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The First Lecture

The Relation between Surat Al-Kahf and Al- Dajjal
All praise is due to Allah. We praise him, we seek His help, we seek His
forgiveness, and we seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and our evil
deeds. Whoever Allah guides, there is none to misguide him. Whoever Allah leads
astray, there is none to guide him. I testify there is no God but Allah alone, without
any partners, and that Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is His servant
and His messenger.
Today, we are going to start a journey in an amazing surah in the Holy Quran, a
surah loved by all, and all or almost all of us memorize it by heart. However, most
of us do not realize its great significance, the tremendous amount of light,
guidance, peacefulness it holds as well as its enlightening stories. This surah can
truly change the person who does understand it properly.
We previously spoke a lot about the role the Holy Quran as the basic axis of
change. The one who has no relation with the Holy Quran, the one who does not
understand it or the one who does not meditate its meanings has to go through a
very long, hard way, yet the possibility of regression of the one who meditates the
meanings of the Holy Quran is very low as it is the real secret behind perseverance
of faith.
Initially, let us name this series as the cave “ Kahf stories Series” as it will be a
part of the a bigger series covering the stories mentioned in the Holy Quran; hence,
try your best to pay attention to every lecture so that you can see the big picture
as understanding this surah will change your mindset, doctrine, behaviors, beliefs,
relations with others and morals to be better since it answers complex questions
in simple words. So be patient and attentive till the end. In every lesson, there are
new information, benefits and amusing stories. We ask Allah (Glory be to Him) to
help us to do what is good and inspire us with guidance.
Generally speaking, caves are associated with the following emotions or concepts.
1- Darkness yet our surah is full of endless light.
2- Sluggishness or laziness yet our surah is full of diligent movements.
3- Fear or loneliness yet our surah is a source of peacefulness and safety.
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Prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon Him) said,
Abud-Darda' (May Allah be pleased with him) ‫رض هللا عنه أن‬
‫أب الدرداء ي‬‫وعن ي‬
reported: ‫رسول هللا صىل هللا عليه وسلم‬
The Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said: "Whoever ‫عش آيات من‬ ‫ "من حفظ ر‬:‫قال‬
commits to memory the first ten Ayat of the Surat ‫ عصم من‬،‫أول سورة الكهف‬
Al-Kahf, will be protected from (the trial of) Ad- ‫ "من آخر‬:‫وف رواية‬
‫الدجال" ي‬
Dajjal (Antichrist)." .))‫سورة الكهف" ((رواهما مسلم‬

ََ َ َ ْ َ َ ُ َََ ْ َ
“If anyone recites sūra al-Kahf (Qur’ān, 18) on the ‫ورة الك ْه ِف ل ْيلة‬ ‫" من قرأ س‬
َ ُّ ْ ُ َ َ َ َ َ ُ ُ ْ
night of Friday , light wil shine brightly from his ‫ور ِفيما‬
ِ ‫ أ ْضاء ل ْه ِمن الن‬،‫َ ْال َج ُم َع َ ِة‬
location till the kaabah. " ‫يق‬ َ َْ َ ْ
ِ ‫بينه وبي البي ِت الع ِت‬

Muslims are supposed to read surah Al kahf anytime from the sunset of Thursday
till the sun set of Friday. They can read it all at one time, or they can divide it into
sections to read it at different times before the sunset of Friday.
There is a different version.
‫َ َ ه ُ َ ْ ُ َ َّ َّ َّ ه‬ َ ‫َع ْن َأب‬
Abū Sa'id reported the Prophet as ‫ب َصىل‬ ‫الن‬ ‫ن‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ن‬‫ع‬ ‫اَّلل‬ ‫ض‬ ِ ‫ر‬ ‫يد‬ ٍ ‫ع‬
ِ ‫س‬
َ ْ‫َََ ُ َ ِ ي‬
saying, “If anyone recites sūra al-Kahf ‫ورة الك ْهف‬ ‫ «من قرأ س‬:‫ال‬ َ ‫اَّلل َِع ي َل ْيه َو َس هل َم َق ي‬ ُ‫ه‬
ِ
َ ْ ‫النور َما َب‬ ُّ ُ َ َ َ ْ
(Qur’ān, 18) on Friday, light will shine ‫ي‬ ‫ِ يف َي ْوم ال ُج ُم َعة أضاء له‬
brightly for him till the next Friday.” »‫ي‬ ْ ‫ْال ُج ْم َع َت‬
ِ

Therefore, this surah enlightens humans as it has the following:

1- Chronological light: the light of time, between each two Fridays
2- Locational light: the light of place between the location of the person and the of
Kaabah
3- Day of Judgement light: It will provide its reciters with light on that day.
Thus, by reciting this surah each week, we will have a new glimpse to help us
purify our hearts and get a new start renewing our pledge with Allah (Glory be to
Him). Surprisingly, it has a lot of mercy as we read it once a week, the word mercy
is repeated seven times in it as in:

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 َ ُ‫ه‬ َ َ
“Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Yourself ‫َرَّبنا َء ِاتنا ِمن لدنك َر ۡح َمة‬
ُ ُ َ ۡ ُ‫َ ر‬
Your Lord will extend His mercy to you ‫نش لك ۡم َرُّبكم ِّمن َّر ۡح َم ِت ِهۦ‬ ‫ي‬

Your Lord is the All-Forgiving, Full of Mercy ‫ٱلر ۡح َم ِة‬ ُ ‫َو َرُّب َك ۡٱل َغ ُف‬
َّ ‫ور ُذو‬

َ ۡ ِّ َ ۡ َ ُ َ ۡ َ َ
to whom We had granted mercy from Us ِ ‫ءاتين َٰ ه رحمة من ِع‬
‫ندنا‬
َۡ ََ ُۡ َ
More virtuous and merciful in his place. ‫خ ۡيا ِّمنه زك َٰوة َوأق َر َب ُر ۡحما‬
َ
as a mercy from your Lord. ‫َر ۡح َمة ِّمن َّ ِّربك‬
ٞ َ َ َ َ
He declared, “This is a mercy from my Lord. ‫ال ه َٰ ذا َر ۡح َمة ِّمن َّر ِّ يب‬‫ق‬

As can be seen, the word mercy is mentioned seven times in this surah
corresponding to the days of the week as each day; there is new mercy opening the
door for resentence. Let’s start by knowing the reason of revelation.

