298 Page Notes

18  Surah Al-Kahf (continued)

Page 298 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 298 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 298 of the Quran covers Surah Al-Kahf, verses 35 through 45. This section contains the dramatic climax and conclusion of the Parable of the Two Men and Their Gardens (Verses 35–44), followed immediately by a powerful, sweeping cosmic parable comparing the temporary nature of the entire worldly life to rain-fed vegetation that quickly dries up and blows away (Verse 45).

Classical Islamic exegesis (Tafsir) and prophetic traditions (Hadith) connect this page to vital spiritual themes: the danger of relying on material possessions, the formula for protecting oneself from the evil eye, and the definitive Islamic mindset regarding the brevity of this life.

1. The Arrogance of the Garden Owner (Verses 35–38)

"And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, 'I do not think that this will ever perish. And I do not think the Hour will occur...'" — Surah Al-Kahf 18:35-36

The rich man conflated worldly success with divine favor, assuming his wealth would last forever. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ routinely warned his followers that the greatest trial (Fitnah) for the Muslim nation would be this exact infatuation with wealth.

• The Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: "Verily, every nation has a trial, and the trial of my nation is wealth."

• Source: Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Book 36, Hadith 2336; graded Sahih (authentic) by Al-Albani.

2. The Sunnah Remedy for Admiration: Saying "Mashallah" (Verse 39)

"And why did you not, when you entered your garden, say, 'What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah' (Masha'Allahu la quwwata illa billah)..." — Surah Al-Kahf 18:39

This verse provides the definitive Quranic and Sunnah blueprint for a person when they see something they own or admire, acting as a spiritual shield against arrogance and the destructive effects of the Evil Eye (Al-Ayn).

A. Protecting Blessings via Tabrik (Blessing)

The poorer, righteous companion corrected the rich man, telling him he should have attributed his beautiful garden to Allah's will rather than his own skill. The Sunnah heavily emphasizes this practice.

• The Hadith: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "If one of you sees something in himself, or his wealth, or his brother that he admires, let him pray for a blessing upon it, for the evil eye is real."

• Source: Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 15700) and Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith 3509); authenticated by Al-Albani.

B. The Virtue of Saying "La Hawla wa la Quwwata illa Billah"

The phrasing recommended in Verse 39 ("There is no power except in Allah") was highlighted by the Prophet ﷺ as one of the most powerful phrases a believer can utter.

• The Hadith: Abu Musa al-Ash'ari narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said to him: "Shall I not guide you to a word which is one of the treasures of Paradise?" I said, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!" He said: "'La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah' (There is no change of condition nor power except by Allah)."

• Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 64, Hadith 4205; Sahih Muslim, Book 48, Hadith 57.

3. The Sudden Destruction of the Wealth (Verses 40–42)

"...And his fruits were encompassed [by ruin], so he began to turn his hands about [in dismay] over what he had spent on it, while it had collapsed upon its trellises..." — Surah Al-Kahf 18:42

The phrase "turn his hands about" denotes extreme regret and grief. The Prophet ﷺ described the absolute despair of people on the Day of Judgment or at the end of their lives when they realize they traded their eternal soul for worldly assets that vanished overnight.

• The Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: "The worldly life is sweet and green, and verily Allah is making you succeeding generations in it so that He may see how you act. So beware of the world and beware of women."

• Source: Sahih Muslim, Book 49, Hadith 33.

4. Parable of the Temporary World (Verse 45)

"And present to them the example of the worldly life: [it is] like water which We send down from the sky, then the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds..." — Surah Al-Kahf 18:45

This majestic verse scales up the lesson of the ruined garden to encompass the entire planet. The Prophet ﷺ frequently used similar botanical imagery in his Sunnah to keep his Companions grounded.

• The Hadith: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "The parable of this world compared to the Hereafter is only like one of you dipping his finger into the ocean; let him see what he brings out."

• Source: Sahih Muslim, Book 53, Hadith 33.

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari.

• Al-Muslim, I. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim.

• At-Tirmidhi, M. I. (n.d.). Jami' at-Tirmidhi.

• Ibn Majah, M. (n.d.). Sunan Ibn Majah.

• Ibn Kathir, I. (2000). Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim (Vol. 5). Dar Thiba.

 (Note: "n.d." denotes classical texts where modern standardized publication years vary across publishers, cited instead by their universally recognized book and Hadith numbers).