Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim
Assalam alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu
In
order to understand the Qur’an, we need to understand the language and reflect
over the greatest of Speech. Surah Al-Kahf is the 18th chapter of
the Qur’an and it too has some beauty that is amazing. This chapter we
encourage to recite every Friday and memories its opening passage to gain
protection from Dajjal. And every chapter has a theme, a central subject matter
which is discussed. And in this Surah, there are four stories that we’ll be
important In Sha Allah.
The People of the Cave.
The
story of the people of the cave centers on a group of believing men who lived
in a society of shirk. Thus when they noticed that people will threaten their
lives because of the faith, they left the city and went to a cave for the sake
of Allah and their faith. Allah bestowed upon them slumber and when they woke
up from their sleep, they had no idea for how long they had slept and sent one
to find food for sustenance, the shopkeeper was amazed to see such old coins
and the reality of time struck them. Scholars differ on the location of the
cave, it is said to be Jordan but others claim it’s in Turkey, other Sham
(Syrian territories) and others in Aylah (Jerusalem). But the significant thing
is this the lesson from this story is ‘TRIAL OF
FAITH’.
“And We made their hearts firm and strong when they stood up and
said: ‘Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, never shall we call
upon any god other than Him; if we did, we should indeed have uttered an
enormity in disbelief.’ ” (Q18:14)
When
Allah Almighty puts the faith of a believer to trial and he becomes steadfast
on the faith, then Allah assists them in ways that are beyond comprehension.
Moreover we are reminded to keep good and righteous company of people. The men
of the cave were all righteous men and kept together, that attracted the Mercy
and assistance of Allah.
The Owner of Two Gardens.
This
story is a man whom Allah blessed with two beautiful gardens, he was very rich
in every regard. His harvests were very seasonal and the upkeep of his gardens
were minimal due to the natural flowing rivers. Additionally he enjoyed the
blessings of children and servants. But his wealth and riches led his astray
and he started doubting his faith. Arrogance and haughtiness consumed him. He had
a poor friend but started to belittle him and ridiculed his advice to show
gratitude towards Allah.
“And he went into his garden while in the state of injustice to
himself. He said: ‘I think not that this will perish. And I think not that the
Hour will ever come, and if indeed I am brought back to my Lord, I surely shall
find better than this when I return to Him.’ ” (Q18:34-36)
He
was foolishly thought that his wealth and manpower was a sign of Allah’s love
and acceptance. Why else would he receive such blessings?! Surely in resurrection
Allah would grant him such blessings. Allah destroyed the wealth of this man to
show him and us that wealth of this world is not a sign of Allah’s pleasure or
displeasure but rather a test through which Allah examines our belief,
character and actions. It’s not about the wealth but how you earn it and then
spend it.
“So his fruits were encircled with ruin. And he remained clapping
his hands with sorrow over what he had spent upon it, while I was all destroyed
on its trellises, he could only say: ‘Would I had ascribed no partners to my
Lord!’ And he had no group of men to help him against Allah, nor could he
defend or save himself.” (Q18:42-43)
In
many ways, humbleness and gratitude for the blessings of Allah are ones that
help us overcome such trials. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) said, “By Allah, it is not
poverty which I fear for you but that the world will be spread out before you
just as it was spread out for those who came before you, and you compete in it
as they did, so it destroys you as it did them.” Evil
of wealth is when it becomes the goal in life rather than a means to the real
goal of pleasing Allah. When this happens, wealth can easily lead to arrogance,
pride and belittling of others. It’s sad that we see this not only in society
but our very own families. We should also learn from this story that the
worldly things are temporary and transient and when available on must thank
Allah.
“And present to them the example of the life of this world, (its
being) like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the
earth mingles with it and (then) it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the
winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability.” (Q18:45)
This
is the ‘TRIAL OF WEALTH’.
Musa (AS) and Khidr (AS).
The
third unique story is of two Prophets, Musa (AS) and Khidr (AS). Musa stood one
day amongst his people and delivered a sermon. He was then asked as to who was
the most knowledgeable of people. To this question he replied that he was,
without associating his knowledge with to Allah. Allah then instructed him to
travel to the junction of the two seas where he would find one endowed with
more knowledge than him in certain affairs.
“And when Musa said to his boy-servant: ‘I will not give up
until I reach the junction of the two seas or until I spend years in
travelling.” (Q18:60)
Musa
(AS) travelled to the man and there upon encountered three amazing situations
wherein Musa fails to gasp the wisdom of Khird’s actions. The scuttling of the
ship, killing of a young boy and repair of the crumbling wall are then explained
to Musa at the end of their time together.
The
lesson to be learnt here is that knowledge is not something one should be proud
of, rather it should teach humility, piety and genuine concern of the wellbeing
of others. One should know that there is always someone who is more
knowledgeable and has a better understanding of things than one’s own self. As we
normally associate knowledge with goodness and benefits, it can as well be
evil. It can lead to arrogance and pride. The moral lesson was ‘TRIAL OF KNOWLEDGE’
King Dhul-Qarnayn.
Dhul-Qarnayn
was a great king that was given knowledge and power. He travelled all across
the world to help the people who were in need and spread good wherever he went.
He conquered the East and West and provided relief to people from Gog and Magog
as Allah tested his immense power.
“Until,
when he reached the setting place of the sun, he found it setting in a spring
of black muddy water. And he found near it a people. We said: ‘O Dhul-Qarnayn! Either
you punish them, or treat them with kindness.” (Q18:86)
Instead
of either going to extreme treatment of harshness or kindness, he established
justice.
“Said: ‘As for him who does wrong, we shall punish him; and then
he will be brought back unto his Lord; Who will punish him with a terrible torment.
But as for him who believes and works righteousness, he shall have the best
reward, and we shall speak unto him mild words.” (Q18:87-88)
This
was the constitution of Dhul-Qarnayn as he went to conquer the East and West
and the lands between. His justice, compassion and goodness is further
highlighted in the way he dealt with those people who requested his assistance against
the oppression of Gog and Magog.
“They said: ‘O Dhul-Qarnayn! Verily! Gog and Magog are doing
great mischief in the land. Shall we then pay you a tribute in order that you
might erect a barrier between us and them?’ He said: ‘That in which my Lord had
established me is better. So help me with strength, I will erect between you
and them a barrier.’ ” (Q18:94-95)
Although
this story speaks of power at the highest level, it is the same concept of
justice and compassion which helps us deal with power at any level and in any
form. Parents hold a measure of power over their children, a husband over his
wife, an employer over his employee and so on. It was this that the Prophet of
Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) emphasized on the famous
statement, “Indeed all of you shepherds and each
one of you is responsible for their flock.” ‘TRIAL
OF POWER’
And
how is it connected to Dajjal? The
Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “There is no trial from the time of Adam until the Hour
greater than the Dajjal.” The connection is that the same four trials
mentioned within the Surah are the same ones that Dajjal with bring upon us.
Firstly
he will call himself a god. Then persecute and oppress those who oppose him and
disbelieve in him. Second is trial of
wealth. And to those who believe in him will be given plentiful crops and food,
and he will order the sky above them to bring forth its rain and the earth
around them to bring forth vegetation. Third he will try people with knowledge
and news he gives to them and as for power, he will have the ability to kill
then bring back life and bring back dead relatives with the help of shaytan and
his associates.
Besides
the great reward that comes from reciting Al-Kahf, an understanding of its
content can also help a Muslim extract valuable lessons that can help in
shaping one’s life towards the path of righteousness. May Allah guide us into implementing
His lessons and increase our Iman and knowledge of understanding In Sha Allah.
And
Allah knows best.
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