فَمَا ٱسْطَـٰعُوٓا۟ أَن يَظْهَرُوهُ وَمَا ٱسْتَطَـٰعُوا۟ لَهُۥ نَقْبًا 97
Translations
So they [i.e., Gog and Magog] were unable to pass over it, nor were they able [to effect] in it any penetration.
Transliteration
Fama ista'aa'u an yazharūhu wa mā istata'aw lahu naqbā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the inability of Dhul-Qarnayn's people to scale or penetrate the wall he built against Gog and Magog (Ya'jūj wa Ma'jūj). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as emphasizing the impenetrability of the fortification—neither could they climb over it nor dig through it—demonstrating divine aid in constructing an insurmountable barrier. The verse illustrates how Allah grants capability to His chosen servants to accomplish great works that serve the interests of righteousness and protection of communities.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Dhul-Qarnayn narrative in Surah Al-Kahf (18:83-98), which discusses his journey and construction of a wall. The broader surah addresses tests of faith, and this story exemplifies trust in Allah's provision and wisdom. The narrative is Meccan, serving to strengthen the faith of early Muslims during persecution by highlighting divine protection and providential care.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly addresses this specific verse, Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain traditions about Ya'jūj wa Ma'jūj (Gog and Magog) and their eschatological significance, including hadiths from 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr and other companions regarding the signs of the Hour.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that when we align our efforts with righteousness and divine will, Allah grants us the ability to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks; it reminds us that obstacles to evil can be established through sincere effort combined with reliance on Allah's strength and wisdom.
Related Ayahs
مَّا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ وَلَا لِـَٔابَآئِهِمْ ۚ كَبُرَتْ كَلِمَةً تَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ ۚ إِن يَقُولُونَ إِلَّا كَذِبًا
They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers. Grave is the word that comes out of their mouths; they speak not except a lie.
ٱلَّذِينَ كَانَتْ أَعْيُنُهُمْ فِى غِطَآءٍ عَن ذِكْرِى وَكَانُوا۟ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ سَمْعًا
Those whose eyes had been within a cover [removed] from My remembrance, and they were not able to hear.
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.
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِۦٓ ۗ أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُۥ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُۥٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِى وَهُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۢ ۚ بِئْسَ لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ بَدَلًا
And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was of the jinn and departed from [i.e., disobeyed] the command of his Lord. Then will you take him and his descendants as allies other than Me while they are enemies to you? Wretched it is for the wrongdoers as an exchange.