Lessons from Surah al-Kahf First published in England by Kube Publishing Ltd Markfield Conference Centre, Ratby Lane, Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9SY, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1530 249230 Fax: +44 (0) 1530 249656 Email: info@ kubepublishing.com Website: www.kubepublishing.com Pearl from the Qur’an Copyright Š Dr Yasir Qadhi 2020 All rights reserved. The right of Dr Yasir Qadhi to be identified as the author and translater of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988. cip data for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 978-1-84774-132-5 casebound ISBN: 978-1-84774-131-8 paperback ISBN: 978-1-84774-133-2 ebook
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Contents
L Transliteration Table
vii
1. Introduction and Blessings of Surah Al-Kahf 1 2. Circumstances of Revelation, Features and the Opening Verses
8
3. Speaking False of Allah and Comforting the Prophet
18
4. Introduction to the People of the Cave
26
5. Sleeping for 300 Years in the Cave
36
6. The Promise of Allah and the Seven Sleepers
47
7. Etiquette of Saying Insha’allah
55
8. The Qur’an and Companions as Protection
62
9. The Man with the Two Gardens I
76
10. The Man with the Two Gardens II
85
11. The Criminal’s Book of Deeds
97
12. The Day of Judgement and the Futility of Shirk and Argumentation
111
13. The Story of Musa and Khidr I: An Introduction to Musa, Yusha[ and Khidr 123 14. The Story of Musa and Khidr II: The Incidents of the Boat and the Boy
v
133
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15. The Story of Musa and Khidr III: Khidr Builds
a Wall and Explains His Actions on the Boat
147
16. The Story of Musa and Khidr IV: Khidr Explains the Incidents of the Boy and the Wall
155
17. The Story of Dhu Al-Qarnayn I: The Righteous King and his Early Travels
166
18. The Story of Dhu Al-Qarnayn I: Ya’juj and Ma’juj and the Ten Major Signs of the
Day of Judgement
182
19. The Day of Judgement and the Greatest Losers
196
20. Paradise and the Conclusion of Surah Al-Kahf 207 21. Recap, Main Points and the Lessons of Surah Al-Kahf
218
Glossary
229
Index
234
vi
Transliteration Table
L Arabic Consonants Initial, unexpressed medial and final: ’ ء اa دd ضd كk بb ذdh طt لl
تt رr ظz مm ثth زz ن [ عn جj سs غgh هـh
حh شsh فf وw خkh صs قq يy
With a shaddah, both medial and final consonants are doubled. Vowels, diphthongs, etc.
Short: a ــِـ ــَـi ــُـu
Long: a ـِـي ــَـاi ـُـوu Diphthongs: َـو ْ ــaw َـى ْ ـay
vii
1 Introduction and Blessings of Surah Al-Kahf
L The Virtues of Surah al-Kahf Surah al-Kahf is among the earliest revelations received by our Prophet f. In a hadith narrated by [Abdullah ibn Mas[ud, the Prophet f states: ‘Surah Bani Isra’il, al-Kahf, Maryam, Ta Ha and al-Anbiya’ are amongst my first earnings and my old property, and (in fact) they are my old property.’1 The surah summarizes for us the gist of Islam; its main theme is that Allah S will protect us from all trials. Told through a series of stories that illustrate specific trials, it teaches that Allah S will protect the believer at times of severity. Here we will focus on four stories detailed in al-Kahf that represent the crux of the surah: 1. The People of the Cave: The fir st of t he st or ies is t hat of the young men who sought refuge in the cave, and it is from this story that Surah al-Kahf derives its name. The trial illustrated in this surah is that of the fitnah (trial or testing) of religion; when people persecute others because of their belief in Allah S. The people of the cave Sahih al-Bukhari, 4994.
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lessons from surah al - kahf
were one such group of young men who believed in Allah S, for which the king of the land wanted to kill them. As a result, they fled and sought protection in a cave and Allah S protected them. 2. The Man with T wo Gardens: This second story illustrates the fitnah of money and the consequences of being mentally consumed by it. The story explores what happens when money causes one to become arrogant, and the solution presented for this trial is to realize that the dunya is temporary, that Allah S gives and we do not give, and that all we have will eventually be taken away. 3. Musa and Khidr: The third story is the famous account of Musa a and Khidr a. The main fitnah here is that of false knowledge. If knowledge does not lead to humility, then it too can become a fitnah. Knowledge can lead to arrogance if it is misused or abused. Of course, Musa a overcomes this fitnah and, in his humility and humbleness, he learns from somebody other than himself and rises because of it. 4. Dhu Al -Qarnayn: The final story is that of Dhu alQarnayn, and in this story is illustrated the fitnah of power, including the fitnah of kingship and the control of people. Allah S mentions that He tested Dhu al-Qarnayn with this fitnah, who overcame it by being aware that Allah S is Malik al-Mulk; the One who is the ultimate king. It is these four major fitnahs, detailed through the four major stories in Surah al-Kahf, that we will study and learn from. The Blessings of Surah al-Kahf There are numerous Ahadith that detail the blessings of Surah al-Kahf, and here we will explore a few of them. Prominent among them is the hadith of the famous companion, al-Bara’ ibn [Azib, who narrates: 2
Introduction and Blessings of Surah Al-Kahf
A man was reciting Surah al-Kahf and his horse was tied with two ropes beside him. A cloud came down and spread over that man, and it kept on coming closer and closer to him till his horse started jumping (as if afraid of something). When it was morning, the man came to the Prophet f, and told him of that experience. The Prophet f said, ‘That was al-sakinah (tranquillity), which descended because of (the recitation of) the Qur’an.’2 Ibn Hajar al-[Asqalani explains that al-sakinah referred to here are the angels, because wherever angels go, peace and tranquillity descends. Such is the beauty of Surah al-Kahf that it is this peace and tranquillity that descended upon its recitation. It has been previously mentioned that Surah al-Kahf is one of the earliest revelations, revealed in the first or second year of the Prophet’s f da[wah. The reason for this early revelation is that this surah fortifies the believer with iman. It teaches that no matter what is happening, Allah S will take care of you. Another blessing of Surah al-Kahf is that it protects against the fitnah of Dajjal. As reported in the hadith of Abu al-Darda’ t, the Prophet f said: ‘He who memorizes the first ten verses of Surah al-Kahf will be protected from the trial of the Dajjal. In another narration, it is the last ten verses of Surah al-Kahf.’ 3 In another lengthy hadith on the authority of al-Nawwas ibn Sam[an, the Prophet f mentioned the fitnah of Dajjal and stated: If he comes forth while I am among you I shall be the one who will dispute with him on your behalf, but if he comes forth when I am not among you, then every man
Sahih al-Bukhari, 5011. Sahih Muslim, 809.
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lessons from surah al - kahf
must dispute on his own behalf, and Allah will take my place in looking after every Muslim. Those of you who live up to his time should recite over him the opening verses of Surat al-Kahf, for they are your protection from his trial. We asked: How long will he remain on the Earth? He replied: Forty days, one like a year, one like a month, one like a week, and rest of his days like yours. We asked: Messenger of Allah, will one day’s prayer suffice us in this day which will be like a year? He replied: No, you must make an estimate of its extent. Then Jesus son of Mary will descend at the white minaret to the east of Damascus. He will then catch him up at the gate of Lud and kill him.4 We learn, therefore, that the beginning of Surah al-Kahf—and in another hadith the first ten verses of the surah—is a protection from the fitnah of Dajjal. A further blessing of Surah al-Kahf is that our Prophet f has taught us that: ‘Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on the day of Jumu[ah shall have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.’5 Similarly, Abu Sa[id al-Khudri narrates that whoever recites Surah al-Kahf as it was revealed, i.e. recited with proper tilawah (recitation), with tajwid (the art of Qur’an recitation) and khushu[ (humility), should they meet Dajjal they will be saved from being overpowered by him. This is the first blessing detailed in this hadith about Surah al-Kahf. The second blessing detailed in this particular hadith is that whoever recites the surah on Friday will have a light shining from them to Makkah. The hadith therefore shows us that Al-Jami[ al-Sahih of al-Tirmidhi, 2190; Sunan Abu Dawud, 4321. Mustadrak al-Hakim, 2/399.
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Introduction and Blessings of Surah Al-Kahf
the light emanating as a result of reciting this surah is so powerful that it illuminates all the way to Makkah. In yet another, slightly weaker, version it is reported that whoever recites Surah al-Kahf on a Friday will have all of their minor sins forgiven until the following Friday. Thus, the virtues of reciting this surah on Friday is clear. Protection from Dajjal The protection from Dajjal is evidently a significant blessing of Surah al-Kahf. The fitnah of Dajjal will be the worst fitnah mankind will ever witness, as Jabir t narrates: The Prophet Muhammad f said: There is no fitnah that will arise before the Final Hour greater than the fitnah of Dajjal, and there has been no prophet in the past, except that they warned their people, and indeed, I am about to inform you that of which no prophet has informed before. Then he placed his hand on his eye and said: I bear witness that Allah Ta[ala is not one-eyed.6 There is no fitnah that will cause more destruction, wreak more havoc, kill more people, and cause more bloodshed than that of Dajjal. As we learn from our traditions, Dajjal will come and claim to be God on earth, but the hadith tells us that he even looks imperfect—one of his eyes will be infested—and Allah, exalted is He, is not imperfect in any way. He will be given what will appear as miracles that will fool mankind into thinking he is divine. These apparent miracles will include the ability to stop and start the rain from falling. Even though it shall be a
Mustadrak al-Hakim, vol. 1 p. 76.
