Tafsir Surah Kahf (Echoes of a Cave) (Nasr)

Echoes of a Cave dat

Ikhfa Ikhfa Meem Saakin Iqlaab Idghaam Idghaam Meem Saakin GhunnaQalqalah

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PREFACE

Verily all the Praises are due to Allah , we praise Him, we seek His aid and we ask for His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Him from the evil within our souls and from the evils of actions. Whomsoever Allah guides, no one can misguide him and whomsoever He misguides, no one can guide him. We bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His final Prophet and Messenger. We thank Allah Who helped us all along the way in producing this document and it would be no exaggeration to say that without His Help we would have indeed failed. We also thank Him who preferred us upon many of His believing slaves in preparing this document. This document contains the notes from the AlMaghrib seminar Echoes of a Cave which was taught by our own Shaykh Ahsan Hanif in Qabeelat Nasr on 22nd-24th January and 3oth -31st January in the year 2010. AlMaghrib Institute or its instructors are not responsible for the material inside this booklet. There is no copyright associated with this work. It is highly encouraged to spread around this knowledge to everyone however, it should be done without editing. Allah says, and man was created weak1 So indeed, in this booklet you will find mistakes but since we are weak creatures, we do mistakes so please accept our apology in advance. JazakAllah khayr. Any mistakes found should be emailed to: [email protected] and inshaAllah we shall correct them. We ask Allah to make us of those who will get His shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His as we, inshaAllah, seek to amongst the youth who grew up in the

1 Surat an-Nisaa:28



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worship of Allah which is mentioned in the saying of Prophet when he was telling us about the seven fortunate people,

"a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic'" 2

We hope that Allah accepts from us this work and benefits the Muslims and non-Muslims alike as a source of guidance and away from misguidance, so that it can be a source of hasanaat for us even after death; as Prophet said,

When a man dies, his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge and righteous offspring who will pray for him.3 Ameen

Make dua for your brothers who have indeed drowned in the deep ocean of sins so that Allah would forgive their sins and admit them into Paradise under which the rivers flow wherein they could reside for eternity.

Ahl Aldhikr wal Jamaah Those who remember Allah much

2 Sahih al-Bukhari

3 Sahih Muslim



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TABLEOFCONTENTS

Appetisers 1. What, How, Where and Why? An Introduction to Tafseer........................................................5 2. Behind the Scenes: Introduction to surah al-kahf.......................................................................11 3. Safe Card: Memorisation of Surah al-Kahf....................................................................................14 4. Basic Tajweed................15 Main Course 5. Two Shades of People: The Believers and Disbelievers [verses 1-8]..18 6. Young Men of Piety: The people of the Cave [Verses 9-18]..25 7. Sleep Today, Awake Tomorrow?! The People of the Cave cont...[verses 19-26]...33 8. I cant Hear You! The Heedful and The Neglectful [verses 27-31] ..43 9. Money, Money and More Money! The Man with Two Gardens [verses 32-44]..50 10. Deceptive Appearances: Similitude of this World and the Reality of the Hereafter

[verses 45-49] 59 11. Arch Enemies: Adam and Iblis [verse 50] .................64 12. Sorry State of Affairs: The Disbelievers [verses 51-59] 66 13. Lessons Galore! Musa and Khidr Meet [verses 60-82] 73 14. King of the World: Dhul-Qarnayn [verses 83-99] ...88 15. Winners and Losers: The Great Loss of the Disbelievers and the Everlasting Bliss of the

Believers [100-110] .102 Dessert 16. Icing on the Cake: Conclusion ...110

The secret Ingredients 17. Secret Ingredient #1.111 18. Secret Ingredient #2.112



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WHAT,HOW,WHEREANDWHY?ANINTRODUCTIONTOTAFSEER

The Dua of the Prophet for Ibn Abbas:

O Allah grant him understanding of the religion and teach him interpretation (of the

Quran)

WWhhaatt iiss ttaaffsseeeerr??

Linguistically To make apparent or to reveal Technically To clarify the meaning of the verse and anything related to it, such as reason of revelation

HHooww iitt aallll BBeeggaann

Companions interpreting verses: The 4 khulafaa, Aishah, Ibn Abbas, Ibn Masood, Zayd ibn Thabit, Ubayy ibn Kab These were the companions that interpreted the verses and taught the tafseer of the Quran.

SScchhoooollss ooff TTaaffsseeeerr::

Makkah: Ibn Abbas Mujahid Ikrimah Said ibn Jubayr

Madinah: Ubayy ibn Kaab

Zayd ibn Aslam Abul Aaliyah

Iraq: Ibn Masood



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Hasan al-Basri Alqamah Shabi

CCaatteeggoorriieess ooff TTaaffsseeeerr

Tafseer of the Words o There is meaning in the words of the surah and verse.

Tafseer of the Meanings

Ibn Abbas stated that the types of Tafseer are 4: 1. Known to the Arabs

a. Through the language a portion can be understood and they can do that because it is their language and they know Arabic.

2. Known to all a. It is a necessity for their Tawheed. b. It is taken from the Quran

3. Known to the Scholars a. There is a deeper level of knowledge that can be only understood by these scholars who

specialize in certain levels of knowledge. 4. Known only to Allah

a. It is only known and understood by Allah alone because only Allah has that knowledge and can only understand it. There is always an element of the unseen in everything that we believe in and act on.

MMeetthhooddss ooff TTaaffsseeeerr

Tafseer of the Quran by:

1. The Quran i. It is used to give tafseer of the Quran by the Quran. It explains itself by using itself.

2. The Sunna i. The Sunnah explains to us how to pray and how to fast and how to pay zakah and

other commandments. 3. The Companions



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i. The companions are another source that we use in order to understand what the Quran says when the prophet has not done so or was not there to do so.

4. Later scholars i. These are interpretations that are done according to the scholars when the

companions and the Prophet were not there to interpret. 5. Intellect

i. This one is the one that is not allowed because we need to have certain knowledge of Allah and his Prophet and his Sunna.

AA GGlliimmppssee aatt tthhee CCoommppiillaattiioonn ooff TTaaffsseeeerr Earliest work: Mujahid The first scholar to compile the first works of Tafseer.

Chapters: Ibn Uyaynah, Shubah, Yazid ibn Harun These scholars only used to do only certain chapters.

Earliest complete work: Tabari The only book of tafseer that is still available and is compiled and still used. The greatest

and largest compilation that we have. It was done by getting his student to get 3000 pages of tafseer.

Sectarian Tafseer Specialisation: Qurtubi, Jassas

o These were certain specializations of the Quran, for example, the morphology, the meaning, the rulings and so on.

Abridgement and further notes: Ibn Kathir

o These are notes that are added to the tafseer that we have. Tafseer of the Quran by Intellect

Two main Foundations

1. Knowledge of Aqeedah. 2. Study of speech of Allah (Quran)

The way to increase iman is to recite Quran.



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Three essentials to make a cake 1. Ingredients 2. Toppings 3. Apparatus (tools)

This is the qiyas that we use for the sciences of Quran. Tafseer is an essential part of the religion. It is also part of all the three essentials. It can be part of the Ingredients, part of the Toppings and also part of the Apparatus. The major theme that this Surat deals with is the trials that one will face as a Muslim in this world. This Surah is a specific guide because we are supposed to use it every Friday by reciting it or at least the 1st ten ayahs. There are six major trials in the Surah. You may come across them one by one or all at once or even a combination of each. In Verse 2 in Surat Al-A'nkabut we learn about the tests that man will face upon accepting Islam as his religion and Allah as his Lord.

Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested?4

How do you find the theme of the Surah? The theme is found by looking at the end of the Surat and the beginning of the next Surat. The Surah before Al-Kahf is Isra. And the last ayah of Isra talks of Shirk which implicates Tawheed, and the beginning of Al-Kahf talks about Tawheed and even the end of Al-Kahf also talks about Tawheed. All three parts mentioned in the beginning of the Surat, Praising Allah, the Messenger and the Quran pertain to Tawheed.

