Surah Al-Kahf, Chapter 18
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful
Verses 1 – 12
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ الْكِتَابَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ عِوَجًاۜ
{1}
1. Praise be to God, Who revealed the Text fair and straight to His creature, wherein, He did not leave any drawback
قَيِّمًا لِيُنْذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِنْ لَدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا {2}
2. with which to warn of an intense punishment from Him, giving tidings to the faithful who act righteously of a food reward (Paradise)
مَاكِثِينَ فِيهِ أَبَدًا {3}
3. wherein shall they ever reside
وَيُنْذِرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ وَلَدًا {4}
4. and to warn infidel Quraish, for their statement
who attribute an issue to God.
مَا لَهُمْ بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ وَلَا لِآبَائِهِمْۚ
كَبُرَتْ كَلِمَةً تَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَفْوَاهِهِمْۚ
إِنْ يَقُولُونَ إِلَّا كَذِبًا {5}
5. Neither have they any knowledge, nor their forefathers: a serious statement issuing out of their mouth, which is an absolute lie.
فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَفْسَكَ عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِمْ إِنْ لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِهَٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا {6}
6. Are you, oh Prophet, going to give up your life in grief if they are not going to put faith in this Glorious Qur’an?
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا {7}
7. Verily have We adorned everything on Earth (which is frail) to try who acts amongst you righteously (for Eternity).
وَإِنَّا لَجَاعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا {8}
8. And certainly, shall We, whatever it is on it, render a barren ground.
أَمْ حَسِبْتَ أَنَّ أَصْحَابَ الْكَهْفِ وَالرَّقِيمِ كَانُوا مِنْ آيَاتِنَا عَجَبًا {9}
9. Do you think that sleepers in the cave, and the plates were Our major signs?
إِذْ أَوَى الْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى الْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا {10}
10. When these faithful men were going to the cave, they prayed, “Oh our Providence, endow on us, out of Thy mercy, and grant us source of our guidance.”
فَضَرَبْنَا عَلَىٰ آذَانِهِمْ فِي الْكَهْفِ سِنِينَ عَدَدًا {11}
11. We struck on their ears, whereby they could not hear (i.e. made them sleep) in the cave for a definite period.
ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَاهُمْ لِنَعْلَمَ أَيُّ الْحِزْبَيْنِ أَحْصَىٰ لِمَا لَبِثُوا أَمَدًا {12}
12. Then We raised them to find out which amongst the two different groups (faithful and the faithless) had arrived at the correct period of their stay therein.
Moral
Worldly adornments are frail and contribute a test.
Verses 13 – 17
نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ نَبَأَهُمْ بِالْحَقِّۚ
إِنَّهُمْ فِتْيَةٌ آمَنُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ وَزِدْنَاهُمْ هُدًى {13}
13. We are going to relate their history correctly. They were such a group of men, who had believed in their Providence and We befitted them to remain steady in their faith.
وَرَبَطْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ إِذْ قَامُوا فَقَالُوا رَبُّنَا رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَنْ نَدْعُوَ مِنْ دُونِهِ إِلَٰهًاۖ
لَقَدْ قُلْنَا إِذًا شَطَطًا {14}
14. And confirmed their belief, in their hearts, when they firmly asserted their Providence is the Creator of the Heavens and Earth (when they found themselves out of danger). Until then, they safeguarded themselves by an apparent association, on getting an opportunity, they said, “We shall never call any other Providence, from hence, and in case of such a statement, we shall be liable.”
هَٰؤُلَاءِ قَوْمُنَا اتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِهِ آلِهَةًۖ
لَوْلَا يَأْتُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِسُلْطَانٍ بَيِّنٍۖ
فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا {15}
15. This tribe of Ours, barring God, has adopted many gods. Why did they not, in defence thereof, produce any argument? Who can be a greater tyrant than one falsifying God?
وَإِذِ اعْتَزَلْتُمُوهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ فَأْوُوا إِلَى الْكَهْفِ يَنْشُرْ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُمْ مِنْ رَحْمَتِهِ وَيُهَيِّئْ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِكُمْ مِرْفَقًا {16}
16. Now when you are out of danger from them, do not pray sincerely any except God. Let us go across (the country), our Providence, out of His Grace, shall extend it and devise means to facilitate our affairs.
وَتَرَى الشَّمْسَ إِذَا طَلَعَتْ تَزَاوَرُ عَنْ كَهْفِهِمْ ذَاتَ الْيَمِينِ وَإِذَا غَرَبَتْ تَقْرِضُهُمْ ذَاتَ الشِّمَالِ وَهُمْ فِي فَجْوَةٍ مِنْهُۚ
ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِۗ
مَنْ يَهْدِ اللَّهُ فَهُوَ الْمُهْتَدِۖ
وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَهُ وَلِيًّا مُرْشِدًا {17}
17. You will the sun rising a little to their right and when it sets, it passes to their left and they are lying in a ventilable space, which is one of the Divine signs. Whom God guides is guided, and admitted to Paradise, and whomever He forsakes, you do not find for him any sympathizer (a) or guide.