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lessons from surah al - kahf
time of severe drought and hunger, the Dajjal will be able to make rain fall and plants grow such that people can eat, and accordingly his followers will flourish. As for those who reject him, Dajjal will be able to kill them, and the trials on Muslim believers from Dajjal will be more severe than any other. In the face of such tribulations, what is the relevance of Surah al-Kahf? If we consider the beginning of the surah, the first ten ayahs relate the story of the people of the cave, fleeing persecution from the king for their beliefs. These men fled seeking Allah’s S protection and were granted it. In the context of Dajjal, he will be that murderous king and the believers will be the men fleeing persecution. Indeed, our Prophet f has said: ‘There will come a time when the best property of a Muslim will be sheep, which he will take to the tops of mountains and the places of rainfall so as to flee with his religion from the afflictions.’7 This is exactly what these young men did, and what Muslims will do in a later time. Furthermore, among the tribulations that Dajjal will bring will be his ability to control food and water. Those who believe in him will be fed and those who do not, Dajjal will stop their sources of sustenance and cause the earth to dry up beneath them. In such a context, Allah S explicitly teaches us in Surah al-Kahf: ‘In the ultimate, We shall reduce all that is on the earth to a barren plain.’8 Allah S thus teaches that He is the one who controls the earth and it is to Him that we must turn for sustenance, not to Dajjal. Furthermore, Surah al-Kahf teaches us that the dwellers of the cave sought Allah’s S aid and He paved a way out for them. In some traditions, it is also mentioned that people will seek protection in the caves and
Sahih al-Bukhari, 7088. Surah al-Kahf 18: 8.
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Introduction and Blessings of Surah Al-Kahf
mountains from Dajjal, thus resembling the young men and the cave mentioned in the beginning of the surah. The tenth verse of the surah concludes in a manner that is perfect and optimistic, with the prayer of the young men: ‘Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Yourself and provide for us rectitude in our affairs’9 It is notable that it is at this tenth verse that the verses of protection conclude. The eleventh verse goes on to relate the slumber that Allah S bestowed on the young men as the manner in which they were saved. Yet this will not be the manner in which those fleeing Dajjal will be saved. As the Prophet f has taught us, it will be the arrival of [Isa ibn Maryam a that will herald the salvation of the Muslims.10 And thus we conclude at the tenth verse, a verse of du[a’ (supplication) which teaches us that the dwellers of the cave prayed to Allah’s S for help and He accepted their du[a’.
>
Surah al-Kahf 18: 10. Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet f said: ‘There is no prophet between me and him, that is, Jesus a. He will descend (to the earth). When you see him, recognize him: a man of medium height, reddish fair, wearing two light yellow garments, looking as if drops were falling down from his head though it will not be wet. He will fight the people for the cause of Islam. He will break the cross, kill swine, and abolish jizyah. Allah will perish all religions except Islam. He will destroy the Antichrist and will live on the earth for forty years and then he will die. The Muslims will pray over him.’ (Sunan Abu Dawud, 4324)
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2 Circumstances of Revelation, Features and the Opening Verses
L
W
e have established that the primary theme of Surah alKahf is that Allah S will protect those who turn to Him for protection. This theme ties in with the title of the surah; al-Kahf, meaning the cave, is a symbolic place of protection. Like the cave of Hira’ and the cave of Thawr, where Allah S protected the Prophet f, so the title of the surah reflects its primary theme in literal terms in addition to being a reference to the story of the people of the cave. In this chapter we will explore the circumstances of the revelation of this surah and consider the first few verses of the surah. Circumstances of Revelation Ibn Kathir and al-Tabarani mention in their respective tafsirs (commentaries) that the reason Surah al-Kahf was revealed was in response to specific questions raised by the Quraysh. The Quraysh had never heard of a prophet from any previously revealed Divine Book until the Prophet f began preaching. They therefore asked some of their elders to approach the
8
Circumstances of Revelation, Features and the Opening Verses
Jewish community in the city of Yathrib (later to be renamed Madinah) and asked them what a prophet is and what are the signs of a true prophet. Accordingly, a delegation from the Quraysh went to Yathrib where they spoke to the Jewish community there, stating that a man among the Quraysh is claiming to be a prophet, so how should the Quraysh know whether he is true or not. The Jews told them to test the Prophet f with three questions: 1. What is the story of the young men who fled seeking Allah’s S protection (i.e. the people of the cave)? 2. What is the story of the king whom Allah S blessed with the east and west (i.e. Dhu al-Qarnayn)? 3. What is the ruh (i.e. soul)? The Jews added that the Prophet f should know the answers to the first two questions, but not the third question as no one knows what the ruh is apart from Allah S. The delegation of Quraysh then returned to Makkah, and the questions were posed to the Prophet f. Our Prophet f had become accustomed to Jibril a coming down at a certain time of the week, and in this instance it was the following day. Therefore, expecting Jibril’s a arrival at the usual time, the Prophet f responded to the Quraysh that they should wait until the following day when he will be able to give them the answers to their questions. He was confident in Jibril’s a arrival and did not say insha’Allah. However, instead of coming the following day, Jibril delayed his visit; in some reports he came three days later and in other reports it was fifteen days later. The Quraysh were pleased at the delay, given it undermined the Prophet f. When Jibril a did come, he came with Surah al-Isra’, which is also known as Surah Bani Isra’il, and Surah al-Kahf. In these 9
