إِنَّا مَكَّنَّا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ مِن كُلِّ شَىْءٍ سَبَبًا 84
Translations
Indeed, We established him upon the earth, and We gave him from everything a way [i.e., means].
Transliteration
Inna makkanna lahu fil-ardi wa ataynahu min kulli shay'in sababa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Dhul-Qarnayn, to whom Allah granted tremendous power and authority on earth, providing him with the means and resources to accomplish his great deeds, particularly the construction of the wall against Gog and Magog. Ibn Kathir explains that 'sababa' (means/causes) encompasses knowledge, strength, materials, and divine support—all the tools necessary for his mission. Al-Tabari and Al-Qurtubi note this demonstrates Allah's favor upon those He chooses, equipping them with both material resources and wisdom to use them justly.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Story of Dhul-Qarnayn in Surah Al-Kahf (ayahs 83-101), a Meccan surah revealed to provide comfort to the Prophet Muhammad and believers facing persecution. The story illustrates divine power and justice, serving as a reminder that Allah grants authority to those who use it righteously. This particular ayah introduces Dhul-Qarnayn's character and divine empowerment before describing his righteous works.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly addresses this ayah, Sahih Bukhari records hadiths about seeking knowledge and means to accomplish good deeds. Related is the principle found in authentic collections that 'Actions are judged by intentions' (Sahih Bukhari 1), emphasizing that possessing means requires righteous intention—a quality exemplified by Dhul-Qarnayn in his subsequent actions.
Themes
Key Lesson
Allah grants power, knowledge, and resources to those whom He chooses, but such blessings come with the responsibility to use them justly and for the benefit of humanity. True success lies not merely in possessing means, but in directing them toward righteous purposes guided by wisdom and faith in Allah.
Related Ayahs
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."
قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَـٰلِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَحَدًۢا
Say, "I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone."
إِذْ أَوَى ٱلْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى ٱلْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
[Mention] when the youths retreated to the cave and said, "Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance."
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمُ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِّن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا
Those will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place.