Surah Al-Kahf 18:87
سُورَةُ الكَهۡفِ · Meccan · Verse 87 of 110
قَالَ أَمَّا مَن ظَلَمَ فَسَوْفَ نُعَذِّبُهُۥ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ فَيُعَذِّبُهُۥ عَذَابًۭا نُّكْرًۭا
Translation
He answered, ‘We shall punish those who have done evil, and when they are returned to their Lord He will punish them [even more] severely,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
'He said: As for one who does wrong, we will punish him, then he will be returned to his Lord, who will punish him with a terrible punishment.' Ibn Ashur and al-Saadi note his measured justice, he will restrain and punish the wrongdoer (not the innocent), and even then he remembers this life's justice is only the smaller precursor to God's. Ask yourself: his exercise of power is bounded, aimed only at the one who does wrong, not at everyone under his hand, and held in the awareness that he is not the final judge; God is. That double restraint, targeting only real wrongdoing, and never forgetting a higher Judge stands above him, is exactly what keeps power from becoming tyranny. When I have the authority to punish or retaliate, is my response targeted and just, or does my power spill over into harshness against the undeserving? And do I remember, as he did, that I am not the last court, that I too answer to One above me?
Grounded in classical tafsir: Ibn Ashur, al-Saadi, al-Biqa'i.
Wording
Here, Dhul-Qarnayn, a righteous ruler granted immense power, declares his just policy to the people he encountered at the setting place of the sun. Allah quotes his words, revealing his wisdom in distinguishing between those who cling to wrongdoing and those who embrace faith.
The Scope of Injustice
Dhul-Qarnayn begins his declaration with `أَمَّا مَن ظَلَمَ` (as for whoever wronged). The word `ظَلَمَ` (wronged) here, as explained by Ibn Ashur and al-Jalalayn, specifically refers to *shirk*, or associating partners with Allah, which is the gravest injustice against one's own soul and against Allah. This sets the stage for a clear distinction between the two groups of people Dhul-Qarnayn will address: the disbelievers and the believers.
Dual Punishment
For those who persist in this grave wrongdoing, Dhul-Qarnayn proclaims, `فَسَوْفَ نُعَذِّبُهُۥ` (then we will punish him). The Arabic particle `سَوْفَ` (sawfa), meaning "soon" or "will," suggests a future action, implying that Dhul-Qarnayn would first invite them to faith before executing punishment if they refused, as Ibn Ashur points out. The use of the royal "we" (`نُعَذِّبُهُ`) signifies Dhul-Qarnayn's authority and indicates a worldly punishment, such as execution, as clarified by al-Razi and Ibn Ashur.
A profound shift occurs with the word `ثُمَّ` (thumma), meaning "then" or "afterward." This conjunction signals a distinct separation in time and a transition to a different realm of consequence. The verse continues, `يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ` (he will be returned to his Lord). The passive voice of `يُرَدُّ` (he will be returned) emphasizes that this return is not by his own will, but by a higher power. It underscores Allah's ultimate sovereignty and the inevitability of facing Him.
Upon being returned to his Lord, the verse concludes, `فَيُعَذِّبُهُۥ عَذَابًۭا نُّكْرًۭا` (and He will punish him with a dreadful punishment). The `فَ` (fa), here translated as "and," links the return to a direct and immediate consequence. The punishment is now attributed to `رَبِّهِ` (his Lord), making it clear that this is the punishment of the Hereafter, distinct from Dhul-Qarnayn's earthly retribution. The word `نُكْرًۭا` (nukran) means "dreadful," "horrific," or "severe," highlighting the terrible nature of this ultimate divine consequence, as explained by al-Jalalayn and al-Razi. This structure beautifully portrays a layered justice: an earthly consequence for their immediate actions, followed by an infinitely more severe and eternal divine reckoning.
Sources: al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Kahf 18:87 is discussed in 8 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
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