RationalWiki:Annotated Qur'an/The Cave

Annotated Qur'an
Sura 18: The Cave
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Qur'an 18:1 Praise be to God, who revealed the Book to His servant, and allowed in it no distortion.	Qur'an 18:1 Notes Contradictions and abrogations are apparently not considered "distortion" by this book's distorted standards.

Qur'an 18:2 Valuable—to warn of severe punishment from Himself; and to deliver good news to the believers who do righteous deeds, that they will have an excellent reward.	Qur'an 18:2 Notes Such a consistent and distortion-free book needs to constantly remind us of the infinitely tasty carrot and the infinitely painful stick.

Qur'an 18:3 In which they will abide forever.	Qur'an 18:3 Notes Infinitely many of these infinitely tasty carrots await the believers.

Qur'an 18:4 And to warn those who say, “God has begotten a son.”	Qur'an 18:4 Notes The evidence behind this religion is no more convincing than the Bible's evidence that the all-powerful sovereign of the universe had a literal son born to a virgin mother.

Qur'an 18:5 They have no knowledge of this, nor did their forefathers. Grave is the word that comes out of their mouths. They say nothing but a lie.	Qur'an 18:5 Notes Their knowledge is comparable to the Muslim's knowledge of Allah. Believers of either religion, including myself when I believed and read this specific chapter every Friday, felt immense confidence with our beliefs despite the necessity of faith.

Qur'an 18:6 Perhaps you may destroy yourself with grief, chasing after them, if they do not believe in this information.	Qur'an 18:6 Notes Allah assures his favorite human Muhammad that he shouldn't worry about those people who see past the nonsense.

Qur'an 18:7 We made what is upon the earth an ornament for it, to test them as to which of them is best in conduct.	Qur'an 18:7 Notes Allah also claims credit for everything nice while providing a nonsense reason for it.

Qur'an 18:8 And We will turn what is on it into barren waste.	Qur'an 18:8 Notes The evidence for this is right next to the evidence of that superflood and just past the evidence of a city being flipped upside down.

Qur'an 18:9 Did you know that the People of the Cave and the Inscription were of Our wondrous signs?	Qur'an 18:9 Notes Which people of which cave exactly? Which inscription? Were can we see these for ourselves?

Qur'an 18:10 When the youths took shelter in the cave, they said, “Our Lord, give us mercy from Yourself, and bless our affair with guidance.”	Qur'an 18:10 Notes Some people facing persecution hid in a cave and asked their lord to do something. This is relatively normal.

Qur'an 18:11 Then We sealed their ears in the cave for a number of years.	Qur'an 18:11 Notes Why would they need to be deaf in a cave for some years? Is that even what Allah meant by this verse? Other translations specify that this is a deep sleep of sorts, though the original Arabic wording does not make it clear without external sources.

Qur'an 18:12 Then We awakened them to know which of the two groups could better calculate the length of their stay.	Qur'an 18:12 Notes What data would they possibly use to calculate the length of their stay?

Qur'an 18:13 We relate to you their story in truth. They were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.	Qur'an 18:13 Notes What specifically is their guidance and how can we be sure that this ever happened in any cave ever?

Qur'an 18:14 And We strengthened their hearts, when they stood up and said, “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth; we will not call on any god besides Him, for then we would have spoken an outrage.”	Qur'an 18:14 Notes I imagine that their hearts would need supernatural strength to last as long as 300 years, though how does this coma make any sense in any way whatsoever?

Qur'an 18:15 “These people, our people, have taken to themselves gods other than Him. Why do they not bring a clear proof concerning them? Who, then, does greater wrong than he who invents lies and attributes them to God?”	Qur'an 18:15 Notes This is rich coming from a book that provides no clear proofs whatsoever. Each and every "clear proof" in this book could just as easily prove any other god ever, including the one who had a son with a virgin.

Qur'an 18:16 “Now that you have withdrawn from them, and from what they worship besides God, take shelter in the cave. And your Lord will unfold His mercy for you, and will set your affair towards ease.”	Qur'an 18:16 Notes Is this something that Muslims today should do? Should they prefer a life of solitude or isolated communities in mountains and caves? Should they go there instead of being members of a non-Muslim nation?

