Surah Al-Kahf (18) — Ayah 23

(Ayah 24,23) ➊ { وَ لَا تَقُوْلَنَّ لِشَايْءٍ … :} Here, in the context of revelation, a narration is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked about the Companions of the Cave, the soul, and Dhul-Qarnayn, so he said: "I will give you the answer tomorrow," and did not say "InshaAllah" (if Allah wills), so the revelation stopped for fifteen (15) days, then this verse was revealed: «وَ لَا تَقُوْلَنَّ لِشَايْءٍ اِنِّيْ فَاعِلٌ ذٰلِكَ غَدًا (23) اِلَّاۤ اَنْ يَّشَآءَ اللّٰهُ » Razi (may Allah have mercy on him) said that the judge has declared it invalid for several reasons. Qasimi said that his statement is correct, because Muhammad bin Ishaq narrated this report from an unknown sheikh, as its chains are present in Ibn Kathir (and Tabari). (Mahasin al-Ta'wil)

➋ One well-known meaning of this verse is that regarding any matter, do not say, "I will do this tomorrow," but be sure to say "InshaAllah," because if Allah wills, the work will happen, otherwise not. An example of this is the incident of Solomon (peace be upon him), who said: [ لَأَطُوْفَنَّ اللَّيْلَةَ عَلٰي مِائَةِ امْرَأَةٍ أَوْ تِسْعٍ وَّتِسْعِيْنَ، كُلُّهُنَّ يَأْتِيْ بِفَارِسٍ يُجَاهِدُ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ صَاحِبُهُ قُلْ إِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰهُ، فَلَمْ يَقُلْ إِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰهُ، فَلَمْ تَحْمِلْ مِنْهُنَّ إِلَّا امْرَأَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ جَاءَتْ بِشِقِّ رَجُلٍ، وَالَّذِيْ نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ ! لَوْ قَالَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰهُ، لَجَاهَدُوْا فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ فُرْسَانًا أَجْمَعُوْنَ ] [ بخاري، الجہاد والسیر، باب من طلب الولد للجہاد : ۲۸۱۹ ] "Tonight I will go to one hundred (100) or he said ninety-nine (99) women, and each woman will give birth to a son who will be a horseman in the path of Allah." One of his companions said: "Say InshaAllah." But Solomon (peace be upon him), due to being preoccupied, did not say InshaAllah, so only one woman conceived, and even then, the child was incomplete. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "By Him in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad! If he had said InshaAllah, all the women would have borne sons who would have been horsemen and all would have fought in the path of Allah."

The second meaning is that, O Prophet! Do not say about any matter (of your own will) that I will do this tomorrow, except if Allah wills, meaning Allah will will that you do the work, then He will permit you, then you can say this by His permission. (Qasimi) This meaning is closer to the words of {’’ اِلَّاۤ اَنْ يَّشَآءَ اللّٰهُ ‘‘ } and the same concept is found in the verses (3, 4) of Surah An-Najm: «وَ مَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوٰى اِنْ هُوَ اِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُّوْحٰى ».

➌ { وَ اذْكُرْ رَّبَّكَ اِذَا نَسِيْتَ :} That is, when you forget, then upon remembering, say "InshaAllah." Remember, if one says "InshaAllah" with an oath, then there is no expiation for not fulfilling the oath. Some people say that if "InshaAllah" is not said immediately after the oath, it will not be valid, but this verse is evidence that if one intended to say "InshaAllah" but forgot and said it as soon as he remembered, it will be valid. In Mustadrak Hakim (4/303, Hadith: 7833), with an authentic chain, the statement of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) is narrated that when a person swears an oath, he can say "InshaAllah" for up to a year. Ibn Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Madarij as-Salikin: "This is in the case of forgetfulness." (Mahasin al-Ta'wil summarized)

➍ {وَ قُلْ عَسٰۤى اَنْ يَّهْدِيَنِ رَبِّيْ … :} And say that I hope from my Lord that He will tell me news that leads to guidance closer to the right path than the story of the Companions of the Cave, which will be a means of guidance for people, by which my prophethood will be established. Thus, Allah Almighty told you many matters of the unseen, of which no one had any knowledge.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).