The Reason of Revelation in Interpretation Books

The disbelievers of Quraysh Tribe were in a perfect storm, deprived of any way
to find a mistake in the Holy Quran taking into consideration that the literary style
of the Qur’an is unique, and does not resemble anything the Arabs author. Having
no other option in facing Prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon Him), the infidels of
Mecca went to Medina to meet the Jewish and ask them for a way to hunt for any
error in the new religion. Before referring to the response of the Jews, it is really
significant to indicate that Arabs used to be the most proficient in the field of
linguistics by miles. Accordingly, they were the most capable of finding a linguistic
mistake in the Holy Quran, if they had been able to spot on single error, they would
have ended the mission of the Prophet a long time ago, but they could not at all.
However, some people whose linguistic knowledge is much less than that of native
Arabs claim that there are some linguistic or structural mistakes in the holy Quran
taking into account their meagre knowledge of Arabic , ignoring the fact that there
are more varied and comprehensive Arabic dialects than their studies at school or
even college.

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 In a nutshell, ancient Arabs, Bedouins in particular, who were famous for their
mastery of Arabic structures and majestic command of their own language could
not imitate the Holy Quran nor find one mistake. For example, when al-Walid ibn
al-Mughirah heard the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬reciting the Qur’an, his heart began to soften. .
He said: “I swear by Allah, I know more about poetry than any of you! I swear by
Allah, what he just recited does not resemble any type of poetry!”, “I swear by
Allah, he is not a fortune-teller. Neither is he a person who mutters under his breath
or recites poetry.”, “He is not a poet. We are already well-versed in all the genres
and meters of poetry, and this man is not a poet.” And “It has sweetness, it is
always high, and nothing is higher than it.”
The only way out for them then was to find a mistake in the religion itself, not
in the Arabic style of the Holy Quran, so they sent Uqba bin Abi Muiat and An-Nader
bin Al- Harith to the People of The Book /Scripture or Jews to ask them for advice.
The Jews asked them to describe prophet Mohamed after knowing about his
mission. Of course, they knew He was the seal Prophet as they were able to
recognize prophet Mohamed as they were able to recognize their own children.
They kept asking questions about Him. They knew that everything He said was real,
so they could not accuse Him of being a liar, which would have much easier as they
thought that the following prophet would be one of them, the Children of Bani
Isreal. They told the two Arabs to ask prophet Mohamed some questions in order
to test him. These were: (1) Who were "the Companions of' the Cave"? (2) What is
the real story of Khidr? (3) What do you know about Zul-Qarnain? (4) What is the
soul? As these questions revolved around the history of the Christians and the Jews,
and were unknown in Hijaz, a choice was made to test whether the Prophet
possessed any source of knowledge of the hidden and unseen.
The Arabs left them elated thinking that they had found a way out. After that,
the infidels went to the prophet and sked him these questions. Upon hearing the
questions, prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon Him) told them he would answer
these questions the following day. Yet he did not say “Allah’s willing.” As a result,
He did not receive any revelation for 15 days causing the infidels to create a rumor
against Him, so that even those whose faith was weak started to be affected by
such rumors. Nevertheless, 15 days later surah Al-Kahf that included the answers
about the Companions of the Cave, the real story of Khidr and Zul-Qarnain in

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addition to a part of surah Al-Isra in which an answer to their question about the
ruh/ soul was answered was revealed to Prophet Mohamed ( Peace be upon him)
They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about the spirit. Say, ُّ ‫ُعن‬ َ َ َ َ ْ ََ
ُ‫وحُ ُُۖق ِل‬ِ َ ِ َ ِ ْ َ‫وي ُّسألُون ْك‬
‫ُالر‬
“Its nature is known only to my Lord, and you ُ‫وتيتم‬ َ
ِ ‫وح ِ ُْمنُأ ام ِر َُر ّ يبُوماُأ‬ْ
‫الر‬
َ
˹O humanity˺ have been given but little ‫ِمنُال ِعل ِم ُِإَّلُق ِليال‬
knowledge.”

After receiving the answers, the Arab returned to the Jewish with them, yet the
Jews did not give any response despite knowing the truth. They were supposed to
believe Him immediately since he confirmed what they knew. However, they kept
silent.
This story is strong evidence that prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon Him) was
the seal prophet for several reasons:
1- The infidels went to seek the advice of the Jews after having no clue how to
refute the message of prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon Him) or to spot any errors
in the Holy Quran despite their majestic command of Arabic.
2- Prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon Him) revealed to them the stories of the
previous nations or individuals about whom neither he nor they had any idea, so
how could He know all the answers. Moreover, prophet Mohamed Peace be upon
Him) was not a poet as Allah mentioned in the Holy Quran :
ِ َ َّ
َ َ َ
We have not taught him poetry, nor is it fitting for ُ‫ُعل ْمناه ُالش ْع َر َُو َما‬ ‫وما‬
ْ ‫ا‬ َ ْ َ َ
him. This ˹Book˺ is only a Reminder and a clear ُ‫ُذكر‬ ٌ
ِ ‫غ ُلهُۚ ُِإن ُهو ُِإَّل‬ ‫ي‬ ِ ‫ي َنب‬
ٌ
Quran ٌُ ‫َوق ْرآن ُُّمب‬
‫ي‬ ِ
Prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon Him) was not able to write a poem, maybe a
couplet, but not a whole poem. Hence, how come he made up all these stories?
3- Providing them with the answers 15 days later not immediately is the most
important evidence that he was a real prophet. He could have lied or invented any
answers the following day if he were not a real prophet. Why did he wait for 15
days to make up lies if he could make them the following day without embarrassing
himself by waiting for the revelation? That late revelation is a proof that they were
not his own answers.

