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
وَرَبَطْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ إِذْ قَامُوا۟ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ لَن نَّدْعُوَا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَـٰهًا ۖ لَّقَدْ قُلْنَآ إِذًا شَطَطًا
And We bound [i.e., made firm] their hearts when they stood up and said, "Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Never will we invoke besides Him any deity. We would have certainly spoken, then, an excessive transgression.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ بَعَثْنَـٰهُمْ لِيَتَسَآءَلُوا۟ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ قَالَ قَآئِلٌ مِّنْهُمْ كَمْ لَبِثْتُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَبِثْنَا يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍ ۚ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثْتُمْ فَٱبْعَثُوٓا۟ أَحَدَكُم بِوَرِقِكُمْ هَـٰذِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ فَلْيَنظُرْ أَيُّهَآ أَزْكَىٰ طَعَامًا فَلْيَأْتِكُم بِرِزْقٍ مِّنْهُ وَلْيَتَلَطَّفْ وَلَا يُشْعِرَنَّ بِكُمْ أَحَدًا
And similarly, We awakened them that they might question one another. Said a speaker from among them, "How long have you remained [here]?" They said, "We have remained a day or part of a day." They said, "Your Lord is most knowing of how long you remained. So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city and let him look to which is the best of food and bring you provision from it and let him be cautious. And let no one be aware of you.
وَعَرَضْنَا جَهَنَّمَ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَرْضًا
And We will present Hell that Day to the disbelievers, on display -
وَكَيْفَ تَصْبِرُ عَلَىٰ مَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِۦ خُبْرًا
And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?"