I would like to share my opinion regarding Surah Al-Kahf and some related verses.
I am not a professional writer, but I hope this explanation can be understood.
Let us begin with these verses:
18:83
And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say: I will recite to you a remembrance of him.
18:84
We had established him upon the earth, and We had given him the means to all things.
18:85
So he followed the means.
18:86
Until he reached the disappearance of the sun; he found it hidden in black eyes, and he found a people nearby.
We said: O Dhul-Qarnain, either you punish or you do good.
About maghrib and taghrubu
The root Ghayn–Ra–Ba does not only indicate “west” or “sunset”.
Its meanings include:
- to disappear
- to withdraw
- to become hidden
- to become dark or black
- to depart or pass away
Therefore, in this context, I understand taghrubu not as a geographical west, but as disappearance.
About ʿaynin ḥamiʾatin — “black eye”
The word ʿayn can mean:
- eye
- spring of water
- perception
- source
And ḥamiʾah can refer to:
- dark
- blackened
- obscured
Thus, I understand ʿaynin ḥamiʾatin as the black part of the eye, not a muddy spring.
This description resembles a phenomenon we know today as a solar eclipse — where the sun is temporarily covered.
Sitran as a cover
Later in the passage:
18:90
Then he followed a means, until he reached the place exposed to the sun.
He found it rising upon a people for whom We had made no cover (sitran) against it.
Here, the Qur’an does not use mashriq (east).
Instead, the focus is again on the condition of the sun, not direction.
Questions Raised
- Is there a place on Earth that has never experienced a solar eclipse?
- Why is the blocking object called sitran (a cover), and not explicitly the moon?
Observation About Eclipses
The recurrence of eclipses follows the Saros cycle (approximately 18 years).
Maps of eclipse paths show that certain regions, particularly far south, have little to no eclipse history.
This leads me to speculate that Dhul-Qarnain may have traveled toward regions we now associate with extreme southern latitudes.
About the Moon and Stars
The Qur’an states:
36:40
The sun is not permitted to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day.
Each is swimming in its own orbit.
Also:
54:1
The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has split.
The root of inshaqqa suggests penetration or opening, not destruction.
And regarding stars:
86:1–3
By the sky and the night comer —
And what will make you know what the night comer is?
It is the piercing star.
These verses describe phenomena consistent with light passing through, not solid obstruction.
Ancient Knowledge
Similar concepts exist in ancient traditions, such as Rahu and Ketu, described as eclipse-causing shadow entities.
You can read more here:
Star and Crescent – Wikipedia
I will continue later with reflections on the structure built by Dhul-Qarnain, as the narrative brings us close to the land where sky and earth meet — in shā’ Allāh.