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 َِ َ
َ ْ ْ َ ٰ َ َ َْ َ
When Our clear revelations are recited to ُُۙ‫ات‬ ٍ ْ ‫ُآيات َناُب َين‬ ‫َ َو ِإذاُتتَل ُعلي ِهم‬
them, those who do not expect to meet Us ُ‫ت‬ َ ‫ونُلق‬ َ َ َّ َ
ْ ‫ين ََُّل َُي‬
ِ ‫اُائ‬ ‫ن‬ ‫اء‬ ِ َ َ ‫ج‬‫ر‬ ‫قالُال ِذ‬
say ˹to the Prophet˺, “Bring us a different ُ‫اُأ ْو َُب ِد ْلهُُۚق ْلُ َُما‬ َٰ ْ َ
‫آنُغ ِي َُه ُذ‬ ‫ِبق ْر‬
Quran or make some changes in it.” Say ˹to َْ َ َِ ْ ٍ ُ َ
ُ‫ُل َُأن ُأبدله ُِمن ُِتلق ِاء‬ ‫ون‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ي‬
them˺, “It is not for me to change it on my ‫َ َ ا‬ َ ‫ِي ْ ا ا‬ َْ
ٰ ‫سُ ُِۖإنُأتبع ُِإَّلُماُي‬
own. I only follow what is revealed to me. I ُُۖ‫ل‬ ‫وَح ِ َُإ ِي‬ ْ َ َ ْ ِ َ َ‫ِ ِ ي‬
‫نف‬
fear, if I were to disobey my Lord, the ُ‫ب ُأخاف ُِإن ُعصيت ُر ّ يب‬ ‫إ‬
َ ْ َ َ َ‫ِ َي‬
punishment of a tremendous Day. ُ ٍ ‫عذابُيو ٍمُع ِظ‬
‫يم‬
Thus, prophet Mohamed did not change any revelations on His own. The same
situation happened when some people accused His wife Aisha (May Allah be
pleased with her) with adultery with one of the companions. Almost all people
were spreading rumors, and prophet Mohamad (Peace be upon Him) kept silent
waiting for the revelation for a whole month. He could have invented any verses to
indicate that Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) was innocent and protect His
reputation. Yet he was honest despite the dire consequences of his silence.
Allah (Glory be to Him) described Prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon Him) as:
‫ا‬
ٌ ْ ‫( إن ُه َو ُإَّل َُو‬3) ‫ى‬ ْ َ
ٰ ‫ُعن ُال َه َو‬ َ َ َ ْ
Nor does he speak of his own whims. ُ‫َح‬‫ي‬ ِ ِ ُ ‫ق‬ ‫نط‬
ِ ‫اُي‬ ‫وم‬
ِ َ
It is only a revelation sent down ˹to ُٰ ‫ي‬
(4)‫وَح‬
him˺.

The circumstances of revelation prove that prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon

Him) was really the last prophet, not to mention that all his answers were right. If
the Jewish had found a single mistake, they would have announced it. The Holy
Quran includes detailed stories of Prophet Musa, Pharaoh, the magicians, the Christ
and Mariam, and never once did any Christian or Hewish person comments that
they are contradictory. They neither confirmed nor denied what they heard. In fact,
there are no reports of the Jews and the Christians denying what had been revealed
in the Qur’an despite their intense enmity towards the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬, their
determination for people to deny him, and their lengthy remonstrations and
protests against him with what their own books contained. Their silence confirms
the fact that what prophet Mohamad (peace be upon Him) said was the truth.

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Allah (Glory be to Him) proved the prophethood of Mohamed (peace be upon
Him in the following verses:
ْ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ َٰ
That is from the stories of the unseen which We ُ‫ذ ِلك ُِمنُأنب ِاءُالغي ِب‬
reveal to you ˹O Prophet˺. You were not present َ ُ َ َ َ َْ
ُ‫اُكنت‬ َ ‫يه ُِإ ْلي َ ْكَُُۖوم‬
ِ ‫وح‬
ِ َ ‫َن‬
when they ˹all˺1 made up their minds, and when ُْ‫واُأ ْم َرهم‬ ْ ْ
‫لدي ِهم ُِإذُأجمع‬
َ ُ َ
ُ ‫َوه ْمُي ْمكر‬
they plotted ˹against Joseph˺.
ُ‫ون‬

ْ ُّ َ َ ُ َ َ
And you were not at the side of Mount Ṭûr ُ‫ور ُِإذ‬ ‫ُالط‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ان‬
ِ ‫ج‬ ‫وماُكنتُب‬
when We called out ˹to Moses˺. But ˹you have َ ِ ‫َ َ ْ َ َ َ ٰ ِ ا ِْ َ ً ِ ِ ا‬
ُ‫اُول ِكنُر َحمةُمنُربك‬ ُ ‫نادين‬
been sent˺ as a mercy from your Lord to warn a ِ َ ‫َ َْ ً ا‬
ُ‫نذرُقو َماُماُأتاهمُمن‬ ِ ‫ِ الت‬
people to whom no warner has come before َّ َ َ َ ِ
ُ‫يرُمنُق ْب ِلكُلعله ْم‬ ‫نذ‬
you, so perhaps they may be mindful. َ ٍَّ َ ِ َ َ
ُ ‫يتذكر‬
‫ون‬

َ َْ ْ َ َ ْ
This is one of the stories of the unseen, which ُ‫يها‬ ‫وح‬
ِ ‫ِتلك ُِمنُأ َنب ِاءُالغ ْي ِب َُن‬
we reveal to you ˹O Prophet˺. Neither you nor ُ‫نت َُو ََّل‬َ َ ََْ َ ُ َ َ َْ
your people knew it before this. So be ْ ْ َ ‫نتُت َعل ٰ َم‬
‫اُأ‬ ‫ه‬
ْ َ ‫ِإ َل ْيك َُُۖماُك‬
ُُۖ‫قومك ُِمنُقب ِلُه ذاُُۖفاص ِّي‬
patient! Surely the ultimate outcome belongs
ُ
‫ي‬ َ ‫ُال َعاق َب َةُل ْلم اتق‬
ْ ‫ا‬
‫ِإن‬
˹only˺ to the righteous. ِ ِ ِ

Moving on the surah, it is important to stress that the light it holds is abstract
not concrete. This abstract light will guide you to see what is right right and what is
wrong wrong. It provides you with a complete methodology and comprehensive,
perfect, straightforward curriculum with instructions to help you become insightful
over the course of your life. It clarifies the varied scenarios you may come across
via four stories that are not mentioned in any other surah. For instance, what
should you do if you were one of the companions of the cave?
‫ََََْ ا ْ َ ْ ا‬
Let him be ˹exceptionally˺ cautious, and do not ُ‫ف َُوَّلُيش ِع َرن‬ ‫وليتلط‬
let him give you away. ً َ َ ْ ُ
‫ِبكمُأحدا‬

What if you were the owner of the two gardens or his friend, what would you do?
We will see their debate while conversing. What if you were in the position of
Prophet Musa (Peace be upon him) when he met Al-Khidr in whose story, we can

8
see social work? What if we were empowered such as Ⱬul-Qarnain, what would
we do?
But assist me with resources, and I will ُْ‫َف َأعينوبُبق اوة َُأ ْج َع ْل َُب ْي َن ُكم‬
ٍ ًِ ْ ‫َ َ ْ َِ ْ َِ ي‬
build a barrier between you and them. ‫وبينهمُردما‬
Each story in the surah has a moral lesson. It also describes the reality of this life
and the life after, Paradise and Hell.
َ َّ ً َ ْ َْ ََ َ ََْ َ ‫ا‬
We have indeed made whatever is ُ‫ض ُِزينةُلها‬ ‫إناُجعلناُماُعَلُاْلر‬
on earth as an adornment for it, in ً َ َ ِ َ ْ َ ْ ُّ َ ْ َ ُ ْ َ ِ
ُ ‫ِلنبلوهمُأيهمُأحسنُعم‬
‫ل‬
order to test which of them is best
in deeds.

