Lessons from Surah al-Kahf

by Yasir Qadhi

Overview

The Qur’an is full of parables. Each one, when its meaning is unpacked and understood, offers wisdom and guidance. Surah Kahf, chapter 18 from the Qur’an, is particularly thought provoking, and Muslims are advised to read it at least once a week.

But why? And what can we gain from it?

In this book Yasir Qadhi leads us through Surah Kahf, unfolding the lines, stories and symbols that have inspired people for over a thousand years: the people of the cave, Prophet Musa’s momentous encounter with Khidr, the two men and their gardens, and Gog and Magog.

And surely We have explained matters in people in the Qur’an in diverse ways, using all manners of parables. (Qur’an 18:54)

Through Yasir Qadhi’s unmistakeable voice, modern Muslims may glimpse some of the Qur’an’s profound meaning.

Say: “If the sea were to become ink to record the Words of my Lord, indeed the sea would all be used up before the Words of my Lord are exhausted…” (Qur’an 18:109)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781847741332
Publisher:	Kube Publishing Ltd
Publication date:	03/04/2020
Series:	Pearls from the Qur'an
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	9 MB

About the Author

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, PhD, is one of the few people who has combined a traditional Eastern Islamic seminary education with a Western academic training of the study of Islam.

Shaykh Yasir graduated with a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston, after which he was accepted as a student at the Islamic University of Madinah. After completing a diploma in Arabic, he graduated with a B.A. from the College of Hadith and Islamic Sciences, and then completed a M.A. in Islamic Theology from the College of Dawah. He then returned to America, and completed a PhD in Religious Studies from Yale University.

He has authored several books, published academic articles, and appeared on numerous satellite and TV stations around the globe. His online videos are of the most popular and highly-watched Islamic videos in English.

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi is a resident Scholar of the Memphis Islamic Center. He is also a professor at Rhodes College, in the Department of Religious Studies.

Read an Excerpt

The Virtues of Surah al-Kahf

Surah al-Kahf is among the earliest revelations received by our Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). In a hadith narrated by ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) 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.’

The surah summarizes for us the gist of Islam; its main theme is that Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) will protect us from all trials. Told through a series of stories that illustrate specific trials, it teaches that Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) 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 first of the stories is that 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 (subhanahu wa ta’ala). The people of the cave were one such group of young men who believed in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), for which the king of the land wanted to kill them. As a result, they fled and sought protection in a cave and Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) protected them.

1. The Man with Two 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 (subhanahu wa ta’ala) gives and we do not give, and that all we have will eventually be taken away.

1. Musa and Khidr

The third story is the famous account of Musa (‘alayhi s-salam) and Khidr (‘alayhi s-salam). 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 (‘alayhi s-salam) overcomes this fitnah and, in his humility and humbleness, he learns from somebody other than himself and rises because of it.

1. Dhu al-Qarnayn

The final story is that of Dhu al-Qarnayn, and in this story is illustrated the fitnah of power, including the fitnah of kingship and the control of people. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) mentions that He tested Dhu al-Qarnayn with this fitnah, who overcame it by being aware that Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) 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.

Table of Contents

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 133

15 The Story of Musa and Khidr III: Khidr Builds a Wall and Explains His Actions on the Boat 147

16 The Story of Muss 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