Lessons from Surat al-Kahf

(April 24, 2020)

Brothers and sisters! It is a weekly routine for many of us to recite Surat al-Kahf every Friday. There are several prophetic traditions that speak about the benefits of reciting this Surah. It is mentioned that this Surah brings comfort and peace to the heart. It gives to its readers the light that will shine for them in this life and in the eternal life. It is also mentioned that those who recite this Surah will be saved from the trials of Dajjal. Many Muslims recite this Surah every Friday.

It is important that we understand the context, the general meaning, and the lessons to be derived from this Surah so that we benefit from the guidance it provides. The blessed Surah begins with the following words:

 الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ الْكِتَابَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ عِوَجًا () قَيِّمًا لِيُنْذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِنْ لَدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا () مَاكِثِينَ فِيهِ أَبَدًا

“Praise be to Allah Who sent down the Scripture to His servant and placed no crookedness in it. (He made it) straight, giving warning of severe punishment from Him and giving good news to the believers who do good deeds that theirs will be an excellent reward where they shall abide forever.” (al-Kahf 18:1-3) 

What is the historical background of the revelation of this Surah? It was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) towards the middle period of his preaching in Makkah. During this period the Quraish had increased their opposition to the Prophet. It is reported that this Surah was revealed around this period in response to some questions posed by the Makkan polytheists (mushrikun). After consulting with the People of the Book, they put these questions to the Prophet (SAW): (1) Who were the companions of the cave? (2) What is the true nature of the story of the encounter of Musa (AS) with Khidr? (3) What is the story of Dhul-Qarnain?

All these stories pertained to the Jewish and Christian history and were not much known to the people in the Arabian Peninsula. The People of the Book selected these stories carefully so as to test whether or not any extraordinary source of knowledge was available to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Allah (SWT) revealed these stories to the Prophet (SAW), not only to give answers to the questions raised but also to build the morale of Muslims and help them get some lessons for their own particular situation.

When we reflect on this Surah we see that the Surah mentions four main stories in some details and in the middle of these stories it also refers to the story of Iblis (the Devil) who refused to obey Allah’s command to honor Adam (AS) and instead became the enemy of all human beings. The four main stories of this Surah are: (1) Story of the companions of the cave, (2) Story of the owner of two gardens, (3) Story of Musa (AS) and his encounter with a mysterious teacher, and (4) Story of the king Dhul-Qarnain.  The theme of all these stories is one and the same. They all tell us about the trials of life. People are tested by different trials and Devil is there to mislead them and make difficult their path of success and salvation.

The story of the companions of the cave tells about the trials of faith. It tells us how the people of faith are tested and tried in different ways, but those who persevere and remain firm are protected by Allah (SWT). What does the Qur’an omit about this story? The Qur’an deliberately leaves out almost everything that a historian of this story will be interested to know. The Qur’an does not tell us: the dates and the time period when this happened, the geographical location of the cave, the names of the companions of the cave, the race or religion of the companions of the cave, their exact number, and so on.

It is, however, interesting to note that while the Qur’an has not given us some of the specifics of this story, it has remarkably told us all its important elements. The Qur’an has told us that the companions of the cave were young people. They were together and were supporting each other. They had deep faith in One God and were under threat to be killed for their faith. They were at a loss that their fellow countrymen could not see the foolishness of their false beliefs. They took refuge in a cave. They were deeply religious and pious. The Qur’an mentions their sincere prayers to their Lord. They had full trust in their Lord. God helped them in mysterious ways and gave them full protection. The cave received the warmth of the sunlight, but in such a way that they were not discovered or seen from outside. Allah (SWT) made them turn sides, like a mother keeps turning her little baby in the crib. Their dog was in front of the cave. The scene was frightening for the outsider, so that no one could enter the cave. When they woke up they did not know how long they slept. They sent one of them to buy some food for them; but they did not want to be discovered because they were afraid that their countrymen would kill them and force them to abandon their religion.

Allah (SWT) made them wake up at a particular time so that people may learn some lessons: Firstly that Allah’s promise is true and secondly that the resurrection will take place. People did not learn the lesson but kept arguing what kind of monument to build for their honor. One of the things we learn is that instead of arguing about the unnecessary details of this story; we should learn its basic message.

It seems that the Qur’an has universalized this story for all people and for all times. The story could be of people of any time or place. Some of the messages it conveys are: (1) There is only one God—Allah (SWT). (2) Do not give up your faith under hardship or trials, (3) Allah (SWT) has unique ways to help those who are sincere and faithful, (4) Time and history are all in the power of Allah (SWT) He has total control over them, (5) Material power is not permanent; it is the spiritual that will abide, (6) People of truth are found in all places and times; truth is not the exclusive property of any one group or nation, (7) Allah (SWT) tests people. Those who suffer are not necessarily bad people and those who prosper are not necessarily good people. The truth will ultimately succeed, (9) Allah’s promise of help and support is true, and finally (10) The resurrection will definitely take place.