And We will certainly reduce

ً ً َ َََْ َ َ ُ َ َ ‫َ ا‬
‫اُص ِعيداُجرزا‬ ‫و ِإناُلج ِاعلونُماُعليه‬
whatever is on it to barren ground.

It indicates the benefits and influence of monotheism in addition to the

change made by young people such as the companions of the cave, Al Khdir and
Ⱬul-Qarnain. It also teaches us how to stand still in front of misconceptions and
confusions as this surah was revealed in Makkah amid a lot of confusing matters
while the new Muslims were tortured by the disbelievers or infidels. Thus, this
surah taught them and still teaches us how to deal with others, when to be sociable,
when to stay away from others, when change is required, and in what way it should
be made. Further, it guides us to know how to make the right decision if there are
a lot of options, how to balance the beneficial and harmful aspects, and how to
develop ourselves and our communities.

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Some of Benefits of Surah Al Khahf
The basic point in today’s lesson is the relationship between surah Al- Khahf and
Ad–Daijal, yet before highlighting it, we will mention some of the special aspects of
this blessed surah. To start with, Prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon Him).

Abud-Darda' (May Allah be pleased with him) ‫رض هللا‬‫ي‬ ‫أب الدرداء‬
‫عن ي‬
reported: ‫عنه أن رسول هللا صىل هللا‬
The Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said: "Whoever ‫ "من حفظ‬:‫عليه وسلم قال‬
commits to memory the first ten Ayat of the ‫ر‬
‫عش آيات من أول سورة‬
Surat Al-Kahf, will be protected from (the trial of
Ad-Dajjal "‫ عصم من الدجال‬،‫الكهف‬
‫ "من آخر سورة‬:‫وف رواية‬ ‫ي‬
In another narration, the Messenger of Allah "‫الكهف‬
(‫ )ﷺ‬said: "(Whoever commits to memory) the
last ten Ayat of Surat Al-Kahf, he will be
protected from (the trial of) Ad-Dajjal

What is the relationship between the first verses and the last ones?
Surat Al –Khahf mentioned three kinds of hearts:
1- Believers’ hearts and the way to reach this level
َ َ َ َ َ ُّ َ ْ ‫ا‬
We relate to you ˹O Prophet˺ their story in ُ‫ُن َبأهم‬ ‫ص ُعل ْيك‬ ‫نحن ُنق‬
َ ٌ ْ ‫ا‬ ِ َ ْ
truth. They were youths who truly believed ُ‫ُآمنوا‬ ‫ِبالحقُۚ ُِإنه ْم ُِفت َية‬
ً َْ ِ
in their Lord, and We increased them in ‫ِب َرب ِه ْم َُو ِزدناه ْمُهدى‬
guidance.

2- Inattentive hearts that belong to those who are indifferent

َ َ َْ ََْ َْ
ْ َ ْ َ َ
And do not obey those whose hearts We ُ‫ُعن‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ل‬ ‫اُق‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ف‬ ‫غ‬‫ُأ‬‫ن‬ ‫ُم‬‫ع‬ ‫ط‬
ِ ‫ُت‬ ‫َّل‬‫و‬
َ َ ََ َ َ َ َ‫ْ َ َ ا‬
have made heedless of Our remembrance, ُ‫ان ُأ ْمره‬ ‫ِذك ِرناُواتبع ُهواه ُوك‬
who follow ˹only˺ their desires and whose ً
‫فرطا‬
state is ˹total˺ loss.

10
3- Infidels’ hearts that belong to those who know faith and understand Allah’s signs,
yet they choose not to obey Him
َ َ ‫ا‬ ِّ
ْ َ َ َ َْ
And who does more wrong than those who, ُ‫ات‬ ِ ‫ومن َ َُأظلم ُِمم ْن ُذك َر ُِبآي‬
َ ‫س‬
when reminded of their Lord’s revelations, ُ‫ُما‬ َ ِ ‫اُون‬ َ َ َْ
َ ‫ُعن َه‬ َِ
‫ي‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ع‬‫أ‬ ‫ُف‬ ‫ه‬
ِ ‫ب‬‫َر‬
turn away from them and forget what their َ َ ْ َ ‫ا‬
ُ‫قدمتُيداه‬
own hands have done?

Furthermore, the surah classified the kinds of kings and the characteristics of
each.
1-The disbelieving, criminal, unfair king in the story of the companions of the cave.
2- The unfair king who steals his people’s possessions but does not oblige them to
adopt a certain religion; he stole people’s money for his personal interests, but he
did not care about religion, referring to the king in the story of Prophet Musa and
Al –Khidr.
3- The fair king referring to Ⱬul-Qarnain
َ ْ َ َ ‫ت َُأ ْب ُل‬ َ ‫ََّل َُأ ْب‬
“I will never give up until I reach ُ‫ُم ْج َم َع ُال َب ْح َر ْين ُأ ْو‬ ُ ٰ ‫ُح ّا‬ َ
‫ح‬‫ر‬
ِ َ
the junction of the two seas, even ‫ضُحق ًبا‬َ ِ ‫أ ْم‬
if I travel for ages.”
‫ي‬

Each story handles the call to Allah (Glory ne to Him) utilizing different methods.
To illustrate, the first story about the companions of the cave shows that the young
cave people were the ones calling their king and his retinue to return to Allah (Glory
be to Him); therefore, they went to him once people realized that they had spent
300 years in the cave. The cave people were the preachers, and the king was the
addressee.
In the second story, a man is calling his friend to remember the blessings of Allah
(Glory be to Him) using verbal evidence and oral debate.
In the third story with Prophet Musa and Al- Khidr, a teacher used a new
preaching method that involved social work not just oral debates. He was actually
keeping or returning the rights of people without even telling them. He was
extremely influential to the degree that people did not blame him for making a

