Surah Al-Kahf (18) — Ayah 32

(Ayah 33,32){ وَ اضْرِبْ لَهُمْ مَّثَلًا رَّجُلَيْنِ …:} The disbelievers took pride in their wealth and supporters compared to the poor Muslims; on this basis, they considered the Muslims insignificant and did not like to sit with them in gatherings. Allah Almighty narrated this story to explain that these things are not worthy of pride, because in a single moment a poor person can become rich and a rich person can become poor. If there is anything in the world worthy of pride, it is obedience to Allah and His worship, and this is possessed by those poor ones. Allah Almighty presented an example of a disbeliever and a believer: there were two men (their names or era are not known, nor is there any benefit in knowing), one of whom, who was a disbeliever, Allah Almighty granted two vineyards, which were very beautiful and profitable. The vineyards were surrounded by date palms, there was cultivated land between the two gardens, and by Allah’s command, a stream was running between the two gardens. There was no shortage of water for the gardens and the fields, so both gardens produced their full yield and did not fall short in any way.

32. 1. The commentators differ regarding who these two persons were. Did Allah mention them as an example for understanding, or were there actually two such persons? If they existed, were they among the Children of Israel or among the people of Makkah? One of them was a believer and the other was a disbeliever.

33. 2. Just as protection is provided through a wall, in the same way, there were date-palm trees all around these gardens, which served as a fence and wall.

32. 3. That is, there was cultivation between the two gardens from which grain cultivable land were obtained. Thus, both gardens were comprehensive of both grain and fruits.

And present to them the example of two men [34]: to one of them We gave two gardens of grapevines, and We surrounded both with date-palms, and placed cultivable land [35] between them.

[34]
A Comparison of the Conduct of a Wealthy Disbeliever and a Poor Believer:

This example actually applies to those chiefs of the Quraysh who demanded from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that if you would remove these poor people from your gatherings for some time, then we would listen to you with satisfaction. In this example, the two men mentioned—one of them was a disbeliever and polytheist, did not believe in the Hereafter, and was wealthy and a landowner, just as the chiefs of Quraysh were. The other was a monotheist, a believer, one who trusted in Allah, but was poor and destitute, just like the noble Companions ؓ about whom the chiefs of Quraysh made this demand to you that you remove them from your gathering. As for whether the two characters described in this example are mentioned merely as an illustration for understanding, or whether such persons actually existed in this world at some time and this incident actually took place—on this point, the commentators differ. Those who have accepted it as an actual event have even written their names, saying that they were two real brothers who inherited from their father. The one who was worldly bought property with his inheritance and then worked hard, so he became the owner of two gardens. The other was a dervish-like person and had no interest in wealth and riches; whatever inheritance he received, he spent it in the way of Allah. According to some, these two men were neighbors whose entire lifestyles were completely different from each other. Whatever the case may be, the real benefit intended from this parable is certainly achieved.

[35] The person who was a disbeliever and polytheist and the owner of two gardens—in this verse, the scene of the flourishing of his gardens is presented. That is, in the middle part between the two gardens, there was cultivation and cultivable land would grow. Around them were fruit-bearing trees, and the walls of the gardens were made of date palms on which grapevines were trained. Between these two gardens, a stream was flowing which irrigated them and connected them together. The land was fertile and lush, so the fruit trees also bore abundant fruit and the cultivable land were produced in plenty. In other words, this person had everything: cool shade to sit in, cool water to drink, abundant cultivable land and fruits to eat, and a beautiful scene to behold, all of which made him exceedingly proud.