4SuratAlAnkabutverse2



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Surat Al-Isra is linked to al-Kahf because Al-Isra was a trial. It was a trial because barely anyone believed the Prophet and Tawheed is very much the same way, it is tested throughout our life. The night the Prophet came back from Isra and Mi'raj Abu Jahal came and asked him where he went and the Prophet told him that he had travelled to Al-Quds and to the Heavens. Abu Jahal brought all the people so that they could hear this and ridicule him. So the people came and when they heard this they ridiculed him and they went to Abu Bakr to tell him and he said "if he said it then it is true." Whenever we are advised by the Prophet to do something or know something or recite something or even memorize something then we know that this is very important. The Prophet said" those who recite the Quran with beautiful recitation, then they will be with the Kiramin Barara (the best of the angels) and those who recite it with difficulty then they will receive double the reward. The trial of Isra was one of the hardest trials the Prophet encountered. Allah protected the Prophet by revealing what the he has seen through his travel from Jerusalem to Makkah. Another incident in Isra was the ascending of the Prophet into the heavens, the reasons was to instruct the Prophet of prayer being 50 rakahs every day. The Salah came down to 5 rakahs however the reward was 50 times. The purpose of the prophet going back and forth 10 times in order to reduce the Salah from 50 to 5 is so that we remember Allah day and night all the time. Our goal is to praise and remember Allah day and night and all the time. Surat Al-Kahf is the same way, it starts with the praise of Allah so that we remember Allah . The entering greeting is Assalamu Alikum and the final greeting is Alhamdulillah. How many times has Allah referred to the messenger as servant? It was three times, and one of them is in this surah in the 1st ayah. One of the wisdoms of why Allah refers to the Prophet as servant is because of the concept of Tawheed. The Prophet is nothing more than a servant like any of the people who believe in Allah alone. Slavery here when it comes to the Prophet it is related to honour and greatness and the prophet is the best of slaves. The first instance is in the defence of the Prophet in Surat al-Baqarah.



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The second instance is in this Surat in the case of revelation. The third instance is in Surat Al-Isra describing him as the most honourable servant in the most noble of events. The methodology used in the Surah is also something that we will study and adopt, and it is also very important. Allah is referred to in the first ayah 5 times. He is mentioned in the surah explicitly 30 times. He is implicitly referred to 165 times in the surah. Allah is mentioned so many times in the surah in order to tell the people that when a

person believes in Allah and obeys Allah and follows Allah then they will be protected from everything. It is also to re-enforce the protection of Allah for his servants.

Kalimatu Rabbi Yadulluni ila Rabbi. The words of my Lord bring (guide) me back to my Lord. The guide has to be Not crooked but It is upright. Here Allah refers to the Quran which is the guide to mankind, and it has to be upright and not crooked in order for the people to follow it.



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BEHINDTHESCENES:

INTRODUCTIONTOTHESURATALKAHF

SSyynnooppssiiss

MANY INTERESTING QUESTIONS MAY BE ASKED What is the main theme of this surah? What is the connection between this particular surah and the Dajjal? What is the relevance of the story of Musa and Khidr? Why do we find that within this surah there are minute changes in the structure and usage of

words? Why are these particular stories mentioned in the order they are mentioned?

Inshallah we will tackle the above and much, much more.

WWHHEERREE WWAASS IITT RREEVVEEAALLEEDD?? According to the majority, Surah Al-Kahf is a Makki surah. Any surah that was revealed before the conquest of Madina is a Madani surah, and anything after the conquest is a Mekkan Surah. Ibn Qatada says it was revealed in Makkah except certain verses, 1-8, 28, 107-110. These were revealed in Madina. The rest said it was a Makki surah.

MMAAIINN TTHHEEMMEE The severe trials that accompany the message of Tawheed



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VViirrttuueess ooff SSuurraahh AAll--KKaahhff

1. The Prophet mentioned concerning Surah al-Isra, Al-Kahf and Maryam, They were from the first batch and what I first learned. 5

2. Whoever memorises the first ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf will be saved from the trials of the Dajjal. And in a different narration, Whoever reads the first ten verses... 6

3. Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on a Friday will have a light emanating for him between that Friday and the next. 7

RReeaassoonn ffoorr RReevveellaattiioonn According to one narration, a major portion of the surah was revealed due to the following incident: The Quraysh sent An-Nadr ibn al-Harith and Uqbah ibn Abi Muit to the rabbis of Madinah saying, Go and ask them concerning Muhammad, and describe him to them and inform them of his statements. Indeed they are the people of the Book and with them is knowledge of the prophets which we do not possess. Upon arriving in Madinah, they spoke to the rabbis and informed them of the situation. The rabbis replied, Ask him about three; if he responds he is a Messenger and Prophet, and if he is unable to then he is a soothsayer. Ask him about a group of young men in the past; what happened to them? Indeed, their affair is amazing. Secondly, ask him about a man who traverses the east and west of the world, and thirdly ask him about the reality of the spirit (Ruh). The two men returned to the Quraysh saying, We have brought for you what will prove to be decisive between you and Muhammad. They came to the Prophet and asked him the three questions, to which he replied, I will inform you tomorrow, but he did not say in shaa Allah. (this part is related to the verse in the surah where Allah reminds us that we should say "Inshallah" when we want to do something or say something.) The Prophet remained waiting for 15 days without receiving revelation or seeing Jibreel until the Makkans became ecstatic and the Prophet became saddened due to the cessation in revelation. Then, Jibreel descended with Surah Al-Kahf, in which Allah rebuked the Prophet for being saddened by the

5Sahih AlBukhari6Sahih Muslim7Al-Hakim



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Makkans. Also, within the surah was mention of the people of the cave and the other man, as well as the verse about the spirit (ruh).8

TThhee NNaammee ooff tthhee RReevveellaattiioonn

SURAH AL-KAHF SURAH ASHAB AL-KAHF

Whats the link? What is the link between the name of the surah and the main theme of the surah? Theme: Safety from trials Name: Kahf [Cave] Link: Pondering over this surah gives you the keys to safety from the major trials, as if you have taken shelter in an impenetrable cave. Snap! Recurring themes at the beginning and ending of Surah Al-Kahf

1. Tawheed: Verse 1 / Verse 110 2. Revelation: Verse 1 / Verse 109 3. The duty of the Messenger 4. Glad Tidings: Verses 2 and 3 / Verses 107 and 108 5. Warning: Verse 4 / Verse 102 and 106.

8Tabari



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SAFE CARD: MEMORISATION OF SURAT AL-KAHF

WHAT? Memorization of a minimum of the first ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf. WHY? Enacting the prophetic statement, Whoever memorises the first ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf will be saved from the trials of the Dajjal. 9 WHEN? From the first Saturday of the course until the following Sunday of the second weekend, that is a total of 9 days, making an average of just over 1 verse a day. HOW?

1. Look over the basic tajweed rules at the back of the binder. 2. Work with another person and test one another to help eliminate mistakes. 3. Listen to its recitation to perfect your pronunciation. 4. Set aside 15-20 minutes a day to work on your memorisation. 5. Dedicate another 5 minutes to go over all the previous verses that you have memorised, thus

linking them together. 6. You will be tested on this, Inshallah at some point during the seminar.

