Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Worldly Life is Like Water That Comes From the Sky (Rain)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Worldly life is like water that comes from the sky (rain). Then the vegetation and rain water start mixing together, and then the entire land and vegetation becomes dry and reduce to dirt, which the winds carry and scatter away.

وَٱضْرِ‌بْ لَهُم مَّثَلَ ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخْتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ فَأَصْبَحَ هَشِيمًا تَذْرُ‌وهُ ٱلرِّ‌يَـٰحُ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّقْتَدِرً‌ا ﴿٤٥

And present to them the example of the life of this world, it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability. (45)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:45]

Whatever goodness in this life comes from Allah but it is not going to be permanent. You and I are going to reduce to dirt one day. You have no control over it. Allah has always in absolute control of all things.

People are obsessed and striving for more and more comforts, more material goods, greater power over his fellow-men or over nature, and unceasing technological progress.

A passionate pursuit of such endeavors, to the exclusion of everything else, bars people from all spiritual insight and, hence, from the acceptance of any restrictions and inhibitions based on purely moral values - with the result that not only individuals but whole societies gradually lose all inner stability and thus, all chance of happiness. This unrestrained pursuit of "economic growth" and this materialistic world has, indeed, brought in our time - frustration, unhappiness and confusion, and people are losing all remnants of spiritual and religious orientation.

People will always be a loser as long as they are attached to this world. Allah Almighty says,

وَٱلْعَصْرِ‌ ﴿١﴾ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسْرٍ‌ ﴿٢﴾ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ‌ ﴿٣

By time (1) Indeed, mankind is in loss, (2) Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. (3)

[Qur'an, Al-'Asr 103:1-3]

The great fitnah of our time is materialism. The Dajjal will possess power over this world. Allah already set the stage for that person with the materialism that is spread today.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) warns us that in the last days there would be someone who would deceive all of humanity. Thus, Muslims must be careful not to have the love of the world in their hearts so they won’t leave their religion and follow him.

Where do I begin?

Revive the sunnah of reading Surah Al-Kahf today and every Friday for the rest of your life and encourage others to do so.

On the authority of Sayyidna 'Ali (radhiAllahu anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said, "One who recites Surah al-Kahf on the day of Jumu'ah will remain protected from every fitnah. And if Dajjal appears, he will stay safe against the trying challenges released by him as well."

Listen to what the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) says, "Accumulate 'everlasting virtues' as much as you can."

All deeds that qualify as righteous and sincere are abiding and everlasting in the sight of Allah.

ٱلْمَالُ وَٱلْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَٱلْبَـٰقِيَـٰتُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ خَيْرٌ‌ عِندَ رَ‌بِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ‌ أَمَلًا ﴿٤٦

Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds, that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope. (46)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:46]

Sayyidna 'Ali (radhiAllahu anhu) said, 'Cultivation is of two kinds. Wealth and children are the cash crops of the mortal world while 'everlasting virtues' are the deferred crops of the Hereafter.'

Hasan al-Basri (rahimAllahu Ta'ala) said, 'Everlasting virtues are one's intention as the acceptance of righteous deeds depends on it.'

May Allah grant us righteous deeds and protect us from disobedience. May Allah grant relief quickly to the victims of the flood in Malaysia and all those who are in distress and suffering in all parts of the world. Ameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wassallam

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam