In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Muhammad bin Ishaq mentioned the reason why Surah Kahf was revealed. He said that an old man from among the people of Egypt who came to them some forty-odd years ago told him, from `Ikrimah that Ibn `Abbas said: "The Quraysh sent An-Nadr bin Al-Harith and `Uqbah bin Abi Mu`it to the Jewish rabbis in Al-Madinah, and told them: `Ask them (the rabbis) about Muhammad, and describe him to them, and tell them what he is saying. They are the people of the first Book, and they have more knowledge of the Prophets than we do.'
So they set out and when they reached Al-Madinah, they asked the Jewish rabbis about the Messenger of Allah. They described him to them and told them some of what he had said. They said, `You are the people of the Taurah and we have come to you so that you can tell us about this companion of ours.' They (the rabbis) said, `Ask him about three things which we will tell you to ask, and if he answers them then he is a Prophet who has been sent (by Allah); if he does not, then he is saying things that are not true, in which case how you will deal with him will be up to you. Ask him about some young men in ancient times, what was their story for theirs is a strange and wondrous tale. Ask him about a man who traveled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth. What was his story and ask him about the Ruh (soul or spirit) -- what is it. If he tells you about these things, then he is a Prophet, so follow him, but if he does not tell you, then he is a man who is making things up, so deal with him as you see fit.'
So An-Nadr and `Uqbah left and came back to the Quraysh, and said: `O people of Quraysh, we have come to you with a decisive solution which will put an end to the problem between you and Muhammad. The Jewish rabbis told us to ask him about some matters,' and they told the Quraysh what they were. Then they came to the Messenger of Allah and said, `O Muhammad, tell us,' and they asked him about the things they had been told to ask. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,
أُخْبِرُكُمْ غَدًا عَمَّا سَأَلْتُمْ عَنْه (I will tell you tomorrow about what you have asked me)
But the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not say InshaAllah أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُّ (If Allah wills) [Al-Kahf 18:23-24].
So they went away, and the Messenger of Allah stayed for fifteen days without any revelation from Allah concerning that, and Angel Jibril (peace be upon him) did not come to him either. The people of Makkah started to doubt him, and said, `Muhammad promised to tell us the next day, and now fifteen days have gone by and he has not told us anything in response to the questions we asked.'
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) felt very sad because of the delay in revelation, and was grieved by what the people of Makkah were saying about him. Then Jibril came to him from Allah with the Surah about the companions of Al-Kahf, which also contained a rebuke for feeling sad about the idolators.
فَلَعَلَّكَ بَـٰخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِمْ إِن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا ﴿٦﴾ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ﴿٧﴾ وَإِنَّا لَجَـٰعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا ﴿٨[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:6]
Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, [and] out of sorrow. (6) Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed. (7)
SubhanAllah, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) wanted them to believe that it caused him restlessness and regret, the state of feelings of someone who perhaps would kill himself. This is to show us how much he cared and worried for his Ummah. He wanted nothing but the best for us.
In this Ayah (verse), Allah comforts His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace). Despite the fact that the Qur’an is the clear truth, there were still people who would not accept it and this caused the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) so much grief – it is a sign of his compassion even to those who refused to believe. So this Ayah means: Do not feel sorry for them, just convey the Message of Allah to them. Whoever goes the right way, then he goes the right way only for the benefit of himself. And whoever goes astray, then he strays at his own loss, so do not destroy yourself in sorrow for them.
The lesson is, as believers, we should continue to convey the Message (with love, wisdom humility and good character) and leave the rest to Allah. We can’t force anyone to accept the truth. Guidance is only granted by Allah – not us. Therefore one should not feel sad if people, friends or loved ones refuse to accept the Truth because this will destroy our rigor and drive.
Allah says,
فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُذَكِّرٌۭ ﴿٢١﴾ لَّسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُصَيْطِرٍ ﴿٢٢﴾ إِلَّا مَن تَوَلَّىٰ وَكَفَرَ ﴿٢٣﴾ فَيُعَذِّبُهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَكْبَرَ ﴿٢٤﴾ إِنَّ إِلَيْنَآ إِيَابَهُمْ ﴿٢٥﴾ ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا حِسَابَهُم ﴿٢٦[Qur'an, Al-Ghashiyah 88:21-22]
So remind, [O Muhammad]; you are only a reminder. (21) You are not over them a controller. (22) However, he who turns away and disbelieves - (23) Then Allah will punish him with the greatest punishment. (24) Indeed, to Us is their return. (25) Then indeed, upon Us is their account. (26)
The guidance of Islam is the guidance of love. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) came to guide us to love and to make clear the love that is at the core of all religion. Our purpose as human beings is to consciously manifest Allah’s love in our lives. This is the most significant meaning of Khilafah (Vicegerents) that can bring purpose to us and transform our lives.
When we reflect upon the history of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and the spread of his message we will realize that Islam could not have taken root in the world without the love that filled the heart of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and was clearly manifest in his way of relating and interacting with people that brought out their own deep and profound love for him.
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), describing the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), said, "Whoever saw him suddenly was in awe of him. Whoever mixed with him loved him." One of the Companions could not turn his eyes away because of his love for him.
Without this mutual and abiding love, none of us would be here today. And without this love Islam would not have been possible.
Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance. [Al-Kahf 18:10]
May Allah increase our love for His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and his family and companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and enable us to follow their footsteps.
Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance. [Al-Kahf 18:10]
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.
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