lessons from surah al - kahf
surahs were the answers to the questions. The account of the young men of the cave is at the beginning of Surah al-Kahf and that of Dhu al-Qarnayn is at the end. As for the question of the ruh, it is found in Surah al-Isra’. Allah S states in verse 85: ‘They ask you about “the spirit”. Say: “The spirit descends by the command of my Lord, but you have been given only a little knowledge.”’ This means we don’t know what the ruh is. To this day we cannot scientifically prove that there is a ruh and it is beyond our understanding. Notable Features and Verses 1–3 There are some interesting features of Surah al-Kahf that connect it both to Surah al-Isra’ and the wider Qur’an. According to some Quranic scholars, if one were to count the words of the Quran, the word that occurs in the exact middle of the entire Qur’an is found in Surah al-Kahf, and the word itself is wa-l-yatalataf, from the noun latif. To be ‘latif ’ has multiple meanings, including to be discrete and to be merciful and kind. Also notable is that because it is the middle of the Qur’an, the surah begins with the exact same opening with which the Qur’an begins. Just as Surah al-Fatihah begins with alhamdulillah, so Surah al-Kahf begins with alhamdulillah in its very first verse:
$ ِعوَ َجا/ُ َّعَل لc َ يc َوَل
1#d dال
1#$ ِع َو َجا/ُ َّعَل لc َ يc َكتتَ^بَ وَل ِ cلأe ِد ِهc َى َأنَلَ ع َتَل عتd ِ َّلeم مُد ِ َّ ِللc َحcلأe
Praise be to Allah Who has revealed to His servant the Book devoid of all crookedness; (al-Kahf 18: 1) Furthermore, we see that the end of Surah al-Isra’ is very directly linked to the beginning of Surah al-Kahf. The end of al-Isra’ calls upon the reader to praise Allah S, who has no son:
َشيِيكٌ ِف/ُ َّ ي َُك لc َذ وَلَ ًا وَلc يتَ َّ ِخ أc َلَّ ِي لe مُد ِ َّ ِللc َحمcلأe ِوَ ق مُلي 1 1# يِريًاcهُ تتَكأcل ّ ُِّل> وَ ك يَِّبe وَ ِ ٌّل مِّ َن/ُ َّ ي َُك لc َكِ وَلcمُلأcلأe كتتَ^بُ َل ِ cلأe ََذ^لِكت
3#مَّ^ ِكثِ تَني فِ ِه أَبَداًا
10
4#للَّ ُ وَلَ ًاe تَّ َخ َذe ْلَّ ِ تَني قَالُو اe َوَنيُ ِذر
كتتَ^بَ وَلَ cيَ cعَل لَّ ُِ /ع َو َجا1#$ eلأَ cح cم مُد ِ َّ ِللeلَّ ِ dى َأنَلَ ع َتَل عتَ ِ cد ِه eلأِ c Circumstances of Revelation, Features and the Opening Verses
وَلَ cيَ cعَل لَّ ُِ /عوَ َجا$
ال1#d d
وَ ق مُليِ eلأَ cحم cمُد ِ َّ ِلل eلَّ ِي لَ cيتَ َّ ِخ أcذ وَلَ ًا وَلَ cي َُك لَّ َُ /شيِيكٌ ِف َكنلََّلَُ /عوَ َ ِتَل ٌّلعتَ cمِّ ِدَن ِهeeلأcل ّ ُِّل> ِ eeلأcلأcمَُحل cم مُأcكِد ِ َّوِللَلَeلَِّ cي ُ dى َأ ك ِتعوَ َج كوَتك يَِّبcتَ^بَهُ تتَكأcوَلَ يِ cرييًَا cعَ1 1#ل لَّ ُِ /ع َو َجاَ 1#$وذَلَ^ل cيَِكتَ cعeلأَcل لَّ ُِ/ تَ^بُا $ل
And say: ‘All praise be to Allah Who has neither taken to Himself a son, nor has He any partner in His kingdom, nor does He need anyone, out of weakness, to protect Him.’ So glorify Him in a manner worthy )of His glory. (al-Isra’ 17: 111
وَنيُ ِذرَ eلَّ ِ تَني قَالُو اْ eتَّ َخ َذ eللَّ ُ وَلَ ًا4#
الdم ِ1#^َّdكثِ تَني فِ ِه أَبَداًا3#
وَ ق مُليِ eلأَ cحم cمُد ِ َّ ِلل eلَّ ِي لَ cيتَ َّ ِخ أcذ وَلَ ًا وَلَ cي َُك لَّ َُ /شيِيكٌ ِف 1 # ِ /ُSurahع َو َجا$ al-Kahfيًَا cعَ1 1#ل لَّ beginsك يَِّبcتَ^بَهُ تتَكأcوَلَ يِ c كوَت c praiseمِّ ِدَن ِهeeinلأcل ّ ُِّل> ِ َكنلََّofلَُ /عوَ َ ِتَل ٌّلعتَ dAllahى َأ ee seenلأcلأcمَُasحل cم مُأcكِدَّ ِ S,وِللَلَeلَِّ c ك ِتعوَ َج َ Accordingly,وذَلَ^ل cيَِكتَ cعeلأَcل لَّ ُِ/ ري ُ ي تَ^بُا$رسل تويحد above, and warns against those who claim He has a son: قَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأcسًا َشدِيدًا مِّن لَّ ُ نُ cه وَ يُب ِرّ َتَش eلأcمُؤcمِ ِ تَني eلَّ ِ تَني يَ cمَلُو تَن ال1#d d eولَنيُصِذَّ^رَلِeلَّ ِح تَني ق تَ^تَِال أَُو اْ َّنeتَّلَ ُ َخ cم َذأ ecللََّج ًُا و ََلَح ًَاسنً4#ا2# ومَنيَُّ^ ِ ِذكرَثِ eلَّ تَنيِ فِ تَنيِهق َأَباَلُوداًااْ eتَّ3#خ … ‘Allah وَtoق مُليِ eلأَ cح ِ andف alsoشيِيكٌ َُ warnكtoلَّ َُ / ًthoseا وَلَ cي ِ whoخ أcذ وَلَ say:لَ cيتَ َّ ِي ِ َّhasلل eلَّ takenم cمُد ِ )Himself a son,’ (al-Kahf 18: 4 1 # 1 eلأcممَُّ^ل ِكأcكِ وَلَ cي َُك لَّ ُ /وَ ِ ٌّل مِّ َن eل ّ ُِّل> وَ ك يَِّبcهُ تتَكأ cيِريًا كتتَ^بُ رسل تويحدeلأِ c َذ^لِكتَ first threeثِ تَني فِ ِه أَبَد al-Kahf’sاًا We will now take a closer look at Surah3#مَّا لَ ُم بيِهِ\ مِ cن عِلأ ٍ cوَل قَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأcسًا َشدِيدًا مِّن لَّ ُ نُ cه وَ يُب ِرّ َتَش eلأcمُؤcمِ ِ تَني eلَّ ِ تَني يَ cمَلُو تَنverses:أَفcوَ^هِهيِ P cم إِن يَ مُو لُو تَن ِإ مدحنeتَّلَعُ ََخ cمتَلَذأعتَ ecللََّجِد ًُا ِهوeلأََ cلَح ًَاسن ِ4# eأcولَنيُح cصِذَّ^ مُرَدلِ َّeلَّ ِللِحeلَّ ِ تَني ق كًا تَ^تَِdىال َأأَُوناَْلََّ شركت2#تَ^بَ وَلَ cيَ cعَل لَّ ُِ /ع َو َجا 1#$ومَلََنيَُّ^ ِ ِ cذيَكرَcثِعeلَّ تَنيَِلفِلَّ تَنيِهُ/ق َأَباَِلعُووَداًااْ َجeت3#اَّ$خ الْ َ مْد Praise be to Allah Who has revealed to His servant the ) Book devoid of all crookedness; (al-Kahf 18: 1ف َلَ َلَّكتَ بَ^ ِخ ٌع نَّ cسَك رس تويحد بيِِثيِهِ\أَمِ َس cفناًاعِ6#لأ ٍ cوَل تَمَاَّ^ر ِكَكتَثِ eلَّتَني فِِىِهنَأَبََّلَداًاeلأc ُ 3#cر ق َا تَن ع َتَل عتَ ِ cدهِ\ لِ َ ُكو تَن لِلأَ cع^ َل ِم تَني نَ ِذريًاe 1#ملالdأَّcاَ dحلَ1#دُم وَقَ يِقّممُليًِا ِّeللأُcن َحِذمcرَ بمَُدأَّ ِ cس ِللًا eلََّشدِيدًا مِ ِيّنلَلَُّ cيتَنُ َّ cه ِخوَ يأُcذب ِرّوَلَ َتَش ًاeلأcومَُلَؤ ccمِي ِ ُ تَنيَك لَّeلَّ ُِ َ /تَنيشيَ cمَيِيكٌلُو ِ تَنف أَفcوَ^هِهيِ P cم إِن يَ مُو لُو تَن ِإ 2# مدحنُ/لَوَُ ِ cم أٌّل cمَِّج َنًا َ eحل ّ َِسُّل>نًا تَ^تَِكأَلَّ َّ اeeلْلأcمَُحلصمَّ^أcكِْدلِ وَلَح كقَاتلُو اْ e َوذَنيُ^ل ِذِكتَرَ eلأecلَّ ِ تَني شرك يِ تَكأc ت 1 # 1 ًا ري ه ُ c َب يِ ّ ك و َ ُ ي c تَ^بُتeلَرَّخل ِ ِ an unerringly Straight Book, meant to warn of a sternإنَّا تَجَلأَ cا مَا ع َتَل أc punishmentف َلَ َلَّكتَ بَ^ ِخ ٌع نَّ cسَك toمُنproclaim, ْfromا بيِسُو َر ٍة ِمّن ِّمcلِ ِ\ ِ Allah,دنَا ف َ cأتمُو َandا ع َتَل عتَ c َي