Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Sūrah 18. Al Kahf (The Cave)

Sūrah Al-Kahf (The Cave), is the 18th chapter of the Qur’an. It was revealed in Makkah and consists of 110 verses. The  Sūrah holds significant spiritual, moral, and eschatological importance in Islam. It addresses core themes such as faith, trials, divine wisdom, and the fleeting nature of worldly life, conveyed through a series of profound stories.

Context of Revelation

The  Sūrah is unique in the sense that it was revealed when the mushriks of Makkah, in consultation with the people of the Book wanted to test the authenticity of the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and test whether as a prophet he knew about the previous Divine Scriptures and many anecdotes contained therein. They put three questions to the Prophet of Allah: 

This Surah was sent down in answer to the three questions which the mushriks of Makkah, in consultation with the people of the Book, had put to Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم in order to test him. These were: (1) Who were "the Sleepers of' the Cave"? (2) What is the real story of Khidr? and (3) What do you know about Zul-Qarnain? As these three questions and the stories involved concerned the history of the Christians and the Jews, and were unknown in Hijaz, a choice of these was made to test whether Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم possessed any source of the knowledge of the hidden and unseen things. Allah, however, not only gave a complete answer to their questions but also employed the three stories to the disadvantage of the opponents of Islam in the conflict that was going on at that time at Makkah between Islam and un-belief.

Thus the Sūrah mainly consists of four anecdotes which not only answered the queries of the polytheists of Makkah beside the Jews and the Christians, it  leaves many a lessons for the Muslims.

Four Major Stories & Their Lessons

• The People of the Cave (Ashab al-Kahf) – Trial of Faith
• The story is about the "Sleepers of the Cave" . - group of young believers fled persecution and took refuge in a cave, where Allah made them sleep for centuries. These believed in the same doctrine of Tauhid which was being put forward in the Quran and that their condition was similar to the condition of the persecuted Muslims of Makkah. On the other hand, the persecutors of the Sleepers of the Cave had behaved in the same way towards them as the disbelievers of the Quraish were behaving towards the Muslims. 
• For detail of the story, please refer to our previous posts / tafseer of the Sūrah 18. Al Kahf, links given below:
• Who were the People of the Cave as mentioned in Al-Qurʾān
• Surah Al-Kahf - The Cave: 18th Chapter of Quran - Part I (Story of Sleepers of Cave)
• Lesson: 
• True faith in the face of oppression; trusting Allah during trials; time is in Allah’s control.
• Besides this, the Muslims have been taught that even if a Believer is persecuted by a cruel society, he should not bow down before falsehood but emigrate from the place all alone, if need be, with trust in God. Incidentally the disbelievers of Makkah were told that the story of the Sleepers of the Cave was a clear proof of the creed of the Hereafter, for this showed that Allah has the power to resurrect anyone He wills even after a long sleep of death as He did in case of the Sleepers of the Cave.
• The story has been told to warn the chiefs of Makkah who were persecuting the small newly formed Muslim Community. At the same time, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم has been instructed that he should in no case make a compromise with their persecutors nor should he consider them to be more important than his poor followers. On the other hand, those chiefs have been admonished that they should not be puffed up with the transitory life of pleasure they were then enjoying but should seek after those excellences which are permanent and eternal.
• The Owner of the Two Gardens – Trial of Wealth
• This story is about two men with contrasting beliefs and faith. One of them was wealthy and proud of his possessions and the other who was humble and thankful to Allah. The rich man was arrogant and believed his wealth was eternal. However, his garden was destroyed, and he was left in despair. The humble man, on the other hand, continued to praise Allah, knowing that all blessings come from Him.
• The detailed account of this interaction can be read from the detailed tafseer of the Sūrah from the link:  Surah Al-Kahf - The Cave: 18th Chapter of Quran - Part II (Story of Sleepers of Cave)
• Lesson: 
• The story teaches us that wealth is a test, not a guarantee of success. Arrogance leads to ruin, while gratitude brings blessings.
• It also warns about the dangers of arrogance and ingratitude. That the wealth and material possessions are temporary and can be taken away at any moment. True success lies in our connection to Allah and gratitude for His blessings. The surah encourages us to avoid being attached to the material world and instead focus on our spiritual growth.
• Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) and Al-Khidr – Trial of Knowledge
• The story is narrated in answer to the second question of the polytheists of Makkah. The detail of the interaction between the revered prophet and Al Khidr  is in the form of certain actions of Al Khidr to educate Prophet Moses. The detailed account of this interaction can be read from our earlier posts, links given below:
• Surah Al-Kahf - The Cave: 18th Chapter of Quran - Part III
• The story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and Al Khidr
• Lesson: 
• The lesson contained in this story is this "You should have full faith in the wisdom of what is happening in the Divine Factory in accordance with the will of Allah. As the reality is hidden from you, you are at a loss to understand the wisdom of what is happening, and sometimes if it appears that things are going against you, you cry out, 'How and why has this happened'. The fact is that if the curtain be removed from the "unseen", you would yourselves come to know that what is happening here is for the best. Even if some times it appears that something is going against you, you will see that in the end it also produces some good results for you.
• This story is a powerful reminder of the limitations of human knowledge and understanding. Sometimes, we may face situations in life that seem difficult or unjust, but Allah’s wisdom is far beyond our comprehension. The story of Musa and Khidr teaches us patience, humility, and trust in Allah’s greater plan.
• Dhul-Qarnayn – Trial of Power
• The anecdote is about Dhul Qarnayn, a righteous king travels across the earth, using his power justly, and builds a barrier to protect people from the corruption of Gog and Magog.
• This true admonishes the questioners, as if to say, "O' you vain chiefs of Makkah you should learn a lesson from Dhul Qarnayn. Though he was a great ruler, a great conqueror and the owner of great resources, yet he always surrendered to his Creator, whereas you are rebelling against Him even though you are insignificant chieftains in comparison with him.
• Besides this, though Dhul Qarnayn built one of the strongest walls for protection against the Gog and Magog, yet his real trust was in Allah and not in the "wall". He believed that the wall could protect him against his enemies as long as it was the will of Allah and that there would be crack and holes in it, when it would be His will : whereas you who possess only insignificant fortified abodes and dwellings in comparison with him, consider yourselves to be permanently safe and secure against all sorts of calamities." 
• The detailed account of this interaction can be read from our earlier posts, links given below:
• Surah Al-Kahf - The Cave: 18th Chapter of Quran - Part IV
• The story of Dhul Qarnayn and his travel to the end of the earth
• Short Stories from the Holy Quran: Yajooj and Majooj - Gog and Magog
• Lesson: 
• Power must be used with justice and humility. Leadership is a trust from Allah.
• The story highlights the importance of using one’s power and resources for the greater good. It teaches us that true leadership lies in humility, justice, and reliance on Allah. The narrative also reminds us that Allah is ultimately in control of all affairs, no matter how powerful we may be.