Moral
17 (a) Sympathizer means intercessor on sin and he can be an intercessor, who is a Divine Light, and of approaching piety he alone is entitled to intercession, who follows the Divine Light. This establishes the Shia’s claim in which they alone shall be entitled to intercession for following Divine Light.
Verses 18 – 22
وَتَحْسَبُهُمْ أَيْقَاظًا وَهُمْ رُقُودٌۚ
وَنُقَلِّبُهُمْ ذَاتَ الْيَمِينِ وَذَاتَ الشِّمَالِۖ
وَكَلْبُهُمْ بَاسِطٌ ذِرَاعَيْهِ بِالْوَصِيدِۚ
لَوِ اطَّلَعْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَوَلَّيْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِرَارًا وَلَمُلِئْتَ مِنْهُمْ رُعْبًا {18}
18. You will deem them awake, although they are asleep, and We are turning them to the right and to the left and their dog, lying on the threshold, has spread his front legs. If you happen to see them, you will take to your heels, turning away from them being frightened about their surroundings.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ بَعَثْنَاهُمْ لِيَتَسَاءَلُوا بَيْنَهُمْۚ
قَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنْهُمْ كَمْ لَبِثْتُمْۖ
قَالُوا لَبِثْنَا يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍۚ
قَالُوا رَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثْتُمْ فَابْعَثُوا أَحَدَكُمْ بِوَرِقِكُمْ هَٰذِهِ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ أَيُّهَا أَزْكَىٰ طَعَامًا فَلْيَأْتِكُمْ بِرِزْقٍ مِنْهُ وَلْيَتَلَطَّفْ وَلَا يُشْعِرَنَّ بِكُمْ أَحَدًا {19}
19. And so We raised them, then they began to discourse among themselves. One of them asked, “How long did you stay here?” One of them said, “A day or a part of it.” They said, “Your Providence knows better on your stay. Better go, one of you with a coin to town and see what pure food is available to bring for us to eat, but should not speak anything more or inform any of them about our stay here.
إِنَّهُمْ إِنْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَيْكُمْ يَرْجُمُوكُمْ أَوْ يُعِيدُوكُمْ فِي مِلَّتِهِمْ وَلَنْ تُفْلِحُوا إِذًا أَبَدًا {20}
20. “IF they overpower you, they will stone you to death or force you to revert to their faith, they you will never attain salvation.”
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّ السَّاعَةَ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهَا إِذْ يَتَنَازَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْۖ
فَقَالُوا ابْنُوا عَلَيْهِمْ بُنْيَانًاۖ
رَبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْۚ
قَالَ الَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا عَلَىٰ أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ مَسْجِدًا {21}
21. And thus We acquainted the people of the State, so they may be convinced of the Truth of Divine Promise and the Reckoning Day is bound to follow wherein there is no doubt when they were litigating among themselves about them (as to their actual faith), the decided to raise a monument over there, leaving to their providence about their actual tenets. Who knows better about them, and those, who had the power in their hands said, “They would build a mosque over there.
سَيَقُولُونَ ثَلَاثَةٌ رَابِعُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ خَمْسَةٌ سَادِسُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ رَجْمًا بِالْغَيْبِۖ
وَيَقُولُونَ سَبْعَةٌ وَثَامِنُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْۚ
قُلْ رَبِّي أَعْلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِمْ مَا يَعْلَمُهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌۗ
فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيهِمْ إِلَّا مِرَاءً ظَاهِرًا وَلَا تَسْتَفْتِ فِيهِمْ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدًا {22}
22. Shortly will they guess them to be three with fourth as their dog. Others say five with the sixth as their dog. Talking at random and others, saying seven and eighth is their dog. Say, “My Providence is better acquainted with the actual number.” Nobody knows except a few. You had better not dispute about them
except what is revealed unto you and do not ask any of them in this connection.
Religious Moral
These are the seven sleepers, whom with 14 of Moses’ sect and Joshua bin noon, successor of Moses, Salman, Mikdad, Abu Dajana, Ansari, and Malik Ushter, will be raised as assistants to the 14 Divine Light, on his emergence, from behind the holy sanctuary of Ka‘ba.
Verses 23 – 31
وَلَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَيْءٍ إِنِّي فَاعِلٌ ذَٰلِكَ غَدًا {23}
23. And never say, “I shall do tomorrow anything,” unless under condition of Divine Will.
إِلَّا أَنْ يَشَاءَ اللَّهُۚ
وَاذْكُرْ رَبَّكَ إِذَا نَسِيتَ وَقُلْ عَسَىٰ أَنْ يَهْدِيَنِ رَبِّي لِأَقْرَبَ مِنْ هَٰذَا رَشَدًا {24}
24. And remember your Providence (by laying a condition on recollection) when once you have forgotten to say so, and say, “Shall God grant me superior signs than relating this history, in confirmation of being a genuine Prophet.”
