Surah 18: The Cave

Surah 18: The Cave - Overview

Verses	Description
18:1-22	Revelation warns against evil, and guides to good everlasting; Parable of Companions of the Cave, and its lessons
18:23-44	True knowledge is with God alone; dispute not nor be puffed up with this world's goods
18:45-59	Good Deeds are the best of possessions in God's sight; pride is the root of evil; falsehood must perish
18:60-82	Moses and the Mysteries; highest knowledge must be sought with patience
18:83-110	Three episodes in the life of Dhu al Qarnayn; power to be used in the service of God

Introduction

It has been explained in the introduction to Surah 17 how the five Surahs 17 to 21 develop the theme of the individual soul's spiritual history, and how they fit into the general scheme of exposition.

This particular Makkan Surah may be called a lesson in the brevity and mystery of Life. First there is the story of the Companions of the Cave who slept therein for a long period, and yet thought they had been there only a day or less. Then there is the story of the mysterious Teacher who shows Moses how Life itself is a parable. And further there is the story of Dhu al Qarnayn, the two-horned one, the powerful ruler of west and east, who made an iron wall to protect the weak against the strong.

The parables refer to the brevity, uncertainty, and vanity of this life; to the many paradoxes in it, which can only be understood by patience and the fullness of knowledge; and to the need of guarding our spiritual gain against the incursions of evil.

Summary

Straight Directions [18:1-22] The Book of Revelation gives straight directions to make our lives straight -- to warn us against Evil and guide us to the Good everlasting. Teach the Truth, but fret not about men rejecting it. The Parable of the Companions of the Cave shows how God works wonders beyond our fathoming: how Faith is a sure refuge in ways we know not; how Time itself works God's Plan before we know how it passes; how He can give us rest, and raise us back to life against all odds; and how futile it is to engage in controversies about matters we know not.

2- Knowledge is for God: be on your guard against idle conjectures and cocksure hopes. Learn from the Qur'an the Parable of the man who is puffed up with this world's goods and is brought to naught. (18:23-44)

Conjecture vs. Truth [18:23-44] True knowledge is with God alone. We are not to dispute on matters of conjecture, but to rely on the Truth that comes from God, as in the Parable. The man who piles up wealth and is puffed up with this world's goods, despising those otherwise endowed, will come to an evil end, for his hopes were not built on God.

3- This life is uncertain and variable: goodness and virtue are better and more durable. For the Day of Reckoning will come, with its Mercy and its Wrath (18:45-59)

The Best of Possessions [18:45-59] The life of this world is ephemeral, and its gains will not last. Good Deeds are the best of possessions in God's sight: all will be leveled up on the Day of Judgment, and a new Order created on the basis of Truth, according to the Book of Deeds. Pride is the root of Evil, rebellion, and wrong. Who will choose evil ones in preference to God? Let us accept Truth, for though Falsehood may flourish for a time, it must perish in the end.

4- Moses in his thirst for knowledge forgot his limitations. Patience and faith were enjoined on him, and he understood when the paradoxes of Life were explained. (18:60-82)

Not Always As They Appear [18:60-82] Moses was up against mysteries which he wanted to explore. He searched out a man endued with knowledge derived from the divine springs from which flow the paradoxes of life. He is shown three such paradoxes and how human impatience is inconsistent with their true understanding. The highest knowledge come not except by divine gift, and a constant, patient striving, with Faith, to apprehend something of the purpose of the All-Wise God.

5- Dhu al Qarnayn had a wide dominion: he punished the guilty and rewarded the good; he protected the weak from the lawless; but he had faith, and valued the guidance of God. God is One, and His service is righteousness. (18:53-110)

Power and Opportunities [18:83-110] Three episodes in the life of a great king, Dhu al Qarayn, illustrated how power and opportunities should be used in the service of God: he punished the guilty indeed, but was kind to the righteous; he left primitive people their freedom of life; and he protected industrious people from grasping neighbors. But he relied upon God, and made them remember the Day of Judgment, when all will see the Truth and receive the Punishments and Rewards earned in their present Life.