Al-Kahf 18:81
The Cave · Meccan · Juz 16 · Page 302
A Better Replacement
فَأَرَدۡنَآ أَن يُبۡدِلَهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا خَيۡرࣰا مِّنۡهُ زَكَوٰةࣰ وَأَقۡرَبَ رُحۡمࣰا ٨١
And we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one better in purity and nearer to mercy.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
“We wanted their Lord to give them in exchange one purer and closer in mercy.”
Insight
According to Elmalılı, the parents would be saved from the harm they would have suffered through the boy, and in return for the pain of his death would be given a more beloved child.
Reflect
Ask Allah today for something better in place of what you lost.
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 ›