Surah 18 - Verse 23-24 (Verse by Verse)

(18:23) And never say about anything: "I shall certainly do this tomorrow"

(18:24) unless Allah should will it. And should you forget (and make such a statement), remember your Lord and say: "I expect my Lord to guide me²⁴ to what is nearer to rectitude than this."

24. We believe this to be a parenthetical statement which is thematically linked to the preceding verse. The preceding verse states that God alone knows the exact number of the People of the Cave and that it is pointless to try to ascertain their true number. One should, therefore, avoid wasting one's time on unsubstantive matters, and should refrain from pursuits that will lead nowhere. The question is of such trivial consequence that one should not even get involved with others in such debates.

At this stage, before proceeding to the next point, both the Prophet (peace be on him) and the believers are directed not to make categorical statements as to what they would do on the morrow. For no one knows what they will in fact be able to do. One does not know at all what lies in store for the future. Nor has one absolute power to do whatever one wills. So even if one were to unintentionally make any categorical statements as to what one will be able to do on the morrow, one should be instantly conscious and remember God, and make one's statement conditional with God's will. In other words, one should state that one will do a certain thing provided God so wills. In like manner, a person does not know for sure whether the act he intends will be beneficial for him or whether some other action would be conducive to greater benefit. Hence, one ought to place one's reliance on God and say that one hopes God will direct one to the right judgement.