Last Friday of Ramadan: Reflecting on Surah Tul Khaf

Asalam alykum! wow we made it to the 26th day and 27th night of Ramadan, some scholars say that Layl Tul Qadr could be the 27th night but it is not guaranteed, that is why we strive for the reward in the last ten nights, particularly the odd numbered days, but it doesn't hurt to make more dua and pray harder tonight In Sha Allah! May Allah accept all the good that you do !

Hadith No: 240
From: Sahih Bukhari. Chapter 32, Night Prayer in Ramadaan (Taraweeh)
Narrated/Authority of Ubada bin As-Samit

The Prophet came out to inform us about the Night of Qadr but two Muslims were quarreling with each other. So, the Prophet said, "I came out to inform you about the Night of Qadr but such-and-such persons were quarreling, so the news about it had been taken away; yet that might be for your own good, so search for it on the 29th, 27th and 25th (of Ramadan).

Since I am trying to makeup for lost time in which I missed posting like 3 days, I will make this post a short reflection on Surah Tul Kahf, in which there are benefits in reading on Fridays.

Virtues of Surah Tul Kahf:

“Whoever reads Surah al Kahf on the day of Jummah will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.” (al-Jaami)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “One who memorized the first ten verses of Surah al Kahf will be secure against the Dajjal (Anti-Christ).” (Muslim)

On the Authority of Hazrat Aisha (RA); the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Shall I not inform you of a Surah which is so full of greatness it reaches between the heaven and earth and it has blessings written for it of similar proportions (from the sky to earth) whoever reads it on Yaumul Jummah is forgiven what occurred between that Jummah and the next, in addition to 3 days (i.e. 10days in all) and whoever reads the last five ayat of it when he goes to sleep, Allah will send him that night what he wants. They said, Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: Sura Ashabul Kahf.”

Now there are so many lessons and stories to reflect upon in Surah Tul Kahf but for times sake, I will just reflect on some verses that stood out to me personally. The Story of the Young People in the cave I have covered before in a previous post about verses in the Quran referring to food, in where the young people wake up after sleeping for 309 years, asking when they go into town for the best and purest of food.

Surah Tul Kahf 1-4

"[All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance."

"[He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward."

"In which they will remain forever."

"And to warn those who say, " Allah has taken a son."

I liked how beautiful the Surah started off, telling us the Quran was sent to us a mercy, a guidance for all mankind and there is nothing within it meant to be evil or misleading. It reminded me of how there were previous prophets and messengers (peace be upon them all) who came as a warning and to teach about the religion Allah chose for mankind, and how they were shunned or ignored. Or even the fact that the original religious texts that were brought down with them, have either been lost or modified. Yet the Quran remains unchanged, the verses are the same as when they first came down and the context and meaning becomes clear to us once we study the situations when they were revealed. 

One thing I have learned in my pursuit to become a better Muslim is to develop that connection with the Quran because there are so many answers within it that we can relate to. Also that there is a balance, Islam is about the middle path, not extreme or strict but not also lenient with our desires and this worldly life.  The second verse talks about within the Quran there are warnings of punishments for those who do not believe but it is balanced with reminders of rewards for those who do good deeds for Allah's sake. We are warned about the bad, punishment of Hellfire, but told about the good which is Paradise or Heaven. The balance of consequence and love.

There is also a warning to us in the last verse about not saying Allah has a son. We know in other religions Jesus or Esa, is considered to be the son of God while also being God himself. I am definitely not going to slander anyone's religions but my Holy Book considers that wrong. Claiming Allah can have a child is a likening him to a human, He is above producing a child. 

104:

"[They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work."

This verse I liked because not too long ago I was discussing with a friend about this matter, how we should not be cocky or arrogant to think that just because we do something good that it means we have a pile of good deeds that were accepted. Again with the balance, but if we thought that everything we did was going to be accepted, then we have no fear that we made a mistake or that our sins would also be counted against us. That is not to say that your good deeds won't be accepted but more like be concerned with if they are being accepted and continuously do more good deeds in that hope that they will be accepted. It is a balance that teaches us to be humble and more private and more wanting to please Allah. Have hope in both the mercy and love of Allah.

That's all for this post guys! Will try to catch up with another two posts soon! Stay blessed!

Sources: https://ahadith.co.uk/, http://www.qurantutor.com/