Qur'an 18:17 You would have seen the sun, when it rose, veering away from their cave towards the right, and when it sets, moving away from them to the left, as they lay in the midst of the cave. That was one of God’s wonders. He whom God guides is truly guided; but he whom He misguides, for him you will find no directing friend.	Qur'an 18:17 Notes There were some openings in the cave through which sunlight could shine. How is that miraculous or indicative of a god? This probably only makes sense to those whom Allah has guided and not people like me whom Allah actively misguides.

Qur'an 18:18 You would think them awake, although they were asleep. And We turned them over to the right, and to the left, with their dog stretching its paws across the threshold. Had you looked at them, you would have turned away from them in flight, and been filled with fear of them.	Qur'an 18:18 Notes This is another supposed miracle of the Quran, as people would need to toss and turn to keep their supercharged heart pumping blood throughout the entire body with major complications. Allah should also explain how this can go on for over 300 years without any of them waking up to eat a crumb of food or drink a drop of water.

Qur'an 18:19 Even so, We awakened them, so that they may ask one another. A speaker among them said, “How long have you stayed?” They said, “We have stayed a day, or part of a day.” They said, “Your Lord knows best how long you have stayed.” “Send one of you to the city, with this money of yours, and let him see which food is most suitable, and let him bring you some provision thereof. And let him be gentle, and let no one become aware of you.”

Qur'an 18:19 Notes They apparently never seemed to age more than a day in this cave.

Qur'an 18:20 “If they discover you, they will stone you, or force you back into their religion; then you will never be saved.”	Qur'an 18:20 Notes Spoiler alert: Allah got rid of that nation off-screen and replaced them with a different nation during this ridiculous time skip.

Qur'an 18:21 So it was, that We caused them to be discovered, that they would know that the promise of God is true, and that of the Hour there is no doubt. As they were disputing their case among themselves, they said, “Build over them a building.” Their Lord knows best about them. Those who prevailed over their case said, “We will set up over them a place of worship.”	Qur'an 18:21 Notes This verse is just confusing without external resources, even in the original Arabic wording.

Qur'an 18:22 They will say, “Three, and their fourth being their dog.” And they will say, “Five, and their sixth being their dog,” guessing at the unknown. And they will say, “Seven, and their eighth being their dog.” Say, “My Lord knows best their number.” None knows them except a few. So do not argue concerning them except with an obvious argument, and do not consult any of them about them.	Qur'an 18:22 Notes Allah could have provided this detail instead of being intentionally vague. This was a real event that actually happened according to this book, so the exact number of humans should be known to Allah.

Qur'an 18:23 And never say about anything, “I will do that tomorrow.”	Qur'an 18:23 Notes This is good advice in some scenarios and terrible in others. I often heart this specific verse as Allah telling us to not procrastinate a thing.

Qur'an 18:24 Without saying, “If God wills.” And remember your Lord if you forget, and say, “Perhaps my Lord will guide me to nearer than this in integrity.”	Qur'an 18:24 Notes Why exactly does saying "If God wills." matter at all? Allah already predestined everything, right?

Qur'an 18:25 And they stayed in their cave for three hundred years, adding nine.	Qur'an 18:25 Notes This is another supposed miracle of the Quran, as 300 years in the Gregorian calendar would be around 309 years in a Hijri calendar depending on the lengths of some lunar months.

Qur'an 18:26 Say, “God knows best how long they stayed.” His is the mystery of the heavens and the earth. By Him you see and hear. They have no guardian apart from Him, and He shares His Sovereignty with no one.	Qur'an 18:26 Notes A certain being is defined as knowing everything, so anything that we puny humans don't know or disagree about *must* be a miracle.

Qur'an 18:27 And recite what was revealed to you from the Book of your Lord. There is no changing His words, and you will find no refuge except in Him.	Qur'an 18:27 Notes Reading this book again and again, I find that we need refuge *from* our lord's wrath but that this lord makes sure that his wrath is truly unstoppable. Also, this verse contradicts any instances of abrogation.