Significance of Surah Al-Kahf

• Protection from Dajjal (Antichrist):
• Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advised reciting the first 10 or last 10 verses of Surah Al-Kahf as protection from the fitnah (trial) of Dajjal.
• The Dajjal represents one of the greatest trials before the Day of Judgment, involving deception and falsehood—central themes addressed in the Surah.
• Guidance in Times of Trial: The Surah offers timeless wisdom and guidance for facing tests of faith, knowledge, wealth, and power—key tests for every generation.

Overarching Themes & Lessons for Humanity

• Temporal vs Eternal: Life is fleeting; the Hereafter is what truly matters.
• Tests in Different Forms: Everyone is tested differently—faith, knowledge, wealth, power.
• Dependence on Allah: The phrase “InshaAllah” (If Allah wills) is emphasized (verse 23–24), reminding us to never speak of the future without acknowledging Allah’s will.
• Reality vs Appearance: What appears harmful or meaningless may hold hidden benefit or wisdom.

Relevance Today

Surah Al-Kahf is especially relevant in an age dominated by materialism, misinformation, and ego. It provides:

• A lens to see truth amidst deception
• Strength to endure trials with faith
• A reminder of the eternal over the temporary

With this short overview of Sūrah Al Kahf , herein under are some of the selected posts already published:

• | Overview | Part I | Part II | Part III |  | Part IV | Lessons and Secrets | | This life too shall Pass - Are we ready for the life of the Hereafter 
• Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Yourself and provide for us rectitude in our affairs - verse 10
• When planning to do something, always say "In sha’ Allah" (God Willing) - verse 24
• Who should one side with: The Affluent and Arrogant or Humble Seekers of Countenance of Allah - verse 28
• Believers!! Do you seek the pomp and glitter of the world? - verse 28
• Man's Regrets: Would that I had not associated anyone with my Lord in His Divinity - verse 42
• This life too shall Pass - Are we ready for the life of the Hereafter (Scholars' Viewpoint) - verse 45
• Beware!  Do not take Mortals as allies instead of Allah - The One True God - verse 102
• Who will be the greatest losers in respect of their deeds - verse 104

More verses  / ayat will be added for the  information of our viewers in time.

You may lime to watch an informative video given herein under on 4 Stories From Surah Al-Kahf by eminent Muslim scholar of present times Nouman Ali Khan

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Selected verses from Selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for reading more selected verses from selected surahs of Al-Qurʾān.

Fore more selected verses from Al-Qurʾān Please refer to our Selected verses from Sūrahs of Qur'an to highlight important topics with detailed explanation and Reference Page on Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Who were the People of the Cave as mentioned in Al-Qurʾān

One must develop taste and love for reading accounts of the people of the bygone days, for in such accounts one finds many useful guidelines and lessons to shape one's own future, perhaps the destiny as well. And that is why, instead of only mentioning direct Divine instructions, Allah narrates anecdotes of the lost civilizations and people of the past to tell the later people how civilizations which once thrived and dominated crumbled under Divine wrath, leaving behind their remnants as reminder of  wrath of Allah for disobedience. We find mention of the people of Lot who were destroyed by shower of molten rocks, the downfall of the Pharaohs and rise of people once cornered and humiliated.

Today, we share an anecdote of the Aṣḥāb al-Kahf (اصحاب الکهف, aṣḥāb al-kahf, lit. Companions of the Cave), mentioned in the 18th Surah / Chapter of Al-Qurʾān (verses 9–26)) called Surah Al Kahf (The Surah in which mention of the People of the Cave is made). Kahf in Arabic means cave. Their story is rich with meaning and offers several spiritual and moral lessons.

Let us find out what is so peculiar about these people exclusively mentioned by Allah and why.

Who Were the People of the Cave?

A group of young believing men, later known as the People of the Cave, lived in a society where paganism/idolatry was widespread. They rejected the polytheistic practices of their people and chose to worship Allah alone. Fearing persecution, they fled their city and took refuge in a cave (kahf). Allah caused them to fall into a deep sleep that lasted for 300 years (plus 9 lunar years). When they awoke, they had no idea so much time had passed.

The secret of their sleep was revealed when one of them went to Ephesus to buy food for them and offered a coin of the period of Emperor Decius. As it was a changed world, he naturally attracted attention for he was wearing a costume of 300 year old fashion and spoke a language different from that in vogue. This was because during those two centuries the language, culture, dress etc. had undergone a marked change. So the shopkeeper looked askance at him and, according to a Syriac tradition, he suspected that he had dug up some ancient treasure. Accordingly, he gathered some people of his neighborhood and they took him before the ruler. On questioning, it was discovered that he was one of those followers of Christ, who had fled the city 300 years ago to save their faith. As most of the population had embraced Christianity, the news immediately spread throughout the city and a big crowd of the people along with the Christian Roman Ruler, arrived at the cave. It was then that the sleepers of the cave came to know that they had slept for about three hundred years. So after making salutations to their Christian brothers they lay down and their souls left their bodies. 

