Whoever has God…

Reflections on Surat al-Kahf (Chapter 18)

The man with the two gardens had what one would desire from the world. His friend had much less than him in a worldly sense. 

The biggest difference though? One had God, and one did not. 

The man with the two gardens faced a calamity, and lost all his wealth. The years of effort that he put into the gardens were in vain. We are told:

“And so all his produce was ˹totally˺ ruined, so he started to wring his hands for all he had spent on it, while it had collapsed on its trellises. He cried, ‘Alas! I wish I had never associated anyone with my Lord ˹in worship˺!’” (18:42)

He suddenly realized that he only had what he had because of Allah. And if one does not have Allah - faith in Him, submission to Him - the one has nothing, no matter how much of the world they seek to posses:

“And he had no manpower to help him against Allah, nor could he ˹even˺ help himself. At this time, support comes ˹only˺ from Allah—the True ˹Lord˺. He is best in reward and best in outcome.” (18:43-44)

His friend on the other hand?

“But as for me: He is Allah, my Lord, and I will never associate anyone with my Lord ˹in worship˺.” (18:38)

Despite having less, He had Allah. His friend’s wealth did not make him envious or jealous, because He who has Allah truly has everything. He who has the world but does not have God, in reality, has nothing. Allah tells us:

“Wealth and children are the adornment of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are far better with your Lord in reward and in hope.” (18:46)

And this is the effect of being truly connected to Allah, and truly in submission to Him. One can enjoy the adornment of the world, but the real effort goes into the everlasting deeds.