Surah Al Kahf - Ayah No 10

Juma tul Wida Mubarak. A polite reminder for reciting Al Kahf or at least first and last Rukuh.

Today, we reach the landmark of 10^th Ayah till which point Al Kahf should be recited to say the least. This Ayah contains one of the most powerful prayers gifted by Allah swt to us through Jibrael Ameen via Heart of Our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him) in the Glorious Quran. Look at the enormous strands of The Rope (Al Quran) connecting us to Allah.

If we recall Ayah No 7, Allah swt claimed to have adorned this world for a test. Al Kahf boys were young and hailed from good families. Even today, irrespective of their social status, when youth (other than mobile slaves) get together we may expect party, banter or at best sports. But this was a unique set of young men who stood up for Oneness of Allah in a polytheist society. Roman tyrant Daqyanus gave them time (few days) to reconsider their monotheistic approach or be killed. Instead of caving in, these youthful boys with background retreat to the cave. Their imperishable resolve not to budge on Tauheed and incomparable sincerity made this story worthy enough to be told by the King of heavens and earth. And this is the reason that even today without knowing their names, we refresh memory of our fantastic heroes.

And the prayer, what a prayer? An amazing way of showing true love and reverence to Allah. Those young men leave every comfort of life. Leave behind their homes, families and friends. They didn’t know what to do and where to go. Yet their faith was ever so strong. They simply submit to their Lord. The King who would always fulfil his word. And what do they ask in this awesome prayer, special mercy and guidance of Allah in their affairs. And see the mercy of Allah. They become eternal heroes. See the guidance, he protects them, sends them to sleep, feeds them, nourishes them and makes their act of sincerity an immortal beacon of light for us to follow till the end of times.

Folks, Tauheed is under attack once again. We can’t be like people of cave. Yet, we can recall their heroics every week and take strength from it. Secondly, we are lucky that we have our Kahf i.e. Al Quran. If we retreat to it every now and then, may Allah bestow His special mercy and guidance and we might get through this test. Because without His mercy and guidance nothing is possible. But remember, it was sincerity of heart of the Men of Cave which triggered Allah's mercy and guidance.

May Allah give us the sincerity of the Men of Al Kahf. Ameen.