Their miraculous story became known, and people saw it as a sign of God’s power.

The story also appears in the Christian history as the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. The Christian legend speaks about a group of youths who hid inside a cave around AD 250 to escape Roman persecutions of Christians and emerged many years later.

There is a cave near Amman, Jordan, also known as the Cave of Seven Sleepers, which has eight smaller sealed tombs present inside and a ventilation duct coming out of the cave. (Photo)

Lessons from the Story of the People of the Cave

• Faith Over Conformity
• The youths chose to obey Allah rather than follow social norms or political pressure.
• Lesson: Stand firm in your beliefs even when society is against you.
• Courage in the Face of Persecution
• They bravely left everything behind for their faith.
• Lesson: Sometimes, protecting your faith requires sacrifice and courage.
• Take the initiative and Allah will help you
• Allah responded to the young men when they beseeched Him for help, “Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.” (Al-Kahf 18:10) It is important to remember that the young men took the initiative of leaving the comfort of their homes, and all their possessions behind, along with supplicating to Allah. 
• This showed their commitment to the cause, and established them as true believers in His sight. Many times, we expect Allah’s help while being reluctant to make even a minor sacrifice on our part. 
• We must be action-oriented in difficult times, and willing to take the right initiative, in order to be helped by Allah.
• Allah's Power Over Time and Life
• Sleeping for centuries and being awakened unharmed shows Allah's control over life, death, and time.
• Lesson: Time means nothing to Allah; He transcends natural laws.
• Faith Can Be Preserved and Revived
• When they awoke, the world had changed. What they had hoped for—a return to monotheism—had come to pass.
• Lesson: Even when truth seems buried or rejected, it can resurface with Allah’s will.
• Never Compromise on Faith
• You may encounter a situation where you are pressured to renounce some aspect of your faith. Never settle for such a compromise, and be willing to take substantive measures to defend your freedom to live according to Allah’s word. Just as the young men rejected their society and hid in a cave, we should be bold enough to stand against society, and migrate to a different place if we have to, for the sake of our faith. 
• Allah informs us that those prevented from worshipping Allah alone will say to the angels after their death, “We were weak in the land.” (Al-Nisa 4:97) However, this excuse will not be accepted, and the angels will say, “Was not the earth of Allah spacious, so that you should have migrated therein?” (Al-Nisa 4:97)
• Don't Speculate Without Knowledge
• In verses 22–23, the Qur’an warns not to debate their number or details without knowledge.
• Base your beliefs on evidence: Religious beliefs and practices should be based on clear evidence, rather than a blind imitation of ancestral traditions. The young men lamented the fact that their people worshiped multiple deities without any authority from Allah: “These, our people, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for [worship of] them clear evidence?” (Al-Kahf 18:15) We should also scrutinize our contemporary beliefs and practices pertaining to religion to see whether they have a basis in the Quran or the example of the Prophet, or are simply being passed down generations without a clear authority.
• Lesson: Avoid idle speculation about religious matters and focus on what benefits the soul.
• Seek Good Company
• These youth supported one another in faith.
• Lesson: Righteous companionship strengthens belief and protects you in times of trial.
• Seek the best of Allah’s blessings
• Whenever initiating a new project, journey or action, always seek the blessings of Allah. This can be from simple Bismillah to many supplications mentioned in Qur'an and Hadith to seek Allah's prior blessings. 
• When the young men finally woke up from their sleep, they said to one another, “Send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city, and let him find out which is the best food, and bring some of that to you.” (Al-Kahf 18:19) It is encouraged to consume the best quality and purest food, as Allah says, “So eat of the lawful and good food Allah has provided for you.” (Al-Nahl 16:114) 
• Similarly, there is nothing wrong with seeking the best among His other blessings, such as clothing and housing – provided one does not spend wastefully. In fact, Allah encourages us to live according to our means, without being extravagant, as Prophet Muhammad said, “Indeed, Allah loves to see the results of His favors upon His slaves.”
• Allah leaves positive perceptions about the righteous
• Speaking for a just cause can invite people’s spite and accusations. However, in the long term, those who have dared to differ by upholding the truth are usually held in high esteem by the people. The young men in the cave, who had earlier faced threats of stoning to death, were later commemorated as great heroes, as is evident from their people’s desire to pay them a tribute: “[Some] said, ‘Construct a building over them; their Lord knows best about them.’ Those who prevailed said, ‘We shall build a place of worship over them.’” (Al-Kahf 18:21)
• Similarly, many of the prophets, who were ridiculed for communicating the word of Allah, were eventually held in great honor. 
• Lesson: It is wise to tolerate any spite hurled at you for supporting what is right, and have faith that Allah will not only reward you for it but will also eventually leave positive perceptions about you among the people.

Supporting Verses:

• Qur’an 18:13: “Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.”
• Qur’an 18:26: “Say, Allah knows best how long they remained. His is the unseen of the heavens and the earth...”

Summary

The story of the People of the Cave teaches timeless values:

• Sincerity in faith
• Trust in divine protection
• Patience and perseverance
• Avoiding speculation
• Choosing righteous friends

The  above explanation is just in skeleton form to introduce to the readers as to who Aṣḥāb al-Kahf (اصحاب الکهف, aṣḥāb al-kahf, lit. Companions of the Cave) were. Those desirous to know the detailed explanation of verse 9-26 of Surah Al Kaf / Aṣḥāb al-Kahf (اصحاب الکهف, aṣḥāb al-kahf, lit. Companions of the Cave) may like to visit our earlier published exegesis of the Surah from link given below:

• Surah Al-Kahf - The Cave: 18th Chapter of Quran - Part I (Story of Sleepers of Cave)

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

For more selected verses from Surah Al Kahf, please refer to our reference page: Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Sūrah 18. Al Kahf

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Sūrah 24. An-Nur (The Light)

Surah An-Nūr (The Light) is the 24th chapter of the Qur'an. It contains 64 verses (āyāt) and is a Medinan surah, meaning it was revealed after the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ migrated to Medina. This Surah was revealed in atime when the polytheists of Makkah had been badly defeated militarily and have unleashed a scheme to belittle the Muslims' morality and accusing them through slanders. That is why this Surah emphasises on ensuring modesty, especially in dress and behavior and laying down special instructions for women to protect their chastity. 

The very opening verse is a places immense responsibility on every beleiver to abide by the instructions contained therein:

سُوۡرَةٌ اَنۡزَلۡنٰهَا وَفَرَضۡنٰهَا وَاَنۡزَلۡنَا فِيۡهَاۤ اٰيٰتٍۭ بَيِّنٰتٍ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُوۡنَ‏ 

(24:1) This is a surah which We have revealed, and which We have made obligatory; We have revealed in it clear instructions1 so that you may take heed.

That is people must take everything that the sūrah includes for deep pondering for it contains social manners and morality that are ordained in the same way as mandatory punishments. We need to remember here that such manners and morality are deeply rooted in human nature, but people tend to overlook them because of deviant social pressures and easy temptations. Hence, the divine revelations God has bestowed from on high place them back before people’s eyes, explaining the clear logic of undistorted human nature.

Why is it called Surah An-Nūr?

It is named "An-Nūr" (النور) after the famous verse Ayat an-Nur (Verse 35), which metaphorically describes Allah as the "Light of the heavens and the earth." 

This verse serves as a spiritual and thematic centerpiece of the chapter, highlighting the guidance, clarity, and moral illumination provided by divine revelation.

What does Surah An-Nūr teach the world?

Surah An-Nūr addresses several critical ethical, social, and spiritual lessons, making it one of the Qur'an's most comprehensive chapters on personal and societal conduct. Here's a breakdown of its key messages:

• 1. The Light of Allah (Verse 35)
• Allah is described as the ultimate source of light, guidance, and truth.
• It encourages people to seek spiritual enlightenment through the Qur'an and righteous living.
• The imagery used connects physical light with inner moral clarity.
• 2. Modesty, Morality, and Social Decency
• Strong emphasis is placed on modesty, especially in dress and behavior.
• Men and women are both instructed to lower their gaze and guard their modesty (verses 30-31).
• Women are instructed to cover their beauty in public, introducing guidelines on hijab and dress.
• 3. Chastity and the Protection of Honor
• Condemns false accusations of adultery (zina), especially through the story of the false slander against Aisha (RA).
• Establishes the punishment for slander (80 lashes) and stresses the need for four witnesses to prove adultery (verse 4).
• This promotes honor, privacy, and justice in society.
• 4. Laws on Family and Privacy
• Lays out rules for entering homes and respecting others' privacy (verse 27).
• Encourages families to give freedom and dignity to servants and slaves, including promoting their education and marriage (verse 33).
• Addresses how to handle family life, marriage, and consent.
• 5. The Believers’ Community: Describes the qualities of a believing society, which is centered on:
• Mutual respect
• Obedience to Allah and His Messenger
• Purity in thought and deed
• Collective responsibility for upholding good conduct
• 6. Light vs. Darkness
• The chapter contrasts divine light (truth, purity, guidance) with spiritual darkness (sin, slander, hypocrisy).
• It metaphorically presents the believer as someone drawn to the light, while the hypocrite or disbeliever is left in layers of darkness (verses 39-40).

What does it tell the modern world? Surah An-Nūr provides timeless moral guidance on:

• Respecting privacy in the age of surveillance and social media
• Maintaining honor and dignity in a time of widespread scandal and slander
• Balancing modesty and personal freedom
• Seeking truth and light in a world full of moral confusion
• Creating ethical, respectful communities

Thus, Surah An-Nūr is a blueprint for a morally conscious society, emphasizing purity, honor, and the centrality of divine guidance. It uses the metaphor of light to inspire individuals to pursue truth, integrity, and inner illumination through the teachings of Allah.

Every verse of this Surah needs to be deeply pondered upon for a beleiver needs to be cleansed of all ills of character and ensure a very high conduct of morality. Herein under are some of the selected verses from the Surah already published for the exclusive study of our readers and understanding the core message contained therein.

• Do Not spread gossip, for in the sight of Allah it is a serious matter - verse 15
• Painful chastisement for those who spread indecency among the believers  - verse 19
• Cursed are those who accuse chaste believing women - verse 24
• The right to privacy and etiquette of visitation verse 27-28
• Social Etiquettes of Islam: Say (O Prophet) enjoin believing men to cast down their looks - verse 30
• Special instructions for Muslim women: Do not reveal your adornment  - verse 31
• Three important functions of Al Qur’an summarized in one āyāt / verse of Surah An Nur - verse 34
• Where does Noor (light) of Allah Descend and Upon Whom - verse 36
• A powerful metaphor in Al Qur’an describes the false hopes and delusions of disbelievers - verse 39

In time we will add more verses / ayat for information of our guidance. However, those wanting to read the exegesis / detailed explanation of Surah An Nur may use the follwoing links to for the Exegesis of Chapter 24. Surah An Nur:

| Overview | Exegesis | Part I | Part II | Part III |  | Part IV | Part V | 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Selected verses from Selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for reading more selected verses from selected surahs of Al-Qurʾān.

Fore more selected verses from Al-Qurʾān Please refer to our Selected verses from Sūrahs of Qur'an to highlight important topics with detailed explanation and Reference Page on Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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A powerful metaphor in Al Qur’an describes the false hopes and delusions of disbelievers

AL Qur'an, the last of the four Divine Scriptures is nothing but a book of Divine guidance. Thus it has to be read, understood and acted upon for whatever is written in the Qur'an is straight from the Lord of the entire universe with no human insertions. It is very easy to read the text specially for the Arabic speaking people. But the beauty of it is that even the non Arabic speaking people have also mastered the art of reading it. It is written in very straight language for easy reading. However, where some stress is required, the use of metaphors and parables is taken to make it easier to understand, for many a man love ready fiction and find metaphors and parables interesting and learn better.

Talking of parables, we recently published a verse from Qur'an based on a parable by giving an example of a fly. You may read our post: A parable in the Qur’an which teaches absurdity of idolatry and worshiping beings other than Allah if so desired.

As for the metaphor, Verse 39 of Surah An-Nur (Surah 24, Ayah 39) is a is powerful metaphor about the false hopes and delusions of disbelievers. Here's the verse in Arabic and its English translation, followed by an explanation:

وَالَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡۤا اَعۡمَالُهُمۡ كَسَرَابٍۢ بِقِيۡعَةٍ يَّحۡسَبُهُ الظَّمۡاٰنُ مَآءً ؕ حَتّٰۤى اِذَا جَآءَهٗ لَمۡ يَجِدۡهُ شَيۡـئًـا وَّ وَجَدَ اللّٰهَ عِنۡدَهٗ فَوَفّٰٮهُ حِسَابَهٗ​ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ سَرِيۡعُ الۡحِسَابِ ۙ‏ 

(24:39) But for those who deny the Truth, their deeds are like a mirage in the desert, which the thirsty supposes to be water until he comes to it only to find that it was nothing; he found instead that Allah was with Him and He paid his account in full. Allah is swift in settling the account.

Explanation:

That is, they refused to accept sincerely the divine message which was brought by the Prophets, and which at that time was being given by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The veerse clearly show that the truthful and righteous believers only can benefit from Allah’s Light. In contrast to them, the state of those people is being described here, who refused to believe and obey the Prophet (peace be upon him), who was the real and sole means of attaining the Light of Allah.

This verse uses the metaphor of a mirage in a desert to describe the false hope and self-deception of disbelievers regarding their good deeds.

• "Their deeds are like a mirage in the desert..."
• The mirage appears on a vast, flat, dry plain (“qīʿah”) and looks like water from a distance. The thirsty traveler runs toward it only to find nothing upon reaching it.
• This refers to seemingly good actions done by disbelievers (e.g. charity, kindness) that are not grounded in faith in Allah.
• Just as a mirage looks like water to a thirsty traveler, these deeds appear valuable and meaningful to the disbelievers.
• "...which a thirsty one thinks is water..."
• A person dying of thirst in the desert may desperately hope that a shimmer on the horizon is water.
• Similarly, disbelievers hope that their good deeds will save them, but their perception is deceptive.
• "...until, when he comes to it, he finds it is nothing...": Upon death or on the Day of Judgment, they realize that their deeds carry no spiritual weight, because they were not done with faith or sincerity toward God. 
• "...and finds Allah before him, who will settle the account..."
• Instead of finding a reward, the disbeliever finds Allah and His judgment.
• Allah gives them the exact recompense for their actions — and since their actions were not for His sake, they get no lasting reward.
• "And Allah is swift in taking account." Allah's judgment is not delayed or unjust — it is immediate, precise, and fair.

Takeaway:

This verse thus describes the condition of those people who, in spite of disbelief and hypocrisy, practice some good deeds and also believe, among other things, in the life after death in the hope that their good deeds will be of some help to them in the Hereafter even if they did not believe and follow the Prophet and lacked the qualities of true believers. In this parable they are being told that their expectations of reaping benefits of their ostentatious deeds of virtue in the Hereafter are no more than a mirage. Just as a traveler in the desert takes the glittering sands for a surging pool of water and runs towards it for quenching his thirst, so are these people traveling on the road to death cherishing false hopes on account of their good deeds. But just as the one running towards a mirage does not find anything there to quench his thirst, so will these people find nothing to avail them when they enter the state of death. On the contrary, they will find Allah there, Who will require them to account for their disbelief, hypocrisy and misdeeds, which they committed along with their ostentatious deeds of virtue, and will deal with them in full justice.

It sends out a clear warning that good deeds without belief in God and sincerity may amount to nothing in the Hereafter. It stresses the importance of correct intention (niyyah) and faith (iman) along with action. So let us who believe steer our lives in accordance with dictates of Qur'an, first by reading it, then understanding what has been read, followed by its sincere practical manifestation.

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Surah .24 An Nur (The Light) for more selected verses from this Surah.

Fore more selected verses from Al-Qurʾān Please refer to our Selected verses from Sūrahs of Qur'an to highlight important topics with detailed explanation and Reference Page on Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Special instructions for Muslim women: Do not reveal your adornment (Al Qur'ān - Surah An Nur)

Morality and chastity is hallmark for both Muslim men and women. Surah 24. An Nur (The Light) dwells at length to instruct the Muslims to ensure very high degree of modesty so as to ensure a clean and lewdness free environment. We have published aut  number of posts covering instructions for both men and women to pay special attention to this aspect. This post today is exclusive for Muslim women based on verse 31 of Surah An Nur with regard to their conduct and adornment. Eminent Muslim scholar Ibn Kathīr emphasizes this verse lays down instructions to prevent fitnah (temptation) and preserve honor and privacy of Muslim women within and outside the household.

We have already published a detailed explanation / tafseer of the 31st verse which is contained in the Part I of the tafseer / exegesis of the Surah, link given at te end of the post.