11
hole in their ship simply because they knew that he was a good person who did a
lot of right things even if they did not understand that immediately. If he told them
to pray, they would follow him without thinking. In this story, a teacher Al-Khidr,
was teaching a student, Prophet Musa (Peace be upon Him).
In the fourth story, a king was calling people to thank Allah (Glory be to Him). He
used his power to reach this end.
Furthermore, this surah explains the stages of the call to Islam starting with
people preaching a king and ending with a king preaching people, from weakness
to empowerment.
The First Stage: an extreme condition of weakness and vulnerability as the people
of the cave were considered outsiders whose existence was not accepted. They
could not even contact others, nor were they given any rights to express their
beliefs, so they withdrew to the cave to avoid being murdered by their community.
The Second Stage: a condition of weakness with a limited amount of freedom. The
friend of the one who owned two gardens s was allowed to speak, yet to a limit. He
was not supposed to transgress such limit; thus, there is weakness with some
acceptance by society. Hence, you can spread your call to new categories.
The Third Stage: a condition of popularity as people start to change their minds
concerning good people and stop looking at them as terrorists. These people
proved their aim is to help others, fight polytheism and infidelity, to spread good
deeds for the sake of Allah (Glory be to Him), not to get money, power or authority.
The Fourth Stage: a condition of initial empowerment in which they are allowed to
speak up, raise money for charity. People start to look up at them, respect them
and listen to them. The social elite cannot affect them adversely or prevent them
from spreading their beliefs thanks to their acquired power as in the story of
Prophet Musa (Peace be upon Him). Prophet Musa said, “I will never give up until I
reach the junction of the two seas, even if I travel for ages.” Although Prophet Musa
(Peace be upon Him) had a lot of wisdom as well as knowledge, he wanted to gain
more and learn from Al-Khdir.

12
The Causes of Empowerment
Knowledge: It is true that religious knowledge or understanding in the basis without
which we are astray, yet it is essential to have knowledge about different fields or
branches of science. The opposite also holds true; if we have knowledge in all
branches of science without understanding religion, all the knowledge we have is
useless or even dangerous; we see people who mastered their scientific fields;
however, they did not believe in Allah (Glory be to Him) simply because they do not
have the holy revelation or a proper curriculum to follow. Not surprisingly, Allah
started the surah with, “All praise is for Allah Who has revealed the Book to His
servant, allowing no crookedness in it, to open our eyes to the significance of
having a holy book to guide us; otherwise, we may abuse the knowledge we have.
Therefore, preachers are supposed to gain knowledge about different fields in
addition to their religious understanding as much as they can. Then, they can
penetrate their communities after being popular among others. They are no longer
talking in private as the friend of the gardens s’ owner. They are influential as Al –
Khdir who was able to take actions that might seem harmful, yet they accepted
them without objections. The scenario happens with modern preachers; at first,
people do not accept them. After that, due to a lot of good experiences with others,
they become popular and even trusted that those people who did not use to like
them begin to ask them for advice to figure out some personal problems such as
divorce or for instructions concerning a religious matter such as zakat. These
people begin to ask the preachers to help them get over their crises. This stage
leads to empowerment as preachers first gain people’s hearts due to proper
doctrine and good deeds; therefore, they are given the authority which enables
them to disseminate their beliefs for Allah’s sake. It is worth mentioning that
preachers must work constantly on improving themselves religiously, their
communities and social services on all levels. It is a mistake to think that preachers
stop working on themselves and focus on people’s doctrines only. It is not a
professional promotion in which they stop working on themselves; the people of
the cave and the friend of the gardens s’ owner were improving their own faith and
that of people simultaneously. The main difference is that at first, preachers can be
isolated and not accepted, so they stay away to protect themselves from the
prevailing social impurities. However, after they get popular, there is no need for
them to be isolated. In fact, staying away from people when there is a room for
13
disseminating their call is a wrong, unfair decision. For example, Ⱬul-Qarnain was a
popular king who did not ignore the needs of his people as Allah (Glory be to him)
said in the Holy Quran, “
َ َ ْ ‫ا‬ َ َْ َ
َ
ْ ‫واُياُذاُالق ْرن‬ ُ َ
They pleaded, “O Ⱬul-Qarnain! Surely Gog and ُ‫وج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ُي‬‫ن‬‫ُإ‬ ‫ي‬
ْ َْ ِ َ ِ ْ َ ْ ‫َق َال‬
Magog are spreading corruption throughout ُ‫ومأجوجُمف ِسدونُفُاْلرض‬
1
ِ َ َ ‫َ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ َ ِ ًي‬
the land. Should we pay you tribute, provided ُ‫َل‬ ٰ ‫فهلُنجعلُلكُخ ْرجاُع‬
that you build a wall between us and them?” ًّ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ َ
ُ‫أنُتجعلُبينناُوبينهمُسدا‬
Ⱬul-Qarnain told them to assist him with resources to build a barrier or dam
between Gog and Magog and them. Similarly, Al-Khdir built a wall to protect the
rights of the orphans till they grew up. The wall is not as important as the dam.
Hence, as each one of them has its own scale of social as well as religious
significance. In other words, the more empowered the preachers are, the more
influence they have, and the bigger change they can make. This is one of the lessons
we learn from this surah.
Now, it is time to answer the main question, what is the relation between this
surah and Ad-Dajjal? It is a figure whose name we know as Ad-Dajjal. The word
dajjal is derived from dajal which means falsification of facts or mixing what is right
with what is wrong or showing right as wrong and vice versa; therefore, the light of
this surah aims at showing the truth and enlightening people.
First, it indicate the fact behind Ad- Dajjal who will claim to be God supported
with some signs and miracles. For example, he has a hell and a paradise; His hell is
actually a heaven, and his heaven is actually a hell. On one hand, he will trick people
to believe in him and enter his paradise only to discover it is a hell. On the other
hand, those who have strong faith won’t believe in him and once thrown into his
hell, they discover it is a paradise. He even can convince people by making them
believe that their dead parents are alive again. The fake parents tell them to
worship Ad-Gajjal as God. He can do that with the help of demons. He turns poor
people into rich ones. He can cause rain to fall and cattle to grow exceptionally fast
and plants to sprout. He can do all of these tricks as Allah (Glory be to Hum) enables
him to do so to test the degree or strength of people’s faith. It is worth noting that
he is not the Provider not the creator; he can never do anything against Allah‘s
willingness.

