#it'sfriday

If anyone learns by heart the first ten verses of the Surah Al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal.” [Muslim]

Every Jumu’ah I always read this hadith in every social media. Everyone seems to pay a lot of attention with this kind of activity. Reading Surah Al-Kahf, as it is requested by our beloved Prophet, Rasulullah SAW.

The things that came into my mind when reading this hadith ; what is it inside Surah Al-Kahf? What does Allah want to tell us from this surah? What makes this surah so important? How can this surah prevent us from the worst fitnah in this world?

As it is recommended by Rasulullah SAW, I try to read this amazing surah every Jumu’ah. Reading the meaning and try to understand the story as much as I can.

One day I watched the video from Ustadz Nouman Ali Khan about how to become a better Muslim. The summary from his dakwah is about improving our worship and knowledge. Well, worship is the first priority but knowledge is also the area that we really have to work on and have to be concerned with. Then, what to do to grow in knowledge?

1.   Study the Seerah (the life of our beloved Prophet, Rasulullah SAW). Read it from different source but at least we read it from one source in a year.

2.   Set a goal to memorize and study one surah. It means that we have to memorize it, study its tafseer, read it in translation, try to understand every word in its vocabulary, watch the lecture series if it’s available and read the article or paper about the surah.

I decided to follow his way to become a better Muslim or I rather say to become an educated Muslim in order to increase my eemaan. From 114 surah in Quran, I finally determined to learn Surah Al-Kahf in this year. Why? Because I was mesmerized by Surah Al-Kahf.

Let me tell you the moments when I get emotionally attached with this surah.

1. Six years ago when I was a metallurgical student who learned the metal and its processes, I was wondering ‘what does Quran say about metallurgical knowledge? what metal does Quran mention?’ then I found it in Al-Kahf verse 96.

“Bring me sheets of iron" - until, when he had leveled [them] between the two mountain walls, he said, “Blow [with bellows],” until when he had made it [like] fire, he said, “Bring me, that I may pour over it molten copper.”

I was so proud because I did learn those metals, iron and copper. In this context, Prophet Zulqarnain built the barrier between the people and the tribes of Ya’juj & Ma’juj who caused mischief in the land. Although we don’t know the whereabouts of the wall constructed by him (because only Allah who knows), but at least I know how wonderful the iron and copper are, they can make the strongest wall to protect people from Ya’juj and Ma’juj.

Before knowing the important of surah Al-Kahf, I’ve already been attached with one of the verses in this surah.

2. Another moment when I read a book titled ‘How to Taste The True Beauty of Salah” and I found these verses.

“Say, [O Muhammad], “Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of [their] deeds?” Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds.” 

(Al-Kahf verse 103-104)

Reading those verses in the middle of my activity as an employee was like a big punch to my chest. I was too busy with my work and I always thought that it’s enough for me. After reading those verses I told to myself “Well, it’s okay to work hard for the worldly life but make sure that our deeds will never be worthless in the hereafter.”

3. On another Friday when I read the surah, I was absorbed by the verse that said,

“Perhaps, you would kill yourself in grief, over their footsteps, because they believe not in this narration.”

(Al-Kahf verse 6)

In this context, I believe that it is the instruction to stop being sad over the unbelievers when they do unpleasant thing to us. But I rather feel it is not only to the unbelievers but also all people in general (whoever they are). When they do or talk unpleasant things to you, don’t let their obnoxious treatments grieve you!. Especially their opinions, people’s opinion will never define who you are, so please don’t be sad. Those words really boost my mood and such an encouragement to me.

4. There is a story in this surah about the man of two gardens (the arrogant and the humble one). I will not tell you the whole story because you can read by yourself. I just want to write my own thought about this story.

“Why did you not say, when you entered your garden, ‘‘[This is] as Allah has willed! There is no power except by Allah!’’ If you see that I have lesser wealth than you and children”

(Al-Kahf verse 39)

This verse reminds us to keep being humble. Because all we have is a mercy and gift from Allah. Do you remember why satan was expelled from heaven? It’s because his arrogance and disobedience to Allah. Let’s throw away our pride, it’s dangerous for having too much pride in our heart. Let’s implement this verse by saying la hawla wala quwwata illa billah (there is no might nor power except in Allah) when we see the good things in our life.

5. There is another story about Prophet Musa and Prophet Khidr. The story about the etiquette in seeking knowledge.

Musa said to him, “May I follow you on [the condition] that you teach me from what you have been taught of sound judgement?

(Al-Kahf verse 66)

We all know the hadith that ‘seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim’. Then this story tells us the good manner or the etiquette in learning something. What are they? Being humble and not  belittle anyone no matter how much we know, exercise patience when we don’t understand  something we should persevere and seek more clarity, then endure the hardship because every student or learner will always face the hardship and challenges but this should not stop us from pursuing knowledge.