Surah Al-Kahf 18:83
سُورَةُ الكَهۡفِ · Meccan · Verse 83 of 110
وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَن ذِى ٱلْقَرْنَيْنِ ۖ قُلْ سَأَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْهُ ذِكْرًا
Translation
[Prophet], they ask you about Dhu ’l-Qarnayn. Say, ‘I will tell you something about him.’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
'And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnayn. Say: I will recite to you a mention of him.' Ibn Ashur and al-Saadi note the fourth and final story of the Surah introduces a righteous ruler, a man of vast power, set beside the arrogant garden-owner as the opposite model of what to do with worldly might. Ask yourself: the Surah has now shown faith tested by persecution (the Cave), by wealth (the gardens), and by hidden decree (al-Khidr); now it tests faith by power. Dhul-Qarnayn had what the garden-owner had, abundance, reach, might, and used it in the opposite spirit. The question the story asks me is not whether I have power, but what I do with whatever measure of it I hold: authority over others, resources, influence. Power does not corrupt inevitably; it reveals. What does the power I already have reveal about my heart?
Grounded in classical tafsir: Ibn Ashur, al-Saadi, al-Biqa'i.
Wording
The Quran often presents its stories not just as narratives, but as profound sources of guidance and introspection. In Surah Al-Kahf, we encounter a moment where people pose a question about a figure known as Dhul-Qarnayn.
The Divine Response
The verse opens with "وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَن ذِى ٱلْقَرْنَيْنِ" (And they ask you concerning Dhul-Qarnayn), referring to the polytheists of Makkah, prompted by Jewish scholars, who were testing the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah then instructs His Prophet with "قُلْ سَأَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْهُ ذِكْرًا" (Say, "I will recite to you of him a remembrance"). The little letter 'س' (sa) at the beginning of "سأتلو" (I will recite) signifies a promise of a future, certain action, as noted by scholars like Ibn Ashur and al-Razi. This indicates Allah's commitment to provide an answer, yet perhaps with a slight, divinely purposed delay, teaching patience and reliance on His will.
More Than Just a Story
Notice the choice of words: "أتلو" (I will recite) is used instead of simply "أقص" (I will narrate). As Ibn Ashur highlights, this elevates the coming information beyond mere storytelling. It implies that the account of Dhul-Qarnayn is meant to be recited, pondered, and drawn upon for lessons, much like the Quran itself. The core of the response is not just a tale, but "ذكرا" (dhikran), a remembrance or admonition. Ibn Ashur explains this means "that by which one remembers and reflects," emphasizing the moral, ethical, and wisdom-based aspects of the narrative. It’s a powerful statement, making the recited text itself the very act of remembrance.
The Significance of 'From Him'
The phrase "مِّنْهُ ذِكْرًا" (of him a remembrance) uses the preposition "من" (min), meaning "from" or "part of." This implies, as Ibn Ashur explains, that while Dhul-Qarnayn's story might have been extensive, Allah will reveal only the portions that serve as a profound lesson and guidance, not every historical detail. This selective disclosure underscores the Quran's primary purpose: to offer spiritual and moral benefit, rather than an exhaustive historical record. This is why the Quran doesn't explicitly name Dhul-Qarnayn, despite scholars debating his identity throughout history. His specific name or nationality is not the point; the qualities of a just, powerful, and divinely aided ruler, and the lessons from his deeds, are what truly matter for us to reflect upon.
This verse, therefore, sets the stage not just for a narrative, but for a profound reflection on leadership, justice, and divine empowerment, inviting us to find relevance and wisdom in its carefully chosen words.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf)
Qur'anic Worlds
The Divine Introduction
This verse, Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave), ayah 83, ushers in a profound narrative, not as a historical anecdote, but as a direct divine response to a specific challenge. It opens with Allah addressing Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) directly: وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَن ذِى ٱلْقَرْنَيْنِ ۖ قُلْ سَأَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْهُ ذِكْرًا "And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say: I shall recite to you a remembrance from him." This is Allah's speech, guiding His Messenger on how to engage with sincere seekers and skeptics alike, inviting a posture of humility and reverence.
The Context of Revelation
To understand this verse, we step into the "World of Revelation," specifically the challenging environment of Makkah. Scholars like al-Tabari, Ibn Kathir, and Sayyid Qutb explain that this question about Dhul-Qarnain was one of three posed by the Quraysh polytheists to Prophet Muhammad. They were instigated by Jewish scholars, who advised them to ask about Dhul-Qarnain, the People of the Cave, and the Ruh (spirit) as a test of his prophethood. The Prophet (peace be upon him) initially promised to answer the next day without saying "insha'Allah" (if Allah wills), leading to a delay in revelation and taunts from the Makkans. This verse, then, initiates the divine answer to their third question, affirming the Prophet's truthfulness and Allah's comprehensive knowledge.
An Account, Not a Biography
The phrasing "سَأَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْهُ ذِكْرًا" (sa'atlu 'alaykum minhu dhikran), meaning "I shall recite to you a remembrance from him," is key. Mufti Shafi points out that the Arabic particle "min" (from) and the nunnation (tanwin) of "dhikran" (remembrance or account) imply that the Qur'an will share *part* of Dhul-Qarnain's story, not an exhaustive biography. This immediately shifts our focus from mere historical curiosity to the profound lessons embedded within the narrative. The Qur'an's purpose is not to satisfy every historical detail, but to provide guidance and wisdom through the stories of "Worlds of Past Nations."
Who Was Dhul-Qarnain?
While scholars have extensively debated Dhul-Qarnain's precise identity, with various theories linking him to figures like Alexander the Great or ancient Yemeni kings (Tubba' of Himyar), the authoritative plain meaning identifies him as a "righteous king." Ibn Kathir and Ma'arif al-Quran strongly caution against equating him with Alexander the Macedonian, who was a polytheist. The Dhul-Qarnain of the Qur'an, whether a prophet or a righteous ruler, was undoubtedly a devout believer. The emphasis is on his character and his divinely aided accomplishments, which serve as signs and reminders for us, rather than a definitive historical identification. The true value lies not in knowing his exact name or era, but in reflecting on the qualities and divine assistance that shaped his journey, a journey that the subsequent verses will begin to unfold.
This verse sets the stage for a grand narrative, inviting us to ponder the nature of power, justice, and divine aid through the story of a righteous figure from the past.
Sources: al-Tabari (Jami al-Bayan), al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), Ibn Kathir, Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Kahf 18:83 is discussed in 7 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Kahf 18:83 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.