Al-Kahf 18:7
The Cave · Meccan · Juz 15 · Page 294
Adornment and Test
إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ زِينَةࣰ لَّهَا لِنَبۡلُوَهُمۡ أَيُّهُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلࣰا ٧
Lo! We have placed all that is on the earth as an ornament thereof that We may try them: which of them is best in conduct.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
We made what is on earth an adornment for it, to test which of them is best in deed.
Insight
According to Elmalılı, Allah adorned the earth so that those who do good and those who do evil would be shown in practice, and each rewarded accordingly.
Reflect
Today, aim not for the most deeds but for the finest.
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›