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18.

Sura Kahf (or The Cave)

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

All the praise is for God, Who has sent His Messenger with clear and
straight Revelations. It warns the godless of a terrible Punishment from Him
and He may give glad tidings to the Believers who also work righteous deeds,
that they shall have an goodly reward (in the Hereafter). God’s purpose is to
give clear warnings of spiritual dangers and lead up to the highest bliss. The
warning is for those also for those who say, “God has begotten a son”. Neither
they nor their fathers have knowledge of such a thing. What they say is a most
grievious thing, a falsehood! The Messenger (Muhammad AS) is consoled and
told that he was not to fret himself to death: he was nobly doing his duty. The
worldly things are a glittering show for the earth, to test the conduct of the
people. Verily whatso is on earth shall be turned to dust and dry soil; when the
entire earth will be rolled off and true spiritual values are restored. A
wonderful allegory, of the Companions of the Cave and the Inscription (may
be some writing later put up at the mouth of the Cave or may it refers to their
dog), is now mentioned. Young (Christian) men, who believed in their Lord,
fled (from persecution of their pagan rulers) for refuge to the Cave. They
prayed to their Lord for mercy and right conduct in their plight. God then
sealed their ears, so that they heard nothing. As they were in the Cave, they
saw nothing. As such, they were completely cut off from the outer world. It
was as if they have died – with their knowledge and ideas remaining at the
point of time when they have entered the Cave. After a length of time, when
they were raised up from their sleep (or whatever condition they had fallen
into) they began to perceive the things around them, but only with the
memories of the time at which they had ceased to be in touch with the world
(i.e. on consciousness they had lost all count of time).

The mercy of God reinforced their hearts with confidence. Their Faith
carried them higher and higher on the road to Truth by the mercy of God. They
stood up and said that their Lord was the Lord of the heavens and of the earth:
never shall they call upon any god other than Him: if they did, they should
indeed have uttered an enormity! (This stand we may suppose was taken by
them as a public protest before leaving the people and taking refuge in the
Cave). Their position in the Cave was such that the sun left them cool and
comfortable in a moderate temperature. The youths having faith and trust in
God, found safety and refuge in the Cave. They were protected from the
persecution and violence of the unenlightened ruling clique. Their prayer was
heard. Such are the Signs of God: He whom God guides is rightely guided; but
he whom God leaves to stray, – for him their will be no protector to lead him
to the Right Path.

Their eyes were open , even though their senses were sealed in sleep.
They turned about on their sides as men do in sleep: their dog was also with
them, his forelegs stretched at the opening of the Cave. For an onlooker that
was exhibiting a frightful scene. Such being their state; God raised them up
(from sleep). They questioned each other about the period of their stay in the
Cave. One of them was of the opinion that they tarried a day or some part of a
day. But finally they could not conclude and said that God had the knowledge
alone. They were hungry and asked one of them to go in the town with a silver
coin available with them to buy some best food. But he to take care about their
matter so as to keep it secret lest they may stone them to death. Thus in this
way, by these means, i.e., sending out one of them with the old currency to the
town to buy provisions. His old fashioned dress, appearance, speech, etc. at
once drew the attention of the people towards him. When their story was
revealed, they realized, that God, Who can protect His servants thus and raise
them up from sleep after such a long time; has power to raise up men on the
Day of Judgment: His promise of goodness and mercy to those who serve Him
is true and exemplified in this striking way. On the other hand, for the people
of Cave, it became clear that their Lord can change the situation before one is
aware; and the hope in Him could never be in vain. As far the people; some
said that the matter be left to God; while the others suggested as memorial be
built at the place. The controversy about the number of Sleepers – the
controvery raged for ages: were they three or five or seven! – the real point
was the spiritual lesson and not their number and that God knows best how
many they were!