Qur'an 18:28 And content yourself with those who pray to their Lord morning and evening, desiring His Presence. And do not turn your eyes away from them, desiring the glitter of this world. And do not obey him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance—so he follows his own desires—and his priorities are confused.	Qur'an 18:28 Notes Allah once again claims to violate free will by making the hearts of some people heedless of his remembrance. Why does that matter in any case? Allah cannot surely be so offended that his own disbelievers did what they were predestined to do, predestined by Allah no less, and throw them in an infinite torture realm for it.

Qur'an 18:29 And say, “The truth is from your Lord. Whoever wills—let him believe. And whoever wills—let him disbelieve”. We have prepared for the unjust a Fire, whose curtains will hem them in. And when they cry for relief, they will be relieved with water like molten brass, which scalds the faces. What a miserable drink, and what a terrible place.	Qur'an 18:29 Notes Tell that to the Muslims who force disbelievers to accept Islam regardless. Allah is already going to give them their cruel punishments either way.

Qur'an 18:30 As for those who believe and lead a righteous life—We will not waste the reward of those who work righteousness.	Qur'an 18:30 Notes Those who lead a righteous life without believing some unbelievable nonsense get royally screwed by Allah.

Qur'an 18:31 These will have the Gardens of Eden, beneath which rivers flow. Reclining on comfortable furnishings, they will be adorned with bracelets of gold, and will wear green garments of silk and brocade. What a wonderful reward, and what an excellent resting-place.	Qur'an 18:31 Notes People just have to believe impossible nonsense and become slaves to a maniacal overlord to earn this fine reward forever.

Qur'an 18:32 And cite for them the parable of two men. To one of them We gave two gardens of vine, and We surrounded them with palm-trees, and We placed between them crops.	Qur'an 18:32 Notes This is a parable. Does this mean that it actually happened or not?

Qur'an 18:33 Both gardens produced their harvest in full, and suffered no loss. And We made a river flow through them.	Qur'an 18:33 Notes No loss at all? Modern farmers wish they could do that.

Qur'an 18:34 And thus he had abundant fruits. He said to his friend, as he conversed with him, “I am wealthier than you, and greater in manpower.”	Qur'an 18:34 Notes I mean, he may be an arrogant prick for choosing to say that, but he is correct, right?

Qur'an 18:35 And he entered his garden, wronging himself. He said, “I do not think this will ever perish.”	Qur'an 18:35 Notes This feels weird after people as evil as Muhammad are promised gardens more luxurious than this that will actually never perish.

Qur'an 18:36 “And I do not think the Hour is coming. And even if I am returned to my Lord, I will find something better than this in return.”	Qur'an 18:36 Notes Can the writing here be even remotely believable... and also good?

Qur'an 18:37 His friend said to him, as he conversed with him, “Are you being ungrateful to Him who created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then evolved you into a man?	Qur'an 18:37 Notes What evidence does either guy have that Allah actually did any of that whatsoever?

Qur'an 18:38 But as for me, He is God, my Lord, and I never associate with my Lord anyone.	Qur'an 18:38 Notes So... will any evidence come with that statement?

Qur'an 18:39 When you entered your garden, why did you not say, “As God wills; there is no power except through God”? Although you see me inferior to you in wealth and children.	Qur'an 18:39 Notes Does this crime by itself deserve any sort of punishment at all? Is this even a crime?

Qur'an 18:40 Perhaps my Lord will give me something better than your garden, and release upon it thunderbolts from the sky, so it becomes barren waste.	Qur'an 18:40 Notes The other guy sounds vindictive here. He is okay with some guy losing his wealth just because that wealth didn't bring him to Allah. To top it off, this poor guy seems to worship Allah because he wants a reward greater than any worldly gardens.

Qur'an 18:41 Or its water will sink into the ground, and you will be unable to draw it.”	Qur'an 18:41 Notes This could easily be attached to the previous verse.

Qur'an 18:42 And ruin closed in on his crops, and so he began wringing his hands over what he had invested in it, as it lays fallen upon its trellises. And he was saying, “I wish I never associated anyone with my Lord.”	Qur'an 18:42 Notes He totally said that and didn't just accept this as a natural possibility. Also, who exactly did this rich guy associate with Allah in the first place?

Qur'an 18:43 He had no faction to help him besides God, and he was helpless.	Qur'an 18:43 Notes Allah is still a jerk for only helping people gullible enough to believe in him without proper evidence.

