Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Surviving Trial of Wealth and Children

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The second story in Surah Kahf is about a man who owned two fruitful and blessed gardens but never in return thanked Allah for His bounties.

كِلْتَا الْجَنَّتَيْنِ آتَتْ أُكُلَهَا وَلَمْ تَظْلِم مِّنْهُ شَيْئًا ۚ وَفَجَّرْ‌نَا خِلَالَهُمَا نَهَرً‌ا ﴿٣٣﴾ وَكَانَ لَهُ ثَمَرٌ‌ فَقَالَ لِصَاحِبِهِ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُ‌هُ أَنَا أَكْثَرُ‌ مِنكَ مَالًا وَأَعَزُّ نَفَرً‌ا ﴿٣٤

Each of the two gardens produced its fruit and did not fall short thereof in anything. And We caused to gush forth within them a river. (33) And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, "I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men." (34) [Qur'an, 18:33-34]

The man was skeptical about the Hereafter, thinking that his wealth will not perish.

وَدَخَلَ جَنَّتَهُ وَهُوَ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِ قَالَ مَا أَظُنُّ أَن تَبِيدَ هَـٰذِهِ أَبَدًا ﴿٣٥﴾ وَمَا أَظُنُّ السَّاعَةَ قَائِمَةً وَلَئِن رُّ‌دِدتُّ إِلَىٰ رَ‌بِّي لَأَجِدَنَّ خَيْرً‌ا مِّنْهَا مُنقَلَبًا ﴿٣٦

He said, "I do not think that this will perish - ever. (35) And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return." (36) [Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:35-36]

So, Allah inflicted him with the misery by destroying his gardens, even his repentance did not benefit him with what he has lost afterwards.

Allah reminds us in Surah Al-Kahf that wealth and children are only adornment in this life, which is perishing. So, don't get stuck with them and forget your Hereafter, the eternal life.

الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ‌ عِندَ رَ‌بِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ‌ أَمَلًا ﴿٤٦﴾ وَيَوْمَ نُسَيِّرُ‌ الْجِبَالَ وَتَرَ‌ى الْأَرْ‌ضَ بَارِ‌زَةً وَحَشَرْ‌نَاهُمْ فَلَمْ نُغَادِرْ‌ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدًا ﴿٤٧

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope. (46) And [warn of] the Day when We will remove the mountains and you will see the earth prominent, and We will gather them and not leave behind from them anyone. (47)

Moral: Moral of the story is “Trial of Wealth and Children.” Thanking Allah for the favors can multiply blessings.

How to survive: Humbleness is key to seek Allah’s mercy as He Most High says,

قَالَ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّـهُ صَابِرً‌ا وَلَا أَعْصِي لَكَ أَمْرً‌ا ﴿٦٩

[Prophet Musa alayhissalaam] said, "You will find me, if Allah wills, patient, and I will not disobey you in [any] order." (69) [Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:69]

May Allah make us among His thankful servants. Ameen.

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

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

Wassalaam