True knowledge is with God alone. We should not dispute on matters


of conjecture, but to rely on the Truth that comes from God alone. Mankind
should never rely upon its own resources so much as to forget God. If by any
chance we do forget, we must come back to Him and keep Him in
rememberance, as did the Companions of the Cave. Some say they were in the
Cave for 300 or 309 years! Say: God knows best how long they stayed in the
Cave. It is He, Who knows the secrets of the heavens and the earth; sees and
hears everything how much minute it may be. Mankind has no any other
protector than Him nor He shares His Command with any person whosoever.
Recite and teach (O Muhammad) what has been revealed to you. None can
change His Words (His Commands, Decrees, Orders). The true servants of
God are those whose hearts are turned to Him, morning, noon, and night, and
who seek not worldly gain, but God’s Grace, His Presence and nearness. Even
if they are poor in the sense of his world, their society gives far more inward
this spiritual satisfaction than worldly grandeur or wordly attractions. For
those who stray from God’s path, His Grace is ever anxious: it seeks to
reclaim them and bring them back to the path. But if such a one resists and
follows his own lusts, a point is reached when his case becomes hopeless.
God’s Grace does not then reach him, and he is abandoned to his pride and
insolence. Say (O Muhammad) to them that Truth is from their Lord, let
anyone believes or rejects: as for the wrong-doers there is raging Fire within
walls, like a tent; and their water will be molten brass, splashed on their faces
– most awful place is their abode (in the Hereafter). For the righteous, there
are Gardens of Eternity with flowing rivers, adorned with golden ornaments,
posh garments and recline on thrones with pomp and easeness. Not a single
good deed of their’s will go unrewarded. How good is their recompense!

Here is a simple parable of the constrast between two men. One was
wealthy – proud and forgot that what he had was from God, by way of a trust
and a trial in this life. The other one boasted of nothing: his trust was in God.
The worldly wealth of the first was destroyed, and he had nothing left. The
second was happier in the end. The two men began to compare notes. The
arrogant one was puffed up with his possessions, his income, and his large
family and following, and thought in his self-complacency that it would last
forever. He was also wrong in looking down on his companion, who, though
less affluent, was the better man of the two. It was not the wealth which ruined
him, but the attitude of his mind. He was unjust, not so much to his
neighbours, as to his own soul. In his love of the material, he forgot or openly
defied the spiritual. He took his companion with him, to impress him with his
own importance, but the companion was unmoved. According to him, even if
he was raised up to give account of his deeds before God, he was sure to get a
better treatment than the other one. Although in reality, even what he had,
rested on hollow foundations and was doomed to perish and bring him down
with it. In the argument, his questioned him as: was he denying Him, Who
created him out of dust, then out of a sperm-drop, then fashioned him into a
man? As to his part, He is God, his Lord, and none he associated with his
Lord. He further pointed out to the other the better way of enjoying God’s gifts
with gratitude to Him, expressing contentment and satisfaction in God’s
dealing with him and gave him a warning of the fleeting nature of this world’s
goods and the certainty of God’s punishment for inordinate vanity. God’s
punishment overtook him. His gardens, crops, all were ruined in no time (may
be by an earthquake). The resources lavished on these, his returns and his
satisfaction – all gone within no time. If he had only looked to God, instead of
to the emphemeral goods of this world! The proud built up connections and
obliged dependants and was proud of having his purse-full. But where were all
things when the reckoning came? He could not help himself; how could others
be expected to help him? He forgot that the only protection comes from God,
the True One. He is the Best to reward, and the Best to give success. The
proud one could only say, “Woe is me! Would I had never ascribed partners to
my Lord and Cherisher!”

The life of this world is empherical, and its gains will not last. The
similitude of this life is like the rain which comes down from the skies: earth’s
vegetation grows by it, but then off-season, it is dry stubble which the winds
scatter off: it is only God, Who prevails over all things. Wealth and sons are
just allurements of the life: Good deeds are endurable are the best for the men,
in the sight of your Lord. These are the hopes for you to be rewarded (in the
Hereafter). On the Day, the mountains will be removed and the earth will be a
plain and every human being will be raised up. They will then be marshaled
before their Lord in ranks. They shall all be bare as created for the first time on
earth. That was the promise of God which will come true on the Day. Then the
Book of Deeds of each individual will be opened. On it they will see all their
sins – small or large recorded theirin for their amazement and their will be no
injustice done to any soul whosoever.

Attention is drawn to the fall of mankind through Adam. Here point is


referred to in order to bring home the individual responsibility of the erring
soul. Iblis is the enemy of mankind and the story is duly told to you aforetime.
Will you prefer to go to him rather than to the merciful God, your Creator and
Cherisher? What a false exchange you would make? Were the Unbeliever’s
gods present when your Lord created heavens and the earth, or even their own
creation? Your Lord is never in need of any lhelpers. He indeed wants man’s
good: how can He take Evil for His partner? Evil ones will not even be seen
by their misguided followers, much as the latter go on calling on them. The
sinful will definitely fall into the blazing Fire and will find no means of relief
from it.