ِّمtoمَّا نَ َّ أcل thoseك ُت cم ِف ر ٍ c وَِإن تَومَنيََُeاَّ^ cرد ِ ِذكعَكتَرَثُِو اْeلَّتَنيِ مُفِ َش تَنيِىَِهدقاdنََأَباَءَلَّلَكُوداًااُْمeeلأcت3#مَُِّ cر َّنخق َا َذد تَُونeللَّعيِن ُ َتَلوeللََّلَعتَِ ًcاإ ِدِ4#نهِ\كلُِن َتُ ُك cمو تَن لِصلأَ ^َcع ِد^قِ َل ِم تَني #تَني23نَ ِذريًاe 1#ملأcمَّاَّ^ َحلَ ِكدثُِم بيِِثيِ تَنيهِ\فِأَمِ َِسه cفنأَباًاَعدِ6#لأcاًا ٍ3#وَل وَ ِإنَّا لَجتَ^ ِعلُو تَن مَا عتَل أَفcوَ^هِهيِ P cم إِن يَ مُو لُو تَن ِإ 11 الْ َحمْد مدح شرك ِّم َن eلأcمَ cس يِج ِد eلأَ cحرَا ِم إِلَ ِإنَّا تَج تويحدَلأَ cا مَا ع َتَل أecلَر رس ب c َ بيِ cلً ل َ ِ\ ه د ِ َى َس c ُسبcحتَ^ َ كنمُنeلَُّت ِ cم ِdى أف ر ٍَ cي ِّممَّا نَ َّ أcلَا ع َتَل عتَ ِ cدنَا ف َ cأتمُو ْا بيِسُو َر ٍة ِمّن ِّمcلِ ِ\ فوََلَق ََاللُو اَّْكتَ eتَّب ََ^خ َذ ِخٌ eعرلَّ نَّ c cحس َمَك^ن eقَلوأ cيِّمَم ًcا َِإنس ِ ّل يِجُندِذرَ أcبَeلأ cأcسًاَقَا َشeلَّدِيدِىًا مِبَ^ّنرَلَّ ُ أcكنcن ُهتَاوَ يَُحبو ِرّcلَ َتَشُe/لأِcنمُمُ يِؤيَcمِه ُِِ /تَمني ecلَّن ِ ءَا تَيني يََ^تِ َcاPdمَلإِنَُّوه تَُ/ن
رس
تويحد
كتتَ^بَ وَلَ cيَ cعَل لَّ ُِ /ع َو َجا1#$ eلأَ cح cم مُد ِ َّ ِللeلَّ ِ dى َأنَلَ ع َتَل عتَ ِ cد ِه eلأِ c قَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأcسًا َشدِي-دًا مِّن لَّ ُ نُ cه وَ يُب ِرّ َتَش eلأcمُؤcمِ ِ تَني eلَّ ِ تَني يَ cمَلُو تَن ع c يَ 1 # ا $ ج َ و َ ع ِ ُ/ لَّ َل c َلَ و تَ^بَ كت كتتَ^بَ وَلَ cيَ cعَل لَّ ُِ /ع َو َجا 1#$وَلَ cيَ cعَل لَّ ُِ /عوَ َجا $قَ يِّمًاeلأّ ِ cل َحُن cم ِذ مُرَد ِبََّأِ cللسeلَّ ًِا َ dشى َأدِينَلَدًاع َتَل عتَ ِ cقَد يِّ ِهمeلأًcا ِ وَلَ cيَ cعَل لَّ ُ/ eلأَ cح cم مُد ِ َّ ِللeلَّ ِ dى َأنَلَ ع َتَل عتَ ِ cد ِه eلأِ c lessons from surah al kahf
eلصَّ^لِحتَ^تِ أَ َّن لَ ُ cم أ َcجًا َح َسنًا2#
who believe and work righteous deeds, the tiding that
وَنيُ ِذرَ eلَّ ِ تَني قَالُو اْ eتَّخَذ
ِ theirsي لَ cيتَ َّ ِخ أcذ وَلَ ًا وَلَ cي َُك لَّ َُ /شيِيكٌ ِف ) be a good reward (al-Kahf 18: 2وَ ق مُليِ eلأَ cحم cمُد ِ َّ ِلل eلَّ shallوَلَ cي َُك لَّ ُ /وَ ِ ٌّل مِّ َن eل ّ ُِّل> وَ ك يَِّبcهُ تتَكأ cيِريًا1 1#ال1#d d ال1#d d eلأcمُلأcكِ وَ ق مُليِ eلأَ cحم cمُد ِ َّ ِلل eلَّ ِي لَ cيتَ َّ ِخ أcذ وَلَ ًا وَلَ cي َُك لَّ َُ /شيِيكٌ ِف وَ ق مُليِ eلأَ cحم cمُد ِ َّللِ eلَّ ِي لَ cيتَ َّ ِخ أcذ وَلَ ًا وَلَ cي َُك لَّ َُ /شيِيكٌ ِف eلأcمُلأcكِ وَلَ cي َُك لَّ ُ /وَ ِ ٌّل مِّ َن eل ّ ُِّل> وَ ك يَِّبcمهَُّ^تتَكأ cيِ ِكريثًِا 1 1#تَني فِ ِه أَبَداًا َذ^لِكتَ eلأِ cكتتَ^بُ َل ر َ! َ cي فِeلأ! ِ cهمُلهُأcكِدًىو لَلَِّلأccمُيتَّ ُقَِك تَنيلَّ ُ2#/وَوَنيُِ ٌّل ِذرَمِّ َنeلَّ ِeل تَّنيُِّل>قَالوَُوكاْ يَِّeبcتَّهُ َتختَكأَ cذيِريeللًَّا ُ1#موَّ1اَلَ ًالَُ4#م بيِهِ\ مِ cن َذ^علِلأِcكتَ ٍ eلو ََل أcك
3#
)wherein they shall abide for ever; (al-Kahf 18: 3
وَنيُ ِذرَ eلَّ ِ تَني قَالُو اْ eتَّ َخ َذ eللَّ ُ وَلَ ًا4#
الْ َحمْد مدح
مَّ^ ِكثِ تَني فِ ِه أَبَداًا3#
شرك
وَنيُ ِذرَ eلَّ ِ تَني قَالُو اْ eتَّ َخ َذ eللَّ ُ وَلَ ًا4#
أَفcوَ^هِهيِ P cم إِن يَ مُوملَّ^ُو ِكثِ تَن تَنيِ فِ َِّهإ
The surah begins in praise of Allah S who sent down to His َ (servant),شدِيدًا مِ the Prophet f, a book, the Qur’an, in which Heقَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأcسًا ّ[abdن لَّ ُ نُ cه وَ يُب ِرّ َتَش eلأcمُؤcمِ ِ تَني eلَّ ِ تَني يَ cمَلُون تويحد crookedا’لرخة nor incorrect.رساةل تويحد Allah S further َhasجًا َح َسنًا notلَ ُ cم أ c madeتَ^تِ أَ َّن eanythingلصَّ^لِح is straight and firm,قَ يِّمًا ِ ّل thatمِّن لَّ ُ نُ cه وَ يُب ِرّ َتَش eلأcمُؤcمِ ِ theسًا َشدِيدًا ُBookن ِذرَ بَأc establishesتَني eلَّ ِ تَني يَ cمَلُو تَن Heوَ يُب ِرّ َتَش eلأcمُ thatؤcمِ ِ تَني eلَّ ِ قَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأcسًا َشدِيدًا مِّن لَّ ُ نُ cه suchتَني يَ cمَلُو تَن َaboutجًا َح َسنًا تَ^تِ أَ َّن لَ ُ cم أ c severeلِح َ punishmentذ eللَّ ُ وَلَeل ًاصَّ^ may warn the وَنيُ ِذرَ eلَّ ِ تَني eلصَّ^لِحتَ^تِ أَ َّن لَ ُ cم أ َcجًا َح َسنًا that is coming fromوَنيُ ِذرَ eلَّ ِ تَني قَالُو اْ eتَّ َخ ك ِ َّ^ م ث ِ اًا د َ ب أ َ ه ِ فِ ني تَ Him and give glad tidings to the believers who do good deeds that they will have much and rewards. blessingsهيِ cمPمَّ^ ِك كثَِبُ تَني فَِتِ cهك َأَلِبَمَد ًاًا مَّا لَ ُم بيِهِ\ مِن مَّ^ ِكثِ تَني فِ ِه أَبَداًا ئ ِ ا d َ ب ل َ ِ َل َ و ٍ ِلأc ع ن c م ِ ِ\ indicates praise. Thereمَّا لَ ُم بيِه ِن c م ُجُ ر خ c َ ت ة شرك ) is a beautiful word thatالْ َحمْد ( مدح Hamd أَفcوَ^هِهيِ P cم إِن ي ُlanguageو تَن ِ َّإ َك ِذبًا ; that indicate praiseأَفcوَ^هِهيِ P cم إِن يَ مُو ل are many words in the Arabic شرك الْ َحمْد مدح الْ َحمْد مدح ِmadhى نََّisلَ eلأc ُ cر ق َا تَن ) شرك ( ) meaning ‘to praise’ and there is shukrتَ( َارَكتَ eلَّ thereع َتَل عتَ ِ cدهِ\ لِ َ ُكو تَن لِلأcعَ^ َل ِم تَني نَ ِذريًا meaning thanks ف َلَ َلَّكتَ بَ^ ِخ word madh meansف ُ giveو اْ بيِ َTheلَ َلَّكتَ بَ^ ِخ ٌع نَّ cس toهَ^ذَا ِن لَّ cيُ cمِ َandاثَ^ر ِ cيِه إ َgratitude.كتَ ع َ dتَل ء flatter,تَن لِلأc andتَل عتَ ِ cدهِ\ لِ َ ُكو c oftenر ق َا تَن ع َ ِ madhى نَ َّلَ eلأُ c outاًا is doneتَ َارَكتَ eلَّ toعَ^ َل ِم تَني نَ ِذريًا eلأَ cحدِثيِ أَسَف ِ c toدهِ\ لِ َ ُكو تَن لِلأcعَ^ تَ َارَكتَ eلَّ ِى نَ َّلَ eلأc ُ cر ق َا تَن ع َتَل عتَ َ wantingل ِم ofتَني نَ ِذريًا َ theحدِofثيِ أَ َسف e senseلأc impress the person to whom it is directed. One can do madh to of someone, and it could therefore be insincereوَِإن ك theف ر ٍَ cي ِّم gainمَّا نَ َّ أcلَا ع َتَل عتَ ِ cدنَا ف َ cأتمُو ْا بيِسُو َر ٍة ِمّن ِّمcلِ favourمُن ُت cم ِ ِإنَّا تَجَلأَ cا مَا ع ِ done in response toإنَّا تَ c couldح وَسcُ eَitندع تَعُوم َي َأ beلُو مُ َcه أ ُّ ُ c true.لَّ َا لِ َ cب Shukrر يِcض يِز نيتَ ًة onlyجَلأَ cا isمَا ع َتَل أeَ cل andيِن eللَّ ِ إِن كُنتُ cم صَ^ ِدقِ تَني false,مِّن دُو orاَْلاً مُ َش َداdءَكُم goodف َ cأتaمُو ْا بيِسُو َر ٍة ِمّن ِّمcلِ ِ\ َdoneا ع َتَل عتَ ِ cدنَا ٍَ toي ِّممَّا نَ َّ أcل you.ف ر c َِresponseإنInكمُن ُت cم ِ و ِّ doingمcلِ ِ\ ْ usا بيِسُو َر ٍة ِمّن goodعتَ aِ cدنَا ف َ cأتمُو وَِإن كمُن ُت cم ِف ر ٍَ cي ِّممَّا نَ َّ أcلَا ع َتَل to someone exchange.