Surat Al-Kahaf
(Class notes from the sisters Halaqa, with Sheikh Adel)
why are we asked to read Surah Kahf every Friday? The brief explanation is as follows:
- Prophet (SAW) said that surah Kahf brings for the one who recites a special light from one Friday to the next.
- The Angels recognize you.
- A connection is established between you and Bait Al Haram.
- Its recitation is a protection from the trials of Messiah Al Dajjal. No other Prophet before warned about Dajjal. The worst fitna is that of the Dajjal, which would turn a believer into a disbeliever.
Surah Kahf talks about 4 trials in life. Trial of religion, Trial of Money/Wealth, Trial of knowledge and Trial of Authority/Power.
A brief background into its revelation: A group of men from Mecca came to the Jews in Medina, who had knowledge of the old scripture’s. They wanted to put Prophet Muhammad(SAW) in a difficult situation. They asked the Jewish rabbis about the Messenger of Allah. They described him to them and told them some of what he had said. They said, `You are the people of the Tawrah and we have come to you so that you can tell us about this companion of ours.’ They (the rabbis) said, `Ask him about three things which we will tell you to ask, and if he answers them then he is a Prophet who has been sent (by Allah); if he does not, then he is saying things that are not true. Ask him about some young men in ancient times what was their story? Ask him about a man who traveled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth. What was his story and ask him about the Ruh (soul or spirit). If he tells you about these things, then he is a Prophet, so follow him, but if he does not tell you, then he is a man who is making things up, so deal with him as you see fit. The People put these questions to The Prophet (SAW), who asked them to come the next day for the answers, hoping for a revelation from Allah for the answers. The Prophet (SAW) forgot to say InshaAllah. He did not receive any revelation for the next two weeks. However the next revelation that came was Surah Ad Duha, where Allah says in Ayah 3, “Thy guardian Lord hath not forsaken thee, nor is He displeased.” The revelation of Surah Kahf then gave the answers to the first two questions and to the third about the soul was given in Surah Isra.
1.The story of the young men was about the trial of religion. The lesson for us is to stick with good companions/believers. In times of trial of religion, they strengthen each other. The story of Dhul Qurnain, answered the second question.
- The Story of the man with a fertile garden with a river running in the midst and giving abundant harvest and his pride that this would last forever and no one could take it away. The lesson was that wealth does not last. Protect yourself from the hellfire by giving Sadaqa.
- Through the story of Moosa and Khidr, Allah tells us that even if you are very knowledgeable, know that someone else may have more knowledge. Because Moosa said he was the most knowledgeable, Allah showed him he could not say that. Khidr who was not a prophet but was more knowledgeable then Moosa. Moosa said he would not rest until he found him even if it took him centuries and asked Allah for a sign and found him. In this we are given the lesson of patience in gaining knowledge and to humble ourselves.
- Regardless of how powerful a person is on this earth, he will be judged by Allah.
Dajjal has all of the 4 trials mentioned in the Suarh. He would turn against the people of religion. He has every wealth; he has every knowledge, and has power/authority. The trial of Dajjal is the last of the trials before the Day of Judgment.