Preface
Surah Al-Kahf, like a radiant jewel among the chapters of the Noble Quran, with its instructive narratives and insightful verses, serves as a guide for humanity on the path of monotheism, cooperation, and devotion towards the Lord. This Surah, through stories such as the Companions of the Cave and the dam-building by Dhul-Qarnayn, invites humankind to contemplate divine power, the necessity of social collaboration, and the significance of supplication during specific times. Moreover, the concept of turning away from the divine verses acts as a mirror, warning that turning ones back on the truth leads to misguidance and constriction in life. This treatise, by deeply analysing verses 20, 21, 27, and 92 to 96 of Surah Al-Kahf, elucidates key notions such as iron, turning away, cooperation, and supplication and devotion. The aim is to present these insights in a fluent and orderly manner so that, like a pure spring, they quench the spirit and soul of the reader.
Verses 92 to 96 of Surah Al-Kahf portray a remarkable account of Dhul-Qarnayns dam construction, which is not only a symbol of power and resilience but also emphasises the importance of collective cooperation in societal reform. These verses, like a guiding lamp, illuminate the path to understanding the role of material tools and collaboration in fulfilling divine objectives.
آتُونِي زُبَرَ الْحَدِيدِ ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا سَاوَىٰ بَيْنَ الصَّدَفَيْنِ قَالَ انْفُخُوا ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَعَلَهُ نَارًا قَالَ آتُونِي أُفْرِغْ عَلَيْهِ قِطْرًا
Bring me pieces of iron until, when he had levelled [them] between the two mountain walls, he said, Blow [with bellows]; until when he had made it [like] fire, he said, Bring me, that I may pour over it molten copper.
The term zubur al-hadid refers to large, rigid pieces of iron used in the dam-building process. These verses meticulously describe the technical stages of the dam's construction: gathering substantial iron blocks and placing them between two mountains, then melting them by blowing fire and adding molten copper to enhance the final strength. This process not only indicates Dhul-Qarnayns knowledge and expertise but also underscores the necessity of the communitys cooperation with him. Despite his authority and power, Dhul-Qarnayn was incapable of accomplishing this feat alone and thus implored the people:
In the Noble Quran, hadid (iron) signifies not only the metal itself but also symbolizes hardness, strength, and sharpness. In Surah Al-Hadid, verse 25 states:
وَأَنْزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ
And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might.
This verse introduces iron as a tool of power and defence, regarded alongside stone (hijarah) as one of the hardest natural elements. Likewise, in Surah Qaf, verse 12, it is said:
قُلْ كُونُوا حِجَارَةً أَوْ حَدِيدًا
Say: Be stones or iron.
The sequence, first stone and then iron, implies the superiority of irons hardness over stone. Dhul-Qarnayn, by utilising this hard material and cooperating with his people, constructed a firm dam that impeded the corruption of Yajuj and Majuj. This narrative acts as a mirror, illustrating that prophets sometimes employed the knowledge and technology of their era to reform society.
The verses concerning Dhul-Qarnayns dam, like a bright torch, stress the necessity of cooperation in societal reform. The hadid functions as a steadfast core in this process, symbolising power and resilience. These verses teach humanity that to achieve great objectives, collective cooperation and utilisation of material tools are indispensable. Religious knowledge must promote just systems that strengthen such cooperation so that society is steered toward justice and righteousness.
Verse 20 of Surah Al-Kahf serves as a stern warning, highlighting the steadfastness of the Companions of the Cave in monotheism and their distancing from the idolatrous practices of their people:
إِنَّهُمْ إِنْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَيْكُمْ يَرْجُمُوكُمْ أَوْ يُعِيدُوكُمْ فِي مِلَّتِهِمْ وَلَنْ تُفْلِحُوا إِذًا أَبَدًا
Indeed, if they come to know of you, they will stone you or return you to their religion, and then you will never succeed.
The Companions of the Cave, like stars shining in darkness, preserved their faith by turning away from disbelief and seeking refuge in the cave. This verse reflects the social pressure and the peril of reverting to disbelief, which can deprive one of salvation.
Turning away from divine verses acts as a barrier against guidance, preventing the acceptance of truth. In verse 57 of Surah Al-Kahf, it is stated:
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ ذُكِّرَ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا وَنَسِيَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ
And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord but turns away from them and forgets what his hands have put forth?
This verse presents turning away as a grave injustice against oneself, which results in a constricted livelihood (mashah in). The Noble Quran instructs the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) eleven times to turn away from polytheists and ignorants:
فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ
So turn away from them.
This directive, like a soothing breeze, invites the Prophet to patience and avoidance of conflict with the ignorant. Instead of compulsion and confrontation, guidance should be delivered with wisdom and good admonition.
Turning away from divine verses casts a heavy shadow, depriving humans of the light of guidance. The Companions of the Cave, by distancing themselves from disbelief, demonstrated a strong example