9SahihMuslim



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BASIC TAJWEED

MMaakkhhaarriijj aall--HHuurruuff [[OOrriiggiinnss ooff tthhee PPrroonnuunncciiaattiioonn ooff LLeetttteerrss]] There are 5 points of articulation from which letters are pronounced. They are: 1. A-Jawf [Chest Area]

The madd letters : , , 2. Al-Halq [ The Throat]

Deepest part of the throat: (Hamza) (Haa) Mid throat: (ayn), (Haa) Top throat: (ghayn), (khaa)

3. Lisaan [Tongue] Innermost part of the tongue next to the throat: (qaaf) Innermost part of the tongue toward the mouth: (kaaf) Middle tongue: (jeem), (sheen), (yaa) One or both edges of the tongue along with upper back molars: (dhaad) Between the edge of the tongue and gums of the upper front molars: (laam) Tip of the tongue: (noon) Upper part of the tip of the tongue: (raa) Tip and a portion of the upper surface of the tongue: (taa), (daal), (taa) Tip of the tongue and inner plates of the central incisors: (saad), (seen), (zaay) Upper surface of the tongue near the end: (dhaa), (dhal), (thaa)

4. Shafatan [Lips] Between the two lips: (baa), (meem), (waaw) The inside of the lower lip: (faa)

5. Khayshum [Nasal Passage] Ghunnah



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GGhhuunnnnaahh//NNoooonnSSaakkiinnaahh&&TTaannwweeeenn Ghunnah is a sound made from the nasal passage. As a general rule in the Quraan, any noon or meem which has a shaddah on top is read with a ghunnah. All ghunnahs are for 2 counts. There are 4 rules of noon sakinah and tanween: 1. Idhaar [To make apparent] 2. When noon sakinah or tanween are followed by any of the following 6 letters, there is no ghunnah, and you read as normal. The 6 letters are the letters of the throat.

HamzaH haa Ayn Haaa Ghyan Khaa

3. Idghaam [To merge] When noon sakinah or tanween are followed by any of the following 6 letters, idghaam takes place. Thus, the noon or tanween are assimilated into the next letter. There are 2 types of Idghaam:

a) Idghaam with ghunnah this is where there will also be a ghunnah with the assimilation

waaw meem yaa noon

b) Idghaam without ghunnah this is where there will be NO ghunnah with the assimilation

Laam Raa



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4. Iqlaab [To change] When noon sakinah or tanween are followed by the letter baa, they are changed into a

meem. 5. Ikhfaa [To Hide]

When noon sakinah or tanween are followed by any of the remaining letters, there is a ghunnah.

MMeeeemmSSaakkiinnaahh There are 3 rules of meem sakinah. To distinguish between the rules of meem and noon

sakinah, meem sakinah rules have the word shafawi added to the end.

1. Idghaam shafawi When meem sakinah is followed by another meem, the two are merged with a

ghunnah. 2. Ikhfaa Shafawi

When meem sakinah is followed by a baa, the meem is concealed behind the baa, and there is a ghunnah.

3. Idhaar Shafawi When meem sakinah is followed by any other remaining letter, there is no ghunnah

and it is read as normal.

MMaadddd The letters of madd are alif sakinah, waaw sakinah and yaa sakinah. There are many types of

madd, we will only mention 2 here: Muttasil [connected] If after any of the madd letters there is a hamzah in the SAME word, there is an obligatory

madd of 5 counts. Munfasil [Seperated] If after any of the madd letters there is a hamzah in the NEXT word, there is an optional madd

of 2, 4 or 5 counts.



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TWO SHADES OF PEOPLE: THE BELIEVERS AND DISBELIEVERS [VERSES 1-8]

Verse 1

)(

[All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance

The beginning of this surah in of itself is a manifestation of Tawheed, as it starts with the praise of Allah . By saying, [All] praise is [due] to Allah, one is praising Allah with all kinds of admiration and at the same time it is negating any other deity from being praised.

-This word denotes the special type of praise that contains both love and glorification. One of the significant things to underline in this verse is that the Messenger of Allah has been mentioned here as abd. There are 3 instances in which the Prophet is mentioned as abd [in the Quran] :

1) Surat ul-Baqarah: ayah 23 2) Surat ul-kahf: ayah 1 3) Surat ul-Isra: ayah 1

Three key reasons to mention Muhmmad as a abd is:

1) A link to Tawheed. 2) An example to establish the servitude. 3) To honor the Messenger of Allah , as it is an honor to be a slave of Allah

. Allah said in Surat al-Baqarah,

This is the Book (the Qur'n), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqn10

10SuratAlBaqarah:23



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This established that the Quran is a book of guidance. However, the guide has to be upright and not crooked. In the first verse of surat ul-Kahf, Allah is establishing that He has not made therein [in the Quran] any deviance. The people of Quraish said that the Quran and its words are words of a mad man, poetry, abnormal and so on. In order to protect His book, Allah put this verse to emphasize that this book is straight and upright.

Verse 2

)(

[He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to

the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward

This means upright; straight, that is opposite of crookedness. It is one of the oft-used methodologies of the Quran where Allah mentions the opposites. In this particular context Allah mentioned the opposite words, one after the other, which shows a clear contrast. Besides the different methodologies used, the Quran also shows the eloquence of the Words of Allah .

-The meaning of this word alludes to a punishment so wicked that can only come as a result of severe anger. This is a contrast to the way parents punish their child; they do it out of love. However, here Allah is warning those who do the contrary of that which He had ordained. Nonetheless, out of His mercy, Allah has provided us with a choice by mentioning the opposite. [... Who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward.]



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Verse 3

)(

In which they will remain forever

Depending on what we do, Paradise or Hellfire will be our abode. Those who will be placed in Paradise will live therein forever while those who will meet Allah on the Day of Judgment as disbelievers will be placed in Hellfire for eternity. It is mentioned in that these people will live in Hellfire forever 3 times in the Quran:

1) Surat an-Nisa: ayaat 168-169 2) Surat al-Ahzab: ayaat 64-65 3) Surat al-Jinn: ayah 23

Aqeedah: Paradise and Hellfire are already in existence. Allah has mentioned this verse in the past tense to stress their previous existence and the use of words like forever affirm that they will continue to exist.

Verse 4

)(

And to warn those who say, Allah has taken a son.

Here the word those is used by Allah to refer to: 1) The Jews. Prophet Uzair was thought to be a son of God by a certain sect of Jews. 2) The Christians 3) The Pagan Arabs and any others who make claims that Allah has taken a son.

This ayah tells us that this Quran [which Allah has revealed upon his Messenger ] is also a warning to those who commit shirk (associating any other deity in worship with Allah .



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Verse 5

)(

They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers. Grave is the word that comes out of their mouths; they speak not except a lie.

They have no knowledge of Allah nor do they have any poof for their claim(s). Their forefathers are mentioned here because this is the greatest excuse that these people had for not accepting the truth. Ruling: There is no obedience of creation where the creator is disobeyed.

Example: If ones parents order him/her to disobey Allah , then there is no obedience of the parents in such a case. However, one should take the example of Ibrahim as a way to deal with this type of situation.

Warning: The greatest sin that will lead to shirk is to speak about Allah without knowledge.

Verse 6

)(

Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, [and] out of sorrow.

This ayah illustrates how guidance is not in the hands of the Prophet , rather it is from Allah , that the Messenger of Allah can only deliver the message. The reason the Prophet was so sad was because the non believers rejected the message of Islam. On the other hand, when it comes to us, when were rejected by people, we take things personally and get upset over the wrong reasons. This should not be the case if we do dawah solely for the sake of Allah .



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Verse 7

)(

Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed.

A very important thing to note in this ayah is that revelation always comes before creation ( example: surat Ar-Rahman, al-A'alaq, and al-Kahf). We must always refer back to the Quran and Sunnah, and then the people. Not the other way around. Allah has made this earth with adornment so that He may test us, to see who is best in deeds.

The word means better than the best. This term is a word of encouragement for us to do better than the best, which is how Muslims should be in their good deeds. We need to always high, because we always have shortcomings.

Verse 8

)(

And indeed, We will make that which is upon it [into] a barren ground.

This verse talks about the earth on the Day of Judgement and how it will be. The desert is one of the harshest places because nothing can survive in it while a place of snow can be a Rahmah because snow becomes water and water is essential for survival. Theses first 8 verses are the introduction to the whole surah.

