سُوْرَةُ الْكَهْفِ

Surah Al-Kahf (18) — Ayah 81

The Cave · Meccan · Juz 16 · Page 302

فَأَرَدْنَآ أَن يُبْدِلَهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُ زَكَوٰةً وَأَقْرَبَ رُحْمًا ﴿81﴾
"So we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one better in righteousness and nearer to mercy.
فَأَرَدْنَآ fa-aradnā So we intended
أَن an that
يُبْدِلَهُمَا yub'dilahumā would change for them
رَبُّهُمَا rabbuhumā their Lord
خَيْرًۭا khayran a better
مِّنْهُ min'hu than him
زَكَوٰةًۭ zakatan (in) purity
وَأَقْرَبَ wa-aqraba and nearer
رُحْمًۭا ruḥ'man (in) affection

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.

The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

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.

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

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.

81. So we wished that their Lord would give them, in exchange, a better child [69]—one who would be purer in character and more affectionate towards his relatives.

[69] Thus, as a replacement for the slain boy, Allah granted them a child who was greatly obedient to Allah and to his parents. The parents loved him, and he loved his parents very much. In this matter as well, I did not do anything wrong; rather, I saved the righteous parents from going astray. Then, Allah had already decreed to grant them this replacement as their destiny.