Al-Kahf 18:97 فما اسطاعوا ان يظهروه وما استطاعوا له نقبا ٩٧

18:97

فَمَا

ٱسۡطَٰعُوٓاْ

أَن

يَظۡهَرُوهُ

وَمَا

ٱسۡتَطَٰعُواْ

لَهُۥ

نَقۡبٗا

٩٧

So they (Ya’jūj and Ma’jūj) were not able to climb it, nor were they able to make a hole in it.

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Ibn Kathir (Abridged)

The Barrier restrains Them, but It will be breached when the Hour draws nigh

Allah tells us that Ya'juj and Ma'juj could not climb over the barrier or penetrate its lower portion. Varying forms of the verb are used here in the Arabic text to reflect the difficulty of the action referred to.

فَمَا اسْط

…

The Barrier restrains Them, but It will be breached when the Hour draws nigh

Allah tells us that Ya'juj and Ma'juj could not climb over the barrier or

…

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Read in Context

Chapter 18, Page 303, Juz 16

83. They ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say, “I shall now recite to you an account of him.” 84. Surely, We gave him power on earth and gave him means to (have) everything (he needs). 85. So he followed a course, 86. until when he reached the point of sunset, he found it setting into a miry spring, and found a people near it. We said, “O Dhul-Qarnain, either punish them or adopt good behavior with them.” 87. He said, “As for him who does wrong, we shall punish him, then he will be sent back to his Lord, and He will punish him with a severe punishment. 88. As for the one who believes and acts righteously, he will have the best (life) as reward, and we shall speak to him politely in our directions.” 89. Thereafter, he followed a course, 90. until when he reached the point of sunrise, he found it rising over a people for whom We did not make any shelter against it. 91. Thus it was, and Our knowledge fully comprehends whatever (wealth and equipment) he had with him. 92. Thereafter he followed a course 93. until when he reached between the two mountains, he found by them a people who were almost unable to understand anything said. 94. They said, “O Dhul-Qarnain, the (tribes of) Ya’jūj and Ma’jūj (Gog and Magog) are mischief-makers on the earth. So, should we assign a tax for you on condition that you make a barrier between us and them?” 95. He said, “What my Lord has (already) given in my control is better enough (for me than the tax you are offering to me), so help me (only) with some (man) power, and I shall make a rampart between you and them. 96. Bring me big pieces of iron.” (They proceeded accordingly) until when he leveled up (the gap) between the two cliffs, he said, “Blow.” (They complied) until when he made it (like) fire, he said, “Bring me molten copper, and I will pour it upon this.” 97. So they (Ya’jūj and Ma’jūj) were not able to climb it, nor were they able to make a hole in it. 98. He said, “This is a mercy from my Lord. Then, when the promise of my Lord will come, He will make it leveled to the ground. The promise of my Lord is true.” 99. And on that day, (i.e. the Doomsday) We will leave them (all the people including Ya’jūj and Ma’jūj) surging over one another. And the Horn shall be blown, then We shall gather them together. 100. And on that day We will bring Jahannam fully exposed before the infidels 101. whose eyes were under a cover against My reminders, and they were not able to listen.

- T. Usmani