ن َّا ل َan ِ turn,دقِ تَني weكُنتُ cم صَ^ esayللَّ ِ إِن shukran,دُو يِن ُandوزاًْا مُ َش َداdءَكُم مِّن وَ ِإنَّا لَجتَ^ ِعلُو وَc eدعُو اْ مُ َش َداdءَكُم مِّن دُو يِن eللَّ ِ إِن كُنتُ cم صَ^ ِدقِ تَني جتَ^ ِعلُisو تَن مَا عتَلَيc َshukrا َص وَ ِإ soعِي ودًاَc eد ُع ُ ج ُ َHowever,سَى بيِ َبِ cدهِ\ َلcلً ِّم َن eلأcمَ cس يِج ِد eلأَ cحرَا ِم إِل hamdسبcحتَ^ َن eلَّ ِ dى أ c is completely different to shukr and madh. e solely because the one that you are praisingلأcمَ c ^َHamdرَ أcكنتَا َحوcلَ ُ /لِنمُ يِ يَهُِ /م cن ءَايَ^تِ َا Pdإِنَّه toأecل أَiscقَا eلَّ ِى ب praiseس يِج ِد م َ أc ل س c ب c َ بيِ ِلَ إ م ِ َا ر ح َ أc ل e د ِ ج يِ e ن َ م ِ ّ cلً ل َ ِ\ ه د ِ ُسبcحتَ^ َن eلَّ ِ dى أ َcسَى ِّ andم َن eلأcمَ cس يِج ِد ُسبcحتَ^ َن eلَّ ِ dى أ َcسَى بيِ َبِ cدهِ\ َلcلً وَ قَالُو اْ eتَّ َخ َذ e esimultaneouslyرلَّ iscحمَ^ُ itن وَلَ ًا ebroaderلأَ cحرَا ِم إِلَ وَ قَالُو اْ eتَّ َخ َذ is worthy thatوَ َّ eسل ofمِي ُع eل َ ِأcبريُ praise. Soهُ P ِ moreم cن ءَايَ^تِ َا dإِنَّهُ/ َspecific.حوcلَ ُ /لِنمُ يِ يَهُ/ broaderأecل أَiscقَاeItلَّ ِى بَ^رَ أcكنتَا e because it has nothingلأcمَ cس يِج ِد doيَهُِ to/م cن ءَايَ^تِ َا Pdإِنَّهُ/ withوcلَ ُ /لِنمُ يِ eلأcمَ cس يِج ِد أecل أَcقَا eلَّ ِى بَ^رَ أcكنتَا َح لَّ تَ cد يِجئcتُ cم شَي ي c ش َ ئ c ج يِ ت ُ ًّا د إ ِ ًا E م c د c تَ لَّ areوَ َّ eسلمِي ُyouع eل َ ِأcبريُ praising might have done for you.هُ what the one that هُوَ َّ eسلمِي ُع eل َ ِأcبريُ تتَكَا ُد َّ eسلمَ^وَ^ alsoتَهدًّاAnd it is ^َthatتُ يتَ َ moreخ ُّر eلأ cيِجبَالُ specificأeَ cلر ُcض َوتَ ِ ََّ inف cر تَن مِ ُ cه َوتَشنَقُّ ُ youد َّ eسلمَ^و have to praise theتتَكَا one being praised solely because he deserves that praise due أَن تَدعتَو cاْ لِرلَّح أَن تَدعتَو cاْ لِرلَّ cحمَ^نِ وَلَ ًا to internal characterstices that he possesses, and not due to وَ مَا يَنب cيَِغ لِرلَّح ًtoاanything he has done َWhileغ لِرلَّ cح َ orذ وَلَ َforن يتَ َّ ِخ you.مَ^نِ أ shukr is in responseوَ مَا يَنب cيِ
2#تَ َارَكتَ eلَّ ِى نَ َّلَ
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2# eلأc ُ cر ق َا تَن ع َتَل عتَ ِ cدهِ\ لِ َ ُكو 4#تَن لِلأَ cع^ َل ِم تَ ني ن َ ِذريًا3# 1# 3# 5#
ف َلَ َلَّكتَ 2#بَ^ ِخ ٌع نَّ cسَكتَ eلأَ cحدِثيِ أَ َسفاًا6#
ِإنَّا تَجَلأَ cا مَا ع َتَل أeَ cلرcض 1#
وَِإن كمُن ُت cم ِف ر ٍَ cي ِّممَّا نَ َّ أcلَا ع َتَل عتَ ِ cدنَا ف َ cأتمُو ْا بيِسُو َر ٍة ِمّن ِّمcلِ ِ\ وَc eدعُو اْ مُ َش َداdءَ1#كُم مِّن دُو يِن eللَّ ِ6#إِن كُنتُ cم صَ^ ِدقِ تَني23# وَ ِإنَّا لَج#تَ^ِ 1علُو تَن مَا عتَلَيc 7#
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ُسبcحتَ^ َنe23#لَّ ِ dى أ َcسَى بيِ َبِ cدهِ\ َلcلً ِّم َن eلأcمَ c8#س يِج ِد eلأَ cحرَا ِم إِلَ وَ قَالُ#و 23اْ eتَّ َخ َذ eرلَّ cح َم^ن eلأcمَ cس يِج ِد أecل أَcقَا eلَّ ِى بَ^رَ أcكنتَا َحوcلَ ُ /لِنمُ يِ يَهُِ /م cن ءَايَ^تِ َا Pdإِنَّهُ/ 1#لَّ تَ cد يِجئcتُ cم َشيًEcا إِدًّا89# 88# هُوَ َّ eسلمِي ُع eل َ ِأcبريُ1# 89# 1# تتَكَا ُد َّ eسل َم^وَ^تُ يتَ َ ََّفرcن 90# أَن تَدعتَو cاْ لِرلَّ cح َم^نِ وَل 91# 92# وَ مَا يَنب cيَِغ لِرلَّ cح َم^نِ أَن 12
رس
تويحد
مَلُو تَنc َلَّ ِ تَني يe مِ ِ تَنيcمُؤcلأe ُه وَ يُب ِرّ َتَشcسًا َشدِيدًا مِّن لَّ ُ نcقَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأ َ َجًا َحc م أyou of some kind2#orسنًا because لe c ُ َ َّن لhope َحتَ^تِ أforِ ِلcلأe^َّ ِهa ِصدc َعتreturn, تَّخe ْلَّ ِ تَني قَالُو اe ًَاوَنيُ ِذرto قَ يِّمa favour ى َأنَلَ ع َتَلd ِ َّلeم مُد ِ َّ ِللc َحcلأe سًا َشدِيدًاc قَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأ$ ِعوَ َجا/ُ َّعَل لc َ يc َ وَل1#$ ِع َو َجا/ُ َّعَل لc َ يc َكتتَ^بَ وَل Circumstances of Revelation, Features and the Opening Verses
ٍ وَلcن عِلأc ِمَّا لَ ُم بيِهِ\ م م إِن يَ مُو لُو تَن ِإP c ِوَ^هِهيcأَف
سَكc َّف َلَ َلَّكتَ بَ^ ِخ ٌع ن 6# َحدِثيِ أَ َسفاًاcلأe
hamd is done because the one you are praising is worthy of that hamd. Surah al-Kahf begins with d Alhamdulillah: All praise is due dال to Allah S. Why is He worthy of فpraise? states, ِ ٌ َشيِيك/ُ ََّك لAs ُ يc َوَلthe ذ وَلَ ًاc أverse يتَ َّ ِخc َِي ل َّلe ِ مُد ِ َّللc َحمcلأe ِوَ ق مُلي because Allah S has revealed upon His [abd, the > Prophet f, يِريًاcهُ تتَكأcل ّ ُِّل وَ ك يَِّبe وَ ِ ٌّل مِّ َن/ُ َّ ي َُك لc َكِ وَلcمُلأcلأe مُتَّقِ تَنيcَي فِ ِ !ه هُدًى لِّلأ ! َ c كتتَ^بُ َل ر ِ cلأe ََذ^لِكت the Book which is the Qur’an. So powerful is the miracle and blessing of the Qur’an that has been brought down for the َللَّ ُ وَلefact تَّ َخ َذe ْاHe لَّ ِ تَني قَالُوe َوَنيُ ِذر ^َّ مAllah S for it. ًاIn َفِ ِه أَبto ِكثِ تَنيpraise world that it behoves داًاus mentions this in other verses as well; Surah al-Furqan begins:
لَرec َا مَا ع َتَل أcِن تَجَلأ ِإنَّاc م
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3#مَّ^ ِكثِ تَني فِ ِه أَبَداًا 1 1#
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ا’لرخة
مدح4# الْ َحمْد
شرك
3#
رساةل
تويحد
1# َع^ َل ِم تَني نَ ِذريًاc ِدهِ\ لِ َ ُكو تَن لِلأc َمَتَنلُوع تَن َتَل عتc َر قتَنيَايc ِ َُّلecلأeمِ ِ تَنيcَنَمُؤَّلcلأeلَّوَيُب ِرّ َتَشِىe ُهcسًا َشدِيتَدًاَامِرّن لََّكتَ ُ نcقَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأ 2#
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َجًا َح َسنًاc on م أc ُ َلصَّ^لِحتَ^تِ أَ َّن لe للَّ ُ وَلَ ًاeis َخ َذHe َّتe ْالُو اWho َ لَّ ِ تَني قe َ ِذرsent ُ وَنيdown this Criterion Most blessed His servant, to be a warner to all mankind; (al-Furqan مَّ^ ِكثِ تَني فِ ِه أَبَداًا َ كc كَبُ َتPمc ِئِهيd ٍ و ََل ِ َلبَاcن عِلأc ِمَّا لَ ُم بيِهِ\ م ُخرُج25: c َلِمَ ًة ت1)
\ِ ِلcُو َر ٍة ِمّن ِّم5#أ َّتإمُو َْاك ب ِيِذبًاسc َِيَ مُو ِلدنُوَا تَنفc متَلإعتَِنP c ِوَ^عهِ َهيcلأَفَاc ٍَي ِّممَّا نَ َّ أc م ِف رc وَِإن كمُن ُت 23#م صَ^ ِدقِ تَنيc ُللَّ ِ إِن كُنتe ءَكُم مِّن دُو يِنdدعُو اْ مُ َش َداc eَو وَ ِإنَّا لَجتَ^ ِعلُو تَن مَا عتَل