Qur'an 18:44 That is because authority belongs to God, the True. He is Best in rewarding, and Best in requiting.	Qur'an 18:44 Notes Other gods throughout history have had this exact thing said about them with the exact same supporting evidence.

Qur'an 18:45 And cite for them the parable of the present life: it is like water that We send down from the sky; the plants of the earth absorb it; but then it becomes debris, scattered by the wind. God has absolute power over everything.	Qur'an 18:45 Notes I may speak Arabic, but I don't know enough Yapanese to understand this yapping.

Qur'an 18:46 Wealth and children are the adornments of the present life. But the things that last, the virtuous deeds, are better with your Lord for reward, and better for hope.	Qur'an 18:46 Notes Children are people and should not be compared to wealth. So many abusive parents do a terrible job raising children because they see their own children as status symbols or bragging rights.

Qur'an 18:47 On the Day when We set the mountains in motion; and you see the earth emerging; and We gather them together, and leave none of them behind.	Qur'an 18:47 Notes On that day, would we finally have enough evidence to believe this frankly unbelievable book?

Qur'an 18:48 They will be presented before your Lord in a row. “You have come to Us as We created you the first time. Although you claimed We would not set a meeting for you.”	Qur'an 18:48 Notes Uh huh, sure...

Qur'an 18:49 And the book will be placed, and you will see the sinners fearful of its contents. And they will say, “Woe to us! What is with this book that leaves nothing, small or big, but it has enumerated it?” They will find everything they had done present. Your Lord does not wrong anyone.	Qur'an 18:49 Notes Such a book must contradict the Quran, a book that contradicts itself while deliberately dehumanizing disbelievers.

Qur'an 18:50 We said to the angels, “Bow down to Adam.” So they bowed down, except for Satan. He was of the jinn, and he defied the command of his Lord. Will you take him and his offspring as lords instead of Me, when they are an enemy to you? Evil is the exchange for the wrongdoers.

Qur'an 18:50 Notes As someone who does not believe in Allah or his angels, I will not take any of them as lords. I will also take no jinn as my lord because I don't believe in jinn either. Also, this verse implies that people should not take Satan as a leader because Satan is an enemy to humanity. Allah is an enemy to most of humanity on account of dooming them to infinite torture from before they even started existing. Allah is the one who created a hell and made it infinitely painful for anybody, not Satan.

Qur'an 18:51 I did not call them to witness the creation of the heavens and the earth, nor their own creation; and I do not take the misleaders for assistants.	Qur'an 18:51 Notes Prove that anybody can witness the creation of the heavens and the earth. Better yet, prove that they were created by a sentient entity in the first place, let alone a god anything like the Allah described in this book.

Qur'an 18:52 On the Day when He will say, “Call on My partners whom you have claimed.” They will call on them, but they will not answer them. And We will place between them a barrier.	Qur'an 18:52 Notes What about those who do not believe in Allah and do not worship any beings whatsoever? Also, how does any part of this story make Allah look like a loving, forgiving god?

Qur'an 18:53 And the sinners will see the Fire, and will realize that they will tumble into it. They will find no deliverance from it.	Qur'an 18:53 Notes They will realize that Allah created them for the sole purpose of infinite torture and that they had no chance to escape this fate which Allah has created for them specifically.

Qur'an 18:54 We have elaborated in this Quran for the people every kind of example, but the human being is a most argumentative being.	Qur'an 18:54 Notes Allah has repeated claims while refusing to prove them. That is not the same as elaborating. Argumentative people simply use the mental faculties that Allah supposedly instilled in them to see that this could very well be a load of coprolite and not divine in any way.

Qur'an 18:55 What prevented people from accepting faith, when guidance has come to them, and from seeking their Lord’s forgiveness? Unless they are waiting for the precedent of the ancients to befall them, or to have the punishment come upon them face to face.	Qur'an 18:55 Notes Allah claims repeatedly that he actively prevents people from accepting faith. The answer to this question is none other than Allah according to this book.

Qur'an 18:56 We send the messengers only as deliverers of good news and warners. Those who disbelieve argue with false argument, in order to defeat the truth thereby. They take My Verses, and the warnings, for a joke.	Qur'an 18:56 Notes Those who disbelieve only disbelieve because they see false arguments and unsupported claims in their messages. Allah's verses are not funny enough for people to take them as jokes, though I have heard people laugh at them regardless.