In the Qur-an, God has explained the things in detail, for the benefit of
mankind; but man in most cases is contentious. They would have found that
the parables and similitudes of Scripture fully met their difficulties, and they
would gladly obeyed the call of God. Out of curiosity, or by way of challenge,
they seem to court the Punishment and then they will think it too early! The
apostles come to preach the Truth, – not in an abstract way, but with special
reference to the conduct of the mankind. They convey good news of salvation
lest people despair in the presence of sin, and to warn clearly of the dangers of
Evil. The vain controversies of the Unbelievers are only aimed at to weaken
the Truth and they try to treat the Signs of their Lord with ridicule. They are
warned; – or the Wrath of God be brought to them face to face! It will then be
too late for them! Verily (O Muhammad) you call them to guidance or not, it
mattered little for them; as their hearts and ears are covered with veils. Neither
they can understand nor they can hear and accept your guidance. But your
Lord is Most Forgiving, full of Mercy. He does not like to hasten their
Punishment. But they have their appointed time; and except with God, they
will find no refuge. God’s Mercy is open to them if they repent and turn; –
nothing, only God’s Mercy can save them from the Fire of Hell. They be
reminded of the ancient civilizations who were destroyed because of their
iniquities at an appointed time by their Lord Almighty.

Moses’ story is now mentioned. He was up against mysteries which he


wanted to explore. As per the guidance from their Lord, Moses and his
Companion, reached the Junction of two seas, they forgot about their Fish,
with its course through the sea straight as in a tunnel (Moses was to go and
find a servant of God, who would instruct him in such knowledge as he had
not already got). He was to take a fish with him. The place where he was to
meet his mysterious Teacher would be indicated by the fact that the Fish will
disappear when he got to that place and would make a path way, like a tunnel,
through the sea; leading to the learned individual. When they came to the
Junction of the Seas, Moses forgot about the Fish, while his attaindant forgot
to tell him of the fact that he had seen the Fish escaping into the sea in a
marvelous way. They passed on, but the stages became heavier and heavier
and more fatiguing on Moses. Moses attendant now recalled about the Fish
swimming into the sea and that Satan made him forget the matter to tell
Moses! It was exactly the place they were seeking and thus they returned back
to the exact location. As such, they found one of God’s servants, who was a
blessed with a divine knowledge (his name is mentioned Khidhr, means
Green). As a matter of fact, Khidhr had two especial gifts from God: (1)
Mercy from His own Presence, and (2) Knowledge from His own Presence.
The first freed him from the ordinary incidents of daily human life; and the
second entitled him to interpret the inner meaning and mystery of events.
Moses makes a simple request, to be with Khidhr, to learn something of the
Higher Truth from him. Khidhr said that there will be many things which he
will see with him, which Moses will not completely understand and thus will
not have patience with him. Moses assured Khidhr his patience and obedience.
Moses was allowed on the promise that he would not ask questions on the
matters until Khidhr himself explained him the mysteries behind the matters.

So they both proceeded: until they were in a boat which later was
scuttled by Khidhr. Moses immediately raised his objection as if Khidhr
wanted to drown the people! Khidhr reminded him his promise. Moses was
silent. Then they proceeded: until they met a young man. Khidhr slew this
man! Moses again raised objection to killing an innocent man! Khidhr again
reminded him of his patience. Moses again promised that he would not again
raise any question about Khidhr’s actions. Then they proceeded: until they
reached a town. They were hungry and asked the inhabitants for some food.
The inhabitants refused them the food! On the outskirts of the town, they saw
a wall which was on the point of falling down. Khidhr set up straight the wall
so that it should not fall down. Thus benefiting a town which which had
treated them so shabbily! Moses was naturally surprised and said, “Could you
not at least have asked for the cost?” Khithr than answered that it was time to
part their ways; but before that he would tell him the interpretation of his
actions on which he could not hold patience: As for the boat was concerned, it
belonged to certain poor men and was their means of sustenance. It was made
unseaworthy so as to save it from the seizure of the king. He used to seize
every boat he could get hold, for his warlike purpose. As for the youth, his
parents were people of faith and it was feared that he will grieve them by
obstinate rebellion and ingratitude. So it was desired that Lord would give
them in exchange (a son), better in purity of conduct and closer in affection.
As for the wall, it belonged to two orphan youths in the town. Beneath it was
buried a treasure, to which they were entitled. Their father was a righteous
person and your Lord desired that they should attain their age of full strength
and get out their treasure – a mercy and favour from the Lord. Such was the
interpretation of those things over which you (O Moses) was unable to hold
patience. – To conclude, “Moses and Khithr “episode, one could say that those
who act, not from a whim or a private impulse of their own, but from higher
authority, have to bear the blame, with the vulgar crowd, for acts of the
greatest wisdom and utility. In human affairs many things are inexplicable,
which are things of the highest wisdom in the Universal Plan. Boradly
speaking, the episode is meant to illustrate four points. (1) Moses was learned
in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Even so that wisdom did not comprehend
everything, does not include all knowledge. Divine knowledge, as far as man
is concerned, is unlimited. Even after Moses received his divine mission of
Aposleship, his knowledge was not so perfect that it could not receive further
additions. (2) Constant effort is necessary to keep our knowledge square with
the march of time, and such effort Moses is shown to be making. (3) The
mysterious man he meets, is the type of that knowledge which is ever green,
fresh and flourishing, ever in contact with life as it is actually lived, and not
merely crystallized in blocks or second-hand sayings. (4) There are paradoxes
in life: apparent loss may be a real gain; apparent cruelty may be real mercy;
returning good for evil may really be justice and not generosity. God’s wisdom
transcends all human calculations.