The Verse: 

وَقُلْ لِّـلۡمُؤۡمِنٰتِ يَغۡضُضۡنَ مِنۡ اَبۡصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحۡفَظۡنَ فُرُوۡجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبۡدِيۡنَ زِيۡنَتَهُنَّ اِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَا​ وَلۡيَـضۡرِبۡنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلٰى جُيُوۡبِهِنَّ​ وَلَا يُبۡدِيۡنَ زِيۡنَتَهُنَّ اِلَّا لِبُعُوۡلَتِهِنَّ اَوۡ اٰبَآئِهِنَّ اَوۡ اٰبَآءِ بُعُوۡلَتِهِنَّ اَوۡ اَبۡنَآئِهِنَّ اَوۡ اَبۡنَآءِ بُعُوۡلَتِهِنَّ اَوۡ اِخۡوَانِهِنَّ اَوۡ بَنِىۡۤ اِخۡوَانِهِنَّ اَوۡ بَنِىۡۤ اَخَوٰتِهِنَّ اَوۡ نِسَآئِهِنَّ اَوۡ مَا مَلَـكَتۡ اَيۡمَانُهُنَّ اَوِ التّٰبِعِيۡنَ غَيۡرِ اُولِى الۡاِرۡبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ اَوِ الطِّفۡلِ الَّذِيۡنَ لَمۡ يَظۡهَرُوۡا عَلٰى عَوۡرٰتِ النِّسَآءِ​ وَلَا يَضۡرِبۡنَ بِاَرۡجُلِهِنَّ لِيُـعۡلَمَ مَا يُخۡفِيۡنَ مِنۡ زِيۡنَتِهِنَّ​ ؕ وَتُوۡبُوۡۤا اِلَى اللّٰهِ جَمِيۡعًا اَيُّهَ الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُوۡنَ‏ 

(24:31) And enjoin believing women to cast down their looks and guard their private parts and not reveal their adornment except that which is revealed of itself, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their husbands, or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands,or of their own sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or the sons of their brothers, or the sons of their sisters, or the women with whom they associate, or those that are in their bondage, or the male attendants in their service free of sexual interest, or boys that are yet unaware of illicit matters pertaining to women. Nor should they stamp their feet on the ground in such manner that their hidden ornament becomes revealed. Believers, turn together, all of you, to Allah in repentance that you may attain true success.

Breakdown of the Verse

• "Tell the believing women to lower their gaze..."
• Just as men are commanded in verse 30 to lower their gaze, women are too.
• This promotes self-discipline and mutual respect, discouraging objectification and unhealthy attraction.
• This also means avoiding looking at men with desire, or looking at anything haram (prohibited).
• Prophet ﷺ has been attributed as saying: "The glance is a poisoned arrow of the devil. Whoever lowers his gaze for the sake of Allah, He will give him a sweetness of faith in his heart." (Reported in Hakim, Tabarani)
• "...and guard their chastity..."
• Upholding sexual morality is central in Islam.
• It extends to thought, dress, speech, and action—creating a boundary around sexual behavior.
• Ibn Kathīr says:
• This includes avoiding unlawful sexual activity and guarding one’s modesty in public.
• It’s not just about actions, but also about avoiding situations that lead to temptation or shame.
• It applies both physically and emotionally—not exposing or inviting unwanted attention.
• "...and not to reveal their beauty (zinah) except what [normally] appears..."
• "Zinah" refers to physical beauty and adornments (clothes, jewelry, makeup, body features).
• Adornment also referes to jewellery, make up and party outfits which women specially wear on occasions of dressing-up.
• The actual words used for this are: اِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا. Their correct meaning is: جَرَتِ الْعَادَة وَ الْجِبِلَّة عَلي ظُهُورِهِ وَ الْاَصْل فِيِهِ الْظُهُوْر اِلَّا مَا, as pointed out by al-Zamakhsharī, (Al-Kashshāf, vol. 3, 236). It means the embellishments of the body parts which a person does not cover generally and instinctively and they are always left bare. These include hands, feet, face etc. The reason for this is that according to syntactical consideration, it is: الظاهر منها. It cannot be taken in the meaning of ان يظهر منها شئ as has been done by some scholars.
• Scholars differ slightly, but the majority interpret “what appears” as the face and hands, possibly including the outer clothing that's unavoidable.
• "...and to draw their khimār (headcover) over their juyūb (chests)..."
• In pre-Islamic Arabia, women wore headscarves but left their necks and upper chests exposed.
• This verse modifies that practice, instructing believing women to extend their headscarves over the chest—an act of added modesty.
• The khimār refers to a headcover, not just any cloth, and juyūb refers to the neckline or bosom area.
• If this purpose can be achieved by some other method than through shawls, there is no harm in it. The purpose is that if women are wearing adornments, they should not open their chests and necklines before men. In fact, they should cover them in such a manner that their adornments are not evident in any way.
• Ibn Khatir adds:
•  When Allah commanded that women should pull their scarves over the front (chest) to ensure full modesty.
• Aisha (RA), said: "When this verse was revealed, the women of Ansar tore their waist sheets and covered their heads and faces with them." (Reported in Abu Dawud)
• This shows the immediate, faithful response of the early Muslim women to Allah’s command.
• ".. and they should not reveal their embellishments to anyone except.."
• The first exception was that of: اِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا. Now the second exception is stated ie., relatives before whom there is no restriction to hide adornments.
• For one’s father and father-in-law, the word used by the Qur’ān is آبَآء (ābā). This word not only implies the father, but also the paternal and maternal uncles and grandfathers. Therefore, a lady can display her embellishments before these adults of both her maternal and paternal family and those of her husband’s just as she can before her father and father-in-law.
• The word “son” implies the grand and great grand sons, both maternal and paternal ones without any discrimination of real or step relations. The same implies for the sons of brothers and sisters. In these relations also, the sons of real, step and foster brothers and sisters are understood to be included.
•  It is evident from these words that unknown women should be treated the same way as men and a Muslim lady should be very careful in displaying her concealed embellishments before them. The reason is that at times a woman can have sexual leanings towards her own gender. Similarly, at times, being influenced by the physical features and attributes of women, these unrelated women become a means of inclining men towards them and vice versa too.
• "Nor should they stamp their feet on the ground in such manner that their hidden ornament becomes revealed"
• "Stamp their feet..."
• Refers to walking in a deliberate, noticeable, or rhythmic way that draws attention.
• In classical Arabian society (and in many other cultures), women would wear anklets, bangles, or jewelry under their clothes.
• Stamping or stepping firmly could cause the jewelry to jingle, or highlight bodily movement, thereby attracting attention, even if the jewelry itself remained unseen.
• "...so that their hidden adornment is made known..."
• "Hidden adornment" (زينتهن المخفية) includes jewelry, makeup, perfume, or body features that are not meant to be exposed in public.
• Even if the actual item is not visible, the sound, motion, or suggestion of it may cause undue attraction or stimulate curiosity, which the verse discourages.
• Since custom of slavery has been abolished from Islam, the part of the verse that relate to slave men and women is not being explained.

