Juz 15: Al-Isrāʾ to Al-Kahf 74
Section 12 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
12. Example of Two Men: Faith vs. Materialism
Following the story of the People of the Cave, Allah (swt) presents a powerful parable that further reinforces the theme of faith versus materialism. This example dramatically illustrates the contrast between one who relies on worldly wealth and one who depends on Allah (swt).
Allah (swt) introduces the parable:
وَاضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلًا رَّجُلَيْنِ جَعَلْنَا لِأَحَدِهِمَا جَنَّتَيْنِ مِنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَحَفَفْنَاهُمَا بِنَخْلٍ وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمَا زَرْعًا
“And give them the example of two men, We gave one of them two gardens of grapes, and surrounded them with date-palms, and placed vegetation between them.”
The narrative concerns two men who possibly inherited equal wealth, but chose different paths. One invested his wealth in worldly possessions, acquiring magnificent gardens with fruits, vegetation, and a perfect irrigation system:
كِلْتَا الْجَنَّتَيْنِ آتَتْ أُكُلَهَا وَلَمْ تَظْلِم مِّنْهُ شَيْئًا وَفَجَّرْنَا خِلَالَهُمَا نَهَرًا
“Both the gardens brought forth their fruit and did not fail in any respect, and We caused a stream to flow through them.”
The other man, by contrast, spent his wealth in Allah's path, seeking eternal rather than temporary rewards. As time passed, the first man became increasingly arrogant and materialistic. Though nominally a believer, he began committing shirk (associating partners with Allah) through his excessive dependence on his material possessions rather than on Allah (swt).
When the less fortunate friend visited him, the wealthy owner displayed his arrogance:
وَدَخَلَ جَنَّتَهُ وَهُوَ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِ قَالَ مَا أَظُنُّ أَن تَبِيدَ هَٰذِهِ أَبَدًا
“And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, "I do not think that this will ever perish.”
His disbelief extended even to the Day of Judgment:
وَمَا أَظُنُّ السَّاعَةَ قَائِمَةً وَلَئِن رُّدِدتُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّي لَأَجِدَنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهَا مُنقَلَبًا
“And I do not think that the Hour (of Judgment) is going to occur. And even if I am sent back to my Lord, I will surely find a better place than this to resort to.”
His companion admonished him for this arrogance, warning him about ingratitude toward Allah (swt):
قَالَ لَهُ صَاحِبُهُ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُ أَكَفَرْتَ بِالَّذِي خَلَقَكَ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ سَوَّاكَ رَج
“Said his companion, as he was conversing with him, “Do you deny Him who created you from dust, then from a drop (of semen), then He made you a perfect man?” (18:37)