Surah Al-Kahf 18:90
سُورَةُ الكَهۡفِ · Meccan · Verse 90 of 110
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغَ مَطْلِعَ ٱلشَّمْسِ وَجَدَهَا تَطْلُعُ عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍۢ لَّمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُم مِّن دُونِهَا سِتْرًۭا
Translation
then, when he came to the rising of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We had provided no shelter from it.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
'Until, when he reached the rising of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We had made no shelter from it.' al-Saadi and Ibn Kathir note the encounter with a vulnerable, exposed people, living without protection from the sun, on the margins, easily overlooked. Ask yourself: a powerful man reaches the world's edges and finds the exposed, those with no shelter, the overlooked and unprotected. His journeys keep bringing him not to more comfort but to more need. It is a picture of power that goes toward the vulnerable rather than away from them, that seeks out the exposed margins rather than the comfortable centres. Where does my attention and my capacity naturally travel, toward the sheltered and impressive, or toward those 'for whom no shelter has been made', the exposed and easily-ignored? Power's nobility shows in which direction it chooses to journey.
Grounded in classical tafsir: al-Saadi, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Ashur.
Wording
Dhul-Qarnayn's journey, as narrated in the Quran, continues to captivate us, revealing Allah's immense power and the diversity of His creation. This verse takes us to the other extreme of his travels.
To the Sun's Rising Place
The journey reaches its culmination with the words "حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغَ مَطْلِعَ ٱلشَّمْسِ" (until, when he reached the place of the sun's rising). The word "مَطْلِعَ" (matla', with a *kasra* on the lam) is a noun of place, specifically indicating the physical location where the sun appears to rise from Dhul-Qarnayn's perspective. It signifies not just the direction, but the very furthest inhabited frontier of the east, as scholars like Ibn Ashur point out, perhaps even beyond what was thought possible to settle. Just as he reached the place of its setting, he now reaches the place of its rising, completing a profound symbolic journey across the vastness of the Earth.
A People Without Shelter
Upon reaching this distant land, Dhul-Qarnayn "وَجَدَهَا تَطْلُعُ عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍۢ لَّمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُم مِّن دُونِهَا سِتْرًۭا" (found it rising upon a people for whom We had not provided, other than it, any cover). The phrase "لَّمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُم" (We had not provided for them) highlights Allah's direct role in shaping the environment and conditions of these people. The crucial word here is "سِتْرًۭا" (sitra), meaning cover or shelter. Commentaries offer diverse understandings of what this 'cover' specifically refers to.
Some scholars, like al-Jalalayn and al-Razi, suggest it implies a land without natural features like mountains or dense trees to offer shade, nor sturdy buildings that could withstand the climate, compelling the people to seek shelter in caves or underground burrows. Others, including Ibn Ashur and al-Razi, propose that it refers to a lack of clothing, meaning these people were unclothed and hardened to the sun's rays, adapting their habits to their harsh environment. Zamakhshari recounts a fascinating narrative of them using their ears as makeshift covers or living in burrows.
Regardless of the precise interpretation, the essence lies in the divine design. Allah, in His perfect wisdom, had tailored the lives and environments of these people in a unique way, distinct from what Dhul-Qarnayn, or indeed most of humanity, would be accustomed to. This particular wording invites us to ponder the incredible diversity in creation and how Allah enables different communities to thrive in vastly different conditions, showcasing His power and intricate planning in every aspect of existence.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Qur'anic Worlds
In this profound verse, Allah continues the narrative of Dhul-Qarnayn's extraordinary journeys. We are being told by Allah about Dhul-Qarnayn, a righteous ruler, and the diverse "worlds" he traversed. Here, the focus shifts to his expedition eastward, inviting us to ponder the vastness of creation and the varied conditions of human existence.
To the Sun's Rising
The verse describes Dhul-Qarnayn's journey "حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغَ مَطْلِعَ ٱلشَّمْسِ" (until, when he reached the rising-place of the sun). This signifies his arrival at the furthest point east he could reach, from his perspective, where the sun seemed to emerge from the horizon. It's a vivid image, painting a picture of a journey to the very edge of the known world.
A People Without Shelter
Upon reaching this distant land, Dhul-Qarnayn "وَجَدَهَا تَطْلُعُ عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍۢ لَّمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُم مِّن دُونِهَا سِتْرًۭا" (he found it rising upon a people for whom We had provided no shelter against it). The term "سِتْرًا" here refers to any form of covering or protection. The ayah context and scholars like Mufti Shafi explain this plainly: these people lacked buildings to house them, trees to shade them, or any natural structures to shield them from the intense sun.
This description paints a compelling picture of a specific "world of creation" and "world of past nations." Scholars like Qatadah, al-Hasan, and Ibn Jurayj (as cited in al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir) elaborate on their unique way of life. They were said to inhabit a land where construction was difficult or impossible. To cope with the sun's scorching heat, they would retreat into burrows or caves (أسراب) or even submerge themselves in water when the sun was high. They emerged for their daily activities and livelihoods only when the sun's intensity waned. This adaptation highlights the resilience of human beings and the diverse ways Allah has fashioned life on Earth.
Lessons from Their World
This account, beyond its descriptive power, offers deep reflection. It underscores Allah's absolute knowledge and power, as He is the One who created these varied conditions and sustains all of creation. We are reminded of the immense diversity within the human family, each group living in unique circumstances according to Allah's decree. For us, it can evoke gratitude for the blessings of shelter and comfort we often take for granted, while also appreciating the wisdom in Allah's creation and the remarkable adaptability He has instilled in humanity.
The verse doesn't detail Dhul-Qarnayn's interaction with these people, but as Mufti Shafi notes, it is implied that he would have dealt with them righteously, as he did with those he encountered in the West, embodying his just leadership wherever he went. This consistent character in the face of diverse "worlds" speaks to the universal principles of justice and wisdom.
Sources: Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), al-Tabari (Jami al-Bayan), Ibn Kathir, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Kahf 18:90 is discussed in 4 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 18:90 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.