وَلَبِثُوا فِي كَهْفِهِمْ ثَلَاثَ مِائَةٍ سِنِينَ وَازْدَادُوا تِسْعًا {25}
25. They say, “They lived in the caves for 309 years.”
قُلِ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثُواۖ
لَهُ غَيْبُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِۖ
أَبْصِرْ بِهِ وَأَسْمِعْۚ
مَا لَهُمْ مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنْ وَلِيٍّ وَلَا يُشْرِكُ فِي حُكْمِهِ أَحَدًا {26}
26. Say, “God knows better how long they stayed. With Him is the secret of the Heavens and the Earth. What a mighty Seer and a mighty Hearer is He.” Barring Him there is none for them as Lord and He does not participate with self, anyone, in His commands.
وَاتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ كِتَابِ رَبِّكَۖ
لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَلَنْ تَجِدَ مِنْ دُونِهِ مُلْتَحَدًا {27}
27. Read out to them what is revealed unto you from your Providence of the Text. There is none to contradict or face Commands and you shall never find anyone, barring Him, any refuge against Him.
وَاصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ بِالْغَدَاةِ وَالْعَشِيِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُۖ
وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَاۖ
وَلَا تُطِعْ مَنْ أَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهُ عَنْ ذِكْرِنَا وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ وَكَانَ أَمْرُهُ فُرُطًا {28}
28. And bear patiently with those who pray to their Providence day and night and are desirous of seeking His Will and do not turn them out from you with a view to seeking worldly adornment and do not follow passion and their affairs have transgressed.
وَقُلِ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْۖ
فَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِنْ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْۚ
إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَاۚ
وَإِنْ يَسْتَغِيثُوا يُغَاثُوا بِمَاءٍ كَالْمُهْلِ يَشْوِي الْوُجُوهَۚ
بِئْسَ الشَّرَابُ وَسَاءَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا {29}
29. Say, “Truth
has come to you from your Providence. He, who may like, put faith in it and he who dislikes, may disbelieve it.” Verily have We prepared fire of Hell for the tyrants, curtains whereof shall envelope them, and if they complain of thirst, they will be given molten copper instead of water, which will fry up their face. What an awful drink it is and what an awful abode to live in.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ مَنْ أَحْسَنَ عَمَلًا {30}
30. Verily those who have put faith and acted righteously, certainly shall We not void the reward of their virtuous deeds.
أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهِمُ الْأَنْهَارُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِنْ سُنْدُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا عَلَى الْأَرَائِكِۚ
نِعْمَ الثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا {31}
31. These are the people for whom are paradises of highest grades, below which flow streams and who will be ornamented with gold necklaces and dressed in green sarcenet velvet silk suits, seated on sofas, with pillows behind. What a happy reward and a fine place to stay in.
Moral
Divine lights dare not alter Divine cult, how can earthly born creatures act otherwise.
Verses 32 – 44
وَاضْرِبْ لَهُمْ مَثَلًا رَجُلَيْنِ جَعَلْنَا لِأَحَدِهِمَا جَنَّتَيْنِ مِنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَحَفَفْنَاهُمَا بِنَخْلٍ وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمَا زَرْعًا {32}
32. Relate to them history of those two men, for one of whom We had arrayed two gardens of grapes and surround them the date trees and in the middle had arranged fields as well.
كِلْتَا الْجَنَّتَيْنِ آتَتْ أُكُلَهَا وَلَمْ تَظْلِمْ مِنْهُ شَيْئًاۚ
وَفَجَّرْنَا خِلَالَهُمَا نَهَرًا {33}
33. These two gardens used to yield abundant fruits, without causing any loss and in between these two gardens, We had run a stream as well.
وَكَانَ لَهُ ثَمَرٌ فَقَالَ لِصَاحِبِهِ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُ أَنَا أَكْثَرُ مِنْكَ مَالًا وَأَعَزُّ نَفَرًا {34}
34. He had a lot of property as well, and in conversation with his neighbour, prided he was superior to him from both points of view of property and family.
وَدَخَلَ جَنَّتَهُ وَهُوَ ظَالِمٌ لِنَفْسِهِ قَالَ مَا أَظُنُّ أَنْ تَبِيدَ هَٰذِهِ أَبَدًا {35}
35. And he reached his garden in such a manner in which he was ungrateful and ruining himself (thereby), and said, “I never imagine these gardens would ever be destroyed.
وَمَا أَظُنُّ السَّاعَةَ قَائِمَةً وَلَئِنْ رُدِدْتُ إِلَىٰ رَبِّي لَأَجِدَنَّ خَيْرًا مِنْهَا مُنْقَلَبًا {36}
36. “Nor do I think it will ever be Judgment Day come into being and even if I were to revert to my Providence, I shall be better posted than my present state in this world.”
قَالَ لَهُ صَاحِبُهُ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُ أَكَفَرْتَ بِالَّذِي خَلَقَكَ مِنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ سَوَّاكَ رَجُلًا {37}
37. When his companion, in reply said, “What, do you deny His existence Who created you out of Earth then through sperm, then turned you out into a good looking man?