They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Zul-qarnain. Say: great was


his power and great were his opportunities which he used for justice and
righteousness. Truly he recognized that his power and opportunities were
given to him as a trust by God. He had faith and did not forget God. His
western expedition terminated by a spring of murky water. God gave him
authority over a turbulence and unruly people: either to punish them, or to
treat them with kindness. He chose to protect the weak and the innocent, he
punished the guilty and the arrogant, but he remembered always that the true
Punishment would come in the Hereafter – the true and final justice before the
throne of God. Thus his punishments were but tentative, to preserve the
balance of this life as he could appraise it: he imposed no heavy tasks because
of his power, but gave every opportunity to rich and poor for the exercise of
virtue and goodness. Such is the spiritual lesson to be learned from the first
episode. Now comes the second episode. This is an expedition to the east. The
people here livied very simple lives. They were primitive people. He left them
in the enjoyment of peace and tranquility in their own way. In this he was
wise. He recognized his own limitations in the sight of God: man never
completely understands his own position, but if he devoutly looks to God, he
will live and let live. This is the spiritual lesson from the second episode. In
the third and final episode, Zul-qarnain reached a tract between two mountains
(may a valley). He found people who scarcely understood a word (of their
language). They explained him that Gog and Magog people did great mischief
and requested him to help them to erect a barrier (a shield) between them so
that they may live peacefully. It was planned that Zul-quarnain would provide
the motive force and organizing skill, while they would obey him and provide
the material and labour. The work was done satisfactory and he claimed no
credit for himself beyond that of discharging duty as a ruler. He turns attention
to God, Who provided them the ways and means by which they could be
helped and protected. As so the spiritual lesson from this episode is: Take
human precautions and do all in your power to protect yourself from evil. But
no protection is complete unless you seek the help and grace of God. The best
of your precautions must crumble to dust when the appointed Day arrives. On
that Day there will be tumultuous rushes. The Trumpet will be blown, and the
Judgement will be set on foot. Those who rejected the Truth, scoffed at Faith,
their eyes will be opened now, and they will witness the terrible reality. Those
very men who refused to see the many Signs of God which in this world
convey His Message and to hear the Word of the Lord when it came to them,
will then see without any mistake the consequences fully brought up before
them.

For the Unbelievers, they have misplaced confidence in their own


deeds or in the assistance of their false protectors. God is the only Protector of
everyone whosoever. Hell is prepared for them as their final abode of
entertainment. Their efforts which they thought good deeds in this life, are but
a waste for the Hereafter. These are the people who denied the clear Signs of
their Lord and deny the Day of Judgement. Hell will be their reward and a
place of entertainment; as they took the Messengers and the Message by way
of jest. The faithful and the righteous, will be in the Gardens of Paradise as
their eternal abode. Say (O Muhammad): “If oceans were ink (wherewith to
write out) the words of the Lord, sooner the oceans will be exhausted than
would the words of the Lord, even if another ocean is added for its aid. And
that you are but a man like themselves; but that the inspiration had come to
you: that your God is One God. Whosoever expects to meet Him, let him work
righteous deeds, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner.

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