CCoonntteemmppllaattiioonnss:: 1) Allah is truly deserving of all praise 2) 3 unique traits of the Revelation :

Revealed by Allah, therefore its honour stems from its source It contains no crookedness



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It is firm and upright 3) The messengers are chosen to receive the message 4) The reality of accounting and recompense 5) Certain knowledge is unlike conjecture 6) This world, with all its beauty and adornments is a test for the believers

MMeetthhooddoollooggiieess::

1) Constant Remembrance of Allah In the first ayah, there are 5 references to Allah . In this surah, Allah has mentioned Himself 30 times explicitly, and He is referred to 165 times implicitly. This establishes the first methodology that we are going to discuss in this surah, and that is the constant remembrance of Allah . Allah is mentioned abundantly in this surah in order to tell the people that if a person believes in Allah , obeys Him and follows His commands then they will be protected from everything. It is also to re-enforce the protection of Allah to his servants.

2) The methodology of opposites is fundamental to understand the book of Allah. The use of

opposites and the reason why they are used is to show people that there is always a choice and that Allah is the most just. We have the choice of doing good or doing bad.

TThhee uussee ooff ooppppoossiitteess Crooked / Straight [verses 1 and 2] Warning / Glad tiding [verse 2] Beauty / bare and dry[verses 7 and 8]

3) Revelation always comes before creation, as discussed previously.

4) Being better than the best. The word is mentioned more than 20 times in the Quran. It is used to teach us to do better than our best and always be better than the best.



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VERSE TARBIYAH DAWAH FRUITS

1 To be accustomed to praising Allah in hardship and ease.

To constantly remind others to praise Allah, especially upon receiving good news.

Praising and thanking Allah brings His pleasure and an increase in blessing.

2 To take the Quraan as the criterion in every affair; to have hope and fear in Allah.

To be balanced in our dawah between giving glad tidings and warning.

Iman and righteous actions necessitate an abundant reward.

3 Certainty that the life of Paradise is everlasting.

A reminder as to the short worldly life and everlasting life of the Hereafter.

The everlasting bliss of the Hereafter is a mercy from Allah.

4 To fear open and hidden shirk.

Our duty to warn people about the dangers of shirk.

Allahs warnings to us via His books and messengers are for our salvation.

5

To not base beliefs except on knowledge and to beware of the gravity of the statement of shirk.

The daee pays close attention to proofs and evidences.

Allah preserves sound intellect by the Quraan.

6 To be balanced in ones despair over those who reject him.

To be passionate in your dawah without going to extreme.

Allah cares more for the daee than the daee cares for others.

7

To know the world is adornment so we can concentrate on what really matters.

The shortness of this world and the focus on not just the good, but the best.

Allah has made the world our oyster so we can perfect our worship.

8 The power of Allah to turn the earth and what is on it to dust.

To know the earth and everything on it will perish.

The immense Power and Might of Allah.



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YOUNG MEN OF PIETY: THE PEOPLE OF THE CAVE [VERSES 9-18]

Verse 9

)(

Or have you thought that the companions of the cave and the inscription were, among Our signs, a wonder?

There are several opinions with regards to what ar-Raqim is:

1) Name of the valley where they took refuge 2) Name of the place where the story had its setting 3) Name of the mountain 4) Name of the inscription where the story of the people of the cave was written and this is the

opinion supported by the majority.

Verse 10

)(

[Mention] when the youths retreated to the cave and said, "Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.

Upon entering it [the cave] the people of the cave beseeched Allah for His mercy and success in their affairs. Lesson: The first and foremost thing that we should have in our mind is the remembrance of Allah



26

Verse 11

)(

So We cast [a cover of sleep] over their ears within the cave for a number of years.

Allah mentioned ears here, as sleeping is directly connected to ears. The most frequent mean through which we wake up is sound (think about use of an alarm or someone calling us to wake up). Allah struck (casted) their ears with sleep, they fell asleep instantly.

Verse 12

)(

Then We raised them up that We might show which of the two factions was most precise in calculating what [extent] they had remained in time.

Here raised them up is used for two reasons:

1) They were sleeping for a long time 2) Sleep is also known as the minor death

After they were raised up from sleep, they differed in their opinion in terms of how long they remained asleep.

Verse 13

)(

It is We who relate to you, [O Muhammad], their story in truth. Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.



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The stories of the Quran are the best for 4 reasons: 1) These are true stories 2) These stories are knowledge based 3) These stories are eloquent 4) These stories are filled with great lessons

The people of the cave were youth, who believed in the oneness of Allah . Because of their strong belief in Allah , He increased them in guidance. (i.e. increased in emaan) This ayah is used as proof that our emaan increases and decreases, and Imam Bukhari used it as a proof for this purpose.

Verse 14

)(

And We made firm their hearts when they stood up and said, "Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Never will we invoke besides Him any deity. We would have certainly

spoken, then, an excessive transgression.

A Glimpse of the setting of the story: Several of the earlier and later Tafsir scholars have mentioned that they were sons of the kings and leaders of Byzantium, and that they went out one day to one of the festivals of their people. They used to gather once a year outside the city, and they would worship idols and offer sacrifices to them. They had an arrogant, tyrannical king who was called Decianus, who commanded and encouraged the people to do that. 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. None of them knew the others, but they were brought together by the One Who instilled faith in their hearts.11 11Tafsir ibn Kathir



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Allah s assistance for the people of the cave: 1) Allah gathered them together. 2) He made their hearts firm upon their belief.

Verse 15

)(

These, our people, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for [worship of] them a clear authority? And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allah a lie?

The people of the cave were brought to the king who used to rule over them, and ayaat 14-15 are essentially their statement to the king.

Verse 16

)(

[The youths said to one another], "And when you have withdrawn from them and that which

they worship other than Allah, retreat to the cave. Your Lord will spread out for you of His mercy and will prepare for you from your affair facility.

And when you withdraw from them (the people of their community) and from that which they worship except God, then take refuge in the Cave. Your Lord will reveal for you something of His mercy and prepare for you in your affair some comfort (read mirfaqan or marfiqan), that is to say, something for you to find comfort in, in the way of lunch or supper. [Tafsir al-Jalalayn] Boycotting the Community: It is allowed only when one fears for:

1) [own] Life and 2) Religion

Abdullah bin Umar would hide in his house during the fitan.



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Verse 17

)(

And [had you been present], you would see the sun when it rose, inclining away from their cave on the right, and when it set, passing away from them on the left, while they were [laying]

within an open space thereof. That was from the signs of Allah. He whom Allah guides is the [rightly] guided, but he whom He leaves astray - never will you find for him a protecting

guide. What is the significance of such physical details being mentioned regarding their preservation? Allah could have preserved them without the need of such methods. However, generally the details are not important. Difference in the point being made in the story of Uzair , when he was put to sleep there was no issue of protection. However, the young men needed protection and hence Allah stresses the kind of protection provided through His Mercy. Allah mentioned the Sunlight specifically, as it is needed for our preservence. Theres been a lot of speculation in terms to what could have possibly happened during the long period that these young men were sleeping and whether anyone tried to find them or not. Possible narrations are:

People could not find the cave They found the cave but the mouth of the cave was inaccessible and left them to die

Lesson: If we remember Allah , He will protect us in any way He wants, when we need His protection.



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Verse 18

)(

And you would think them awake, while they were asleep. And We turned them to the right

and to the left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. If you had looked at them, you would have turned from them in flight and been filled by them with terror.

The presence of the dog here shows the importance of good companionship. One of the opinions is that the dog was not their dog; it just accompanied them as they were heading to the cave. Again mentioning these details in this story shows that the protection of Allah was with them in every way, while they were in deep sleep. They were turning right and left during this long period, which was crucial for normal blood circulation. It is important to note that the presence of the dog functioned as a sign of protection [being in the mouth of the cave so that no one could sneak in and harm them]. The Quran can be divided into three parts.

1. Ahkam (rulings) 2. Tawheed 3. Stories

WWiissddoommss ooff QQuurraaaanniicc SSttoorriieess

1) Quraanic stories are there for our tarbiyah and nurturing 2) The focus of the stories are lessons and benefits and not the minutiae 3) All of the stories in the Quraan are true, even if we are unable to imagine some of the details. 4) The benefit of hindsight in what happened to previous nations.



