أَوْ يُصْبِحَ مَآؤُهَا غَوْرًا فَلَن تَسْتَطِيعَ لَهُۥ طَلَبًا 41
Translations
Or its water will become sunken [into the earth], so you would never be able to seek it."
Transliteration
Aw yusbih mā'uhu ghawran falan tastatiʿa lahu talaba
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes a scenario where the water of a garden sinks deep into the earth (ghawrun) and becomes unreachable, leaving the owner unable to retrieve it. In the context of the parable of the two gardens (Surah Al-Kahf 18:32-44), classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as representing the sudden loss of wealth and blessings through divine will, emphasizing the transience of worldly possessions and man's powerlessness over his own affairs. The ayah illustrates that despite human effort and ingenuity, ultimate control over resources rests with Allah alone.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the parable of two men in Surah Al-Kahf, revealed in Mecca. The passage addresses the arrogant wealthy man who boasts about his superior wealth and beauty, contrasting him with his believing companion. This parable serves as a moral lesson against pride, materialism, and forgetfulness of Allah's sovereignty, themes central to Meccan surahs.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Wealth and children are adornments of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Sahih Al-Tirmidhi 2329). Additionally, the hadith emphasizing trusting in Allah's provision relates thematically to the lesson of this ayah regarding dependence on Allah rather than material possessions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that no amount of wealth, effort, or preparation guarantees security in this life, as ultimate control belongs only to Allah. It encourages humility, gratitude for blessings, and detachment from worldly attachments, fostering reliance on the Divine rather than material accumulation.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِىَ صَبْرًا
He said, "Indeed, with me you will never be able to have patience.
وَأَمَّا مَنْ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَلَهُۥ جَزَآءً ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۖ وَسَنَقُولُ لَهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِنَا يُسْرًا
But as for one who believes and does righteousness, he will have a reward of the best [i.e., Paradise], and we [i.e., Dhul-Qarnayn] will speak to him from our command with ease."
وَقُلِ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ فَمَن شَآءَ فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَآءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ ۚ إِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَا ۚ وَإِن يَسْتَغِيثُوا۟ يُغَاثُوا۟ بِمَآءٍ كَٱلْمُهْلِ يَشْوِى ٱلْوُجُوهَ ۚ بِئْسَ ٱلشَّرَابُ وَسَآءَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا
And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve." Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them. And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهَآ إِذْ يَتَنَـٰزَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ ۖ فَقَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ عَلَيْهِم بُنْيَـٰنًا ۖ رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًا
And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allāh is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they disputed among themselves about their affair and [then] said, "Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them." Said those who prevailed in the matter, "We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid."