Ramadan Reflections 1444/2023 Part 8
Surah Al-Kahf, an early Meccan revelation, is the 18th Chapter of the Qur’an, entitled ‘The Cave’. It is a surah that is recited every Friday, for within this chapter are profound lessons, insights, reminders, protection and a light that emanates forth for the reciter from one Friday to the next. There are four distinct stories in this chapter, with each story portraying four different trials to be reflected upon. There is ‘The Trial of Faith’, ‘The Trial of Wealth’, ‘The Trial of Knowledge’ and ‘The Trial of Power’. Keeping in mind these four trials, we also find these verses…
“And patiently stick with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His pleasure. Do not let your eyes look beyond them, desiring the luxurious adornments of this worldly life. And do not obey those whose hearts We have made heedless of Our remembrance, who follow ˹only˺ their desires and whose state is ˹total˺ loss.” [18:28]
“Wealth and children are the luxurious adornment of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are far better with your Lord in reward and in hope. [18:46]
"They are˺ those whose efforts are in vain in this worldly life, while they think they are doing good!” [18:104]
The people we surround ourselves is of critical importance; they can gently tug us along the straight path or they can drag us down to the crooked path. Who are the people we want to seek out? They are the ones who remember their Lord morning and evening; constantly and consistently. Again there’s a warning about illusionary nature of this worldly life.
Verse 104 is an ayah to really pay attention to because there is a serious warning within it; it is so easy to be led down the false path of righteousness, while we think we are doing good but our efforts are in vain. The question is why?
It’s a matter of the hearts being heedless of their Lord. For the friend of God, Abraham (AS), beseeched his Lord, “And disgrace me not on the Day when people will be raised to life, the Day when nothing will avail, neither wealth nor children, but only one (will attain success) who comes to Allah with a sound heart.”
Again, there is a warning about being deluded by wealth and children, which are the two entities that we spend most of our time, energy, effort, youth, health, and life chasing after in the world. Just think, if the prophet with the status of ‘Friend of God’ is making this supplication, then how much more should we be asking for the same?
This Ramadan, let us ask Allah for a heart that turns towards the deen; a heart that is tranquil, true and sincere; a heart that is sound - qalb-un-saleem.