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RReeaassoonn ooff RReevveellaattiioonn The three questions the Quraysh took from the rabbis of Madinah.

CCOONNTTEEMMPPLLAATTIIOONNSS

1. The strength of iman possessed by the young men. 2. True and sincere iman and tawakkul in Allah necessitates the protection and mercy of Allah:

a. Serenity and tranquillity in the heart b. Protection from all of creation

3. The ultimate wisdom of Allah in everything that takes place.

TThhee uussee ooff ooppppoossiitteess Sleep / Wakefulness [verses 11 and 12] Tawheed / Shirk [verses 14 and 15] Cave / Mercy [verse 16] Right / Left [verse 17] Guidance / Misguidance [verse 17]



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9 To study the stories of the Quraan in detail

The usage of eloquence in dawah

Role models for those firm on their religion

10 Seclusion at times of hardship along with dua to Allah

The daee does his best in the circumstances

The bounty of Allah in allowing them to go to the cave and make dua

11 The blessings of Allah in sleep The role the ear plays in sleeping and awakening

The miracle of Allah in placing them to sleep in the cave

12 Allah controls both life and death

The certainty of resurrection The miracle of Allah in awakening them

13 The example of these young men in standing firm upon the truth

The importance of youth in dawah

Iman in Allah brings about guidance

14 Firmness in the face of adversity and overwhelming odds

Dawah requires energy and effort

The blessing of Allah in making a persons heart firm and strong

15 Not following the false customs and beliefs of a people

Dawah must be based on knowledge and evidence

The bounty of Allah in knowing the difference between iman and kufr.

16 To protect ones religion first and foremost

The mercy of Allah accompanies the hardships of this world

With hardship comes ease and mercy

17 To contemplate over the creation and universe

To show the power and ability of Allah using His creation

The world is our oyster

18 The beneficial rewards of good company

The importance of good friends

The complete care and custody of Allah



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SLEEPTODAY,AWAKETOMORROW?!THEPEOPLEOFTHECAVECONT...[VERSES1926]

Verse19

)(

And similarly, We awakened them that they might question one another. Said a speaker from among them, "How long have you remained [here]?" They said, "We have remained a day or

part of a day." They said, "Your Lord is most knowing of how long you remained. So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city and let him look to which is the best of food and

bring you provision from it and let him be cautious. And let no one be aware of you. Allah was performing a miracle for these young men, as they slept for over 300 years, yet some of them thought that they were only asleep for a day or a part of a day. Important Points to Note:

In this ayah Allah repeats the word labith (sleep) 3 times to show the state of their confusion and how they were completely unaware of the miracle that had taken place.

A very important teaching from this ayah is that when the young men were confused regarding

how long they slept, one from among them felt that something is not right. So, he attributed the knowledge of the situation to Allah saying, "Your Lord is most knowing of how long you remained.

Their state of confusion or fear did not lead them to disobey Allah . They still wanted

to get the best food, in spite of their confusion and fear of persecution. But what does it mean why they asked for the best of food? Halal food / purest Blessed food (nutrition, etc)



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This is the test of emaan. In spite of all the difficulty, they still wanted to please Allah by eating the halal/blessed food.

Verse 20

)(

Indeed, if they come to know of you, they will stone you or return you to their religion. And

never would you succeed, then - ever. The people of the cave woke up in the same frame of mind they slept in. They still had the fear of persecution which is apparent when one of them advised the other [companion] to be cautious, while getting food.

Verse 21

)(

And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allah is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they disputed

among themselves about their affair and [then] said, "Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them." Said those who prevailed in the matter, "We will surely take

[for ourselves] over them a masjid. A Glimpse on the details: Several scholars of the salaf mentioned that when they wanted to send one of their members out to the city to buy them something to eat, he disguised himself and set out walking by a different route, until he reached the city, which they said was called Daqsus. He thought that it was not long since he left it, but in fact century after century, generation after generation, nation after nation had passed, and the country and its people had changed. He saw no local landmarks that he recognized, and he did not recognize any of the people, elite or commoners. He began to feel confused and said to himself, "Maybe I



35

am crazy or deluded, maybe I am dreaming.'' Then he said, "By Allah, I am nothing of the sort, what I know I saw last night was different from this.'' Then he said, "I had better get out of here.'' Then he went to one of the men selling food, gave him the money he had and asked him to sell him some food. When the man saw the money he did not recognize it or its imprint, so he passed it to his neighbor and they all began to pass it around, saying, "Maybe this man found some treasure.'' They asked him who he was and where he got this money. Had he found a treasure Who was he He said, "I am from this land, I was living here yesterday and Decianus was the ruler.'' They accused him of being crazy and took him to the governor who questioned him about his circumstances, and he told him. He was confused about his situation. When he told them about it, they -- the king and the people of the city -- went with him to the cave, where he told them, "Let me go in first and let my companions know.'' It was said that the people did not know how he entered it, and that the people did not know about their story. It was also said that they did enter the cave and see them, and the king greeted them and embraced them. Apparently he was a Muslim, and his name was Tedosis. They rejoiced at meeting him and spoke with him, then they bid farewell to him and went back to sleep, then Allah caused them to die. And Allah knows best.12 Points to Note

Allah allowed them to be found to show that the promise of Allah is true; that He will protect the believers (even if they are asleep). Similarly there is no doubt about the Hour.

After the miracle was completed, they died as a decree of Allah . But their people started to dispute over their bodies. Those who prevailed in the dispute wanted to take their tomb as a place of worship.

Here, Allah is showing us that even after this amazing miracle from Him , they went back to shirk. This is very similar to the story of the Banu Israeel [Children of Israel], when they took a calf as a deity to worship after Allah saved them from Firaun by parting the sea.

12Tafsir ibn Kathir



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Verse 22

)(

They will say there were three, the fourth of them being their dog; and they will say there

were five, the sixth of them being their dog - guessing at the unseen; and they will say there were seven, and the eighth of them was their dog. Say, [O Muhammad], "My Lord is most

knowing of their number. None knows them except a few. So do not argue about them except with an obvious argument and do not inquire about them among [the speculators] from

anyone. There is dispute with regards to how many of them were present in the cave. Allah mentioned the dog separately as it was a different species. Etiquettes of Debate

1) Debate in polite manner. 2) Remaining silent when the truth comes out. 3) Attributing knowledge to Allah .

I have never debated someone except I wished the truth to be spoken from his tongue.13

Verse 23 & 24

)( )(

And never say of anything, "Indeed, I will do that tomorrow. (23) Except [when adding], "If

Allah wills." And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct."

13 Imam as-Shafie



37

Here we learn the true etiquette of a Muslim; that is not to say that we shall do something but rather to say InshaAllah.[If Allah wills we shall do something] Example of Sulaiman : He mentioned that he would marry 70 different women who will bear 70 children, each of whom will fight in the way of Allah . But he did not say InshaAllah. In some narrations it is said that no child was born and in others it is said he had half a child.

Verse 25

)(

And they remained in their cave for three hundred years and exceeded by nine. In this ayah it is said that they were asleep for 300 years, plus 9 more years. According to some [scholars/narrations], the duration of their sleep was 300 years according to solar years, and 309 years according to lunar years, which is not agreed upon.

Verse 26

)(

Say, "Allah is most knowing of how long they remained. He has [knowledge of] the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. How seeing is He and how Hearing! They have not

besides Him any protector, and He shares not His legislation with anyone." The story of the people of the cave ends here by attributing the knowledge of the unseen (and everything) to Allah , and a reminder of the Oneness of Allah ; that They have not besides Him any protector, and He shares not His legislation with anyone."



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CCOONNTTEEMMPPLLAATTIIOONNSS TThhee FFiirrsstt MMaajjoorr TTrriiaall:: OOpppprreessssiioonn && IInnjjuussttiiccee

Persecution due to religious beliefs. Glimpses from history. The usage of power and force in persecution. Very little help and assistance except from Allah. The power of dua; the weapon of the believer. Nothing happens except by the will of Allah.

Link to trials of ad-Dajjal (the False Messiah) He is a human who is alive now in a cave according to others he is not. Physical Attributes of ad-Dajjal

His hair will be curly - like heads of devils. Right eye will be like a protruding grape. Left eye will have a thin film on it (translucent). On his forehead these letters will be written - - , which indicates he is a

disbeliever. Every believer, literate or illiterate will be able to read it. He will have a prominent forehead (sticks out). He will have a wide stance and an arched back and he will be sterile

Other Details

Allah will give him immense power and speed Dajjal will come from area of Khurasan (Russian republics, Iran)

Abdullah bin Mubarak was from that area He will transform overnight. Over 70,000 people will join him immediately 3 years before he comes, one-third of normal rain and vegetation will stop. 2 years before he comes two-thirds of normal rain and vegetation will stop. The year before he comes all rain and vegetation will stop. He will ask the people of a village to believe in him. If they refuse, he will leave them and their

resources will be destroyed. Another city will believe in him. He will cause rain and vegetation to descend upon them. He

will provide them with a mountain of bread and meat.



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Will say bring forth what is in your belly to a barren land. He will move with wind driven rain He will cause a person`s dead parents to come to him (actually two Jinns) and they will order

their son to believe in them He will visit every place in world except Makkah and Madinah He will not be able to enter Madinah and refer to the white palace of Muhammad Dajjal will strike the earth thrice to cause munafiqeen to come out from Madinah A young man from Madinah will go out to confront the Dajjal

Will confront him and will not believe in him. Dajjal will cut his body in half and walk in between them and raise him up again. The young man will say he is now more

certain that this is really ad-Dajjal. Then Dajjal will try to cut off his neck but Allah will make it like brass and Dajjal`s sword will bounce off. This man is the greatest martyr in the sight of Allah.

Dajjal will lay siege to Jerusalem Mahdi will be there Isa will descend in Damascus and join Mahdi for salaat ul Fajr Dajjal will break into Jerusalem Dajjal will begin to dissolve like salt in water upon looking at Isa alayhis salam Dajjal`s head will be cut by Isa

His rule upon earth is for forty days Length of first day is equal to a year

Even the issue of Dajjal is life and death, as there will be so much lack of food and vegetation the first question by Sahaba (RAA) were how they would pray on that day. The Messenger of Allah told them to give it the right proportion (to estimate).

Second day is equal to a month Third day is equal to a week, and other days will be normal days.

It is one of the major signs of the Hour Major signs Will occur one after another in quick succession (about 10 major signs).

Other examples: Final is sun rises from the west The appearance of the beast etc.

Minor signs examples: The killed will not know why he is killing and the killed won`t know why they

are being killed. Women will increase in number over men etc.



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The Following Hadith confirms some of the details and contains more regarding ad-Dajjal.

Al-Nuwas Ibn Saman said, "One morning the Prophet spoke about the Dajjal. Sometimes he described him as insignificant, and sometimes he described him as so dangerous that we thought he was in the clump of date-palms nearby. When we went to him later on, he noticed that fear in our faces, and

asked, 'What is the matter with you?' We said, 'O Messenger of Allah, this morning you spoke of the Dajjal; sometimes you described him as insignificant, and sometimes you described him as being so

dangerous that we thought he was in the clump of date-palms nearby. "The Prophet said, 'I fear for you in other matters besides the Dajjal. If he appears whilst I am among you, I will contend with him on

your behalf. But if he appears while I am not among you, then each man must contend with him on his own behalf, and Allah will take care of every Muslim on my behalf. The Dajjal will be a young man, with short, curly hair, and one eye floating. I would liken him to 'Abd al-Uzza Ibn Qatan. Whoever

amongst you lives to see him should recite the opening Ayat of Surat al-Kahf. He will appear on the way between Syria and Iraq, and will create disaster left and right. O servants of Allah, adhere to the Path of

Truth." "We said, 'O Messenger of Allah, for the day which is like a year, will one days prayers be sufficient? He said, 'No, you must make an estimate of the time, and then observe the prayers." "We

asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, how quickly will he walk upon the earth? He said, 'Like a cloud driven by the wind. He will come to the people and call them (to a false religion), and they will believe in him and

respond to him. He will issue a command to the sky, and it will rain; and to the earth, and it will produce crops. After grazing on these crops, their animals will return with their udders full of milk and their flanks stretched. Then he will come to another people and will call them (to a false religion), but they will reject his call. He will depart from them; they will suffer famine and will possess nothing in the form of wealth. Then he will pass through the wasteland and will say, 'Bring forth your treasures,

and the treasures will come forth, like swarms of bees. Then he will call a man brimming with youth; he will strike him with a sword and cut him in two, then place the two pieces at the distance between an archer and his target. Then he will call him, and the young man will come running and laughing." "At

that point, Allah will send the Messiah, son of Mary, and he will descend to the white minaret in the east of Damascus, wearing two garments dyed with saffron, placing his hands on the wings of two angels.

When he lowers his head, beads of perspiration will fall from it, and when he raises his head, beads like pearls will scatter from it. Every Kafir who smells his fragrance will die, and his breath will reach as far as he can see. He will search for the Dajjal until he finds him at the gate of Ludd, where he will kill him."

"Then a people whom Allah has protected will come to Isa (Jesus) son of Mary, and he will wipe their faces (ie wipe the traces of hardship from their faces) and tell them of their status in Paradise. At that time Allah will reveal to Isa (Jesus): "I have brought forth some of My servants whom no-one will be able to fight. Take My servants safely to al-Tur." "Then Allah will send Gog and Magog, and they will

swarm down from every slope. The first of them will pass by the Lake of Tiberias, and will drink some of its water; the last of them will pass by it and say, "There used to be water here." Isa (Jesus), the Prophet of



41

Allah, and his Companions will be besieged until a bull's head will be dearer to them than one hundred dinars are to you nowadays." "Then Isa (Jesus) and his Companions will pray to Allah, and He will send insects who will bite the people of Gog and Magog on their necks, so that in the morning they will all

perish as one. Then Isa (Jesus) and his Companions will come down and will not find any nook or cranny on earth which is free from their putrid stench. Isa (Jesus) and his Companions will again pray to Allah, Who will send birds like the necks of camels; they will seize the bodies of Gog and Magog and throw them wherever Allah wills. Then Allah will send rain which no house or tent will be able to keep out, and the earth will be cleansed, until it will look like a mirror. Then the earth will be told to bring forth its fruit and restore its blessing. On that day, a group of people will be able to eat from a single pomegranate and seek shelter under its skin (ie the fruit would be so big). A milch camel will give so much milk that a whole party will be able to drink from it; a cow will give so much milk that a whole

tribe will be able to drink from it; and a milch-sheep will give so much milk that a whole family will be able to drink from it. At that time, Allah will send a pleasant wind which will soothe them even under

their armpits, and will take the soul of every Muslim. Only the most wicked people will be left, and they will fornicate like asses; then the Last Hour will come upon them."14

Link to Seerah:

The Muslims faced severe persecution during the Makkan period. The elites of Quraysh used their position and power to persecute the poor Muslims.

TThhee ppeeooppllee ooff tthhee CCaavvee Number Dog Minute details Omitted details From weakness to strength

TThhee uussee ooff ooppppoossiitteess Remembrance / Neglect [verse 24] Solar / Lunar [verse 25]

14Sahih al-Muslim



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19 The importance of asking and ascribing knowledge to Allah

The role of softness and gentleness in dawah

The ultimate wisdom in the plans of Allah

20 The importance of preserving religion and life

The caller to Allah will undergo difficulty

The firm statement of tawheed

21 The certainty of the Hour The importance of resurrection and the accounting

The miracle of the people of the cave shows the possibility of resurrection

22 Not arguing over unbeneficial matters and to ascribe all knowledge to Allah

The daee should not get involved in side issues which distract him

The blessing of knowledge

23 To know that Allah is the one who controls this day and the next

To remind others that Allah is the one who allows us to work the next day

To place our trust in Allah

24 Not being negligent and to constantly remember Allah in all affairs

To bring back those who are negligent to the remembrance of Allah

The benefits of dua and dhikr

25 The immense power and ability of Allah in everything

The amazing creation of the sun and moon, and our usage of them

Allah uses His creation to protect His Awliya

26 Perfection in knowledge, hearing and seeing belongs to Allah

The effect of the attributes of Allah in our lives

Allah hears, sees and knows all things.



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ICANTHEARYOU!THEHEEDFULANDTHENEGLECTFUL[VERSES2731]

Verse 27

)(

And recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is

no changer of His words, and never will you find in other than Him a refuge. This ayah is an order from Allah to Muhammad to recite the Quran, as in the Book of Allah we will find guidance, and it is consistent [without any change]. However, this order applies to us too. There are 3 types of addressing in the Quran

1. Specific to the Prophet . 2. The Prophet is mentioned, but the ruling is not only for him, but for

everyone. 3. The Prophet is addressed first, and then everybody else (a combination of

the first and second and this verse is an example of it.)

Verse 28

)(

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring

adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.



44

RReeaassoonn ffoorr RReevveellaattiioonn

) ( )(

And do not send away those who call upon their Lord morning and afternoon, seeking His

countenance. Not upon you is anything of their account and not upon them is anything of your account. So were you to send them away, you would [then] be of the wrongdoers. And thus We have tried some of them through others that the disbelievers might say, "Is it these whom Allah

has favored among us?" Is not Allah most knowing of those who are grateful?15

Al-Aqra ibn Habis and Uyaynah ibn Hisn al-Fazari found the Prophet sitting in the company of some of the weak and poor believers, amongst them Suhayb, Bilal, Ammar and Khabab. Upon seeing these weak companions they looked down upon them and privately said to the Prophet , We request that you have a special sitting for the Arabs in which you recognise our status, for indeed the Arabs come to sit with you but dislike to be seen with the slaves. When we arrive ask them to leave. And once we leave sit with them. The Prophet agreed so they asked that this be written. The Prophet asked Ali to write this down whilst we were seated when Jibreel descended with the verses, And turn not away those who invoke their Lord, morning and afternoon seeking His Face. You are not accountable for them in anything, and they are not accountable for you in anything, that you may turn them away, and thus become of the unjust. Then Allah mentioned Al-Aqra ibn Habis and Uyaynah ibn Hisn, Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: Is it these (poor believers) whom Allah has favoured from amongst us? Does not Allah know best those who are grateful?...The Prophet would sit with us and when he wanted to leave he would stand and go, so Allah revealed, And keep yourself patiently with those who call on their Lord... ... So we would sit with the Prophet and when it was the time in which he would leave, we would stand so he could leave.16 15SuratAl'An`m:5253

16Ibn Majah; weak



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Those who believe have more right on Allah than others. So Allah is telling us to stay patient with those who believe and are willing to accept.

A Story from the Seerah: Once Abu Bakr were sitting together with Suhayb ar-Rumi, Salman al-Farisi and Bilal bin-Rbah in Makkah. At that time Abu Sufyan walked by them. One of them called out that the sword of Allah has not yet beheaded the enemy of the Messenger of Allah . At this Abu Bakr told them that how they could talk like that with the leader of Quraysh. So, the other companions were not happy with Abu Bakr at this. When the Prophet was informed about this he said to Abu Bakr to go back and seek forgiveness from them, for Allah may be displeased with Abu Bakr . The important message from this verse is the trial of association to rich and powerful. This ayah contains a lesson for those who face this trial.

Verse 29

)(

And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve." Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will

surround them. And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place.

Muhl murky oil boiling froth on top of oil that is used for cooking. In the Hellfire this drink will be so hot, even when it is brought close to them the skin on their faces will melt. However, because of their thirst, they will be forced to drink it. This verse gives us just a little glimpse of the severe punishment in Hellfire. Lessons

1. In here we see that there is a clear choice presented by Allah to the people. 2. The word kufr here is understood as rejecting the message



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Verse 30

)(

Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds.

In this ayah Allah mentions the reward of doing righteous deeds. Here we see the methodology of Better than Best being used. Allah is saying that We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds. As such the Muslims should be excelling at all times. We can take the examples of the Companions of the Prophet . If we look at the life of Abu Bakr and Umar we can see that after the death of Prophet they did not slow down their deeds, rather they increased in good deeds.

During his Khilafah Abu Bakr used to go to a widow who was blind and used to complete all her chores, play with her children and no one knew about it until Umar followed him once and found out.

When Umar was the Khalifah of the Muslims, he used to walk around in the streets of Madinah to make sure everything was going well, while others were asleep. These are just some examples of the greatness of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah .

Imam Zainul Abideen the son of Imam Husayn On his death it was discovered that his back was covered with marks. The next morning the poor people of the city complained that they did not receive any food from the man who used to help, because it was Zainul Abideen who used to carry the sacks and deliver those to the poor of the city.



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Verse 31

)(

Those will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place.

The word adn" means everlasting. The people of Jannah will live therein an everlasting life. This also shows us that this world is not everlasting and it will end one day, while the next life is eternal. In this verse we now see the repercussions of the choice that Allah has presented to the people. It also shows us that there is a guarantee for the reward for those who believe or punishment for those who disbelieve. In Islam, we establish balance. Our goal is the Hereafter, but we do not leave the life of this world without any care. There is no problem with enjoying the blessing of this world in halal ways.

CCOONNTTEEMMPPLLAATTIIOONNSS TThhee SSeeccoonndd MMaajjoorr TTrriiaall:: LLoovvee ooff tthhee RRiicchh && PPoowweerrffuull The position of the poor and weak in Islam Obedience of Allah with weakness is better than disobedience with strength The final outcome of tyrants The final outcome of the believers The impoverished state of many of the Companions The universality of the Islamic message You reap the seeds you sow The importance of good company



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Link to Trials of ad-Dajjal The link between the trials of ad-Dajjal and the this trial is that Dajjal will be given certain power by Allah , through which he will try to convince people to worship him and follow him. As a result as soon as he comes out 70000 people will follow him immediately.

Hadith that the Prophet (SWAS) said not to go out to confront ad-Dajjal When people seek him out they become attached to his power and to his wealth. Also the Prophet told us not to go out and face or seek the Dajjal because of the power and wealth that he will possess

Link to Seerah Before Hijrah to Madinah the Prophet used to go to the camp to meet with the pilgrims, in search of a place where the Muslims could make Hijrah. There was a group of people who were asked to become Muslims and their condition was that they would be given faction of authority. But the Messenger of Allah refused, as this deen is solely for Allah . No one has any chance to provide help to seek power.

Besides, the Prophet has set example for us by refusing the Quraysh, while he was offered power and wealth.

TThhee uussee ooff ooppppoossiitteess Remembrance / Neglect [verse 28] Belief/ Disbelief [verse 29] Terrible / Good [verses 29 and 31] Paradise / Hellfire [verses 29 and 31] Excellent / Evil [verses 29 and 31]



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27 The importance of frequently reciting the Quraan.

To use the Quraan in dawah by reciting and studying it.

The Quraan is the source of guidance.

28 The company of the righteous and patience with them.

Group work in dawah with the righteous.

The fruits of unity and good companionship.

29 The status of truth even if it is bitter and the abode of the evildoers .

Ordering the good and forbidding the evil.

Truth is identified as being that which comes from Allah.

30 Iman and righteous actions will not go to waste.

The importance of righteous actions along with iman.

Allah is just in His rewards of good deeds.

31 Longing for Paradise and the reward of Allah.

To encourage competition in gaining the reward of Allah.

Allah rewards abundantly for the smallest of deeds.

32 The importance of frequently reciting the Quraan.

To use the Quraan in dawah by reciting and studying it.

The Quraan is the source of guidance.