لَٰكِنَّا هُوَ اللَّهُ رَبِّي وَلَا أُشْرِكُ بِرَبِّي أَحَدًا {38}
38. “As regards to me, my God is my Providence with Whom I do not associate any.
وَلَوْلَا إِذْ دَخَلْتَ جَنَّتَكَ قُلْتَ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِۚ
إِنْ تَرَنِ أَنَا أَقَلَّ مِنْكَ مَالًا وَوَلَدًا {39}
39. “And why did you not say while entering your garden, ‘What God willed would happen,’ as per Divine decree, which none has power to change except God, though I am compared with your property and family, quite inferior to you.
فَعَسَىٰ رَبِّي أَنْ يُؤْتِيَنِ خَيْرًا مِنْ جَنَّتِكَ وَيُرْسِلَ عَلَيْهَا حُسْبَانًا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَتُصْبِحَ صَعِيدًا زَلَقًا {40}
40. “My Providence, in future, may endow on me a better garden than yours and can cast from the heavens, on your garden, a catastrophe, converting it into level barren plot.
أَوْ يُصْبِحَ مَاؤُهَا غَوْرًا فَلَنْ تَسْتَطِيعَ لَهُ طَلَبًا {41}
41. “Or waters of channels of your garden may do down so deep as to render you unable to draw them.”
وَأُحِيطَ بِثَمَرِهِ فَأَصْبَحَ يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّيْهِ عَلَىٰ مَا أَنْفَقَ فِيهَا وَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَيَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي لَمْ أُشْرِكْ بِرَبِّي أَحَدًا {42}
42. So, fire from heaven poured down rendering him penitent for the loss he sustained. The grape-creepers fell down and he went on Crying, “Would I had not associated any with my Providence.”
وَلَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُ فِئَةٌ يَنْصُرُونَهُ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مُنْتَصِرًا {43}
43. There is none to help me except God and none could stop the Divine catastrophe.
هُنَالِكَ الْوَلَايَةُ لِلَّهِ الْحَقِّۚ
هُوَ خَيْرٌ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ عُقْبًا {44}
44. On Dooms day, sole sovereignty will be of God alone, Who, by virtue of rewarding and appreciating His creatures obedience, is much to be desired.
Moral
Ingratitude calls for Divine Wrath. Be ever grateful to Him. No amount spent on welfare of the State will counter-act Divine Disasters consequent on countenancing false tenets, e.g. Divine Incarnations and Cults having no religious sanction.
Verses 45 – 49
وَاضْرِبْ لَهُمْ مَثَلَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا كَمَاءٍ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهِ نَبَاتُ الْأَرْضِ فَأَصْبَحَ هَشِيمًا تَذْرُوهُ الرِّيَاحُۗ
وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُقْتَدِرًا {45}
45. Exemplify worldly life is like water which We pour down from the clouds with which gets mixed with vegetation and sod, and on withdrawal thereof dries up to powder and is carried away by wind, and God is Omnipotent over all.
الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَاۖ
وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا {46}
46. Property and children are adornment of the world, whereas permanent virtues
and superior near your Providence, both from the point of view of reward and hope
وَيَوْمَ نُسَيِّرُ الْجِبَالَ وَتَرَى الْأَرْضَ بَارِزَةً وَحَشَرْنَاهُمْ فَلَمْ نُغَادِرْ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدًا {47}
47. And the day We shall move mountains, and you will see the soil exposed, and We shall so assemble you all. We shall leave nobody.
وَعُرِضُوا عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ صَفًّا لَقَدْ جِئْتُمُونَا كَمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۚ
بَلْ زَعَمْتُمْ أَلَّنْ نَجْعَلَ لَكُمْ مَوْعِدًا {48}
48. And they will be produced, before your Providence, duly arrayed
and then will be addressed, “You have come to Us as We created you first. Rather, you were under the impression We had not fixed any period for your reversion to Us.”
وَوُضِعَ الْكِتَابُ فَتَرَى الْمُجْرِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا فِيهِ وَيَقُولُونَ يَا وَيْلَتَنَا مَالِ هَٰذَا الْكِتَابِ لَا يُغَادِرُ صَغِيرَةً وَلَا كَبِيرَةً إِلَّا أَحْصَاهَاۚ
وَوَجَدُوا مَا عَمِلُوا حَاضِرًاۗ
وَلَا يَظْلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدًا {49}
49. And deed charts will be produced when “Oh you sinful” trembling at what is recorded therein, shall say, “Woe to us, what sort of chart is this? It has neither omitted a trifling thing nor a major one without recording it.” In short, they will find what they had committed and your Providence will not ill-treat anyone.
Moral
Transitory nature of worldly material prosperity is exemplified in vegetation allegorically subject to decay, against religious morals and not morality apart from religion, which is another name for sin in decency, admitting of folk dances, and like amusements, whereby social reaction has started in social conscience foreboding coming disasters, unless religiously guarded.