The story of the owner of the two gardens is basically about the trials of wealth. It tells us that wealth and riches could be very tempting and deceiving and often take people away from the right path so much so that the person even dares to doubt Allah’s message regarding the afterlife.

The story of Musa (AS) and Khidr tells us about the trials of knowledge. We may think that we know everything; but no one—not even Allah’s prophets, can grasp all the mysteries of the events in this world. Knowledge requires a lot of patience and humility and ultimate knowledge of the seen and unseen belongs to Allah (SWT) alone.

The story of Dhul-Qarnain tells us about a great king who was powerful, intelligent and resourceful. He was also humble and devout. He did not charge his subjects excessive taxes for any projects that he performed. The power and authority did not corrupt him. This is the story of the trials of power and position.

Allah (SWT) narrates to us four different stories relating to four different trials that we encounter during our earthly existence. May Allah (SWT) make us successful in each one of these trials.  

Surat al-Kahf ends with these words: “Say, ‘Shall we tell you who the biggest losers are according to their actions? It is those whose efforts are lost in this world and they think that they are doing well.’ They disbelieve in their Lord’s message and deny that they will meet Him. Their deeds come to nothing on the Day of Resurrection; We shall give them no weight. Their recompense will be Hell because they disbelieved and made fun of My message and My messengers. But those who believe and do good deeds shall have as a gift the Gardens of Paradise. They shall remain there forever, never wishing to leave. Say, ‘If the ocean were ink for (writing) the words of my Lord, it would run dry before those words were exhausted’ – even if We were to add another ocean to it. Say, ‘I am only a human being, like you, to whom it has been revealed that your God is One. Anyone who hopes to meet his Lord should do good deeds and let him associate no one else in the worship of his Lord.”(al-Kahf, 103-110). Some of the other important lessons and guidance that we get from Surat al-Kahf are:

 (1) Never say of anything, "I will do that tomorrow, without (adding) if God wills,”

وَلَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَيْءٍ إِنِّي فَاعِلٌ ذَلِكَ غَدًا () إِلَّا أَنْ يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ

“Never say of anything, "I will do that tomorrow, without (adding) if God wills…” (al-Kahf, 18:23-24). Musa (AS) said to Khidr:

قَالَ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ صَابِرًا وَلَا أَعْصِي لَكَ أَمْرًا

“He (Musa) said, God willing, you will find me patient. I will not disobey you in any way.” (al-Kahf, 18:69). This also goes to show the humility of Musa (AS) when interacting with his teacher. So should we be humble to our teachers and elders.

(2) The truth about the life of this world or what is the likeness of worldly life.

وَاضْرِبْ لَهُمْ مَثَلَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا كَمَاءٍ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهِ نَبَاتُ الْأَرْضِ فَأَصْبَحَ هَشِيمًا تَذْرُوهُ الرِّيَاحُ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُقْتَدِرًا

“Tell them, what the life of this world is like: We send water down from the skies and the earth’s vegetation absorbs it, but soon the plants turn to dry stubble scattered about by the wind: Allah has power over everything.” (al-Kahf, 18:45). It is Allah (SWT) who gives life and also death. He causes the rise and the downfall. It is by His command that situations change. If you are enjoying prosperity today, you should be under no delusion that this condition will remain forever. God, by whose command these things have been bestowed on you, has the power to snatch away all this by another command.

(3) It is your good deeds that will benefit you in the hereafter.

الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا 

“Wealth and children are the adornment of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are far better with your Lord in reward and in hope.” (al-Kahf, 18:46)

(4) Always be in the company of good people who are God-conscious and who constantly remember their Lord.

وَاصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ بِالْغَدَاةِ وَالْعَشِيِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُ وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَلَا تُطِعْ مَنْ أَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهُ عَنْ ذِكْرِنَا وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ وَكَانَ أَمْرُهُ فُرُطًا

Keep yourself attached to those who call on their Lord, morning and evening, seeking His pleasure; and do not let your eyes turn away from them, desiring the attraction of worldly life; and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, and follows only his own desires, abandoning all that is good and true.” (al-Kahf, 18:28). Though these words have been addressed to the Prophet (SAW), they are really meant for the chiefs of the Quraish who considered it below their dignity to sit with such people as Bilal, Suhaib, Ammar, Khabbab, Ibn-Masud and others like them who generally remained in the Prophet’s company.

The leaders of the disbelievers used to say to the Prophet (SAW) that only if he sent such of his companions away, they would be willing to attend his meetings in order to learn about his message. This verse is meant to warn the chiefs of the Quraish that their wealth, pomp and show of which they were so proud had no value at all in the sight of Allah and His Messenger. Those poor people were really more worthy in their sight, for they were sincere and always remembered Allah.

So, hopefully, when we recite this Surat al-Kahf, keeping these points in perspective, that will make us better understand and appreciate its benefits insha'Allah.

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