14
 According to prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon Him), Ad- Dajjal is a plump,
one-eyed man with a ruddy face and curling hair and the Arabic letters k-f-
r (“unbelief”) on his forehead. Ad-Dajjal will mislead people on different levels.
The first Fitnah, religious persecution: He misleads people into thinking that he is
God and orders them to believe in him and disbelieve in Allah (Glory be to Him). If,
for instance, extremely wealthy people do not obey him, he will turn all their money
as well as treasures into dust, their cattle would die instantly, and they themselves
turn into beggars. It is the same as the story of the cave people, the sons of rich
people who fled to a cave to save themselves from religious persecution. Their
story will be analyzed later. But what are the main factors that enable people to
stand still against religious fitnah. These factors are reciting the Holy Quran,
befriending real believers and avoiding heedless ones as Allah (Glory be to Him)
said:
Recite what has been revealed to you from
َ َ َْ َ ُ َ ْ َ
ُ‫اب‬
ِ َ ِ َ ِ َ َ ‫وَح َ ُِإلي‬
‫ت‬ ‫نُك‬ ‫ُم‬‫ك‬ ‫ُماُأ َ ِ ِ ي‬‫واتل‬
the Book of your Lord. None can change His َ َ َِ
ُ‫ربكَُُّۖلُمبدل ُِلك ِلم ِات ِهُولن‬
Words, nor can you find any refuge besides ً َ َْ َ َ
ُ‫ون ِهُملتحدا‬ ِ ‫نُد‬ ‫ُم‬
ِ ‫ت ِج‬
‫د‬
Him.

َ َّ َ َْ ْ َ
And patiently stick with those who call ُ‫اص ِّ ْيُنف َسك َُم َعُال ِذين‬ ‫و‬
َ ْ َ َ َ ْ ‫ا‬ َ َ ْ َ
upon their Lord morning and evening, ُِ ‫مُبالغد ِاةُوالع ِ ي‬
‫س‬ ِ ‫يدعونُرب ه‬
َْ ْ ْ
Strengthen me through him, ‫اشدد ُِب ِهُأزَ ِري‬
ْ ََْ
and let him share my task, ‫ُفُأ ْم ِري‬‫ش ِي‬
‫ه‬ ‫ك‬ِ ‫وأ‬

َ َ َْ ََْ َْ
ْ َ
And do not obey those whose hearts We ُ‫ُعن‬
َْ ‫اُقل َبه‬ ‫َوَّل ُت ِط ْع َُمن ُأغفلن‬
َ َ َ‫ْ َ َ ا‬
have made heedless of Our remembrance, ُ‫ُه َواه َُو َكان ُأمره‬ ‫ِذك ِرنا ُواتبع‬
who follow ˹only˺ their desires and whose ً
‫فرطا‬
state is ˹total˺ loss.

The second fitnah: financial fitnah: Ad-Dajjal will be able to turn dust or garbage
into golden treasures that catch people‘s eyes with one gesture of his hand. Once

15
they are fascinated by money, they believe in him directly. The solution is to open
their eyes that such treasures are just temporary adornments to test their faith.
ًَ َْ ََ َ ََْ َ ‫ا‬
We have indeed made whatever is on ُ ِ ‫ُاْل ْر‬
ُ‫ضُ ِزينة‬ ‫إناُجعلناُماُعَل‬
earth as an adornment for it, in order to َ ْ َ ْ ُّ َ ْ َ ُ ْ َ َ َّ
ُ‫اُلنبلوهمُأيهمُأحسن‬ ِ ً ‫له‬
test which of them is best in deeds. َ
ُ ‫ع َم‬
ُ‫ل‬
And We will certainly reduce whatever is ً َ َََْ َ َ ُ َ َ ‫َ ا‬
on it to barren ground. ُ‫اُص ِعيدا‬ ‫و ِإناُلج ِاعلونُماُعليه‬
ً
‫جرزا‬
This fitnah is obvious in the story of the owner of the two gardens s who told his
friend,
َ َ ُّ َ َ ً َ َ ْ َ ََ
“I am greater than you in wealth and ‫أناُأ ك َي ُِمنك َُماَّل َُوأعزُنف ًرا‬
superior in manpower.”

Some people think they are right since they are wealthy; the amount of money
is not the real parameter of right. Ⱬul-Qarnain and Ad-Dajjal have resources, so
which one of them is right? The same applies to Prophet Solomon (Peace be upon
Him) and Al- Namroud, the former was the best of people, and the latter was the
most infidel of them, yet both were wealthy. In case the amount of money owned
is equal, what is the dividing line that indicates right from wrong?
The point is people are not supposed to be fascinated by wealthy westerns
thinking that Allah (Glory be to Him) is pleased with then, so He provides them with
money unlike Muslims who are mostly poor. Later, Ad- Dajjal, people will be the
richest person on Earth. Those are fascinated by the west will be easily misled by
him.

َِ َ ْ ْ َ ٰ َ َ َ َْ َ
When Our clear revelations are recited to ُ‫ات‬ ٍ ‫َلُع َل َي ِهمُآيَّاتناُبين‬ ‫َ َو ِإذاُتت‬
them, the disbelievers ask the believers َ ‫ين‬َ َ َّ َ
ُ‫ُآمنوا‬ ‫واُلل ِذ‬
ِ َ ‫ر‬‫ف‬ ‫ُك‬ ‫ين‬ ‫َقالُال ِذ‬
ً َ ‫ا‬ ْ ْ َ َ ْ ُّ
˹mockingly˺, “Which of the two of us is ُ‫يُخ ٌيُمقاما‬ ‫يق‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ف‬ ‫أيُال‬
better in status and superior in assembly?” ًّ ِ َ ِ َ ْ َ َ
ُ‫وأحسنُن ِديا‬

16
 َ ِ َ َ َْ َْ َ ََْ
Imagine, O Prophet˺ how many peoples ُ‫مُمنُق ْر ٍن‬ ‫اُقَ ْب ًله‬ ‫وكمُأهلكن‬
We have destroyed before them, who َ ‫ه ْم َُأ ْح َسن َُأثاث‬
ً‫اُور ْئيا‬
ِ
were far better in luxury and splendor!