Verses 50 – 53
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِۗ
أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِنْ دُونِي وَهُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۚ
بِئْسَ لِلظَّالِمِينَ بَدَلًا {50}
50. Recall when We commanded angels to prostrate before Adam, they followed except (self-willed) Satan. He was of a sect of spirits. He disobeyed the commands of his Providence. “What, are you going to take him and his family, friends, barring Me although they (devils) are you enemies.” Bad is the reward for the disobedient.
مَا أَشْهَدْتُهُمْ خَلْقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَا خَلْقَ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَمَا كُنْتُ مُتَّخِذَ الْمُضِلِّينَ عَضُدًا {51}
51. I did not make them a witness, during creation of the heavens and Earth
, ad I did not make the misguided to reinforce Islam.
وَيَوْمَ يَقُولُ نَادُوا شُرَكَائِيَ الَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُمْ فَدَعَوْهُمْ فَلَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا لَهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ مَوْبِقًا {52}
52. And on this day, God shall Command, “Call your associates of Mine, as peer your views. they will call them, when they will give no reply to them and We shall throw across them a distinctive bar.
وَرَأَى الْمُجْرِمُونَ النَّارَ فَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ مُوَاقِعُوهَا وَلَمْ يَجِدُوا عَنْهَا مَصْرِفًا {53}
53. And the criminals shall see fire of hell and be sure of being hurled into it and shall not find any escape therefrom.
Religious Moral
Self-will on self-opinion disregards Divine Commands resulting in condemnation of Hell.
Verses 54 – 59
وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا فِي هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ لِلنَّاسِ مِنْ كُلِّ مَثَلٍۚ
وَكَانَ الْإِنْسَانُ أَكْثَرَ شَيْءٍ جَدَلًا {54}
54. And verily We, for the benefit of man, have frequently given varying examples but he is highly litigating in almost every affair.
وَمَا مَنَعَ النَّاسَ أَنْ يُؤْمِنُوا إِذْ جَاءَهُمُ الْهُدَىٰ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّهُمْ إِلَّا أَنْ تَأْتِيَهُمْ سُنَّةُ الْأَوَّلِينَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ الْعَذَابُ قُبُلًا {55}
55. When guidance from believing in him and praying forgiveness of their Providence, except the devastating law of the preceding generations should be exercised or the punishment should stare in their faces.
وَمَا نُرْسِلُ الْمُرْسَلِينَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنْذِرِينَۚ
وَيُجَادِلُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِالْبَاطِلِ لِيُدْحِضُوا بِهِ الْحَقَّۖ
وَاتَّخَذُوا آيَاتِي وَمَا أُنْذِرُوا هُزُوًا {56}
56. We do not send Prophets but as Evangelists and Warners, and the infidels dispute, on false grounds, to overpower Truth, and they ridicule My Commands with which they are threatened.
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ ذُكِّرَ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا وَنَسِيَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُۚ
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَنْ يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًاۖ
وَإِنْ تَدْعُهُمْ إِلَى الْهُدَىٰ فَلَنْ يَهْتَدُوا إِذًا أَبَدًا {57}
57. And who can be a greater tyrant than one who is being advised with Divine Couplets, he turns away therefrom, and forgets what his hand has perpetrated. Verily have We thrown curtains across their hearts so they do not understand, and made heavy their ears, and if you invite them to guidance, they will never submit to guidance.
وَرَبُّكَ الْغَفُورُ ذُو الرَّحْمَةِۖ
لَوْ يُؤَاخِذُهُمْ بِمَا كَسَبُوا لَعَجَّلَ لَهُمُ الْعَذَابَۚ
بَلْ لَهُمْ مَوْعِدٌ لَنْ يَجِدُوا مِنْ دُونِهِ مَوْئِلًا {58}
58. And your Providence is Mighty at forgiving and Merciful. Had He seized them for their deeds, He would have punished them soon. Rather, for them is a stipulated period as a result of the Test, until (Day of Judgment) whence they will not find any source.
وَتِلْكَ الْقُرَىٰ أَهْلَكْنَاهُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوا وَجَعَلْنَا لِمَهْلِكِهِمْ مَوْعِدًا {59}
59. And these towns, whenever their residents sinned, We destroyed all and We have fixed a period for their condemnation to hell.
Religious Moral
Penance, based on Scrutinizing self-acts regularly a great source of salvation.
Verses 60 – 70
وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَاهُ لَا أَبْرَحُ حَتَّىٰ أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِيَ حُقُبًا {60}
60. Recall when Moses told his companion Joshua bin Noon, “I shall not return until I reach the confluence of the two seas or go on proceeding for years.”
فَلَمَّا بَلَغَا مَجْمَعَ بَيْنِهِمَا نَسِيَا حُوتَهُمَا فَاتَّخَذَ سَبِيلَهُ فِي الْبَحْرِ سَرَبًا {61}
61. When they reached the confluence of the two seas they forgot their salted fish
,
فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَا قَالَ لِفَتَاهُ آتِنَا غَدَاءَنَا لَقَدْ لَقِينَا مِنْ سَفَرِنَا هَٰذَا نَصَبًا {62}
62. when he went ahead, Moses told his companion to bring their meals, as they were tied with fatigue by travelling.
