Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan delves into the story of the man of two gardens which is mentioned in Surah Kahf. Through this story, Allah gives us the parable of this world with the Akhirah. The story gives us the lesson that the ultimate world is the hereafter.
This story is about the fitnah of the pleasures of this world which caused the man with two gardens to be arrogant and undeterred by the presence of the actual Jannah in the Hereafter. The man falsely believed that all his wealth was his effort and good luck and that he was better than his friend.
The faithful said that he was honored that his Creator and his Sustainer was Allah.he also admonished his friend for being proud and haughty and glorifying the life of this world, while he glorified his belief, faith, and monotheism. The faithless man happiness was short-lived as Allah had commanded for his green gardens and his arrogance and stupidity was realized by him to the fullest on seeing a barren and annihilated land in the place of his fruitful gardens of which he was so proud once. This horrific sight made him comprehend his great mistake and he ultimately realized that the protection, guardianship, and Power belong to Allah, the Lord Who is the Truth Himself.
Allah says that his arrogance and delusion is what brought him down and the destruction of the garden is the ultimate proof of that. Because of his belief that his wealth would remain in continuity, he remained ignorant and so involved in this world that he made the mistake of even assuming that he would get even something better in the actual Jannah too since Allah has been happy with him.
But he is humbled by his friend who reminds him of the feebleness of this creation and how temporary it is. He also admonishes him for indulging in Shirk by taking credit for his garden. Rather it was Allah alone who could give the creation whatever he chose to give.
The story of the man with two gardens imbibes in us such lessons that should make us obey Allah and refrain us from indulging in sins. These verses talk about the baseless utterances of the faithless, proud, and conceited rich man of the gardens and also the speech of his faithful companion. It deserves a fair and intent listen.