The Secrets of The Cave (Surah Al Kahfi)

Attended Dr. Fatma el Zahra's tafseer class yesterday.

She changed the format from the usual recitation and explanation of each individual ayat of a surah, to teaching us it's overall message.

It's a good change for me: before it was easy to overlook the proverbial forest for being too involved in the trees.

Anyway, this entry is an attempt at reproducing the notes that I've managed to scribble in class, Insya Allah.

We study the Quran because 

1. it is a guidance from Allah
2. it heals the ills in our hearts
3. it intercedes for us on the last day

Every surah in Al-Quran has one message.

The "mother" of the book, Surah Al-Fatihah, encompasses the teachings of the entire Quran viz:

1. History
2. Worship
3. The Uniqueness of Allah
4. The Last Day and Hereafter
5. Human Character

Surah Al-Baqarah teaches us about the role of mankind as khalifah above all other creatures on earth, and the deviousness of the Jews

*tip - recite this surah when there are signs of syaitan in the home (eg. problems between husband and wife, their children bickering), then syaitan will not enter the house for 3 days, it wards off black magic, prevents betrayal by enemies masquerading as friends.
If time does not permit (because of the length of the surah) just reciting the first 5 ayats (alif-lam-mim), followed by ayatul kursi and the last part beginning with aamanarasul, is deemed adequate.



Surah Ali-Imran dwells on practising consistency and patience in worship

Surah An-Nisaa on  justice in relationships

Surah Maa'idah teaches about  trust  and fulfiling promises

Surah Al-Kahfi which was the subject of yesterday's class tells us about the four temptations (fitnahs):

1. the temptation of wealth - from the story of the boastful owner of two gardens
2. the temptation of knowledge - from the story of Nabi Musa and Nabi Khidr
3. the temptation of religion - from the story of the companions whom Allah put to sleep  in a cave
4. the temptation of power - from the story of King Zulkarnain

Hadeeth says at the end of time (qiamat) mankind will be tested by these temptations brought to them by the false messiah Dajjal.

The minor signs of qiamat are already upon us: fornication, decorative masjids, raised voices in masjids, inadequate covering of aurat, mothers being slaves to children, fathers raping their children. However there is still time to repent.

 One of the major signs is the appearance of the Dajjal, the form of of which we do not know and when it will come.

From a hadeeth, it is said that whoever memorises and recites the first 10 ayats of Surah Al Kahfi is protected from the fitnahs of Dajjal.

*practical tips to avoid these fitnahs

1. choose a friend of good morals and principles (as in ayat 28)
2. remember akhirat (ayat 29)
3. avoid worshipping of dunia (ayat 45)
4. remember we will be brought to account for our deeds (ayat 49), for this it's good to recite istighfar at least 100 times a day 
5. avoid being arrogant (ayat 69)
6. be sincere in deeds and worship (ayat 98) - not to show people (which is minor syirik) but only for Allah

*More useful tips from Surah Al-Kahfi:

1. Read the last 3 ayats before sleep to awake fresh for Solat Tahajjud, no matter what time you went to bed
2. Best doa when in difficulty is doa Ashabul Kahfi (ayat 10)
3. When you see or hear  something beautiful, say "Masya Allah la quwwata illa billah" (What Allah wills is done! There is no power but with Allah).  (ayat 39)

It is also sunnah to recite this surah on Fridays beginning after maghrib on Thursday night - according to hadeeth "Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on the day of Jumu'ah, will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next."



Wallahu a'lam....



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