Why I Chose This surah / subject
Three main reasons:
1. Religious Routine - often repeated surah
2. Personal
3. Protection Against Dajjal
1. An often-repeated surah (every Friday)
Another reason I chose this surah: we repeat it very often. It's a surah that Muslims often strive to recite every Friday.
What is the basis of this practice?
The Prophet ﷺ said,
مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَةَ الْكَهْفِ فِي يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ أَضَاءَ لَهُ مِنَ النُّورِ مَا بَيْنَ الْجُمُعَتَيْنِ
“Whoever reads Surat al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.”
(Narrated by al-Hakim, 2/399; al-Bayhaqi, 3/249)
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever reads Surat al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds of the sky, which will shine for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiven (his sins) between the two Fridays.’”
What is the significance of having light?
Your life will be guided by Allah.
To do the right thing, to make clear distinction between right and wrong
Better have a deeper understanding of the surah we will repeat more often, make it practical
2. Personal: Publishing book
As we speak, my wife is in the midst of publishing her first book, centered around this first story in Surah Al-Kahf.
Book title: Adventure to Al-Kahf - A Fun Quran Picture and Activity Book for Young Explorers
Written by my wifey, and illustrated by Syahmi's younger sister Haninah (sister Nina)
Really proud of her for the effort she put in
Book is going to be released very soon, should be ready this Ramadan.
3. Protection Against Dajjal
- I had the privilege to volunteer as one of the coaches of Alkhaadem Youth Camp 2024, where we delivered classroom modules for our participants
- Theme was Arrival "battle continues" against dajjal
- As coach, broke down the modules
- story of dajjal - how he deceives mankind, and how majority of mankind will fall prey into his tricks
- how we can protect ourselves against dajjal
- What sort of preparations we should make
- unfortunately due to time constraints in the Youth Camp not enough time to complete it
There is a clearcut in which the Prophet ﷺ outlined to us clear-cut guidelines how to protect ourselves from Dajjal.
مَنْ حَفِظَ عَشْرَ آيَاتٍ مِنْ أَوَّلِ سُورَةِ الْكَهْفِ عُصِمَ مِنَ الدَّجَّالِ
"Whoever memorizes the first ten verses of the Surah al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal." (Muslim)
بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ قَالَ شُعْبَةُ مِنْ آخِرِ الْكَهْفِ . وَقَالَ هَمَّامٌ مِنْ أَوَّلِ الْكَهْفِ كَمَا قَالَ هِشَامٌ.
Muslim (no. 1342) narrated from Abu’l-Dardaa’ that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever memorizes ten aayaat from the beginning of Soorat al-Kahf will be protected from the Dajjaal” – i.e., from his fitnah. Muslim said: “Shu’bah said, ‘from the end of al-Kahf.’ Hammaam said, ‘from the beginning of al-Kahf.’”
Al-Nawawi said: “The reason for this is because at the beginning of (this soorah), mention is made of wonders and signs, and whoever ponders them will not be deceived by the fitnah of the Dajjaal.
And at the end of this soorah, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Do then those who disbelieve think that they can take My slaves as awliyaa’ (lords etc.) besides Me?’ [al-Kahf 18:102].”
(Sharh Saheeh Muslim, 6/93).
In a long hadith in Sahih Muslim wherein the Prophet describes of the emergence of Dajjal, he ﷺ emphasizes, that even when the Dajjal is out, you meet him in person, recite this verse.
فَمَنْ أَدْرَكَهُ مِنْكُمْ فَلْيَقْرَأْ عَلَيْهِ فَوَاتِحَ سُورَةِ الْكَهْفِ
"He who amongst you would survive to see him should recite over him the opening verses of Surah Al-Kahf"
(Muslim)
PLEASE, memorize this surah
Get your children to memorize this surah!
Fitnah of Dajjal: Why is it the "worst calamity" that Prophets warned him so much about?
What is his fitnah?
قلب الحقائق
"Twisting the facts"
His fitnah is that he makes truth looks like falsehood, and makes falsehood look like truth.
And he makes the truth, the good stuff, seem difficult and disadvantageous, and at the same time, more importantly he turns evil and falsehood into something attractive, likeable.
Kind of sounds like marketing, doesn't it? Insidious sales tactics.
Jokes aside, it's true! Much of the method of these modern techniques lie in deception and lies.
He will make kufur, disbelief and shirik seem easy, convenient, attractive. And if you choose the path of iman
It's interesting to reflect: what exactly is the big calamity of Dajjal?
A friend of mine once asked a very good question:
“Why is the Dajjal described by the Prophet ﷺ as the Worst calamity?
Technically, he would be killed by Prophet Isa. But Ya’juj dan Ma’juj, even he cannot defeat them! It seems here that the trial of Ya’juj and Ma’juj is worse, right?”
That's actually a very good question, because if you read up about the narrations of his emergence, you won't hear him committing mass murders.
it seems here that the trial of Ya’juj and Ma’juj is worse, on the surface.
In fact, Ya'juj and Ma'juj, that's when the mass murders will happen. The killing will become so widespread that Allah will tell Prophet isa upfront, even you won't be able to defeat them!
If we look to the continuation of the long hadith in Sahih Muslim, it is described that after Prophet Isa kills Dajjal, then the Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog) will emerge and will swarm down from every direction – it will be a fierce battle as they will be killing human beings, so brutal that even Prophet isa and his entire army – the one who defeated dajjal – cannot defeat them.
It’s only after Prophet Isa made du’aa to Allah and then finally Allah sends down insects to kill every single one of them.
فَيَقْتُلُهُ ثُمَّ يَأْتِي عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ قَوْمٌ قَدْ عَصَمَهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ فَيَمْسَحُ عَنْ وُجُوهِهِمْ وَيُحَدِّثُهُمْ بِدَرَجَاتِهِمْ فِي الْجَنَّةِ فَبَيْنَمَا هُوَ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ إِلَى عِيسَى إِنِّي قَدْ أَخْرَجْتُ عِبَادًا لِي لاَ يَدَانِ لأَحَدٍ بِقِتَالِهِمْ فَحَرِّزْ عِبَادِي إِلَى الطُّورِ .
Then a people whom Allah had protected would come to Jesus, son of Mary, and he would wipe their faces and would inform them of their ranks in Paradise and it would be under such conditions that Allah would reveal to Jesus these words: I have brought forth from amongst My servants such people against whom none would be able to fight; you take these people safely to Tur.
(Muslim)
So why then did the Prophet say that the worst of calamity is from the time of Adam is Dajjal?
The answer to that lies in Surah Al-Kahf, ayah #19 and #20: there are things worse than death.
In ayah 19 - Allah describes the People of the Cave, when they awoke from their slumber of 300 years, they wanted to purchase food. So they advised the party going out of the cave, don't let yourselves get discovered.
قَالُوا رَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثْتُمْ فَابْعَثُوا أَحَدَكُمْ بِوَرِقِكُمْ هَٰذِهِ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ أَيُّهَا أَزْكَىٰ طَعَامًا فَلْيَأْتِكُمْ بِرِزْقٍ مِنْهُ وَلْيَتَلَطَّفْ وَلَا يُشْعِرَنَّ بِكُمْ أَحَدًا
They said: "Your Lord (Alone) knows best how long you have stayed (here). So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the town, and let him find out which is the good lawful food, and bring some of that to you. And let him be careful and let no man know of you.
So in ayah 20 - they say to the representative party,
إِنَّهُمْ إِنْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَيْكُمْ يَرْجُمُوكُمْ أَوْ يُعِيدُوكُمْ فِي مِلَّتِهِمْ وَلَنْ تُفْلِحُوا إِذًا أَبَدًا
"if they discover you, they will stone you, or they will force you to turn to the religion - and if that were to happen, you will NEVER be successful"
BEST case is you are killed because of your religion. Worst case is you give in to their pressures, their tortures, return to your religion and die in shirik - and then - if that happens - you will never ever be successful.
To die in shirik is far worse than to be killed. The trial of religion is more dangerous than the trial of life.
So let's come back to the question, why is Dajjal the worst calamity, compared to Ya'juj and Ma'juj?
If you live during the time of ya'juj and ma'juj, if you are killed, alhamdulillah you die as a martyr, as a syahid.
But to face Dajjal, is to be faced with the confusion of his abilities and potentially be fooled and follow his deceptions and fall into shirik. And if you die in that state, you will never be forgiven by Allah.
If you meet him: Best case, you die a martyr. Worst case, you end up following him and worshipping him and die in shirik.
Context: Life During the Emergence of Dajjal
قَالَ " تُحْرَثُ الأَرْضُ كُلُّهَا وَإِنَّ قَبْلَ خُرُوجِ الدَّجَّالِ ثَلاَثَ سَنَوَاتٍ شِدَادٍ يُصِيبُ النَّاسَ فِيهَا جُوعٌ شَدِيدٌ يَأْمُرُ اللَّهُ السَّمَاءَ فِي السَّنَةِ الأُولَى أَنْ تَحْبِسَ ثُلُثَ مَطَرِهَا وَيَأْمُرُ الأَرْضَ فَتَحْبِسُ ثُلُثَ نَبَاتِهَا ثُمَّ يَأْمُرُ السَّمَاءَ فِي السَّنَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ فَتَحْبِسُ ثُلُثَىْ مَطَرِهَا وَيَأْمُرُ الأَرْضَ فَتَحْبِسُ ثُلُثَىْ نَبَاتِهَا ثُمَّ يَأْمُرُ اللَّهُ السَّمَاءَ فِي السَّنَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ فَتَحْبِسُ مَطَرَهَا كُلَّهُ فَلاَ تَقْطُرُ قَطْرَةٌ وَيَأْمُرُ الأَرْضَ فَتَحْبِسُ نَبَاتَهَا كُلَّهُ فَلاَ تُنْبِتُ خَضْرَاءَ فَلاَ تَبْقَى ذَاتُ ظِلْفٍ إِلاَّ هَلَكَتْ إِلاَّ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ "
“Before Dajjal appears there will be three difficult years in which the people will suffer severe famine.
In the first year, Allah will command the sky to withhold one third of its rain and the earth to withhold one third of its produce.
In the second year, He will command the sky to withhold two thirds of its rain and the earth to withhold two-thirds of its produce.
In the third year, he will command the sky to withhold all of its rain, and not a single drop will fall, and the earth to withhold all of its produce, and nothing will grow.
All cloven-hoofed animals (cows, sheep, goat, deers, gazelles) will die, except those that Allah wills.'
(Reference #1: Portion of Hadith Narrated by Ibn Mājah 4077, Ibn Khuzaymah in At-Tawheed 2/458, Al-Hākim in Al-Mustadrak 8620. Authenticated by Al-Albāni in Saheeh Al-Jāmi’ 7875)
Life will be struggling
Mankind at large won't even have bare necessities. And Dajjal will come with rivers of water and mountains of bread!”
In the authentic hadith in sahih Muslim, the Prophet describes:
“He would come to the people and invite them (to worship) and they would affirm their faith in him and respond to him.
He would then (reward them, and) give command to the sky and there would be rainfall upon the earth and it would grow crops. Then in the evening, their pasturing animals would come to them with their humps very high and their udders full of milk and their flanks stretched. (crops, animals, agriculture becomes very fertile)
He would then come to another people and invite them (to worship him). But they would reject him and (as a punishment) he would walk away from them and there would be drought for them and nothing would be left with them in the form of wealth.
He would then walk through the waste land and say to it: Bring forth your treasures, and the treasures would come out and collect (themselves) before him like the swarm of bees.”
Summary
My method of covering this session of tadabbur first ten ayah only
- Reflection on how these ayat - how pondering and acting on them - would help provide protection against Dajjal
- What are the wisdoms that perspectives that Allah brings so we don't fall into his trap?
Four Stories from Al-Kahf
- People of the Cave (Ashabul-Kahf): Trials of the majority - when the rest of the crowd would like to follow falsehood
- Man of two gardens: trials of wealth - the tendency of human beings of how, when Allah grants a little bit of wealth, they become deceived and arrogant, to the point they deny the favors of Allah and fall into kufur
- Adventures of Musa and Khidr - the deception of knowledge. How a little bit of knowledge can get to our heads, Allah reminds Musa to be humble.
- Dzulqarnain, with the story of Ya'juj and Ma'juj - The test of Power. But Allah showed his righteous slave Dzulqarnain, even though he conquered the east and the west, he did not let this power get to his head, he remained humble and faithful.
Ayah Covered: 1 to 10 (first ten ayah)
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَاۜ ١
All praise is for Allah Who has revealed the Book to His servant,1 allowing no crookedness in it
قَيِّمًۭا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًۭا شَدِيدًۭا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًۭا ٢
˹making it˺ perfectly upright, to warn ˹the disbelievers˺ of a severe torment from Him; to give good news to the believers—who do good—that they will have a fine reward,
مَّـٰكِثِينَ فِيهِ أَبَدًۭا ٣
In which they will remain forever;
وَيُنذِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدًۭا ٤
and to warn those who claim, “Allah has offspring.”
مَّا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍۢ وَلَا لِـَٔابَآئِهِمْ ۚ كَبُرَتْ كَلِمَةًۭ تَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ ۚ إِن يَقُولُونَ إِلَّا كَذِبًۭا ٥
They have no knowledge of this, nor did their forefathers. What a terrible claim that comes out of their mouths! They say nothing but lies.
فَلَعَلَّكَ بَـٰخِعٌۭ نَّفْسَكَ عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِمْ إِن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا ٦
Now, perhaps you ˹O Prophet˺ will grieve yourself to death over their denial, if they ˹continue to˺ disbelieve in this message.
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ زِينَةًۭ لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا ٧
We have indeed made whatever is on earth as an adornment for it, in order to test which of them is best in deeds.
وَإِنَّا لَجَـٰعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًۭا جُرُزًا ٨
And We will certainly reduce whatever is on it to barren ground.
أَمْ حَسِبْتَ أَنَّ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْكَهْفِ وَٱلرَّقِيمِ كَانُوا۟ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا عَجَبًا ٩
Have you ˹O Prophet˺ thought that the people of the cave and the plaque1 were ˹the only˺ wonders of Our signs?
إِذْ أَوَى ٱلْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى ٱلْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةًۭ وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًۭا ١٠
˹Remember˺ when those youths took refuge in the cave, and said, “Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Yourself and guide us rightly through our ordeal.”
Ayah #1
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَاۜ ١
All praise is for Allah Who has revealed the Book to His servant allowing no crookedness in it
Praises
- Just like Fatihah, this begins with Al-Hamd
- sending all praises to Allah
- usually people say this as an expression of gratitude
In Times of Ease and Hardship
The Prophet used to recite "Alhamdulillah" in both times of ease and hardship
It was narrated that 'Aishah said:
"When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saw something he liked, he would say:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي بِنِعْمَتِهِ تَتِمُّ الصَّالِحَاتُ
(Praise is to Allah by Whose grace good deeds are completed).'
And if he saw something that he disliked, he would say:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ
(Praise is to Allah in all circumstances).'"
(Sunan Ibn Majah 3803)
Why?
- Alhamd - all praises, it's not "i praise" or even "we praise"
- it reminds us that Allah is not in need of your praise
- whether or not you recognize Allah's praiseworthiness, He is still worthy of praise
- Allah is All-Wise, All-Knowing, Most Merciful, All-seeing All-Hearing
- Everything He does, He does for a greater Good, out of His Love and Mercy for His servants
- sometimes a calamity might happen to ourselves, our family, we might not understand or see the wisdom, but the wisdom is there
- So that's what the Prophet demonstrates in his understanding here
- when something he dislikes happens, a calamity, etc. he still says الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ
- Remind us that regardless of my circumstance, Allah is still worthy of Praises
- Let's take that to the context of Dajjal: when he comes, this will be a difficult time, and you need to remind yourself of this!
Allah is Praiseworthy, Dajjal is Not
- Allah is Beautiful but Dajjal is NOT beautiful
- Remind you of the most beautiful Names and Attributes
The Prophet reminds us:
مَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ مِنْ نَبِيٍّ إِلاَّ أَنْذَرَ قَوْمَهُ الأَعْوَرَ الْكَذَّابَ، إِنَّهُ أَعْوَرُ، وَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَيْسَ بِأَعْوَرَ، مَكْتُوبٌ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ كَافِرٌ
"Allah did not send any prophet but that he warned his nation of the one-eyed liar (Ad-Dajjal). He is one-eyed while your Lord is not one-eyed, The word 'Kafir' (unbeliever) is written between his two eyes." (Al-Bukhari)
- Some descriptions of Dajjal
· red complexion,
· big body, well built
· curly hair
· short
· hen-toed, meaning his feet will be bent / crooked
· blind of one eye (mamsooh - this is where some scholars say, the name "al-masih" originates from)
· blind of the right eye and his eye would be like a floating grape.
· between his eyes is written "disbeliever”. In one narration in Muslim, He then spelled the word ك ف ر , which every believer will read, whether he is literate or illiterate.
· “So the believer will see this with his insight, even if he is illiterate, and the kaafir will not be able to see it, even if he is literate.” (ibnu Hajar)
We have a Book of Guidance: Quran
- All Praises are for the One who revealed this Book of Guidance
- Of course this also includes Hadith
- Whoever obeys the Messenger, has obeyed Allah
- Dajjal is self-serving: he won't do it for your benefit
- To the person of iman, it looks like he's helping you - offering food, drink, protection, perhaps even wealth and riches. But he's doing this for "followers and likes" - for people to worship him
The Best Human Being was a slave
Allah calls Rasulullah a "slave", and this is actually a praise.
Tafsir benefit: Allah never calls Rasulullah, "ya Muhammad" in the Qur'an. In contrast, Allah calls other Prophets by name:
- ya adam (baqarah)
- ya yahya (maryam)
- ya zakaria
- ya musa (ta-ha)
- ya isa (ali imran)
But Allah never calls Rasulullah by name. Out of respect for him. Ayyuhan Nabi. Ayyuhal Mudathir, Muzammil.
When it comes to human beings, relative to each other, a "slave" is considered the lowest human being.
But in the sight of Allah, to be a slave, is the GREATEST honor a human being could have.
Now let's take a step back in the context of Dajjal.
Here we have a person who claims to be God.
But we as Muslims know, that the most Honorable human being ever, is a slave. and that is the status WE aspire to be. That's how we enter Jannah. Through being a slave.
Not this one-eyed deceiver to be claiming to be worthy of worship.
Teachings are straightforward, no deceptions
وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَاۜ
"No crookedness in it"
- Teachings of Quran are clear-cut Guidance
- Among the descriptions of Dajjal: Hen-toed, meaning his feet will be bent / crooked
- Physically crooked
Ayah #2
قَيِّمًۭا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًۭا شَدِيدًۭا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًۭا ٢
˹making it˺ perfectly upright, to warn ˹the disbelievers˺ of a severe torment from Him; to give good news to the believers—who do good—that they will have a fine reward,
The REAL punishment is from Allah, in the NEXT life: Not in this life!
Whenever you go through any calamities in life, especially if any of us were to live in the time of the Emergence of Dajjal, it's important to put this perspective:
As terrible as things may seem, the punishment of Allah will be FAR WORSE in the akhirah!
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
الدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَجَنَّةُ الْكَافِرِ
“This worldly life is a prison for the believer and Paradise for a disbeliever.”
(Muslim #2956)
Once, the shafi'ee scholar al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani was walking through a market. At the time, as the Qadi, he was with his entourage riding a great, beautiful and magnificent animal mount. Suddenly a Jewish man, who is a flaxseed oil seller (i.e. one who lived in very poor and harsh conditions) came running towards him. The Jew was wearing an old worn out and dirty shirt.
He grabbed and stops the mule Ibn Hajar was riding and said: “Oh Shaykh al-Islam! You claimed that your prophet said: “The world is prison for a believer and paradise for a disbeliever,”
Then, in what way are you imprisoned and how am I in paradise right now?”
Ibn Hajar responded:
“If I was to compare the blessings Allah has promised for me in paradise in hereafter, then it is as if I am in prison right now!
While for you, if you want to compare your situation right now with what has been promised for you in hereafter, it is as if you are in paradise right now.”
Then, the Jewish man embraced Islam.
(Narrated in Faid al-Qadir (3/546))
We've seen some really intense suffering in this world. What we see in the middle East, especially in Sudan, Ghazza, famine in African countries.
Times in Dajjal will be worse. And when a person comes offering to fulfill all your needs and "elevate your suffering".. all you have to do is worship him.
It will be tempting. To some people, it will mean nothing. Just worship him, what's the big deal?
But a Muslim knows, this a
As terrible as this current state of suffering may seem, this is NOTHING compared to the suffering of Hellfire in the Hereafter.
As Sheikh Sajid Umar said in our recent podcast discussion with him, "Don't get caught up in the moment", and Dr. Hassan also reminded us, "Don't let the current outcome define your state of victory and success."
Always look at the big picture.
Glad tidings for Believers
Whenever believers go through trials, tests, difficulties, always remember:
the good ending is for those who have taqwa.
If you have iman, and die upon that state without shirik, there will be a guaranteed huge reward waiting on the other side.
Hadith that should always remind us: i call this hadith, "one moment in paradise"
يُؤْتَى بِأَنْعَمِ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَيُصْبَغُ فِي النَّارِ صَبْغَةً ثُمَّ يُقَالُ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ هَلْ رَأَيْتَ خَيْرًا قَطُّ هَلْ مَرَّ بِكَ نَعِيمٌ قَطُّ فَيَقُولُ لَا وَاللَّهِ يَا رَبِّ وَيُؤْتَى بِأَشَدِّ النَّاسِ بُؤْسًا فِي الدُّنْيَا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَيُصْبَغُ صَبْغَةً فِي الْجَنَّةِ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ هَلْ رَأَيْتَ بُؤْسًا قَطُّ هَلْ مَرَّ بِكَ شِدَّةٌ قَطُّ فَيَقُولُ لَا وَاللَّهِ يَا رَبِّ مَا مَرَّ بِي بُؤْسٌ قَطُّ وَلَا رَأَيْتُ شِدَّةً قَطُّ
“The most privileged people in the world among the people of Hellfire will come on the Day of Resurrection to be dipped in Hellfire, then it will be said: O son of Adam, did you see any good? Did you get any blessing? He will say: No, by Allah, my Lord!
Then, the most miserable people in the world among the people of Paradise will come on the Day of Resurrection to be dipped in Paradise, then it will be said: O son of Adam, did you see any hardship? Did you have any distress?
He will say: No, by Allah, my Lord! I did not once see hardship or distress.”(Muslim #2807)
And how long will you experience this blessing of Paradise?
Onward to the next ayah..
Ayah #3
مَّـٰكِثِينَ فِيهِ أَبَدًۭا ٣
In which they will remain forever;
- that reward that Allah promises YOU, dear believers, that's FOREVER
- reminds us of the nature of tests in this world - calamities, trials, hardships, anything difficult you go through in life
- this test that you're going through right now, as heavy as it gets - and yes, it can get very heavy: just look at what our brothers in sisters in Palestine have been going through and continue to suffer every day - at the end of the day, this shall pass
- but Paradise, that will never end
Ayah #4
وَيُنذِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدًۭا ٤
and to warn those who claim, “Allah has offspring.”
This Dajjal fella will be punished BAD
- this ayah serves as a warning to those who say Allah has a son, a child
- Allah is VERY angry at those who made this claim. He says in Surah Maryam:
تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَتَنشَقُّ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَتَخِرُّ ٱلْجِبَالُ هَدًّا ٩٠
The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation
أَن دَعَوْا۟ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ وَلَدًۭا ٩١
That they attribute to the Most Merciful a son.
- now, this is the case of people who claim Allah has a son
- can you imagine how much more it would anger Allah that someone would claim that HE himself is "god" to be worshipped?
- Dajjal will claim he is "god"
Ayah #5
مَّا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍۢ وَلَا لِـَٔابَآئِهِمْ ۚ كَبُرَتْ كَلِمَةًۭ تَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ ۚ إِن يَقُولُونَ إِلَّا كَذِبًۭا ٥
They have no knowledge of this, nor did their forefathers. What a terrible claim that comes out of their mouths! They say nothing but lies.
Blind following: follow what their forefathers say, not think
"no knowledge, neither did their forefathers"
Allah remindsus about Importance of Knowledge: distinguish truth from falsehood
When you learn religion, you gain a greater wisdom to differentiate what people THINK is good, and see it for what it really is. Not just copy paste what the majority say
And Allah tells us that in the Hereafter, when they finally see the reality that this blind following
Words of regret, Allah narrates to us in Surah Al-Ahzab, ayah #66 to 68:
يَوْمَ تُقَلَّبُ وُجُوهُهُمْ فِى ٱلنَّارِ يَقُولُونَ يَـٰلَيْتَنَآ أَطَعْنَا ٱللَّهَ وَأَطَعْنَا ٱلرَّسُولَا۠ ٦٦
The Day their faces will be turned about in the Fire, they will say, "How we wish we had obeyed Allāh and obeyed the Messenger."
وَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّآ أَطَعْنَا سَادَتَنَا وَكُبَرَآءَنَا فَأَضَلُّونَا ٱلسَّبِيلَا۠ ٦٧
And they will say, "Our Lord, indeed we obeyed our masters and our dignitaries,1 and they led us astray from the [right] way.
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِهِمْ ضِعْفَيْنِ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ وَٱلْعَنْهُمْ لَعْنًۭا كَبِيرًۭا ٦٨
Our Lord, give them double the punishment and curse them with a great curse."
Many people will just follow what their leaders would say, even if their leaders would lead them astray, or even when their predecessors, their forefathers, didn't really follow guidance. They were merely following the people before them, and the people before them. Just blind following passed down generation to generation.
Reminds us, break the cycle. Don't just follow. Seek knowledge. Learn. Study, make the correct judgment, not just follow.
Same thing about the knowledge of Dajjal. While growing up, many of us were given false information about Dajjal, conspiracy tales which have no basis in shari'ah... fake news.
We need to learn the correct knowledge so we REALLY know how to protect ourselves.
Ayah #6
فَلَعَلَّكَ بَـٰخِعٌۭ نَّفْسَكَ عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِمْ إِن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا ٦
"Now, perhaps you ˹O Prophet˺ will grieve yourself to death over their denial, if they ˹continue to˺ disbelieve in this message."
This ayah describes the true intention and the inner psychology and emotions of the TRUE giver of guidance, our Prophet, Rasulullah ﷺ.
Now, Dajjal is self-serving: he won't do it for your benefit
It looks like he's helping you - offering food, drink, protection, perhaps even wealth and riches. But To the person of iman, he will know this just a smoke screen. Dajjal is doing this for "followers and likes" - for people to worship him. He's not going through any inconvenience or hardship for you.
This ayah emphasizes the contrast with Rasulullah.
The Prophet's Compassion in Da'wah
Although the primary function of Muhammad ﷺ was to serve as a Messenger (Rasul) to deliver the message of Allah’s Final Revelation on Earth, he didn’t simply treat his role as a “postman” to deliver from point A to point B, and that’s it.
No, he had a much deeper level of ownership in his task than that: genuine compassion towards those he calls to, in order to save them. He was so concerned for them, that he suffered because of his eagerness from them to be guided.
As a Prophet receiving revelation of the unseen, he has witnessed the horrors of the punishment of the grave, the day of judgment, of hellfire, and hence his ﷺ saying:
وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ مَا أَعْلَمُ لَبَكَيْتُمْ كَثِيرًا، وَلَضَحِكْتُمْ قَلِيلاً
"I Swear by Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, if you know that which I know, you would weep much and laugh little." (Al-Bukhari)
Bearing witness with his own eyes of the eventuality of those who die in a state of shirik and disbelief, his sense of empathy towards them makes him feel anxious to save them from these horrors, while they still have the chance in this life. And in this ayah #6 in surah Al-Kahf, Allah provides an insight into the emotions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as he is continuously rejected by his people.
But see the thing is, he doesn't HAVE to feel responsible for them at all. In fact, his position is already guaranteed to enter Paradise - the HIGHEST levels of Paradise - and he KNOWS in our Islamic Aqidah, that every man must be responsible for himself. But he had so much love, compassion, for them, that it would disturb them for them to be on the path leading towards hellfire.
And this feeling of anxiety is so great, to the point where he would die out of grief over them for turning away, until Allah Himself had to console his feelings of grief to remind him that his job is only to convey:
فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَفْسَكَ عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِمْ إِنْ لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِهَٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا
“Perhaps you will destroy yourself out of grief following after them because they did not believe in this speech (i.e. this Qur’an)” (18:6)
And he would go to great lengths, exert a lot of physical effort and endure through hardship and pain just for his people to be guided.
As-Sa’di said commenting on this verse: “Since the Prophet ﷺ was keen that the creation be guided and expended his greatest efforts to achieve that, he would be very happy when people were guided and sad when the disbelievers were not, as an expression of his compassion, deep sympathy and pity for them. Thus, Allah advised him to not worry himself with grief and sadness for those who disbelieved in the Qur’aan.” (Taysir Al-Karim ar-Rahman)
Ibn Kathir explained that this verse meant: “Do not feel sorry for them, just convey the message from Allah to them. Whoever goes the right way benefits himself and whoever goes astray only harms himself. So do not destroy yourself in sorrow over them.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
What can we learn from this?
The paradigm and driving force behind calling others to the path of Allah should be built upon compassion, not simply convey to “tick the box” and get it over and done with. Not out of spite, a burdened feeling of obligation or personal gratification.
If we base our da’wah on compassion, then much like guiding our own children, we will keep trying to the extent of our abilities, and not easily give up. When others reject our call, those feelings of sadness is not because they reject us personally, but because they are rejecting their means of true success and happiness, and it saddens us to live with the thought that they may take choices that lead down a path of despair.
While at the same time, we recognize the bitter reality that we have no control over their hearts, and that even our Prophet ﷺ - the best of mankind, could not guide his own uncle Abu Talib who had raised him and protected him well into his old age.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
إِنَّمَا مَثَلِي وَمَثَلُ النَّاسِ كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ اسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا، فَلَمَّا أَضَاءَتْ مَا حَوْلَهُ جَعَلَ الْفَرَاشُ وَهَذِهِ الدَّوَابُّ الَّتِي تَقَعُ فِي النَّارِ يَقَعْنَ فِيهَا، فَجَعَلَ يَنْزِعُهُنَّ وَيَغْلِبْنَهُ فَيَقْتَحِمْنَ فِيهَا، فَأَنَا آخُذُ بِحُجَزِكُمْ عَنِ النَّارِ، وَأَنْتُمْ تَقْتَحِمُونَ فِيهَا
"The analogy of myself and the example of the people is that of a man who made a fire, and when it lit what was around it, Moths and other insects started falling into the fire.
The man tried (his best) to prevent them, (from falling in the fire) but they overpowered him and rushed into the fire.
Now, similarly, I take hold of the knots at your waist (belts) to prevent you from falling into the Fire, but you insist on falling into it." (Al-Bukhari)
But Dajjal? He won't do it for your benefit.
He's only concerned about people worshipping him, getting more followers, subscribers.
BTW this is proven in some scammers today. It LOOKS like they are doing this for charity, but in fact they have a more sinister, self-serving scheme.
Ayah #7
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ زِينَةًۭ لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا ٧
We have indeed made whatever is on earth as an adornment for it, in order to test which of them is best in deeds.
"Best in deed" - not "most in deed"
Who knows which ayah of the Qur'an has something similar:
"test you which one is BEST in deeds"
In Tafsir of Surah Al-Mulk, ibn Kathir brings a narration by Muhammad bin A'jlan saying, Allah did not say "which of you does the MOST (akthar) deeds" - but rather, the BEST deeds.
Emphasis on Quality.
Circumstances are different.
Imagine how it's like for them to pray Friday prayers in Ghazza, especially war-torn urban areas.
Finding a clear space amidst the rubble is already difficult. It's hot, it's difficult.
Difficult to pray in those circumstances.
Compared to us praying in our air conditioned, carpeted beautiful mosques?
Not saying anything bad about comfort, but rather what we are saying is Allah will compensate the hardship. Allah understands your circumstances.
In our modern times, it's difficult to hold on to faith. Even to just stand firm on your principles, in a time where Islamophobia is an all-time high, entertainment has become so cheap, easily accessible, so many temptations to just slip into haram when no one is watching. Practicing Islam is disadvantageous and difficult.
Allah will compensate for that.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
Ahead of you are the days in which patience is like holding onto an ember, for the doer (of righteous deeds) during them is the like of the reward of fifty of those who do the like of what you do." 'Abdullah bin Al-Mubarak said: "It was added for me, by other than 'Utbah, that it was said: 'O Messenger of Allah! The reward of fifty men among us, or them?' He said: 'No! Rather the reward of fifty men among you.'"
(At-Tirmidzi #3058)
Ayah #8
وَإِنَّا لَجَـٰعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًۭا جُرُزًا ٨
And We will certainly reduce whatever is on it to barren ground.
Everything will be destroyed.
This two ayah actually mirrors another simlar ayah in Surah Al-Kahf, ayah #45
وَٱضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخْتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلْأَرْضِ فَأَصْبَحَ هَشِيمًۭا تَذْرُوهُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحُ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ مُّقْتَدِرًا ٤٥
And put forward to them the example of the life of this world: it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allâh is Able to do everything.
(18:45)
Don't keep Pouring your investments in Dunya, they're going to go anyway
All these beautiful things you see the disbelievers possess, don't get distracted by them.
All those things Dajjal has, it will all go away.
What is with Allah will last.
Ayah #46:
ٱلْمَالُ وَٱلْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَٱلْبَـٰقِيَـٰتُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًۭا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًۭا ٤٦
Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds,1 that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope.
Ayah #9
أَمْ حَسِبْتَ أَنَّ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْكَهْفِ وَٱلرَّقِيمِ كَانُوا۟ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا عَجَبًا ٩
Have you ˹O Prophet˺ thought that the people of the cave and the plaque were ˹the only˺ wonders of Our signs?
Miracle of the People of the Cave
Allah caused them to sleep 300 years, Allah reminds us, don't you think Allah can save you?
When you have the right intention and goals, Allah will enjoin you with like-minded people
As ibn Kathir points out in his Tafsir:
“None of them knew the others, but they were brought together by the One Who instilled faith in their hearts..
When the people went out to attend this gathering, these young men went out with their fathers and their people, and when they saw their people's actions with clear insight, they realized that the prostrations and sacrifices the people were offering to their idols should only be dedicated to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth.
Each of them started to withdraw from his people and keep aloof from them. The first one of them to move away on his own went and sat in the shade of a tree, then another came and sat with him, then another came and sat with them, then four more followed suit one by one.” (End quote)
They were brought together and united by a common cause. This is as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
الأَرْوَاحُ جُنُودٌ مُجَنَّدَةٌ فَمَا تَعَارَفَ مِنْهَا ائْتَلَفَ وَمَا تَنَاكَرَ مِنْهَا اخْتَلَفَ
“Souls are like recruited soldiers. Those that recognize one another will come together,
and those that do not recognize one another will turn away from each other” (Muslim)
Once they found their peer group, they stuck together and sought refuge in the cave where they found strength in each other to adhere to their principles and collaborate in righteousness, free from the oppression of their people.
Ayah #10
إِذْ أَوَى ٱلْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى ٱلْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةًۭ وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًۭا ١٠
˹Remember˺ when those youths took refuge in the cave, and said, “Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Yourself and guide us rightly through our ordeal.”
Allah will grant you a way out
Surah At-Talaq, 2-3
وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًۭا ٢
وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمْرِهِۦ ۚ
"And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).
And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allāh - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allāh will accomplish His purpose."
Even if, on the surface it seems hopeless, don't worry, Allah will bring you out.
Always Make Du'aa
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةًۭ وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًۭا ١٠
“Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Yourself and guide us rightly through our ordeal.”
This Ramadan, don't forget to always make du'aa, again and again and again.
END
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