Qur'an 18:57 Who does greater wrong than he, who, when reminded of his Lord’s revelations, turns away from them, and forgets what his hands have put forward? We have placed coverings over their hearts, lest they understand it, and heaviness in their ears. And if you call them to guidance, they will not be guided, ever.

Qur'an 18:57 Notes Allah literally claims that the one who "placed coverings over their hearts" and paired it with "heaviness in their ears" is none other than Allah. As such, without a doubt, Allah does greater wrong by condemning these supposed wrongdoers in the first place and violating their free will to ensure that they end up deserving the worst torture possible according to a moral system invented by Allah himself.

Qur'an 18:58 Your Lord is the Forgiver, Possessor of Mercy. Were He to call them to account for what they have earned, He would have hastened the punishment for them. But they have an appointment from which they will find no escape.	Qur'an 18:58 Notes Allah says this literally after claiming to doom people in a merciless way. Apparently, a truly forgiving possessor of mercy can keep that title while only forgiving those who were not forced to sin by Allah himself, which just makes things pointless.

Qur'an 18:59 And these towns—We destroyed them when they committed injustices, and We set for their destruction an appointed time.	Qur'an 18:59 Notes Which towns? Where are these towns located?

Qur'an 18:60 Recall when Moses said to his servant, “I will not give up until I reach the junction of the two rivers, even if it takes me years.”	Qur'an 18:60 Notes Moses, the historical figure that totally existed and whose story does not go against historical evidence whatsoever.

Qur'an 18:61 Then, when they reached the junction between them, they forgot about their fish. It found its way into the river, slipping away.	Qur'an 18:61 Notes Good for the fish's survival. Hopefully, they were mindful enough to bring food that can't escape.

Qur'an 18:62 When they went further, he said to his servant, “Bring us our lunch; we were exposed in our travel to much fatigue.”	Qur'an 18:62 Notes That singular fish was their entire lunch?

Qur'an 18:63 He said, “Do you remember when we rested by the rock? I forgot about the fish. It was only the devil who made me forget it. And so it found its way to the river, amazingly.”	Qur'an 18:63 Notes How would the servant have known that this specific location is where the fish escaped?

Qur'an 18:64 He said, “This is what we were seeking.” And so they turned back retracing their steps.	Qur'an 18:64 Notes Apparently, some Hadith makes this story make some more sense. Allah could have elaborated as he claims to elaborate and made this part of the chapter make sense without external sources.

Qur'an 18:65 Then they came upon a servant of Ours, whom We had blessed with mercy from Us, and had taught him knowledge from Our Own.	Qur'an 18:65 Notes This guy especially, considering that this guy would normally need to prove that he was indeed a servant of Allah.

Qur'an 18:66 Moses said to him, “May I follow you, so that you may teach me some of the guidance you were taught?”	Qur'an 18:66 Notes Allah could have guided the prophet more directly than teaching him via a human middleman.

Qur'an 18:67 He said, “You will not be able to endure with me.	Qur'an 18:67 Notes How specifically does this guy know that?

Qur'an 18:68 And how will you endure what you have no knowledge of?”	Qur'an 18:68 Notes Moses is here to learn. He would need patience with these things of which he has no knowledge.

Qur'an 18:69 He said, “You will find me, God willing, patient; and I will not disobey you in any order of yours.”	Qur'an 18:69 Notes Moses said that without realizing what would happen next? Really?

Qur'an 18:70 He said, “If you follow me, do not ask me about anything, until I myself make mention of it to you.”	Qur'an 18:70 Notes So... not exactly the best teacher for anybody, let alone a prophet.

Qur'an 18:71 So they set out. Until, when they had boarded the boat, he holed it. He said, “Did you hole it, to drown its passengers? You have done something awful.”	Qur'an 18:71 Notes There might be some valid reason to deliberately damage someone's property, but this guy really needs to explain that he isn't just dragging Moses along like an accomplice.

Qur'an 18:72 He said, “Did I not tell you that you will not be able to endure with me?”	Qur'an 18:72 Notes At this point, Moses should realize that he is an accomplice for whatever this guy does.

