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
وَكَانَ لَهُۥ ثَمَرٌ فَقَالَ لِصَـٰحِبِهِۦ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُۥٓ أَنَا۠ أَكْثَرُ مِنكَ مَالًا وَأَعَزُّ نَفَرًا
And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, "I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men."
۞ وَتَرَكْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَمُوجُ فِى بَعْضٍ ۖ وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَجَمَعْنَـٰهُمْ جَمْعًا
And We will leave them that day surging over each other, and [then] the Horn will be blown, and We will assemble them in [one] assembly.
وَتَحْسَبُهُمْ أَيْقَاظًا وَهُمْ رُقُودٌ ۚ وَنُقَلِّبُهُمْ ذَاتَ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَذَاتَ ٱلشِّمَالِ ۖ وَكَلْبُهُم بَـٰسِطٌ ذِرَاعَيْهِ بِٱلْوَصِيدِ ۚ لَوِ ٱطَّلَعْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَوَلَّيْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِرَارًا وَلَمُلِئْتَ مِنْهُمْ رُعْبًا
And you would think them awake, while they were asleep. And We turned them to the right and to the left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. If you had looked at them, you would have turned from them in flight and been filled by them with terror.
وَلَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَا۟ىْءٍ إِنِّى فَاعِلٌ ذَٰلِكَ غَدًا
And never say of anything, "Indeed, I will do that tomorrow,"