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MONEY,MONEYANDMOREMONEY!THEMANWITHTWOGARDENS[VERSES3244]

Verse 32

)(

And present to them an example of two men: We granted to one of them two gardens of

grapevines, and We bordered them with palm trees and placed between them [fields of] crops.

Allah mentions the blessings he gave the man: 1. Two gardens of grapes

i. Grapes are known to be a food of nobility and one of the men received this from Allah . The two men were from the tribe of Khuzamah as were also Abu Jahal and Khalid Ibn Waleed .

2. Gardens surrounded by date palm trees/ i. This gives natural shade and can also be used as a fence for the gardens

3. Placed between gardens other vegetation and crops

Verse 33

)(

Each of the two gardens produced its fruit and did not fall short thereof in anything. And We caused to gush forth within them a river.

1. Both gardens were fruitful 2. Had a river run through them, which means he never had to water them

He had everything ready and good to go for him; he did not have to work for it.



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Verse 34

)(

And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, "I am greater

than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men."

Here we see arrogance starting to creep in with his attitude towards his companion. (And he had Thamar,) It was said that what was meant here was wealth, and it was said that what was meant were fruits, which is the more apparent meaning here. Qatadah said,

"This, by Allah, is the wish of the immoral to have a lot of wealth and a large entourage.

Verse 35

)(

And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, "I do not think that this will perish - ever.

Here we see an example of someone oppressing themselves, their own self. It is important to note that he does not harm the other companion by being arrogant. Rather this arrogance makes him think that this blessing will never end. We need to thank Allah all the time for everything so that:

1. It is preserved 2. It increases

Heres the catch though! Allah says:

But few of My slaves are grateful17 So make sure you ask Allah to make you one of them.

17SuratSaba'



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Verse 36

)(

And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will

surely find better than this as a return." This man is so arrogant and proud that he thinks Allah will grant him more rewards. (He said: "I do not think this will ever perish.'') Thus he was allowing himself to be deceived because of the plants, fruits and trees that he saw, and the rivers flowing through the different parts of his gardens. He thought that it could never come to an end or cease or be destroyed. This was because of his lack of understanding and the weakness of his faith in Allah, and because he was enamoured with this world and its adornments, and because he disbelieved in the Hereafter. So he said: ("And I do not think the Hour will ever come...'') meaning, will ever happen (and if indeed I am brought back to my Lord, I surely shall find better than this when I return to Him.) meaning, `if there is a Hereafter and a return to Allah, then I will have a better share than this with my Lord, for if it were not that I am dear to Him, He would not have given me all this.' As Allah says elsewhere

But if I am brought back to my Lord, surely there will be for me the best with Him.18

TThhee TThhiirrdd MMaajjoorr TTrriiaall:: TTrriiaall ooff WWeeaalltthh aanndd CChhiillddrreenn Possession of wealth and children does not mean for granted that Allah is pleased with the person (Allah knows the best), rather it is a test from Allah to see if the person will be thankful. Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz returned all the wealth that Banu Umayyah had wrongly taken back when he became the khalifah of the Muslims.

18Surat Fuilat: 50



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Verse 37

)(

His companion said to him while he was conversing with him, "Have you disbelieved in He who created you from dust and then from a sperm-drop and then proportioned you [as] a

man? This here shows the etiquette of a true friend, which is that he is constantly giving advice.

Narrated Anas :

Allah's Apostle said, "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, "O Allah's Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he

is an oppressor?" The Prophet said, "By preventing him from oppressing others."19

Verse 38

)(

But as for me, He is Allah , my Lord, and I do not associate with my Lord anyone.

A characteristic of the Da'ee is to give the person an alternative, and a reason why he should do that act.

19 Sahih Bukhari



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Verse 39

)(

And why did you, when you entered your garden, not say, 'What Allah willed [has occurred];

there is no power except in Allah '? Although you see me less than you in wealth and children, Here he gives him the solution and explains it in detail.

Narrated Abu Huraira : The Prophet said: " Two words, light on the tongue, heavy in the Scale (Hereafter Mizan), very dear to the Most Merciful: " Subhana Allah Al-Azeem" and "Subhana Allah Wa-Bihamdih". (Praise be to Allah the Greatest, and praise be to Allah with blessings and thankfulness)20

Here we also learn that it is the etiquette of a Muslim to say MashaAllah when they see something they are amazed with.

Verse 40

)(

It may be that my Lord will give me [something] better than your garden and will send upon it a calamity from the sky, and it will become a smooth, dusty ground,

The scholars said that it is as if he is asking Allah to teach his friend a lesson in order to learn from his mistake. He refers to the hereafter when he talks about something being better than the garden. Notice that he mentioned a punishment from the sky. Scholars say this is because you cannot protect yourself from this kind of punishment. The word zalaqa means barren mud, which means you cannot grow anything on it.

20SahihBukhari



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Verse 41

)(

Or its water will become sunken [into the earth], so you would never be able to seek it." Here this could refer to something that cannot be protected from the sky where as if it was flooding it could have been prevented by a dam. There will be two types of punishment one from above and one from below where the water would be gone and you cannot grow anything anymore or you will have so much water that there will be a flood that wash away all your vegetation.

Verse 42

)(

And his fruits were encompassed [by ruin], so he began to turn his hands about [in dismay] over what he had spent on it, while it had collapsed upon its trellises, and said, "Oh, I wish I

had not associated with my Lord anyone. This seems as if Allah answered the dua of the man and Allah does not harm the other man but takes everything else from him. The only thing that was left remaining was the twigs to remind him. What is meant is that what this disbeliever was afraid of and what the believer had terrified him actually had happened. A storm struck his garden, a garden which he had erroneously thought would last forever, distracting him from thoughts of Allah, may He be glorified.



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Verse43

)(

And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allah , nor could he defend himself. The third trial is Wealth and Children (people). The Dajjal is linked to this because of his wealth and man power. The Prophet is linked to this when the Quraish offered the Prophet their wealth and the man power if he was to neglect the message he was delivering. Mus'ab Ibn Umair was also another example who was very rich before Islam and after Islam he was stripped from everything and became very poor to the point that there was nothing to cover his body when he died as a martyr in the Battle of Badr.

Verse 44

)(

There the authority is [completely] for Allah , the Truth. He is best in reward and best in outcome.

Allah is the best to reward and the best for the final end.) for deeds that were done for the sake of Allah, their reward is good and their consequences are all good.

CCOONNTTEEMMPPLLAATTIIOONNSS

TThhee TThhiirrdd MMaajjoorr TTrriiaall:: WWeeaalltthh aanndd CChhiillddrreenn

The deception of worldly adornments The immense blessings of Allah The downfall of the arrogant and haughty Ascribing all good to Allah There is no guarantee for tomorrow. Regret afterwards does not benefit. There is no power or might except with Allah



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PPeeaarrllss aanndd GGeemmss

TThhee uussee ooff ooppppoossiitteess::

More / Less [verses 34 and 39] Greenery / Barrenness[verse 33 and verse 40] Iman / Kufr[verses 37 and 38] Good water / Bad water[verses 33 and 41]


32 Parables help one to understand things better and to refute any misconceptions

The use of parables and other such means are effective in dawah

Allah alone makes the earth beautiful and adorns it

33 Trees, fruits, rivers etc. are from the bounties of Allah

To remind others of the favours of Allah upon His slaves

Beauty and perfection is for Allah alone

34 To not become deceived by worldly pleasures and let them distract you from worship

To not look down upon others using the blessings of Allah

Worldly blessings are a favour from Allah alone

35 Nothing in this world lasts forever

Smaller evil leads to greater evil

Allah blesses His slaves even when they disbelieve



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36 To not be deluded by this world, thus thinking that one is indestructible

The true recompense and status will be meted out on the Day of Judgement

Allah blesses His slaves even when they disbelieve

37 Importance of advising friends, especially in matters of tawheed

The obligation of informing people about tawheed

Tafsir Surah Kahf (Echoes of a Cave) (Nasr)

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Transcript of Tafsir Surah Kahf (Echoes of a Cave) (Nasr)