Qur'an 18:73 He said, “Do not rebuke me for forgetting, and do not make my course difficult for me.”	Qur'an 18:73 Notes He should have just booked it.

Qur'an 18:74 Then they set out. Until, when they encountered a boy, he killed him. He said, “Did you kill a pure soul, who killed no one? You have done something terrible.”	Qur'an 18:74 Notes Oh great, this guy is a literal murderer.

Qur'an 18:75 He said, “Did I not tell you that you will not be able to endure with me?”	Qur'an 18:75 Notes Moses was supposed to just accept this fact and say nothing when seeing his teacher kill an innocent man.

Qur'an 18:76 He said, “If I ask you about anything after this, then do not keep company with me. You have received excuses from me.”	Qur'an 18:76 Notes He should have just found a safe way to escape this murdered without giving said murderer another kill.

Qur'an 18:77 So they set out. Until, when they reached the people of a town, they asked them for food, but they refused to offer them hospitality. There they found a wall about to collapse, and he repaired it. He said, “If you wanted, you could have obtained a payment for it.”	Qur'an 18:77 Notes How long has it been since either of them ate, on this note? It probably doesn't matter in a poorly-written fictional tale.

Qur'an 18:78 He said, “This is the parting between you and me. I will tell you the interpretation of what you were unable to endure.	Qur'an 18:78 Notes About time. What kind of teacher does that?

Qur'an 18:79 As for the boat, it belonged to paupers working at sea. I wanted to damage it because there was a king coming after them seizing every boat by force.	Qur'an 18:79 Notes So... either way, they would not have a functional boat. What good is a boat that was too holed for the king to take if the paupers would make no use for it. Did they even consent to having some stranger hole their boat?

Qur'an 18:80 As for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared he would overwhelm them with oppression and disbelief.	Qur'an 18:80 Notes So... killing children is okay if the murderer fears that the children would be a bad kid to believing parents? What kind of morality is that? Would any kids be fair game for these murderers if they have even a possibility of disobedience and disbelief or is this kid the only one or what is even happening in this nonsense book?

Qur'an 18:81 So we wanted their Lord to replace him with someone better in purity, and closer to mercy.	Qur'an 18:81 Notes That just sounds like a lame excuse for murder. How was anyone okay with this?

Qur'an 18:82 And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphaned boys in the town. Beneath it was a treasure that belonged to them. Their father was a righteous man. Your Lord wanted them to reach their maturity, and then extract their treasure—as a mercy from your Lord. I did not do it of my own accord. This is the interpretation of what you were unable to endure.”	Qur'an 18:82 Notes Yeah yeah, whatever you say, murderer.

Qur'an 18:83 And they ask you about Zul-Qarnain. Say, “I will tell you something about him.”	Qur'an 18:83 Notes Zul-Qarnain is often claimed to be Alexander the Great for those who have no idea who he is. This is not confirmed, but it is widely believed.

Qur'an 18:84 We established him on earth, and gave him all kinds of means.	Qur'an 18:84 Notes Allah takes credit for a man's success once again.

Qur'an 18:85 He pursued a certain course.	Qur'an 18:85 Notes This is notable enough to be its own verse without any further details.

Qur'an 18:86 Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it setting in a murky spring, and found a people in its vicinity. We said, “O Zul-Qarnain, you may either inflict a penalty, or else treat them kindly.”	Qur'an 18:86 Notes See the main article on this topic: Dhu al-Qarnayn

Qur'an 18:87 He said, “As for him who does wrong, we will penalize him, then he will be returned to his Lord, and He will punish him with an unheard-of torment.	Qur'an 18:87 Notes Will this unheard-of torment be in that same muddy spring where the sun actually sets?

Qur'an 18:88 “But as for him who believes and acts righteously, he will have the finest reward, and We will speak to him of Our command with ease.”	Qur'an 18:88 Notes The carrot is there to ensure that the stick is not alone.

Qur'an 18:89 Then he pursued a course.	Qur'an 18:89 Notes Again, this verse is notable enough to be its own verse separate from 18:85

Qur'an 18:90 Until, when he reached the rising of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We had provided no shelter from it.	Qur'an 18:90 Notes Is the sun literally rising in the same way that the sun would literally set in a muddy spring?

