Surah Al-Kahf 18:85
سُورَةُ الكَهۡفِ · Meccan · Verse 85 of 110
فَأَتْبَعَ سَبَبًا
Translation
He travelled on a certain road;
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
'So he followed a way.' Ibn Ashur and al-Saadi note the simple statement that he used the means given, he did not hoard his power or rest in it, but set out to act, to travel, to accomplish good with what he had been granted. Ask yourself: it is one thing to be given means and another to use them rightly. Dhul-Qarnayn 'followed a way', he put his power into motion toward purpose. Many are given much and do little with it, or use it only for themselves. The grant of ability carries the responsibility to act. What means have I been given, talents, time, influence, that I am merely sitting on, or spending only on myself, rather than 'following a way' with them toward something good? The gift is completed only in its righteous use.
Grounded in classical tafsir: Ibn Ashur, al-Saadi, al-Biqa'i.
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Kahf 18:85 is discussed in 6 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 18:85 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.