Surah 18. Al-Kahf, Ayah 88

Since righteous behaviour is the norm expected of man, the laws relating thereto must not be too demanding - which is another lesson to be drawn from this parable.

He never said like Pharaoh, "I am your Lord Most High!" (lxxix. 24). On the contrary his punishments were humbly regulated as not being final, and he laid more stress on the good he could do to those who lived normal lives in faith and righteousness. His rule was easy to them: he imposed no heavy tasks because of his power, but gave every opportunity to rich and poor for the exercise of virtue and goodness. Such is the spiritual lesson to be learned from the first episode.