1 · The parable of two men
Allah gives the example of two men: one rich but arrogant and ungrateful, the other of lesser means but firm in faith. One man was given two gardens of grapevines, bordered by date palms, with crops between them and a river flowing through.
2 · The arrogance of the owner
Proud of his wealth and many followers, he boasted to his believing companion: "I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in men." Entering his garden, he wronged himself with three claims of denial:
- "I do not think this will ever perish."
- "I do not think the Hour will occur."
- "Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will surely find something better than this."
3 · The believer's reply
His companion reminded him of his lowly origin and warned against ingratitude and shirk:
He taught him what he should have said on entering his garden:
4 · The destruction
Allah's judgement came swiftly: the gardens were destroyed and their water sank away beyond reach. The man was left wringing his hands in regret over all he had spent, wishing he had never set up any partner with his Lord. He had no group to help him against Allah.
5 · Lessons
- Gratitude vs. ingratitude — every blessing is from Allah; crediting it to oneself invites ruin.
- Arrogance & reliance on wealth are dangerous — the dunyā is temporary and can vanish in an instant.
- Tawḥīd — the believer attributes everything to Allah and associates no partner with Him.
- Say "Mā shā' Allāh, lā quwwata illā billāh" when you see something pleasing.
- Denying the Hereafter and trusting only the dunyā leads to loss in both worlds.
The two men
| The rich man | His companion |
|---|---|
| Two gardens, river, much wealth & followers | Less wealth, but firm in faith |
| Arrogant, ungrateful, denies the Hour | Grateful, warns him, affirms tawḥīd |
| Loses everything | Holds to "Mā shā' Allāh, lā quwwata illā billāh" |
His three boasts
| # | Boast |
|---|---|
| 1 | This garden will never perish |
| 2 | The Hour will never come |
| 3 | Even if returned to my Lord, I'll find something better |
Key āyāt
| Reference | Point |
|---|---|
| al-Kahf 18:37–38 | "Have you disbelieved in He who created you from dust…?" — tawḥīd |
| al-Kahf 18:39 | "Mā shā' Allāh, lā quwwata illā billāh" — what he should have said |
| al-Kahf 18:42 | "I wish I had not associated anyone with my Lord" — regret after ruin |
| al-Kahf 18:44 | "The authority is for Allah… best in reward and outcome" |
Lessons
| Lesson |
|---|
| Gratitude vs. ingratitude for blessings |
| Danger of arrogance & reliance on wealth |
| Tawḥīd — associate no partner with Allah |
| Say "Mā shā' Allāh, lā quwwata illā billāh" |
| The dunyā is temporary; don't deny the Hereafter |