قَالَ أَرَأَيْتَ إِذْ أَوَيْنَا إِلَى الصَّخْرَةِ فَإِنِّي نَسِيتُ الْحُوتَ وَمَا أَنْسَانِيهُ إِلَّا الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ أَذْكُرَهُۚ
وَاتَّخَذَ سَبِيلَهُ فِي الْبَحْرِ عَجَبًا {63}
63. Joshua said, Did you notice, when we reached the rock of the confluence, I forgot to take up the fish and it was the devil who made me forget it in which I should have kept in view and strangely it found its way to the sea.”
قَالَ ذَٰلِكَ مَا كُنَّا نَبْغِۚ
فَارْتَدَّا عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِمَا قَصَصًا {64}
64. Moses said, “That was the place we were in search of.” They went back tracing their footprints
فَوَجَدَا عَبْدًا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا آتَيْنَاهُ رَحْمَةً مِنْ عِنْدِنَا وَعَلَّمْنَاهُ مِنْ لَدُنَّا عِلْمًا {65}
65. where they found a devotee of Our devotees on whom We had endowed grace from Us and granted him Divine Knowledge from Us.
قَالَ لَهُ مُوسَىٰ هَلْ أَتَّبِعُكَ عَلَىٰ أَنْ تُعَلِّمَنِ مِمَّا عُلِّمْتَ رُشْدًا {66}
66. Moses requested from him “May I follow you to pick up (a part of) of the knowledge endowed on you?”
قَالَ إِنَّكَ لَنْ تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبْرًا {67}
67. Khizar said, “You will not be able to bear patience with me [because you decide on evident affairs].”
وَكَيْفَ تَصْبِرُ عَلَىٰ مَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ خُبْرًا {68}
68. “And how can you bear patience (on affairs) about which you are not informed.”
قَالَ سَتَجِدُنِي إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ صَابِرًا وَلَا أَعْصِي لَكَ أَمْرًا {69}
69. Moses said, “If God willed, you will find me patient and I shall not disobey you therein.
”
قَالَ فَإِنِ اتَّبَعْتَنِي فَلَا تَسْأَلْنِي عَنْ شَيْءٍ حَتَّىٰ أُحْدِثَ لَكَ مِنْهُ ذِكْرًا {70}
70. (Khizar) said, “If you want to accompany me, do not ask me anything unless I myself relate to you thereabout.”
Moral
Made bodily expressive.
Verses 75 – 82
فَانْطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا رَكِبَا فِي السَّفِينَةِ خَرَقَهَاۖ
قَالَ أَخَرَقْتَهَا لِتُغْرِقَ أَهْلَهَا لَقَدْ جِئْتَ شَيْئًا إِمْرًا {71}
71. Both of them started until they arrived at a boat, when Khizar bored a hole therein. Moses said, “Did you bore a hole with a view to drowning the inmates thereof? Verily this is an offensive act.”
قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُلْ إِنَّكَ لَنْ تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبْرًا {72}
72. Khizar said, “Did not I tell you, you will have no patience with me?”
قَالَ لَا تُؤَاخِذْنِي بِمَا نَسِيتُ وَلَا تُرْهِقْنِي مِنْ أَمْرِي عُسْرًا {73}
73. Moses said, “Pray do not hold me up for what I forgot and be not so strict in my affairs.”
فَانْطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا لَقِيَا غُلَامًا فَقَتَلَهُ قَالَ أَقَتَلْتَ نَفْسًا زَكِيَّةً بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ لَقَدْ جِئْتَ شَيْئًا نُكْرًا {74}
74. Then they proceeded until they came upon a boy whom Khizar killed. Moses said, “Did you kill an innocent boy without charge of murder. Verily you have behaved quite astonishingly.”
قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُلْ لَكَ إِنَّكَ لَنْ تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبْرًا {75}
75. Khizar said, “Did I not tell you, you will not have patience me?”
قَالَ إِنْ سَأَلْتُكَ عَنْ شَيْءٍ بَعْدَهَا فَلَا تُصَاحِبْنِيۖ
قَدْ بَلَغْتَ مِنْ لَدُنِّي عُذْرًا {76}
76. Moses said, “If after this, did I ask you, do not keep me in your company. I have pleaded enough excuses.
فَانْطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَتَيَا أَهْلَ قَرْيَةٍ اسْتَطْعَمَا أَهْلَهَا فَأَبَوْا أَنْ يُضَيِّفُوهُمَا فَوَجَدَا فِيهَا جِدَارًا يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَنْقَضَّ فَأَقَامَهُۖ
قَالَ لَوْ شِئْتَ لَاتَّخَذْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا {77}
77. They started, until they came to a village whom they asked to entertain them. They refused to do so. They came across a wall which was about to fail. When Khizar repaired it Moses said, “If you please, you can ask for wages (for your labour).”