Conclusion by Ibn Kathīr: 

• This verse aims to protect women and preserve societal morality.
• It sets limits for interaction between genders to avoid corruption and fitnah.
• Ibn Kathīr links modesty in dress to taqwa (God-consciousness).

Application in the Present Times

This verse is both spiritually timeless and socially relevant, offering practical guidance in an age of hyper-visibility, social media, and blurred moral boundaries.

• Modesty in Dress (Hijab)
• This verse is a foundational text for the Islamic dress code for women.
• While interpretations differ slightly across cultures and schools of thought, the key principle is modesty and non-sexualization of appearance in public.
• In the modern world, where fashion is often used to attract attention, Islam offers a counter-narrative: dignity through discretion.
• Note: Hijab is not just a headscarf. It's a comprehensive concept that includes behavior, gaze, speech, and clothing.
• Lowering the Gaze in the Digital Age
• Today’s challenges are unique: Instagram, TikTok, streaming, dating apps, and hyper-sexualized content are everywhere.
• The command to lower the gaze isn’t just about the physical world—it extends to virtual interactions:
• Scrolling through provocative content
• Sharing or watching revealing videos/photos
• Engaging in flirtatious chats
• This verse calls both men and women to exercise intentional control over what they see and how they respond.
• Reclaiming Modesty in a Hyper-Sexualized Culture
• Modern media often equates value with appearance—especially for women.
• Verse 31 shifts the focus back to character, self-respect, and God-consciousness.
• This verse empowers women to be seen for who they are, not just how they look.
• Respectful Interactions Between Genders
• This verse, in harmony with verse 30 (for men), promotes healthy boundaries.
• It fosters dignity, mutual respect, and professionalism in mixed-gender environments—schools, offices, online spaces.

Summary: The Spirit Behind the Verse

Surah An-Nūr:31 is not a restriction, but a protection. It is:

• A guide for women to preserve their dignity in an overexposed world.
• A reminder that modesty is liberating, not limiting.
• A balance between personal expression and social responsibility.
• A call for a culture of respect, free from objectification and unwanted sexual attention.

The early Muslims obeyed these instructions instantly, out of deep faith. but today, the media projects such instructiosn as a bar on freedom of women and even some Muslim women, who perhaps are ignorant to the Divine instructions and specially this verse, want to live freely breaking all barriers placed on them, without realising:

• Modesty is otection, not suppression.
• Gender interaction must be respectful and controlled.
• Spiritual beauty outweighs physical beauty.
• Obedience to Allah should be immediate and joyful, as shown by the women of Medina. 

Let Qur'an be read and understood for each word of it carries Divine wisodm, which instead of being questioned should be happily abided by for in it lies the pleasure of Allah and displeasure of the evil.

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

For more selected verses fro Surah An Nur, please refer to our reference page: Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Sūrah 24. An-Nur (The Light)

Fore more selected verses from Al-Qurʾān Please refer to our Selected verses from Sūrahs of Qur'an to highlight important topics with detailed explanation and Reference Page on Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Beware, followers of the Satan, of the day when Satan will abandon you

Satan (Shayṭān, Iblīs) in all Divine scriptures is not just a symbolic figure, but a real being — a deeply despised enemy of humankind. His story, character, and motives are explained throughout the Qur'an and hadith, and he is hated not only because of what he did, but because of what he represents. His earliest mention in Divine scriptures which speaks of his satanic machination is about his enticement of Prophet Adam and his wife Eve and luring them to eat from the forbidden tree.

For thise henious crime, not only he but aslo the couple were expelled from the heavens and given an abode on the earth. The revered couple was to start a new life here on earth in true faith and live their life and their off spring in love of their Creator. While Satan had asked time off from his Creator till the dooms day to misguide the humans and lead them into a life hate, arrogance, lewdness and sin. However, he was categorically told by the Creator that no matter how much he tried, the humans will stay faithful to Allah, barring a few wo would follow him.

And this would go on, the tug of war between the good and the evil, till the Day of Judgement. And there to the utmost bewilderment of his followers, the Satan will disown them and tell them that he did not have any power to FORCE them to do evil, but he only MISGUIDED them to live a life of sin and lewdness, and thus he stands absolved of any claim that he forced his followers to leave the path of Allah.

This is the thme of the 22nd verse of Surah 14. Ibraheem (Abraham) being elobrated in this post.

The Verse (سورة ابراهيم, Surah 14. Ibrahim, Verse-22):

وَقَالَ الشَّيۡطٰنُ لَـمَّا قُضِىَ الۡاَمۡرُ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ وَعَدَكُمۡ وَعۡدَ الۡحَـقِّ وَوَعَدْتُّكُمۡ فَاَخۡلَفۡتُكُمۡ​ؕ وَمَا كَانَ لِىَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ مِّنۡ سُلۡطٰنٍ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ دَعَوۡتُكُمۡ فَاسۡتَجَبۡتُمۡ لِىۡ​ ۚ فَلَا تَلُوۡمُوۡنِىۡ وَلُوۡمُوۡۤا اَنۡفُسَكُمۡ​ ؕ مَاۤ اَنَا بِمُصۡرِخِكُمۡ وَمَاۤ اَنۡتُمۡ بِمُصۡرِخِىَّ​ ؕ اِنِّىۡ كَفَرۡتُ بِمَاۤ اَشۡرَكۡتُمُوۡنِ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ​ ؕ اِنَّ الظّٰلِمِيۡنَ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ اَ لِيۡمٌ‏ 

(14:22) After the matter has been finally decided Satan will say: "Surely whatever Allah promised you was true; as for me, I went back on the promise I made to you. I had no power over you except that I called you to my way and you responded to me. So, do not blame me but blame yourselves. Here, neither I can come to your rescue, nor can you come to mine. I disavow your former act of associating me in the past with Allah. A grievous chastisement inevitably lies ahead for such wrong-doers."

