As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 18, Al-Kahf or the Cave, verses 18-31. These verses concludes the story of the Companions of the Cave, a group of men who took refuge in a cave to escape persecution for their beliefs. The point of the story is to resolve the disputed issue of life after death but instead people got caught up in debating numbers and years but not the main point of the story. The next section talks about how no one is authorized to change the Word of God and lastly, how the Qur’an invites us to make a choice – believe or disbelieve.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.If you could see them, you might have thought them awake, though they were asleep. We turned them about to their right and left sides, while their dog lay stretched out with his forepaws at the entrance. Had you looked at them, you would have certainly turned away from them and flee in terror.[18] In the same miraculous way, We woke them up from sleep so that they could question one another. One of them asked: “How long have you been here?” The others answered: “Maybe we have been here for a day or part of a day.” Finally they concluded: “Our Rabb knows best how long we have stayed here. Anyhow, let one of us go to the city with this silver coin, and let him find who has the purest food and bring us something to eat. Let him behave with caution and let him not disclose our whereabouts.[19] For, if they find you out, they will stone you to death, or force you back into their faith and in that case, you will never attain felicity.”[20] 18:[18-20]
Thus did We reveal their secret to the people so that they might know that the promise of Allah is true and that there is no doubt about the coming of the Hour of Judgment. (But what a pity that instead of considering the Hour of Judgment) they started arguing among themselves about their case. Some said: “Erect a building over them.” Their Rabb knows them best. Those who finally prevailed over their matter said: “We shall indeed erect a place of worship over them.”[21] Some will say: “They were three and their dog was the fourth.” Others, guessing the unknown, will say: “They were five and their dog was the sixth,” and still others will say: “They were seven and their dog was the eighth.” Say: “My Rabb Alone knows their number. None but a few really know their correct number.” Therefore, do not enter into discussion with them about their number except in a cursory way, nor ask any of them (the speculators) about the companions of the cave.[22] 18:[21-22]
Never say of anything “I will certainly do it tomorrow”[23] provided you add: “If Allah wills!” And if you forget to say this, then call your Rabb to mind and say: “I hope that my Rabb shall guide me and bring me ever closer than this to the Right Way.”[24] They stayed in their cave three hundred years plus an addition of another nine.[25] O Prophet, say: “Allah knows best how long they stayed; He is the One Who knows the secrets of the heavens and the earth; sharp is His sight and keen is His hearing! They have no protector besides Him and He does not let anyone share in His command.[26] 18:[23-26]
O Prophet! Recite what has been revealed to you from the Book of your Rabb: no one is authorized to change His Words and if you dare, you will find no refuge to protect you from Him.[27] Keep yourself content with those who call on their Rabb morning and evening seeking His good pleasure; and let not your eyes turn away from them desiring the attraction of Worldly Life; nor obey the one whose heart We have permitted to neglect Our remembrance, who follows his own desires and whose deeds were all in vain.[28] 18:[27-28]
O Prophet proclaim: “This is the Truth from your Rabb. Now let him who will, believe in it, and him who will, deny it.” As for those who reject it, for such wrongdoers, We have prepared a Fire whose flames, like walls, will hem them from all sides. When they cry for help, they will be showered with hot water like boiling oil, which will scald their faces. What a dreadful drink and what a horrible residence![29] As for those who believe and do good deeds, rest assured that We do not waste the reward of him who does good work.[30] They are the ones for whom there will be the gardens of eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold; they will wear green garments of fine thick silk and recline on soft couches. What an excellent reward and what a beautiful residence![31] 18:[29-31]
Ameen.
This concludes today’s episode. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.
Thank you and be well.