قَالَ هَٰذَا فِرَاقُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنِكَۚ
سَأُنَبِّئُكَ بِتَأْوِيلِ مَا لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ عَلَيْهِ صَبْرًا {78}
78. Khizar said, “This is enough cause for our parting. I shall advise you on affairs on which you could not bear patiently.
أَمَّا السَّفِينَةُ فَكَانَتْ لِمَسَاكِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ فِي الْبَحْرِ فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَعِيبَهَا وَكَانَ وَرَاءَهُمْ مَلِكٌ يَأْخُذُ كُلَّ سَفِينَةٍ غَصْبًا {79}
79. “The boat belonged to the poor with which they earned livelihood (by rowing it). I thought of making it defective as onward was a king who was under force seizing every sound boat.
وَأَمَّا الْغُلَامُ فَكَانَ أَبَوَاهُ مُؤْمِنَيْنِ فَخَشِينَا أَنْ يُرْهِقَهُمَا طُغْيَانًا وَكُفْرًا {80}
80. “Regarding the boy I killed, he had faithful parents, so We were anxious the boy, due to transgression and infidelity may overpower them.
فَأَرَدْنَا أَنْ يُبْدِلَهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُ زَكَاةً وَأَقْرَبَ رُحْمًا {81}
81. “We decided to substitute him with a son, who may be granted to them by their Providence, faithful, kind in nature to them, too.
وَأَمَّا الْجِدَارُ فَكَانَ لِغُلَامَيْنِ يَتِيمَيْنِ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ وَكَانَ تَحْتَهُ كَنْزٌ لَهُمَا وَكَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَالِحًا فَأَرَادَ رَبُّكَ أَنْ يَبْلُغَا أَشُدَّهُمَا وَيَسْتَخْرِجَا كَنْزَهُمَا رَحْمَةً مِنْ رَبِّكَۚ
وَمَا فَعَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَمْرِيۚ
ذَٰلِكَ تَأْوِيلُ مَا لَمْ تَسْطِعْ عَلَيْهِ صَبْرًا {82}
82. “And the wall of the village belonged to two orphans underneath which were a treasure and the father of these two was a virtuous man. Your Providence decided, out of His Grace, they excavate it, on reaching maturity. I did not do it of my own accord. This is the reason of affairs on which you could not bear patience.”
Moral
Khizar takes responsibility of the action in (79), participates with Divinity in (80 and 81) and attributes to God in (82), God being absolutely pure of aggression.
Verses 83 – 101
وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنْ ذِي الْقَرْنَيْنِۖ
قُلْ سَأَتْلُو عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْهُ ذِكْرًا {83}
83. They ask about Alexander. Say, “I shall relate to you his history.”
إِنَّا مَكَّنَّا لَهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَآتَيْنَاهُ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ سَبَبًا {84}
84. Verily, We had endowed on him kingdom on Earth and simultaneously had We granted him cause for everything.
فَأَتْبَعَ سَبَبًا {85}
85. So he pursued one of them until he reached the horizon of the setting sun.
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ مَغْرِبَ الشَّمْسِ وَجَدَهَا تَغْرُبُ فِي عَيْنٍ حَمِئَةٍ وَوَجَدَ عِنْدَهَا قَوْمًاۗ
قُلْنَا يَا ذَا الْقَرْنَيْنِ إِمَّا أَنْ تُعَذِّبَ وَإِمَّا أَنْ تَتَّخِذَ فِيهِمْ حُسْنًا {86}
86. When he found it setting in the black bossy stream, where he found an infidel tribe (worshipping the sun) when We addressed him, “It is at your discretion to punish them or oblige them.”
قَالَ أَمَّا مَنْ ظَلَمَ فَسَوْفَ نُعَذِّبُهُ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِ فَيُعَذِّبُهُ عَذَابًا نُكْرًا {87}
87. Alexander said, “If anybody of you disobeyed me by worshipping the sun shall be punished.” When he reverted to his Providence, God shall punish him, too.
وَأَمَّا مَنْ آمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلَهُ جَزَاءً الْحُسْنَىٰۖ
وَسَنَقُولُ لَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِنَا يُسْرًا {88}
88. And he who embraced faith and acted righteously shall be rewarded and We shall moderate Our Commands accordingly with regard to him.
ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَ سَبَبًا {89}
89. Then he pursued another cause.
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ مَطْلِعَ الشَّمْسِ وَجَدَهَا تَطْلُعُ عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍ لَمْ نَجْعَلْ لَهُمْ مِنْ دُونِهَا سِتْرًا {90}
90. He reached the horizon of the rising sun, when he found a tribe who had no means to protect against the sun.
كَذَٰلِكَ وَقَدْ أَحَطْنَا بِمَا لَدَيْهِ خُبْرًا {91}
91. And certainly We were acquainted with whatever was under his control.
ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَ سَبَبًا {92}
92. Then he pursued another cause.
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ بَيْنَ السَّدَّيْنِ وَجَدَ مِنْ دُونِهِمَا قَوْمًا لَا يَكَادُونَ يَفْقَهُونَ قَوْلًا {93}
93. Until he reached between two hills where he found a tribe who did not understand any language.
قَالُوا يَا ذَا الْقَرْنَيْنِ إِنَّ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَهَلْ نَجْعَلُ لَكَ خَرْجًا عَلَىٰ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمْ سَدًّا {94}
94. They addressed Alexander, “Verily Gog and Magog go on agitating here. We can spend money on your account to enable you to construct a bar between us and them.”