Qur'an 18:91 And so it was. We had full knowledge of what he had.	Qur'an 18:91 Notes Would you share enough of that knowledge unambiguously in this book?

Qur'an 18:92 Then he pursued a course.	Qur'an 18:92 Notes Such a lovely and insightful verse that bears repeating again and again.

Qur'an 18:93 Until, when he reached the point separating the two barriers, he found beside them a people who could barely understand what is said.	Qur'an 18:93 Notes The people reading this book could barely understand what it says.

Qur'an 18:94 They said, “O Zul-Qarnain, the Gog and Magog are spreading chaos in the land. Can we pay you, to build between us and them a wall?”	Qur'an 18:94 Notes It's going to be a great wall! Gog and Magog are both paying for this wall.

Qur'an 18:95 He said, “What my Lord has empowered me with is better. But assist me with strength, and I will build between you and them a dam.”	Qur'an 18:95 Notes Where in the world did this happen? Can we see any archaeological evidence of these people?

Qur'an 18:96 “Bring me blocks of iron.” So that, when he had leveled up between the two cliffs, he said, “Blow.” And having turned it into a fire, he said, “Bring me tar to pour over it.”	Qur'an 18:96 Notes Is this how ancient metallurgy worked?

Qur'an 18:97 So they were unable to climb it, and they could not penetrate it.	Qur'an 18:97 Notes So they were locked in a prison and somehow had no opportunity to escape or sabotage it while it was being constructed?

Qur'an 18:98 He said, “This is a mercy from my Lord. But when the promise of my Lord comes true, He will turn it into rubble, and the promise of my Lord is always true.”	Qur'an 18:98 Notes Mercy my right foot!

Qur'an 18:99 On that Day, We will leave them surging upon one another. And the Trumpet will be blown, and We will gather them together.	Qur'an 18:99 Notes How merciful!

Qur'an 18:100 On that Day, We will present the disbelievers to Hell, all displayed.	Qur'an 18:100 Notes I, some mere mortal, can't withstand this mercy!

Qur'an 18:101 Those whose eyes were screened to My message, and were unable to hear.	Qur'an 18:101 Notes Allah created them so mercifully! Allah doomed them to Jahannam with peerless mercy!

Qur'an 18:102 Do those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants for masters instead of Me? We have prepared Hell for the hospitality of the faithless.	Qur'an 18:102 Notes How wonderfully merciful! I can't handle this mercy!

Qur'an 18:103 Say, “Shall We inform you of the greatest losers in their works?”	Qur'an 18:103 Notes You have done that more than enough. You can stop now.

Qur'an 18:104 “Those whose efforts in this world are misguided, while they assume that they are doing well.”	Qur'an 18:104 Notes Allah was the one who misguided them.

Qur'an 18:105 It is they who rejected the communications of their Lord, and the encounter with Him. So their works are in vain. And on the Day of Resurrection, We will consider them of no weight.	Qur'an 18:105 Notes Allah really only cares about your deeds if you happened to kiss up to him without full evidence of his existence.

Qur'an 18:106 That is their requital—Hell—on account of their disbelief, and their taking My revelations and My messengers in mockery.	Qur'an 18:106 Notes Allah was the one who sealed their hearts and made this perfect message so ridiculously mockable. How would people not mock every word of it?

Qur'an 18:107 As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, they will have the Gardens of Paradise for hospitality.	Qur'an 18:107 Notes How many times does Allah need to repeat this?

Qur'an 18:108 Abiding therein forever, without desiring any change therefrom.	Qur'an 18:108 Notes Allah could stop repeating this promise and instead start proving it, but then people would actually know it to be true and not have their specific brand of gullibility tested.

Qur'an 18:109 Say, “If the ocean were ink for the words of my Lord, the ocean would run out, before the words of my Lord run out,” even if We were to bring the like of it in addition to it.	Qur'an 18:109 Notes This sounds impressive on the surface, so I will give it that.

Qur'an 18:110 Say, “I am only a human being like you, being inspired that your god is One God. Whoever hopes to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and never associate anyone with the service of his Lord.”	Qur'an 18:110 Notes Say that and then act surprised or disappointed whenever people find this to be unconvincing.