Al-Kahf 18:86
The Cave · Meccan · Juz 16 · Page 303
Where the Sun Sets
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغَ مَغۡرِبَ ٱلشَّمۡسِ وَجَدَهَا تَغۡرُبُ فِي عَيۡنٍ حَمِئَةࣲ وَوَجَدَ عِندَهَا قَوۡمࣰاۖ قُلۡنَا يَٰذَا ٱلۡقَرۡنَيۡنِ إِمَّآ أَن تُعَذِّبَ وَإِمَّآ أَن تَتَّخِذَ فِيهِمۡ حُسۡنࣰا ٨٦
Till, when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring, and found a people thereabout. We said: O Dhu’l-Qarneyn! Either punish or show them kindness.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
When he reached the setting of the sun, he found it setting in a dark muddy spring.
Insight
According to Elmalılı, he reached the western end of the lands he ruled, the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. The sun setting in mud is how it appeared to his eyes.
Reflect
Learn to tell what appears to your eyes from what is real.
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 ›