Surah Al Kahf - Ayah No 3

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

Choices we make are the reasons of rest or unrest in our lives. Choices like earning. How do we earn? Like spending. How do we spend? Like eating. How do we eat? Like dealing. How do we deal? Our greatest gift is freedom to choose, at the same time, our greatest plight is freedom of choice (wrong ones). It is this freedom of choice that makes us the best of creations or the lowest of the low. It’s all about choices. If we make clean choices, we live clean. If we earn halal, we spend wisely. If we don’t, we don’t need any guidance, desires take over the spending part of our brains. Desires above necessities are the real problem. Above basic needs, rightful desires could only be helping fellow beings. And when we follow desires whispered by our Qareen, we develop fears. Fear of means. Fear of unknown. Fear of losing. Fear of being left behind. Fears affect our choices. A vicious cycle of wrong choices begins. We begin to tely on means (increase or lack of) than the Provider of means. We get occupied by the fear of unknown than the Unseen Known. Fear of losing what we’ve got overtakes gratitude. Fear of being left behind consumes our time and abilities in unending material rat-race. And before we know, times up.

All basic Fards are designed to give us relief from all the fears. Tauheed from unknown. In the manual, on need to know basis, all relevant information about unknown is given from creation till the end. Fear of losing sight of true path is addressed by Salat. Prayer is otherwise such immense gift that it was given in one-on-one meeting up there on 27 Rajab (today’s Islamic date). As specie, we have overwhelming capacity to forget, hence, we need reminder five times a day to submit and remain humble. Besides, discipline is a special gift of Salah. Fear of losing material possessions is subsided by Zakat. By dedicating some amount out of our rightful earnings, we acknowledge the source of our belongings. Consequently, a remarkable social welfare system takes effect. Roza cleanses body and soul. Teaches us to tame our desires and refine our choices. It is an amazing feeling to shun the urge to eat for the commitment to fast till dusk. Finally, Hajj or Umrah are the special privileges of chosen ones for firsthand spiritual experience. It combines all other Faraiz of Tauheed, Salah and cleansing of wealth, body and soul.

Coming over to today's Ayah No 3. It is continuation of Ayah 2, hence, it shall be understood in conjuctiin with it.

In second ayah, buildup by warnings of retribution is followed up by glad tidings for those who did good deeds. All good deeds are derivatives of overriding desires above needs. Fear could only be overcome by hope. And hope reigns supreme in religion of peace. Death is the only philosophical challenge where all human progress appears helpless. This Ayah being dedicated to these three words ‘Will live there forever’. So the mystery of death is resolved. Hoping to live forever in the best of the places, in best of the health and age is the logical reward for overcoming our desires and doing the good deeds in this limited window of opportunity (70/80 years of life span).

Please note that for a short period of time Dajjal will give false impression of controlling life and death. This must be the greatest test of the faithful. The only way we could prepare ourselves and equip our next generations is through Quran and Al Kahf in particular. May Allah protect us from this fitna. Ameen.

Only Allah knows the whole Truth.