قَالَ مَا مَكَّنِّي فِيهِ رَبِّي خَيْرٌ فَأَعِينُونِي بِقُوَّةٍ أَجْعَلْ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ رَدْمًا {95}
95. Alexander said, “Whatever endowment by the Providence has granted me is more than enough. You had better help me in labour to enable me to construct a wall between you and them.
آتُونِي زُبَرَ الْحَدِيدِۖ
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا سَاوَىٰ بَيْنَ الصَّدَفَيْنِ قَالَ انْفُخُواۖ
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَعَلَهُ نَارًا قَالَ آتُونِي أُفْرِغْ عَلَيْهِ قِطْرًا {96}
96. “Get me iron sheets to fill the valley between the hills, then.” Then he ordered them to heat them to red head, then asked for copper (make an alloy).
فَمَا اسْطَاعُوا أَنْ يَظْهَرُوهُ وَمَا اسْتَطَاعُوا لَهُ نَقْبًا {97}
97. Then Gog and Magog would not climb or bore holes therein.
قَالَ هَٰذَا رَحْمَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّيۖ
فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ رَبِّي جَعَلَهُ دَكَّاءَۖ
وَكَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّي حَقًّا {98}
98. Alexander said, “This is Divine Mercy from my Providence. When the period of promise my Providence will draw near He will throw down the wall and level it up and the Divine Promise will be fulfilled.
وَتَرَكْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَمُوجُ فِي بَعْضٍۖ
وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَجَمَعْنَاهُمْ جَمْعًا {99}
99. And on that Day, We shall so liberate them, man and spirit, as waves shall overlap one another, and when the trumpet will blow, We shall assemble them all in one place.
وَعَرَضْنَا جَهَنَّمَ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَرْضًا {100}
100. And We shall expose Hell on this day to the infidels
الَّذِينَ كَانَتْ أَعْيُنُهُمْ فِي غِطَاءٍ عَنْ ذِكْرِي وَكَانُوا لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ سَمْعًا {101}
101. before whose eyes are drawn up curtains (of enmity to Ali due to which they could not hear advice in the world of our Prophet).
Moral
As the eye is not meant for hearing but seeing and the hypocrites could not, out of jealousy and enmity, bear sight of Ali. How could they, under such circumstances, lend their ears to hear the Prophet regarding the Divine Gifts of Ali?
Verses 102 – 110
أَفَحَسِبَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنْ يَتَّخِذُوا عِبَادِي مِنْ دُونِي أَوْلِيَاءَۚ
إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْكَافِرِينَ نُزُلًا {102}
102. What! Do the infidels deem they shall, against My will, allure my devotees
to their sympathy and intercession? Verily for the infidels We have prepared Hell as an entertainment.
قُلْ هَلْ نُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِالْأَخْسَرِينَ أَعْمَالًا {103}
103. Say, “Shall I acquaint you, who shall be greatest sufferer, by virtue of their deeds?”
الَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا {104}
104. They are those whose energy in the world was wasted
while they have been entertaining they had been doing great work.
أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَلِقَائِهِ فَحَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فَلَا نُقِيمُ لَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَزْنًا {105}
105. These are the People who denied the Divine Lights in person as commands of their Providence and meeting Him. Thus their acts shall be voided (for want of true faith) so We shall not fix any test, wherewith, to judge them.
ذَٰلِكَ جَزَاؤُهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ بِمَا كَفَرُوا وَاتَّخَذُوا آيَاتِي وَرُسُلِي هُزُوًا {106}
106. The reward for them is Hell for their infidelity and having ridiculed My Commands.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا {107}
107. Verily those who embrace faith and acted righteously shall be entertained in Paradise and Firdaus.
خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يَبْغُونَ عَنْهَا حِوَلًا {108}
108. Where shall they ever abide and never desire to change.
قُلْ لَوْ كَانَ الْبَحْرُ مِدَادًا لِكَلِمَاتِ رَبِّي لَنَفِدَ الْبَحْرُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَنْفَدَ كَلِمَاتُ رَبِّي وَلَوْ جِئْنَا بِمِثْلِهِ مَدَدًا {109}
109. Say, “If the sea was turned into ink (record the attributes) for lights of my Providence before its completion, the ink would certainly finish, even if it was doubled in quantity.”
قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌۖ
فَمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا {110}
110. Say, “Although I am a man like you
and for which I receive revelation
in which there is only one God, your Lord. He who seeks to Him should act righteously with sincerity, without associating any with Him.”
Moral
This 110 couplet, on difference of its interpretation, has divided Muslims into two big factions: Shias who take Divine Lights as Immaculates and Sunnis who look up to them as ordinary earthborn beings.
Notes