فَأَتْبَعَ سَبَبًا 85
Translations
So he followed a way
Transliteration
Fa-attaba'a sababan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Dhul-Qarnayn followed a path or means (sabab) to achieve his goal of building a wall against Gog and Magog. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that 'sabab' here refers to the practical methods and resources Dhul-Qarnayn employed—gathering workers, materials, and utilizing natural geographical advantages. This demonstrates the Islamic principle that while we must rely on Allah's help, we are also commanded to use reasonable means and effort (asbab) to accomplish our objectives.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Dhul-Qarnayn (verses 83-98 of Surah Al-Kahf), which was revealed in Mecca. The broader context addresses themes of Divine testing, human responsibility, and the use of knowledge and resources for beneficial purposes. The story serves as an example of righteous leadership and proper stewardship.
Related Hadiths
The principle of using means (asbab) is supported by the hadith: 'Trust in Allah, but tie your camel' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), which teaches that we must combine reliance on Allah with practical effort and precaution.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims that faith in Allah and practical effort are complementary, not contradictory—we should pursue legitimate means while trusting in Allah's ultimate plan and provision for success.
Related Ayahs
أَمَّا ٱلسَّفِينَةُ فَكَانَتْ لِمَسَـٰكِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ فَأَرَدتُّ أَنْ أَعِيبَهَا وَكَانَ وَرَآءَهُم مَّلِكٌ يَأْخُذُ كُلَّ سَفِينَةٍ غَصْبًا
As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working at sea. So I intended to cause defect in it as there was after them a king who seized every [good] ship by force.
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.
خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يَبْغُونَ عَنْهَا حِوَلًا
Wherein they abide eternally. They will not desire from it any transfer.
أَوْ يُصْبِحَ مَآؤُهَا غَوْرًا فَلَن تَسْتَطِيعَ لَهُۥ طَلَبًا
Or its water will become sunken [into the earth], so you would never be able to seek it."