Surah Al-Kahf | Lessons From the Story of the Owner of The Two Gardens

Surah Al-Kahf | Lessons From the Story of the Owner of The Two Gardens

 Alhamdulillah

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says in the Qur’an:

“And put forward to them the example of two men; unto one of them We had given two gardens of grapes, and We had surrounded both with date-palms, and had put between them green crops (cultivated fields). Each of those two gardens brought forth its produce, and failed not in the least therein, and We caused a river to gush forth in the midst of them.” [Surah Al-Kahf 18: 32-33]

The story of the owner of the two gardens is among the many amazing lessons we can derive from Surah Al-Kahf. In the above ayah, Allah begins by introducing the incredibly rich owner of the two gardens to us. He had two grape gardens and other cultivated fields, with rivers that streamed in between, and the whole property was surrounded with date-palm trees. Allah made his gardens in such a way that they never failed to produce good quality fruits and crops, always fertile, and constantly brought forth maximum results. So not only were his gardens absolutely beautiful, but they always brought him maximal profits.

“And he had (other) property, and he said to his companion in the course of mutual talk: I am more than you in wealth, and stronger in respect of men (eg. workers).” [Surah Al-Kahf 18: 34]

A person who is immensely wealthy and always successful has the potential to be extremely arrogant, and indeed, the owner of the two gardens was afflicted with this spiritual disease. When he invited his friend, who was poor, to his garden, it wasn’t because he wanted to give some of his produce away as charity, he only wanted to brag about himself, and to show off his wealth to his friend.

“And he went into his garden while in a state unjust to himself. He said: I think not that this will ever perish. And I think not the Hour will ever come, and if indeed I am brought back to my Rabb (on the Day of Resurrection), I surely shall find better than this when I return to Him.” [Surah Al-Kahf 18: 35-36]

The owner was so prideful of himself, that as he entered his garden, he said three sinful statements against Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala - the One who gave him everything he owned!

The first sinful statement was when he said that his gardens would never, ever be destroyed. His properties always yielded abundant crops, never brought him any kind of loss throughout the years, and so he thought it was because he was very wise, exceptionally smart, and experienced in managing his properties. He attributed his success to himself, not to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala - not even one ‘Alhamdulillah’.

The second sinful statement was that he doubted the existence of the Day of Judgment. And his third sinful statement was when he said that even if the Day of Judgment was true, he would surely be granted with something better than what he had right now. He thought his worldly success was a sign that Allah was pleased with him, and therefore he likened his status in the hereafter to be even better than his current status in this dunya.

“His companion said to him during the talk with him: Do you disbelieve in the One Who created you from dust, then (developed you) from a sperm-drop, then formed you into a man? But as for my part, (I believe) that He is Allah, my Rabb, and none shall I associate as partner with my Rabb.” [Surah Al-Kahf 18: 37-38]

But his friend, the one who was poor, advised him to not be deceived into thinking that way. He reminded his friend that if Allah created mankind from dust very easily, then Allah can just as easily resurrect mankind on the Day of Judgment. While the rich friend loved his wealth immensely, the poor friend loved what was more important - and that was iman! He admonished his rich friend for his sinful statements.