Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Surviving The Trial Of Wealth

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

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

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam is reported to have said:

"Whoever recites Surah al-Kahf on Friday, a light shall shine forth for him between the two Fridays.”

"Whoever recites Surah al-Kahf as it was revealed, will have a light on the Day of Resurrection.”

So based on this, we can see the great benefits which lie in reciting Surah al-Kahf, and we should try our utmost to see that we do it. Ideally this Surah should be recited on Thursday night or on Friday morning before Jumu’ah but if that is not possible then it can be recited anytime during the day of Jumu’ah. This period of time stretches from after Maghrib on Thursday till Maghrib on Friday.

This Surah contains four major themes: the story of the companions of the Cave, the owner of the gardens, Musa and Khidr, and the narration of Dhul Qarnayn. This Surah is very blessed and it contains many benefits for us so we should try our best to recite it every Friday and to contemplate over its meanings, so that we may derive full benefit from it.

The second story in this Surah deals with the owner of the gardens and his companion. These were two people who lived close by to one another. To one of them Allah had granted two gardens with a river flowing between them. This made him very wealthy and he also had many children. However, he was a disbeliever in Allah and associated partners with Him. He denied the Last Day and boasted about his wealth to his companion, who was poor and without many children. But this companion did have belief in the Oneness of Allah. He warned the owner of the garden that if he continued to disobey Allah, Allah might destroy his wealth.

And this is exactly what happened. His garden was destroyed and he then became full of regret for his past wrong-doings. This story teaches us that worldly goods are of no real benefit to us. They are only temporary and can be lost in an instant. It is far better for us to have a garden in the Hereafter than a garden in this world.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says in Surah An-Nahl,

مَا عِندَكُمْ يَنفَدُ

Whatever you have will end, but what Allah has is lasting. [Quran, Al-Nahl 16:96]

And we should be rushing to good deeds for that will help us in the Hereafter.

 

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,

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

 

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. [Quran, Al Kahf 18:46]

 

The story also teaches us not to be proud and arrogant for what we possess of worldly goods. All these things come only from Allah. He is the true Owner of everything and He can take them back at any time He pleases. Another point to note is that just because a person may have been favored with a lot of wealth and money that this does not necessarily mean that this is a sign of Allah being pleased with that person. 

 

May Allah grant us righteous deeds and protect us from arrogance. Aameen.

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

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam