأَصْبَحَ هَشِيمًا﴾

(it becomes dry and broken pieces,) withered up,

﴿تَذْرُوهُ الرِّياحُ﴾

(which the winds scatter.) tossing them about right and left.

﴿وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّقْتَدِرًا﴾

(And Allah is able to do everything) He has the power to do this and that. In the Qur’an Allah often gives parables like this of the life of this world, as He says in Surah Yunus,

﴿إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهِ نَبَاتُ الاٌّرْضِ مِمَّا يَأْكُلُ النَّاسُ وَالاٌّنْعَـمُ﴾

(The parable of the worldly life is but that of water which We send down from the sky so by it arises the intermingled produce of the earth of which men and cattle eat. ..) ﴿10:24﴾ and in Surat Az-Zumar:

﴿أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَسَلَكَهُ يَنَابِيعَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُ بِهِ زَرْعاً مُّخْتَلِفاً أَلْوَانُهُ﴾

s(See you not that Allah sends down water from the sky, and causes it to penetrate the earth, then out from it comes crops of different colors.) ﴿39:21﴾ and in Surat Al-Hadid:

﴿اعْلَمُواْ أَنَّمَا الْحَيَوةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِى الاٌّمْوَلِ وَالاٌّوْلْـدِ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ الْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ﴾

(Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. (It is) like the parable of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller…) ﴿57:20﴾ and in the Sahih Hadith:

«الدُّنْيَا حُلْوَةٌ خَضِرَة»

(This world is sweet and green.)

Between Wealth and Good Deeds

﴿الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا﴾

(Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world.) This is like the Ayah:

﴿زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَتِ مِنَ النِّسَآءِ وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَـطِيرِ الْمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ﴾

(Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, vaulted hoards of gold…) ﴿3:14﴾. Allah says:

﴿إِنَّمَآ أَمْوَلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَاللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴾

(Your wealth and your children are only a trial, whereas Allah! With Him is a great reward (Paradise).) ﴿64:15﴾ turning towards Allah and worshipping Him is better for you than keeping busy with them, and accumulating wealth for them and going to extremes in feeling pity and compassion for them. Allah says:

﴿وَالْبَـقِيَاتُ الصَّـلِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلاً﴾

(But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Lord for reward and better for hope.) Ibn `Abbas, Sa`id bin Jubayr and others among the Salaf said that the good righteous deeds that last are the five daily prayers. `Ata’ bin Abi Rabah and Sa`id bin Jubayr narrated from Ibn `Abbas, “The good righteous deeds that last are `Subhan Allah (glory be to Allah)’, `Al-Hamdu Lillah (praise be to Allah)’, `La ilaha illallah (there is none worthy of worship except Allah)’, and `Allahu Akbar (Allah is Most Great).'” The Commander of the faithful, `Uthman bin `Affan was questioned, “Which are the good righteous deeds that last” He replied, “They are: `La ilaha illallah, Subhan Allah, Al-Hamdu Lillah, Allahu Akbar and La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah hil-`Aliyil-`Azim (there is no strength and no power except with Allah the Exalted, the Almighty).”’ This was recorded by Imam Ahmad. Imam Ahmad also recorded from a freed slave of the Messenger of Allah that he said:

«بَخٍ بَخٍ لِخَمْسٍ مَا أَثْقَلَهُنَّ فِي الْمِيزَانِ: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ للهِ، وَالْوَلَدُ الصَّالِحُ يُتَوَفَّى فَيَحْتَسِبُهُ وَالِدُهُ وَقَالَ: بَخٍ بَخٍ لِخَمْسٍ مَنْ لَقِيَ اللهَ مُسْتَيْقِنًا بِهِنَّ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ: يُؤْمِنُ بِاللهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ، وَبِالْجَنَّةِ وَالنَّارِ، وَبِالْبَعْثِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَبِالْحِسَاب»

(Well done! Well done for five things! (How heavy they will weigh in the balance! “La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Subhan Allah, and Al-Hamdu Lillah,” and a righteous son who dies and his parents seek the reward of Allah.) And he said: (Well done! Well done for five things! Whoever meets Allah believing in them, he will enter Paradise; if he believes in Allah, the Last Day, Paradise and Hell, resurrection after death, and the Reckoning).

﴿وَالْبَـقِيَاتُ الصَّـلِحَاتُ﴾

(the good righteous deeds that last, ) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, “This is the celebration of the remembrance of Allah, saying `La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Subhan Allah, Al-Hamdu Lillah, Tabarak Allah, La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah, Astaghfirallah, Sallallahu `ala Rasul-Allah’, and fasting, prayer, Hajj, Sadaqah (charity), freeing slaves, Jihad, maintaining ties of kinship, and all other good deeds. These are the righteous good deeds that last, which will remain in Paradise for those who do them for as long as heaven and earth remain.” Al-`Awfi reported from Ibn `Abbas: “They are good words.” `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said, “They are all righteous deeds.” This was also the view chosen by Ibn Jarir, may Allah have mercy on him.

(18:45) (O Prophet), propound to them the parable of the present life: it is like the vegetation of the earth which flourished luxuriantly when it mingled with the water that We sent down from the sky, but after that the same vegetation turned into stubble which the winds blew about. Allah alone has the power over all things.[41]

Ala-Maududi

(18:45) (O Prophet), propound to them the parable of the present life: it is like the vegetation of the earth which flourished luxuriantly when it mingled with the water that We sent down from the sky, but after that the same vegetation turned into stubble which the winds blew about. Allah alone has the power over all things.[41]


41. Allah has power over everything. He gives life and also death, He causes the rise and the downfall. It is by His command that the seasons change. Therefore, O disbelievers, if you are enjoying prosperity today, you should be under no delusion that this condition will remain forever. That God, by Whose command these things have been bestowed on you, has the power to snatch away all this by another command.

(45) And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it[791] and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allāh is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability.

[791]- Absorbs it, growing lush and thick.

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