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Here Furqan, or ‘Criterion’, refers to the Qur’an. And so, Allah شرك الْ َحمْد مدح S is praised for having revealed this miraculous Book. ُو اْ بيِهَ^ذَاIn ِمc ُ يc َّلthe ِنopening يِه إc ِ تَل ءَاثَ^رd َ عverse َسَكتc َّ ِخ ٌع نof ف َلَ َلal-Kahf, Allah S mentions ^ََّكتَ بSurah ^َعc ِدهِ\ لِ َ ُكو تَن لِلأc َن ع َتَل عت.َ َا تMany ر قc ُ cلأe َلَّ ِى نَ َّلe َتَ َارَكت ‘ريًاala َل ِم تَني نَ ِذabdihi أَ َسفاًاthe ِ َحدِثيBook: cلأe who is the recipient of have translated [abd as ‘slave’, but the real meaning here is not ِإنَّا تَجhighest praise for any person َ حc َي َأ ًس ُن تَعمَلاslave c ُ ُّ َه أcbut ُبلُو مc َ ِ‘َا لworshipper’. َّض يِز نيتَ ًة لcِلر يeَ c َا مَا ع َتَل أcَلأThe is to be a worshipper of Allah S; this is the highest maqam \ِ ِلcأتمُو ْا بيِسُو َر ٍة ِمّن ِّمc َ ِدنَا فc َلَا ع َتَل عتc ٍَي ِّممَّا نَ َّ أc م ِف رc وَِإن كمُن ُت or status a person can reach, as no human will be exalted ِ ^َم صc ُكُنتS. للَّ ِ إِنeThe ّن دُو يِنmore ِءَكُم مdدعُو اْ مُ َش َداc eَو cوَ ِإنَّا لَجتَ^ ِعلُو تَن مَا عتَلَيin front ofدقِ تَنيAllah ج زًا ُ ُ َا َصعِيدًاthemselves until they humble humble we are in front of Allah S, the more honoured we are. And the one who has attainedَإِلthe َحرَا ِمcلأeheight س يِج ِدc َمcلأe َنof لً ِّمchumility ِدهِ\ َلcَسَى بيِ َبc ى أd inِ َّلe حتَ^ َنcُسب حمَ^ ُن وَلَ ًاc َّرلe تَّ َخ َذe ْوَ قَالُو ا front of Allah S is our Prophet f. When Allah /ُ إِنَّهPdن ءَايَ^تِ َاc ِم/ُ لِنمُ يِ يَه/ُ َلc َحوS كنتَاcرَ أsays ^َلَّ ِى بe‘My َقَاcل أecس يِج ِد أc َمcلأe [abd’, this is the highest ًا إِدًّاEc َشيpraise مc ُتcد يِجئc َ لَّ تHe can give to any creation. ُبريcل َ ِأe َّسلمِي ُعe َهُو By identifying the Prophet f thus, He is saying this is My ًّاworshipper يِجبَالُ تَهدcلأe ض َوتَ ِخ ُّرcُ لرeَ c أwho ُّ ُه َوتَشنَقc ِمhas ر تَنc يتَ َ ََّفworshipped ُ َّسلمَ^وَ^تe تتَكَا ُدMe the way that nobody else has worshipped وَلَ ًاMe. ِحمَ^نc َّ اْ لِرلcأَن تَدعتَو
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7# ح َم^نc َّرلe تَّ َخ َذe ْ َحرَا ِم إِلَ وَ قَالُو اcلأe س يِج ِدc َمcلأe لً ِّم َنc ِدهِ\ َلcَسَى بيِ َبc ى أd ِ َّلe حتَ^ َنcُسب /ُ إِنَّهPd َا8#ِن ءَايَ^تc ِم/ُ لِنمُ يِ يَه/ُ َلcكنتَا َحوcِى بَ^رَ أ23# َّلe َقَاcل أecس يِج ِد أc َمcلأe #ًا إِدًّاEcم َشيc ُتcد يِجئc َلَّ ت 1# ُبريcل َ ِأe َّسلمِي ُعe َهُو 88# َّسل َم^وَ^تُ يتَ ََفَّرe تتَكَا ُد 89# 1# ح َم^نِ وc َّ اْ لِرلcَن تَدعتَو90#أ 91# ِح َم^نc َّ يَِغ لِرلcوَ مَا يَنب 92#حمَ^نِ أَن يتَ َّ ِخ َذ وَلَ ًاc َّ يَِغ لِرلcوَ مَا يَنب 13
قَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأcسًا َشدِيدًا مِّن لَّ ُ نُ cه وَ يُب ِرّ َتَش eلأcمُؤcمِ ِ تَني eلَّ ِ تَني يَ cمَلُو تَن تَ^تِأَباَل أَُوداًااْ َّنeتَّ3#لَ ُ َخ cم َذأ ecللََّج ًُا و ََلَح ًَاسنً4#ا2# مومَّاَنيَُّ^ لَ ِ ِذكرَثُِم بيِeلَّ تَنيِهِ\فِ متَنيِهقَ cنأَباَلعُودِلأcاًااْ ٍeتَّ3#و َخَلَذ eولمَنيَُّ^ص ِذكَّ^رَثِلِeلَّ تَنيِحفِ تَنيِهق أَفcوَ^هِهيِ P cم إِن يَ مُو لُو تَن ِ َّإ Indeed, our Prophet f is referenced 3# [abdداًاas mostالْمَّ^َحم ِك theثِْد تَinني فِ ِه أَبَ تويحد بيِهِ\ مِ cن عِلأ ٍ cو ََل honouredمَّا لَ ُم شرك مدح رس places in the Qur’an. For example, in Surah al-Furqan describingتَنwhenفأَفَcلَ َولَ^هَِّكتَهيِ P cمبإَ^ِن ِخيَ ٌعمُو لنَُّو cتَسن َِكتَ َّإ beingيُب ِرّ َتَش eلأcمُؤ ّrevealed:ن لَّ ُ نُ cه وَ قَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأcسًا َشدِيدًا مِ cQur’anمِ ِ theتَني eلَّ ِ تَني يَ cمَلُو مدحنeلأُ cلَ ُ cر قcمَاأ تَن cعَج ًَاتَل َحعتَ َcسنِدًا تَ^تِ َّلَأَ َّ اتَeلْل َا َحرصمَّ^َكتَْدلِeلَّحِى نَ شركهِ\2#لِ َ ُكو تَن لِلأَ cع^ َل ِم تَني نَ ِذريًاe 1#ولأَcنيُ َح ِذدرَِثيِeلَّ ِ أَ تَ َنيس قفَااًالُو6#اْ eتَّخَذ Most blessed is He Who sent down this Criterion onف َلَ َلَّكتَ بَ^ ِخ ٌع نَّ cسَكتَ His servant, to be a warner to all mankind; (al-Furqan 6# اًا ف س َ أ َ ِثيِ د ح َ أc ل e تَمَاَّ^ر ِكَكتَثِ eلَّتَني فِِىِهنَأَبََّلَداًاeلأc ُ 3#cر ق َا تَن ع َتَل عتَ ِ cدهِ\ لِ َ ُكو تَن لِلأَ cع^ َل ِم تَني نَ ِذري)ً1اِ 25:1#إمنَّا لَ تَُم جَلأcبيِهَاِ\ممَِا cعن َعتَلِلأ ٍ cأeَ cلورََلcض ِ whereف ر ٍَ cي ِّمم ٍ Surahة ِمّinن ِّمcلِ ِ\ al-Baqarahمُو ْا بيِسُو َر َّmomentا نَ َّ aأcلَاatع َتَل عتَ ِ cدنَا ف َ cأت Allahكمُن ُت cم S isوَِإن Similarly,أَفcوَ^هِهيِ P cم إِن يَ مُو لُو تَن ِ َّإ f: Prophetنيِ defending the23#إوَنَّاِإنَّا تَلَجَلأcجتَ^َا ِمعلَاُوع َ تَنتَلمَاأeَ cلعتَرلَيccض شرككُنتُ cم صَ^ ِدقِ تَ مدح مِّن دُو يِن eللَّ ِ إِن الْوََ eح cدمعْدُو اْ مُ َش َداdءَكُم وَِإن كمُن ُت cم ِف ر ٍَ cي ِّممَّا نَ َّ أcلَا ع َتَل عتَ ِ cدنَا ف َ cأتمُو ْا بيِسُو َر ٍة ِمّن ِّمcلِ ِ\ ف َلَ َلَّكتَ بَ^ ِخ ٌع نَّ cسَكتَ جتَ^ أَِعل َسُوفاًا تَن6#مَا عتَلَيc تَو ُسََeابc cردعَكتَحُوتَ^اْeلَّ مَُن َشeلَِّىَد ِاdنَءََّلَdكى أُمeلأccمَُِس cرّنق َاَىد تَُونبيِ َعبcيِن َ ِدتَلهeللَِّ\عتَِ َ cإل ِدcلًِنهِ\كلِ ُِّنم َتُ ُك َcمنو eتَلأcن لِمَصلأc ^َcسَع ِد^ يِقِج َل ِمد تَنيeلأ #cتَني23نَح ِرذَاري ِمًا إِ1#لَ eوَلأِcإن َحَّا لَ ِثيِ د م َ ح c If you are in any doubt whether it is We Who haveوَ قَالُو اْ eتَّ َخ َذ eرلَّ ^ن eلأcمَ ِthenى بَ^رَ أcك thisءَايَ^تِ َا Pdإِنَّهُ/ ِ Bookم cن cOurلَ ُto/لِنمُ يِ يَهُ/ servant,نتَا َحو َproduceقَا eلَّ c justس يِج ِد أecل أc revealed 89 # ِsurahلَ aلَّ تَ cد يِجئcتُ cم َشيًEcا إِدًّا like سit, and call all your supporters and seek م َ أc ل c ب c َ بيِ إ م ِ َا ر ح َ أc ل e د ِ ج يِ e ن َ م ِ ّ cلً ل َ ِ\ ه د ِ َى َس c أ ى d ِ eلَّ ن َ تَ^ ح أcب ِ َ ل م سل َّ ِي 1# ُ ري e ع ُ هُ ُسوَبe c ِ in it the support of all others save Allah. Accomplishإوَنقَّاَال تَُو اْجَeلأcتََّا َخم ََاذ eع َرلَّتَل cح أَ cم َeلر^نcض c areنُو َرء ٍةَاي eلوأcمَ c ِyouمَ^تِ َّنifاِّ Pdإِمنَّcلِهُ/ truthful.مُو ْا ِب يِم َ(al-Baqarahحتَلوcلَعتَ ِ /ُcلدنِنمُ يَِا يَف َ cأهتُ/ كمُن أُ cتeل أc cم َِقَاف)23رeلَّ ٍَ 2:cيِى ِّمبمَ^َّارَنَ َّ أcك أcلنَاتَا َِإنس يِج ِد thisتتَكَا ُد َّ eسل َم^وَ^تُ يتَ َ ََّفرcن س ِ\ َ ع Also, in Surah al-Isra’, when Allah S praisesلَّ تَ cد يِجئcتُ cم َشيًEcا إِدًّا89# Prophetع َشَ eلداَd f byوهَُeوَ cدeع َّسلُو اْمِي مُ ُ ِwasن كُheنتُ cمthatصَ^ ِدقِ تَني# egiven,للَّ ِ إ ّ1#theن دُو يِن ِ theأcبكريُمُ مِ nightءَ the greatest23miracleأوَ ِإَننَّا تَدلَعتَوcجاْتَ^لِ ِعرلَّلُو cح تَنَممَا^نِعتَلوَيَcل journey al [Isra’ wa al-Mi[raj:تتَكَا ُد َّ eسل َم^وَ^تُ يتَ َ ََّفرcن وَ مَا يَنب cيَِغ لِرلَّ cح َم^نِ أَن ُسبcحتَ^ َن eلَّ ِ dى أ َcسَى بيِ َبِ cدهِ\ َلcلً ِّم َن eلأcمَ cس يِج ِد eلأَ cحرَا ِم إِلَ أَن تَدعتَو cاْ لِرلَّ cح َم^نِ وَل وَ قَالُو اْ eتَّ َخ َذ eرلَّ cح َم^ن eلأcمَ cس يِج ِد أecل أَcقَا eلَّ ِى بَ^رَ أcكنتَا َحوcلَ ُ /لِنمُ يِ يَهُِ /م cن ءَايَ^تِ َا Pdإِنَّهُ /وَ مَا يَنب cيَِغ لِرلَّ cح َم^نِ أَن لَّ تَ cد يِجئcتُ cم َشيًEcا إِدًّا89# هُوَ َّ eسلمِي ُع eل َ ِأcبريُ1# تتَكَا ُد َّ eسل َم^وَ^تُ يتَ َ ََّفرcن 14 أَن تَدعتَو cاْ لِرلَّ cح َم^نِ وَل وَ مَا يَنب cيَِغ لِرلَّ cح َم^نِ أَن lessons from surah al kahf
