We must remember that the
Qur’an does not just narrate stories in quite a random manner; they rather form
an integral structure and serve a specific meaning. For example, while
narrating the story of Prophet Musa (AS) in Al Kahf, there is no mention of the
Pharaoh or the miracle of the stick because the meaning intended in this case
is different from that found in either of those stories. What is then the
thread which ties the four stories of Al Kahf together?
The four basic trials and
temptations in life are faith, wealth, knowledge and power. Good and bad use of
each will have ramifications. All these trials are narrated in the same sequence
in four amazing stories of Al Kahf. The connection is mindboggling. The thread
that ties the four stories together in Surah Al-Kahf can only be a divine
arrangement. Half-way in the Surah, between the first two stories and the two
remaining, we are told that the stimulus of temptation is the enemy of Allah Karim,
namely, Iblis (Satan). Allah Karim says what can be translated as, “Will you
then take him (Iblîs) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than
Me while they are enemies to you? What an evil is the exchange for the Zâlimûn
(polytheists, and wrong-doers) (18:50). Who, in their right mind, would take
Allah’s enemy as their master and defender?
We briefly touch upon major
trials and temptations in human life discussed in stories of Al Kahf:
The trial of religion: Faith
in oneness of Allah is the foundation stone of religion. Every step of the way
our faith is tested. Every transaction we make has to fit the criterion of
religion. In story of men of cave, it was about people’s evil acts towards young
believers in the form of harm, torture or threats which may cause loss of
faith, deviation from religion or fear. This was the trial the people of the
cave experienced and passed.
The trial of wealth: This
was the trial of the man with the two gardens, who was so proud of his wealth
that he considered the hereafter not to be true. Allah Karim says what can be
translated as, “And I think not the Hour will ever come, and if indeed I am
brought back to my Lord, (on the Day of Resurrection), I surely shall find
better than this when I return to Him (18:36). Wealth is a serious distractor,
hence a serious test. People develop this false sense of wellbeing that if they
got the best of this world, they will definitely get the best of the next. It
does not happen like that. The man of two gardens was apparently a Muslim, who
had been blessed with wealth and sons, but he failed the trial and paid the
price.
The trial of knowledge:
The case of a man who boasts of the knowledge he possesses to the extent that
he feels arrogant and hence forgets about modesty. Such a man may learn things
of no benefit to him or to his community. Or else he may misuse the knowledge
he was granted in a way that may harm him or the society in which he lives. The
trial of knowledge is illustrated in the story of Prophet Musa (AS) and
Al-Khidr. Prophet Musa (AS) thought that no one on earth was more knowledgeable
than him. However, once he realized that this was untrue, he traveled a long
distance to meet the more knowing man and to learn from him in a truly
respectful and modest relation of a pupil to his teacher. Allah Karim says what
can be translated as, “Musa said to him (Khidr): “May I follow you so that you
teach me something of that knowledge (guidance and true path) which you have
been taught (by Allah)? (18:66). In order to leave us with a strong message,
Allah failed his revered Prophet like Musa AS in this test.
The trial of power: Al
Zulqarnain is presented as a just king who attributed his wealth and power to
Allah Karim alone. Allah Karim says what can be translated as, “He said: “As
for him (a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah) who does wrong, we shall punish
him, and then he will be brought back unto his Lord, Who will punish him with a
terrible torment (Hell). “But as for him who believes (in Allah’s Oneness) and
works righteousness, he shall have the best reward, (Paradise), and we (Al Zulqarnain)
shall speak unto him mild words (as instructions) (18:87-88). It shows any
amount of power in this world is not a right but a responsibility which makes
it a trial. Al Zulqarnain passed this test.
Protection from temptations
The main idea of the Surah is
protection from temptation. In this respect, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Between
the creation of Adam and the Day of Judgment, there exists no greater trial
than that of Al-Dajjal.” A question is then to be raised: What is the
connection between the trial of Al-Dajjal and the four aforementioned trials
and temptations?
Al-Dajjal will appear before
the Day of Judgment and present the four temptations. He will try to push
people to abandon their faith and will ask them to worship him and not Allah.
Allah Karim will give him the ability to perform miracles: Al-Dajjal then may
promise to bring to life one’s mother and father if one rejects Allah and
believes in him instead. Everybody will be tempted except those blessed by
Allah Karim. Al-Dajjal will lure humanity with temptation of wealth: he will
simply command the sky to rain down on a particular piece of land and
vegetation will flourish. He will be able to transform a barren desert land
into a beautiful green garden. He will try you with temptation of knowledge: he
will captivate people with what he knew which will tempt some of them to
believe in him. Finally, he will exploit the temptation of power: he will subjugate
people to his strength and authority in many parts of the earth except Makkah
and Al-Madinah. These are serious temptations that all Muslims, in all parts of
the land and throughout all of time, must beware of. Reading surat Al-Kahf and
understanding the meanings within it, especially the four stories and the
divine messages they carry can do this.
The four stories in the Surah
are linked together through the string of trials. Each story is followed by
comments which point out the lessons to be learned from it and how we can
protect ourselves from trials and temptations. This is the magnificence of the
Qur’an; it does not tell stories for their own sake but to leave a meaningful message.
Hence, thrust of this Surah is seeking protection against all major
temptations. Dajjal or no Dajjal, temptations remain a permanent feature of our
lives and passing these trials is the essence of life.
May Allah protect us against
temptations and carry us through the trials as He pleases.
Blessed Juma and Blessed
Ramazan
No comments:
Post a Comment