Allah (Glory be to Him) said that money is not

ْ ُّ َ ْ َ‫ا‬ َ ْ ْ َ
And give them a parable of this worldly life. ُ‫مُمث َلُالح َي ِاة َُالدن َيا‬ ‫اض َبُله‬ ِ َ ‫َو‬
˹It is˺ like the plants of the earth, thriving َ ََ ْ َ َ َ
‫كماءُأنزلناهُمن ا‬ْ َ
ُ‫ُالسم ِاءُفاختلط‬ ِ َْ ٍَ
when sustained by the rain We send down ً َ َ َ ْ ََ ْ َ
ُ‫ضُفأصبحُه ِشيما‬ ‫ِب ْ ِهُنباتُاْلر‬
from the sky. Then they ˹soon˺ turn into ُِ‫َل ُُكل‬ َٰ َ َّ َ َ َ ِ َِ َ
‫ُالرياحُُۗوكانُاَّللُع‬ ‫تذروه‬
chaff scattered by the wind. And Allah is َْ ْ َ
fully capable of ˹doing˺ all things. (ُ‫ش ٍء ُُّمقت ِد ًرا‬ ‫ي‬

ْ ُّ َ ْ َ َ ْ ْ
Wealth and children are the adornment of ُُۖ‫ال َمال َُوال َبنون ُِزينةُالح َي ِاةُالدن َيا‬
this worldly life, but the everlasting good َ َ َ ‫ا‬
ُ‫ُالص ِال َحاتُخ ْ ٌي ُِعند‬ ‫اق َيات‬ َ ‫َو ْال‬
‫ب‬
deeds are far better with your Lord in ً َ ٌ ْ َ َ ً َ َِ َ ِ َ
ُ ‫ربكُثواباُوخيُأم‬
‫ل‬
reward and in hope

The third fitnah: knowledge fitnah: knowledge is a blessing when it is utilized

properly and a curse if abused. Both Al-Khidr and Ad-Dajjal have knowledge, yet
they are not equal. Allah (Glory be to Him) described disbelievers as:
ْ ُّ َ ْ َ ِ ً َ َ ََْ
They ˹only˺ know the worldly affairs of this ُ‫اُمنُالح َي ِاةُالد ُن َيا‬ ‫اهر‬
ِ ْ ‫يعلمونُظ‬
َ ُ َ ْ َ
life, but are ˹totally˺ oblivious to the ُ ‫َوه ْمُع ِنُاْل ِخر ِةُهمُغ ِافل‬
‫ون‬ َ
Hereafter.

True knowledge is what leads its owner to modesty and happiness in the Life
after; otherwise, it is destructive.
The fourth fitnah: Power fitnah: Ad-Dajjal has a lot of power, resources that will
enable him to tour the planet at a very high speed. People will be fascinated by
his power. Then, Allah reminds us that such power is not the standard of right as
Ⱬul-Qarnain will use his power to benefit people not to mislead them.

17
 From time to time, Satan is mentioned to remind us that he is the root of all
fitnah, whether that of religion, knowledge, money, or power. Allah (Glory be to
Him) said,
ْ ‫َوإذُقلناُلل َملئكة‬ َ َ ْ َْ ْ
And ˹remember˺ when We said to the angels, ُ‫ُاسجدوا‬
َ َ َ ْ ِ‫ِ َ َ َ َ ِ َ ِ ا‬
“Prostrate before Adam,” so they all did—but not ُ‫ان‬ ‫يسُك‬ َ ْ‫واُإ ََّل ُِإ َب ِل‬
ِ ‫ج َد‬ َ ‫س‬ ‫ِْلدمُف‬
Iblîs,1 who was one of the jinn, but he rebelled ْ َ ِ ْ َ
ُ‫ُال َ ِجنُففسقُعنُأم ِر‬ ‫من‬
against the command of his Lord. Would you then َ‫َ َ ِا‬ ‫َِ ِ َ َ ا‬
ُ‫َرب ِهُُۗأفتت ِخذونهُوذريته‬
take him and his descendants as patrons instead of
ُ‫م‬ ْ ‫أ ْول َي َاءُمنُدوب َُوه ْم َُل ُك‬
Me, although they are your enemy? What an evil ًََ َ ‫ِ َّي‬
َ ْ ِ ٌّ ِ َ
alternative for the wrongdoers ˹to choose˺! ُ ‫عدوُ ُِۚبئس ُِللظ ِال ِمي ُُبد‬
‫َّل‬

Let’s start this surah in details. Here is the first verse.

َُ ْ َ ََ َ َ ْ َ ََ َ َْ ‫ه‬
ً‫َّلل ال ِذي أنز َل عىل ع ْب ِد ِه ال ِكتاب ول ْم يج َع ْل له ِع َوجا‬
‫ْ َ ُ ه‬
ِ ِ ‫الح ْمد‬
All praise is for Allah Who has revealed the Book to His servant,1 allowing no crookedness
in it,

Before explaining the first verse, we should know the relation between the first
ten verses and the last ten ones. Remember the basic theme is fighting lying and
falsification of facts. The verse starts with, “All Praise is for Allah” describing Him
with all Praise and Perfections as well as expressing gratitude for His goodness
while “Glorification of Allah” means exalting Him above everything that negates
and contradicts that.
From the very beginning, we know that Ad- Dajjal is not God simply because he
looks ugly with one eye and bad looking hair unlike Allah ( Glory be to Him) who
creates people with magnificent looks. How can God be less good looking than His
creatures?! It is known that no merits the creatures have Allah Does not have. Allah
(Glory be to Him) is perfect and thus better than any creature; how come?
Creatures have two eyes, and the Creator has just one eye! Ad- Dajjal cannot be
even a prophet because of his imperfections, not to mention being God.
The surah begins with praising Allah the perfect, the first cave we will resort to
protect ourselves from his fitnah. He himself understands them, so by reciting them
in front of him, he would not know what to do.

18
The following part is “Who has revealed the Book to His servant”. The order of
Arabic words is different from the English translation as in this verse, prophet
Mohamed (Peace be upon Him) as "His servant "is mentioned before the Book (the
Holy Quran) to honor the prophet. It is worth noting that being a slave of Allah
(Glory be to Him) is the highest rank as all prophets were described as Allah’ slaves.
َ
َ ْ ‫يُأ‬ َّ َ َ
Glory be to the One Who took His servant ُ‫ش ٰى ُِب َع ْب ِد ِه‬ ‫س ْبحانُال ِذ‬
˹Muhammad
َ ََٰ َ َْ ْ َ ‫َا‬ َّ َ َ
Blessed is the One Who sent down the ُ‫َلُع ْب ِد ِه‬ ‫ت َب َاركُال ِذيُنزلُالفرقانُع‬
Standard1 to His servant,
Yet when the servant of Allah1 stood up
َّ ْ َ َّ ْ َ َ َ ‫َ َ ا َ ا‬
ُُ‫اَّلل‬
ِ ُ‫اَّللُيدعوه‬ ِ ُ‫َوأنهُل ُماُقامُعبد‬
calling upon Him lone˺, the pagans almost ًَ ََْ َ َ
‫كادواُيكونونُعلي ِه ُِلبدا‬
swarmed over him.
All praise is for Allah Who has revealed the ْ َ ََٰ َ َ َ َّ َّ ْ َ ْ
‫َُّللُال ِذيُأنزلُعَلُعب ِد ُِه‬ِ ِ ‫الحمد‬
Book to His servant,

