Meccan · Surah 18 of 114

Al-Kahf 18:51

The Cave · ayah 51 of 110

۞ مَّآ أَشْهَدتُّهُمْ خَلْقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا خَلْقَ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَمَا كُنتُ مُتَّخِذَ ٱلْمُضِلِّينَ عَضُدًۭا

Ma ashhadtuhum khalqa assamawatiwal-ardi wala khalqa anfusihim wamakuntu muttakhitha almudilleena AAaduda

"I did not make them witness to the creation of the heavens and the earth or to the creation of themselves, and I would not have taken the misguiders as assistants."

Saheeh International translation

Recitation by Mishary Alafasy

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Other English translations

Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+

"I did not make them witnesses to the creation of the heavens and earth, nor to their own creation; I do not take as My supporters those who lead others astray."

Pickthall (classic)+

"I made them not to witness the creation of the heavens and the earth, nor their own creation; nor choose I misleaders for (My) helpers."

Yusuf Ali (classic)+

"I called them not to witness the creation of the heavens and the earth, nor (even) their own creation: nor is it for helpers such as Me to take as lead (men) astray!"

Tafsīr · classical commentary

Ibn Kathir

Abridged English, public domain

The gods of the Idolators did not witness the Creation of anything, not even Themselves

Allah says: `These whom you take as helpers instead of Me are creatures just like you. They do not possess anything and did not witness the creation of heaven and earth, because they did not exist at that time.' Allah says, `I am the One Who independently and exclusively creates and controls all things, and I have no partner, associate or advisor in that.' As Allah says:

قُلِ ادْعُواْ الَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُمْ مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ لاَ يَمْلِكُونَ مِثُقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَلاَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ وَمَا لَهُمْ فِيهِمَا مِن شِرْكٍ وَمَا لَهُ مِنْهُمْ مِّن ظَهِيرٍ وَلاَ تَنفَعُ الشَّفَـعَةُ عِندَهُ إِلاَّ لِمَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ

(Say: "Call upon those you claim besides Allah, they possess not even a speck of dust in the heavens or on the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor is there for Him any assistant among them. Intercession with Him profits not except for him whom He permits.) 34:22-23 Similarly Allah says here:

وَمَا كُنتُ مُتَّخِذَ الْمُضِلِّينَ عَضُداً

(nor did I take those who mislead as `Adudan.) Malik said: "Assistants."

Tafsir Saʿdi

English translation, public domain

Аллах не сделал дьяволов и грешников, которые вводят в заблуждение людей, очевидцами сотворения небес и земли и сотворения самих себя. Они не присутствовали при этом, и Аллах не советовался с ними, когда принимал решение. И тем более они не принимали участия в самом сотворении! Аллах является Единственным Творцом и Правителем. Он предопределяет все сущее, создает творения и управляет ими в соответствии со Своей божественной мудростью. Что же заставляет нечестивцев приобщать к Нему сотоварищей, признавая дьяволов своими покровителями и повинуясь им так, как надлежит повиноваться одному Аллаху. А ведь не дьяволы сотворили людей. Более того, они даже не присутствовали при сотворении Вселенной и не помогали Аллаху в этом. Вот почему Он возвестил о том, что не берет в помощники тех, кто вводит других в заблуждение. Не подобает Ему предоставлять таким творениям право распоряжаться делами Вселенной, потому что они вводят Его рабов в заблуждение и враждуют с Ним. Такие творения недостойны быть приближенными к Нему и заслуживают иной участи.

Maʿārif al-Qur'ān

Mufti Shafi Usmani, English

Commentary

The progeny of Iblis, and his descendants and followers

The word: ذُرِّ‌يَّتَهُ (dhurriyyatah) in verse 50 indicates that Iblis (Shaitan) has offspring, and a host of descendants and followers. Some commentators have said that 'progeny' at this place means 'accomplices.' That the Shaitan has offspring from his loins is not necessary. But, there is a Sahih Hadith which Humaidi has reported in Kitab al-Jam' bain al-Sahihain on the authority of Sayyidna Salman al-Farisi ؓ . According to his narration, the Holy Prophet ﷺ told him, "do not become like those who are the first to enter the bazaar (shopping centre), or those who are the last to leave it, for the bazaar is a place where the Shaitan has his eggs and offspring laid around." This would indicate that the progeny of Shaitan spreads out in that manner - through what is laid and hatched by him. After having presented this report, al-Qurtubi has said that the Shaitan has accomplices and armies is something established by conclusive proofs - and as for the Shaitan having offspring, a Sahih Hadith has appeared above. Allah knows best.

Tafsīr sourced from quran.com's open API. These are classical commentaries; for personal rulings consult a qualified scholar.

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