Circumstances of Revelation, Features and the Opening Verses
Exalted is He Who carried His servant by night from the Holy Mosque (in Makkah) to the farther Mosque (in Jerusalem) whose surroundings We have blessed that We might show him some of Our Signs. Indeed, He alone is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. (al-Isra’ 17: 1) So in all of these occasions, when defending the Prophet f, raising his rank, and speaking of his maqam, Allah S uses the term [abd. The opening verse of Surah al-Kahf also states Allah S has revealed the ‘kitab’ ( ْ) كِتَاب, referring to the Qur’an. Kitab has two meanings to it; the first is the literal meaning that is ‘book’, and kataba, which means to write down. However, Katb, with a sukun, also means ‘a large amount’. So, the meaning of kitab is both that this book, the Qur’an, contains a large amount of wisdom and information, and that this book has been written down. The Qur’an literally means that which is read, and the kitab is that which is written down. As such Qur’an and kitab are complementary, for the Revelation is preserved both via recition and via writing. عc َ يc َتَ^بَ وَلS $ ِع َو َجا/ُ ََّل لAllah كت ِ did cلأe ِد ِهc not َى َأنَلَ ع َتَل عتd ِ َّلeم مُد ِ َّ ِللc َحcلأe The قَ يِّمًاverse ًا َشدِيدًاcontinues: سc قَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأ$ ِعوَ َجا/ُ َّعَل لc َ يc َ وَل, meaning place any crookedness or misunderstanding in the Qur’an. This statement proves that the Qur’an and the risalah of the d dال Prophet f are linked. This is because Allah S has said that this َشيِيكٌ ِف/ُ َّ ي َُك لc َذ وَلَ ًا وَلc يتَ َّ ِخ أc َلَّ ِي لe ِ مُد ِ َّللc َحمcلأe ِوَ ق مُلي is the book sent to His [abd, and so the proof of the Prophet’s يِريًاcهُ تتَكأc يَِّبwhich ل ّ ُِّل> وَ كe مِّ َنhas وَ ِ ٌّل/ُ َّ ي َُك لc َكِ وَلcمُلأcلأe ُمcهُدًى لِّلأbeَي فِ ِ !ه تَّقِ تَنيcan ! found َ c تتَ^بُ َل رbyك ِ examining cلأe ََذ^لِكت f prophecy the book been revealed to him. This book is the credentials of the Rasul, i.e. the Messenger f, and isبَداًاthe للَّ ُ وَلَ ًاe تَّ َخ َذe ْلَّ ِ تَني قَالُو اe َوَنيُ ِذر ِ مَّ^ ِكثgiven to him. Likewise, َ تَني فِ ِه أmiracle the book is therefore also the credentials of Islam, preached by the Prophet f. ا’لرخةseek those رساةلcredentials تويحدin the book, we find it is When we ُّه وَ يُب ِرverse cِيدًا مِّن لَّ ُ ن2سًا َشدcقَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأ مَلُو تَنc َلَّ ِ تَني يe مِ ِ تَنيcمُؤcلأe َتَشas a book with nothing strange or misunderstood, َ دِعًا َو/ًُاع ََلش لَّدِيcيَسcأboth ِِّقََج يthat ع/ُ َّحَلَل ى َأَلنdلِعc ^ََّلَّصِيec لَلَِللeَّم مُد ِوc َحcلأe كًامتًا َح ِ ّل َُنس c أcلأeمc لَِد ُ ِه$اc تَ^تِ َِعتَلوأَعتَ ََّجن ًاسًا َشدِيدًا قَ يِّمًاcللَّ ُِذرَو بََلَأeتَّقَ يِّ َخمًاَذ ِ ّلُنe.ْ‘لُو اQayyiman’ establishes: َتَ^بَن ِذًارَوَلَب قَا$لَّ ِوَ َج تَنياe ِع/َُعوَنيَُل لَّ ِذرc َ يc َ ) قَ يِّمًا ( وَل$جاmeans
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1#$ ِع َو َجا/ُ َّل
3# ِكثِ تَني فِ ِه أَبَداًا1#^َّdمdال مَّا لَ ُم بيِه1#d dال ِن c خرُجُ مc َ كَلِمَ ًة تc كَبُ َتPمc ِئِهيd ٍ و ََل ِ َلبَاcن عِلأc ِِ\ م15 َشيِيكٌ ِف/ُ َّ ي َُك لc َذ وَلَ ًا وَلc يتَ َّ ِخ أc َلَّ ِي لe ِ مُد ِ َّللc َحمcلأe ِ َشيِيكٌ ِفوَ ق مُلي/ 5#م إِن يَ مُو لُو تَن ِ َّإ َك ِذبًاP c ِوَ^هِهيcأَف هُ تcَيوَ فِك يِّ ِ !هَب كوَت ِ ٌّل مدح 2#مُتَّقِ تَنيcَي فِ ِ !ه هُدًى لِّلأ ! َ c كتتَ^بُ َل ر ِ cلأe ََذ^لِكت 2#قِ تَني1َّمُت1#c يًِىريلًِّالأcشركدتَكأ ! َ > ُِّلcّ ل رلe تَ^بُمِّ َن ِ /ُ ََّك لcلأeُ ميِكتَْدc كِ اَلذْو^ل ََلَحcمُلأcلأe مِ ُو اْ بيِهَ^ذَاc ُ يc َّيِه إِن لc ِ تَل ءَاثَ^رd َ سَكتَ عc َّف َلَ َلَّكتَ بَ^ ِخ ٌع ن
lessons from surah al - kahf
the book is straight and that it makes others straight. It is noteworthy that in these two verses Allah S negates crookedness and affirms straightness. This is very similar to the beginning of Surah al-Baqarah:
لَو َcلَ cيَ cيَعcعَلَللَّ لَُِّ /ُ /ع َِوع َوج َا$جا 1#1#$وَلَو َcلَ cيَ cيَ cععَلَللَّ لَُِّ /ُ /ع ِوَعو َج َا$جا $قَ يِّقَ يِمًّام ًِا ّل ِ ُّنلُن ِذ ِرَذربَأcبَأcسًاسًا َش َشدِيدِيدًادًا قَ يِّقَ يِمًّامًا
الd dال1#1#d d
Alif, Lam, Mim.
لَو َcلَ cي ي ُ َُكَكلَّ لََُّ َ /ُ /ششيِيكٌيِيكٌ ِ ِفف ت يِكتَكأ cيِريًاريًا1 1#1# َيفِ فِ ِ !ه ِ !ههُهُددًى لًِىّلأcلِّلمُأcتَّمُقِتَّقِ تَني تَني2#2# َيَ ! كِ كتتتَ^بُتَ^بُ َ َللر ر ! َ c c َذ َ^ذل^لِكتَِكتَeلأecلأِ c
This is the Book of Allah, there is no doubt in it; it is )a guidance for the pious, (al-Baqarah 2: 1
لَ cيَ cعَل لَّ ُِ /ع َو َجا1#$
مَّ^ك ومَلََّ^ ِ cيَك cثِعثِ تَنيَل تَنيفِلَّفِ ِهُِ /هأَب ِعأَبَوَداًاد َاًاج3#ا 3#$قَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأcسًا َشدِيدًا
قَ يِّمًا
In these verses Allah S established that there is nothing that is confusing or crooked in the Qur’an, it is a guidance. First evil is negated, then the positive is affirmed; the Qur’an has no evil and is nothing but positive. As the opening verses of Surah al-Kahf established, the Qur’an has no [iwaj or crookedness, it is qayyiman, or straight, and straightening of others. It is also a book which warns both of a severe punishment from Allah S and a great reward from Him for those who believe and do ع َتَل عتَ cو ِدَلَ ِه ecلأcيَ cع ِ كَلتلَّ ُ/تَ^بَ ِعوَوَلَ َج cا$يَ cعَل لَّقَ يُِّ/م ِعًا َو ِ ّل َجُناِ $ذرَ بَأcسًا َشوَلَد ِcي يَدًاcعَل لَّ ُ/قَ يِّ ِعموًَا َجا $قَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأcسًا َشدِيدًا قَ يِّمًا good deeds. The nature of this reward is then clarified in verse 3:
تويحد تويحد ال1#d d
ا’لرخة ا’لرخة
رساةل رساةل
لَؤمُ cؤcمِي ِcمِ ُِ تَنيَك تَنيلَّeلَّ ُِe/لَّ ِ َ تَنيشتَنييَ cيَ cمَيِيكٌلمَُول ُِو تَنف تَن كتَقنيَاقتلَاُول اُْو اْe َي ُوفَِلَو َِلَ !هًاًاهُ4#دً4#ى لِّلأcمُتَّقِ تَني2# تَ^بُتَّeتَّ ََخ َلخ َذر َذ ecللَّ َ ُeللَّ ! َوذَنيُو^لَنيُ ِذِكتَ ِرَذرَeلأecلَّ ِeلَّ ِ1#تَني ِ يََح يِك cمع مُدري َِل ًَّالَّ ِللُe1#/لَّ ِعَ 1و dى َجَأا$نَ#لَ1
