Tafsir Zone - Surah 18: al-Kahf (The Cave )

Tafsir Zone

Surah al-Kahf 18:99
 

Overview (Verses 99 - 102)

Deaf and Blind
 
The sūrah follows the reference by Dhu’l-Qarnayn to God’s true promise with a scene from the Day of Judgement: On that day We shall leave them to surge like waves dashing against one another. The trumpet will be blown, and We shall gather them all together. And We shall, on that day, present hell, all spread out, for the unbelievers, who have turned a blind eye to My admonition and a deaf ear to My warning. (Verses 99-101) This is a scene showing the movement of huge masses of people of all colours, races and geographical areas, belonging to all generations and times, after they have been resurrected and brought back to life. They move across in a chaotic way, unaware of what is around them. They push each other like waves in the sea and mix like the surf raised by the waves. Then suddenly a trumpet is blown and they are gathered according to a specific order: “The trumpet will be blown, and We shall gather them all together.” (Verse 99)
 
We see also the unbelievers who turned away from remembrance of God as though their eyes were covered and their ears deaf. Now we see them with hell brought before them and they cannot turn away from it as they used to turn away from God’s guidance. On that day, the option of turning away is not within their power. The cover over their eyes has been drawn, and they now see clearly the consequence of their deliberate turning away. This is a fair recompense.
 
The sūrah provides symmetry between their turning away and their vision of hell as it is brought before them. The two actions are shown in contrast both in scene and movement.
 
This contrast is followed by a comment full of derision: “Do the unbelievers think that they could take My creatures for patrons against Me? We have indeed readied hell as a dwelling place for the unbelievers.” (Verse 102) Do these unbelievers think that they can choose from among God’s creatures which fully submit to Him some who could support them against God? Can these give them help or grant them protection against God’s might? If such thoughts are entertained by them, then let them experience the results of such self-delusion: “We have indeed readied hell as a dwelling place for the unbelievers.” (Verse 102) This is an evil abode already prepared to receive them. There is no need for waiting. It is all ready to receive its unbelieving dwellers.