Before we disccuss the selected verse, let us briefly talk about Shayṭān (شَيْطَان) / Iblīs (إِبْلِيس):

• Origin:
• Created from fire (Surah Al-Kahf 18:50)
• Not an angel — but a jinn (Surah Al-Kahf 18:50)
• Name: Iblīs (before rebellion), Shayṭān (after rebellion)
• Iblīs = a specific name 
• Shayṭān = a generic title, meaning "rebellious" or "devil"
• Reason for being expelled from Jannah/Heaven
• The Rebellion 
• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:34): “And [mention] when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam,’ so they prostrated, except for Iblīs. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.”
• Why he refused:
• Arrogance: "I am better than him" (Surah A’raf 7:12)
• Pride: Created from fire, Adam from clay.
• Rebellion: He disobeyed a direct command from Allah
• Why Satan is so detested:
• He was arrogant against God
• His refusal wasn’t a mistake — it was willful defiance.
• He challenged God’s wisdom in choosing Adam.
• Arrogance against God is one of the gravest sins.
• He vowed to mislead humanity
• Surah Al-A’raf (7:16-17): Satan addressing God“Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path...”
• He promised to:
• Deceive.
• Distract.
• Diminish gratitude.
• Lead to Hell.
• He’s not passive — he is on a mission of spiritual sabotage.
• He represents everything Islam warns against
• Arrogance vs Humility
• Rebellion vs Obedience
• Despair vs Hope in God
• Deception vs Sincerity & Truth
• Division vs Unity
• He manipulates, but takes no responsibility
• On Judgment Day (14:22), Satan says: “I only invited you — you followed me.”
• This abandonment of his followers shows:
• His true nature: betrayal, manipulation.
• That following him leads to nothing but loss.
• Psychological Symbolism (Though Not Only Symbolic): Even though Satan is a real being, he also represents:
• The inner whisper (waswasa) that tempts you.
• The ego's pride and resistance to guidance.
• The desire to justify wrong, blame others, or reject divine limits.
• His End
• He is condemned to Hell forever (Surah Sad 38:85).
• His goal is to drag as many as he can with him.
• But he knows his fate is sealed — which fuels his hatred.
• Final Reflection: Why Detested?
• Because Satan chose arrogance over obedience, revenge over repentance, and destruction over redemption.
• And he wants humans to do the same. 

with this brief on Satan, now let us move on the Quranic verse being shared. We have already shared the detailed explanation / tafseer of the above quoted verse in our presvious post: The Day when Satan will declare his True Colours which can be accessed for detailed reading. Herein under we only present a short run down of the verse /ayat.

Context of Surah Ibrahim

• Surah Ibrahim is a Meccan surah that focuses on:
• The message of monotheism (tawheed).
• The consequences of rejecting divine guidance.
• A vivid picture of the Day of Judgment.
• The fate of both the righteous and the arrogant disbelievers.

Leading up to verse 22:

• Verses 17–21 describe scenes from the Day of Judgment: the arrogant rejecting truth, being dragged into Hell, and leaders followed blindly by their people.
• Then verse 22 presents a dramatic speech by Satan to his followers after judgment has been passed.

Verse 14:22 – Deep Explanation

•  “Satan will say when the matter is decided…”
• After the judgment has been finalized — Hell is confirmed — Satan speaks to those who followed him.
• This moment is full of irony and regret. The deceiver distances himself from the deceived.
•  “Allah promised you the promise of truth” - Refers to:
• The Qur’an.
• The reality of resurrection, accountability, and Hell.
• God's promises were always clear and truthful.
• “I promised you, but I betrayed you” - Satan admits he lied — his promises were false:
• That sins would bring pleasure without consequence.
• That Hell wasn’t real or worth fearing.
• “I had no authority over you”
• Satan denies coercion.
• He didn’t force anyone — he only invited, whispered, suggested.
• People made the choice to follow him willingly.
• “So do not blame me, but blame yourselves”
• Satan shifts responsibility back to the sinner.
• He emphasizes personal accountability.
• A clear Qur'anic principle: every soul is responsible for its own decisions.
• “I deny your association of me with Allah before”
• Some people treated Satan as if he had divine power — following him over divine command.
• Now, he disavows that association — rejecting their misplaced devotion or trust in him.

Thematic Takeaway

• Core Message: On Judgment Day, Satan will abandon those who followed him, leaving them to face the consequences of their own choices.
• Lessons & Reflections:
• Accountability: You are responsible for your choices — not Satan, not society, not anyone else.
• False Leadership: Blindly following anyone (even charismatic or influential figures) can lead to ruin.
• Deception of Evil: Evil often whispers, it rarely forces — its power lies in persuasion and illusion.
• Rejecting Victimhood: This verse shatters the idea that "the devil made me do it."

In Short, Surah Ibrahim 14:22 is a stunning expose of how Satan manipulates, how people willingly choose to follow him, and how — in the end — each person stands alone before God.

Aforesaid in view, let us take a self appraisal: Many of the beleivers, knowing / unknowingly, advertantly / inadvertantly fall prey to Satan in some way, big or small. While small errs may be forgiven, but sins that defy the Divine commandments will never be forgiven and will be persecuted as per the Divine law on the Day of Judgement, when Satan will try to artfully retract and have him absoved of his enticements. But then it will be too late: Both the Satan and his followers will be shown the door to Hell.

Time is now to get rid of Satanic machination and do our best not to be enticed by him and his cronies in shape of humans. May Allah forgive our past erring and bless us a eaceful life as being Divinely envisioned for us. Ameen

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Refer to our Reference Page: Al Qur'an: Selected verses from Surah 14. Ibraheem fro more verses from this surah.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. ChatGPT has also been consulted for expansion of the above quoted verse.

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