ِن كَبَُبَُتَcت cكَلِكَلِمَمًَة ًةتَ تَ cخ cخررُجُُجُمم c c قيمُليِ َُكeلأcلَّ َحُ/م َ cمُدش ِ َّللِيِيكٌeلَِّفِيال dلَ1#c dيتَ َّ ِخ أcذ وَلَ ًا وَلَ cميمَّام َُّ^َّاَكلَ ِلَّلَك ُ/ثُِم َبيُِمش تَبيِنيهِ\فِهيِيكٌِ\ ِمِ ِهفمِ cنأَبَcنعدِلأcعاًاالٍِd dلأ3#1#ٍ cو َو ََلَل ِ َلِبَلاdبَئِاdهيِئِهيِcمc PمPك ِن (al-Kahfلأَّ َّ c ;everذب إ َكت َك ِ ريمًُال1#أcكِ 1وَلَ cي َُك لَّ ُ /وَ ِ ٌّل مِّ َذ َن^لِeكتَل ّ ُِّeل>لأcوَ ك يِِّكَبcهُتتتَكأ cيِأَتَ^بُفcريأًَاَوفcل^َ1#و1رَ^هِ cيَِهِ !َيهيِ c … wherein they for shallتَني2# abideدًى لِّلأcمُتَّقِ َي فِ ِ !ه هُ ! َ 5# 5#ر c تَ^بُ ِذًاب ًَال ك إِ ِ18:نيًَى ليَِّلمُوأ cلمُمُوتَُّولقِ َذُو^ل تَ تَنينِكتَتَِ2#ن ِe )3فِPم Pِ cم !هإ هُإِند
رساةل 3#ا’لرخة 3# 4#تويحد ِنلَّ cلَّ cيُيُcمِcمُِو اُْو اْبيِ بيِهَ^هَ^ذَاذَا ؤcمِ ِ تَني eلَّ ِ تَني يَ cمَلُو تَن ف فَلَ ََلَل َلَّكتََّكتَ بَ^بَ^ ِخ ِخٌع ٌعنَّ cنَّ cسسَكتََكتَ ع َع َdتَل dتَلءَاءَاثَ^ثَ^رر ِ ِ cيِه cيِهإ إِن 1 # يِقّتَمِنم تَلًِان تَنيلِأّcلِلُنلeلَّأَcع ِذ^َرَع تَبنيَ^َلأcيَ َcلِمسمًَا ِملُو َ تَشني تَندتَنَنيِي نَدِذًا ِمِذريّنًاريلًَّا 6# اًا ف س َ أ ِثيِ د ح َ أc ل e 1 # 6# اًا ف س َ أ َ ِثيِ د ح َ أc ل e م ُ أc ل ب ُ ي م َ c يَ ني تَ ِ eلَّ ني تَ ِ cمِ ؤ e َ تَش ِ رّ و َ ه ُ c ن ُ ن تَ ُو ل وَنيُ ِذرَ eلَّ ِ تَني قَالُو اْ eتَّ َخ َذ eللَّ ُ وَلَ ًا4#
A place of reward where they will live forever is, of course, مَّ^ ِكثِ تَني فِ ِه أَبَداًا نيُ ِذرَ eلَّ ِ تَني قَالُو اْ eتَّ َخ َذ eللَّم َُّ^و َِلَكثًِا تَني فِ ِه أَبَداًا Jannah. Significantly, in these verses Allah S concisely combines of Islam:ا’لرخة ا’لرخةتويحد( tawhidرساةل the three fundamentals تويحد ) andرساةل( ), risalah
صَّ^لِحتَ^تِ أَ َّن لَ ُ cم أ cوَجَنيًُا َِذحرَ َسنeلَّ ًِا 2#تَني قَالُو اْ eتَّ َخ َذ eللَّ ُ وَلَ ًا4#
وَنيُ ِذرَ eلَّ ِ تَني قَالُو اْ eتَّ َخ َذ eللَّ ُ وَلَ ًا4# 16
كمcPب َلَُبُcبولُكو مَُبَُت cمُ َcهَتَccهأكُّأَكُلَِ ُّلِ ُمَcمََي ًة َcأَيًةتَ َأتَccخحر cحَُ cجُخس َرسم ُنُجُُن cتَعِنمتَعممَلاًَلاً 7#7#c ج cمَPلأcهَاِ\َامكمَِامَبَُا cعنَتَcعع َتَلك َِلأcلِمتَلَّامٍَ أً cلَة أَ cتeلوَُمرَeَcلبيِخررهَلِ\ يُِجُمِ ِيِ جئِهيَِلأc cضيِزعاِdلأccئِيِز ٍنيتَ ِنو ًني تَةَ cمًَ Pلةلَّ ِ َلَّلبَاَاdئِلَِاهيِ َلِc لن cضم c ^ ِكثِ تَني فِ ِه أَبَداًا 3#مَّا لَ ُم بيِهِ\ مِ cن عِلأِ ٍ cإمنو ِإَّا ََّانَلَّالَ ِ تََلبَ تَاd ه يِ َ ب َ ب يِ ُم ِن أَفcوَ^هِهيِ P cم إِن يَ مُو لُو تَن ِ َّإ َك ِذبًا5# فَا َ cأف َت cأمُوت ْامُو ب يِْا ب يِسُوس َرُو َر ٍة ٍة ِم ِمّنأَفّcن ِّوَ^مِّهِcلِمهيِcلِP cمِ\إِ\ِن يَ مُو لُو تَن ِ َّإ َك ِذبًا5# َحمْد مدح شرك أَفcوَ^هِهيِ P cم إِن يَ مُو لُو تَن ِ َّإ َك ِذبًا5#
َشيِيكٌ ِف/ُ َّ ي َُك لc َذ وَلَ ًا وَلc يتَ َّ ِخ أc َلَّ ِي لe ِ مُد ِ َّللc َحمcلأe ِوَ ق مُلي 1 1# يِريًاcهُ تتَكأcل ّ ُِّل> وَ ك يَِّبe وَ ِ ٌّل مِّ َن/ُ َّ ي َُك لc َكِ وَلcمُلأcلأe 2#مُتَّقِ تَنيcَي فِ ِ !ه هُدًى لِّلأ ! َ c كتتَ^بُ َل ر ِ cلأe ََذ^لِكت
4#للَّ ُ وَلَ ًاe تَّ َخ َذe ْلَّ ِ تَني قَالُو اe َوَنيُ ِذر
3#مَّ^ ِكثِ تَني فِ ِه أَبَداًا
Circumstances of Revelation, Features and the Opening Verses
Akhirah ( ) ا’لرخة. The tawhid رساةلelement تويحدis that of Allah S praising Himself, risalah that He revealed theُو تَنbook ُه وَ يُبcدِيدًا مِّن لَّ ُ نfسًا َشcقَ يِّمًا ِ ّلُن ِذرَ بَأ مِ ِ تَنيcthe مُؤcلأe ِرّ َتَشProphet مَلc َلَّ ِ تَني يeto and Akhirah that those who reject it will be punished َجًا َح َسنًاc أand مc ُ َلصَّ^لِحتَ^تِ أَ َّن لe للَّ ُ وَلَ ًاe تَّ َخ َذe ْلَّ ِ تَني قَالُو اe َوَنيُ ِذر those who accept it will be rewarded. Furthermore, the three pillars of iman have also been referenced: loving Allah S, ُ كَبhoping Pمc ِئِهيd ٍ و ََل ِ َلبَاcِلأin ن عc ِمAllah \ِمَّا لَ ُم بيِهS. The verses clarify it thus;مَّ^ ِكثِ تَني فِ ِه أَبَداًا ِن c خرُجُ مc Him, َ كَلِمَ ًة تcَتand fearing Allah S is worthyذب ًاof ِ َّإ َكbeing ِ ِن يَ مُو لُو تَنpraised م إP c ِوَ^هِهيc أَفbecause we love Him, we are warned against punishment and we fear His punishment, شرك الْ َحمْد مدح and glad tidings are given of reward and we hope for Allah’s مِ ُو اْ بيِهَ^ذَاc ُ يc َّيِه إِن لc ِ تَل ءَاثَ^رd َ سَكتَ عc َّف َلَ َلَّكتَ بَ^ ِخ ٌع ن S reward. In this manner, from the fundamentals of Islam to \ِ ِدهc in َع َتَل عتthese ر ق َا تَنc ُ cلأe َلَّ ِى نَ َّلe َتَ َارَكت ريًاcombines عَ^ َل ِم تَني نَ ِذcلِ َ ُكو تَن لِلأall أَ َسفcompactly ِ َحدِثيcلأe the pillars of iman, Allah اًاS remarkably succint opening verses. ًَلاIt تَعمisح َس ُنcnoteworthy َي َأ c ُ ُّ َه أc ُبلُو مc َ ِ يِز نيتَ ًة لَّ َا لthat ضcِلر يeَ cتَل أAllah َ َا مَا عc تَجَلأS ِإنَّاalways combines warnings with glad tidings in the same context, أتمُو ْا بيِسc َ َا فwe ٍَي ِّممc inم ِف رc وَِإن كمُن ُت \ِ ِلc ِّمand ُو َر ٍة ِمّنthis ِدنc َتَل عتalso َ لَا عcَّا نَ َّ أsee these opening verses. The Qur’an always uses both together م صَ^ ِدقِ تَنيc ُللَّ ِ إِن كُنتe ءَكُم مِّن دُو يِنdدعُو اْ مُ َش َداc eَو ج زًا ُ ُ َا َصعِيدًاcوَ ِإنَّا لَجتَ^ ِعلُو تَن مَا عتَلَي to evoke fear and hope, akin to the carrot and stick concept, and Islam brings these two emotions together where the َحرَا ِمcلأe stick/punishment. س يِج ِدc َمcلأe لً ِّم َنc ِدهِ\ َلcَسَى بيِ َبc ى أd ِ َّلe حتَ^ َنcُسب carrot/incentive isوَلَ ًاcombined حمَ^ ُنc َّرلe تَّ َخ َذe ْالُو اwith َ إِلَ وَ قthe Humans being the weak creatures that ن ءَايc are, /ُ إِنَّهPdَ^تِ َاwe ِم/ُ يِ يَهwe ُ لِنم/ُ َلcوneed كنتَا َحcبَ^رَ أboth لَّ ِىe َقَاcل أecس يِج ِد أc َمcلأe ُتc يِجئaccomplish ًا إِدEcم َشيc to دc َلَّ ت motivational factors in ًّاorder our best works. ُ بريcأ ِ َ لe َّسلمِي ُعe َهُو A worthy final point here is that Allah S mentions the يِجبَالُ تَهدًّاcلأe ض َوتَ ِخ ُّرcُ لرeَ c ُه َوتَشنَقُّ أc ِر تَن مc َّسلمَ^وَ^تُ يتَ َ ََّفe تتَكَا ُد Qur’an as being the ultimate criterion of Him and His Prophet حمc َّ اْ لِرلcَن تَدعتَوAll َ^نِ وَلَ ًاqiyama. أare linked to the Qur’an, f, and of the risalah and and therefore the proof of our religion. وَلَ ًاQur’an مَ^نِ أَن يتَ َّ ِخ َذisحc َّرلthe ِ يَِغ لcيَنبultimate وَ مَا This is a reality that is often lost on us, and one that we must understand. The Qur’an is the living miracle in every sense; from recitation to hearing, memorization, understanding and implementation. When asked about the proof of Islam or the proof of Prophethood, our response should be that it is the Qur’an. This reality of the Qur’an is one that, as we shall see, is frequently revisited in Surah al-Kahf.
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