سُوْرَةُ الْكَهْفِ

Surah Al-Kahf (18) — Ayah 26

The Cave · Meccan · Juz 15 · Page 296

قُلِ ٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثُوا۟ ۖ لَهُۥ غَيْبُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ أَبْصِرْ بِهِۦ وَأَسْمِعْ ۚ مَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلَا يُشْرِكُ فِى حُكْمِهِۦٓ أَحَدًا ﴿26﴾
Say: "Allâh knows best how long they stayed. With Him is (the knowledge of) the Unseen of the heavens and the earth. How clearly He sees, and hears (everything)! They have no Walî (Helper, Disposer of affairs, Protector) other than Him, and He makes none to share in His Decision and His Rule."
قُلِ quli Say
ٱللَّهُ l-lahu Allah
أَعْلَمُ aʿlamu knows best
بِمَا bimā about what (period)
لَبِثُوا۟ ۖ labithū they remained
لَهُۥ lahu For Him
غَيْبُ ghaybu (is the) unseen
ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ l-samāwāti (of) the heavens
وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ wal-arḍi and the earth
أَبْصِرْ abṣir How clearly He sees
بِهِۦ bihi [of it]
وَأَسْمِعْ ۚ wa-asmiʿ And how clearly He hears
مَا Not
لَهُم lahum for them
مِّن min besides Him
دُونِهِۦ dūnihi besides Him
مِن min any
وَلِىٍّۢ waliyyin protector
وَلَا walā and not
يُشْرِكُ yush'riku He shares
فِى [in]
حُكْمِهِۦٓ ḥuk'mihi His Commands
أَحَدًۭا aḥadan (with) anyone

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 26) ➊ {قُلِ اللّٰهُ اَعْلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثُوْا …:} That is, if the People of the Book disagree with you regarding this period, then say to them that Allah’s knowledge is greater than yours, therefore the period He has mentioned is the authentic one, your statement is not to be considered.
{ لَهٗ غَيْبُ السَّمٰوٰتِ …:} This is proof of Allah being {’’ اَعْلَمُ ‘‘}, that the unseen of the heavens and the earth is only with Him. As for knowledge through seeing and hearing, how well He sees and how well He hears, this can be wondered at but cannot be expressed in words. So then, is His statement correct or theirs, who are devoid of these attributes? Their condition is that they have no helper besides Him, and His status is that He does not include anyone in His decision.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

26. 1. This is a further clarification of Allah's attribute of knowledge and awareness.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

26. Say, "Allah knows best how long they remained. To Him belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth. How clear is His sight and how keen His hearing! For them [the heavens and the earth] there is no caretaker or administrator besides Him, and He makes none to share in His command [26]."

[26] That is, Allah has the most accurate knowledge of the duration of the stay of the People of the Cave because He Himself made them sleep and then awakened them. No one besides Allah has such power and authority that he can give completely accurate information about any matter or incident.