‫ا‬ ْ ِ َ ‫اُو َج ْد َناه‬

َ ‫إ ان‬
What an excellent servant ˹he was˺! Indeed, ُ‫ُص ِاب ًراُُۚن ْع َمُال َع ْبدُ ُِۖإنه‬
he ˹constantly˺ turned ˹to Allah˺. ٌ ‫َِ ا‬
ُ ‫أو‬
‫اب‬
If messengers were described as slaves as a way to honor them, what about us,
ordinary people?
Another point is indicating that the best and the most perfect human on Earth,
whom Allah loves the most referring to Prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon Him) is
just His slave, not God or Lord. If Allah (Glory be to Him) does not allow Prophet
Mohamed (peace be upon Him) to be more than a slave, what about those who are
much inferior? Allah (Glory be to Him) addressed prophet Mohamed (Peace be
upon Him) saying:
You ˹O Prophet˺ have no say in the matter.1 It is up ُْ‫ُش ٌء َُأو‬
ْ َ ‫ُاْل ْمر‬ َْ َ َ َ َ َْ
ُ ‫ليسُلك ُِمن‬
to Allah to turn to them in mercy or punish them, ُْ‫ُع َل ْيه ْم َُأ ْوُي َِع ِذ َب يهم‬
َ َ َ
‫يتوب‬
for indeed they are wrongdoers. َ ِ َ ْ ‫َ ا‬
ُ ‫ف ِإنهمُظ ِالم‬
‫ون‬
ُ
Reminding people that prophet are just slaves helps them avoid overrating
prophets to be God or to worship them instead of Allah (Glory be to Him). This
reminder creates a balance when thinking about prophets. When people went far
in overestimating The Christ, they worshipped him as God. so Allah( Glory be to
19
Him said in the fourth verse, “and also to warn those who say: "Allah has taken to
Himself a son,” and at the end of the surah, Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I am only a man
like you, ˹but˺ it has been revealed to me that your God is only One God.
Therefore, the last verse indicates that it is true Prophet Mohamed was a
human, but not any human; he was a messenger with heavenly revelation. Thus,
he as well as other messengers should be revered as Allah (Glory be to Him) said,
ِ َّ ْ ِّ
so that you ˹believers˺ may have faith in Allah ُ‫ول ِه َُوت َعز ُروه‬ ََ
ِ ‫اَّلل ُورس‬
ِ ‫لتؤ ِ ِمنوا ُِب‬
and His Messenger, support and honor him, ُُ‫َوت َوقروه‬

That is their reward: Hell, for their disbelief and ُ‫ُج َه انم ُب َما َُك َفروا‬
َ ْ َ َ َ َ
‫م‬ ‫ه‬‫اؤ‬‫ز‬ ‫ُج‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ذل‬ُ
mockery of My signs and messengers.
ِ ً َ ّ َ َ ‫َ ِا‬
‫ابُورس ِ يَلُهزوا‬
‫واتخذواُآي ِ ي‬

Accordingly, it is essential not to overrate or underrate Allah’s messengers; we

cannot consider them God nor can we take them lightly. Allah (Glory be to him)
said,
َْ ُ َ ‫َ َ ا‬ َ ْ ُ َ ‫ا‬
Do not treat the Messenger’s summons to ُ‫ولُبينك ْم‬
ِ ‫ََّلُت َجعلَواُد ُعاء َُالر ًس‬
you ˹as lightly˺ as your summons to one ‫كدع ِاءُب ْع ِضكمُب ْعضا‬
another.
The Third point in the first verse is the clear methodology which is
straightforward, referring to the Holy Quran that has no crookedness. When people
stick to it, they will never be distracted. It is the same as the train that has a clear
way on its rails and no one can stop it until it reaches its destination or station.
The Holy Quran is the basis of Islamic rulings. Currently, some claim that Islam
is against freedom of women as it orders them to stay at home as Allah (Glory be
to Him) said addressing women:
‫ا‬ ُ
ْ ‫َوق‬ َ َ
Settle in your homes, ُ ‫وتك‬
‫ن‬ ِ ‫ي‬ ‫ُب‬‫ُف‬
‫ي‬ ِ ‫ن‬‫ر‬
In fact, the Holy Quran protects Humans’ rights by making sure that desires are
gratified lawfully. Those who believe that the Holy Quran has any crookedness or
extremism are trying to change the original methodology to hide their own
crookedness. The Holy Quran is the origin upon which all other rulings are based.
These people have no knowledge as Allah (Glory be to Him) described them as

20
 ً َ ‫َ ُ َ ا‬
‫اه ِه ْمُ ُِۚإنُيقولونُ ِإَّلُك ِذبا‬ ََْ ْ ْ َ ً َ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ ََ ْ ْ َ ‫ا‬
ِ ‫مُب ِه ُِمن ُِعل ٍمُوَّل ُِْلب ِائ ِهمُُۚك ّيتُك ِلمةُتخرج ُِمنُأفو‬
ِ ‫ه‬ ‫اُل‬ ‫م‬
They have no knowledge of this, nor did their forefathers. What a terrible claim
that comes out of their mouths! They say nothing but lies.

In another surah, Allah (Glory be to Him) said,

َّ َ
‫ق ْلُأ َرُأ ْيت ا‬ َْ َ َ
Ask ˹them, O Prophet˺, “Have you ُ‫ُاَّلل‬
ِ َ ‫ون‬ ِ ‫اُتدعون ُِم ْ َنُد‬ ‫مُم‬
ْ ‫اُخ َلقواُم َنُاْل‬َ َ َ َ
considered whatever ˹idols˺ you invoke ُ‫ضُأ ْم‬ ‫ر‬ ِ ‫اذ‬ ‫ُم‬ ‫وب‬ ‫ر‬‫أ‬
besides Allah? Show me what they have
ِْ َ َ ‫ا‬ ٌ ْ ‫َ ِْ ي‬
ُ‫وب‬ ‫اتُُۖائت‬ ِ ‫ُشكُفُالسماو‬ ِ ‫له َم‬
created on earth! Or do they have a share in ْ ‫ِ ِ ي َ ْ َ ٰ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ِِي‬
ُ‫ابُمنُقب ِلُه ذاُأوُأثار ٍةُمن‬ ‫بكت‬
˹the creation of˺ the heavens? Bring me a َ‫ي‬ َ ْ ُ ٍ ِْ ِ
scripture ˹revealed˺ before this ˹Quran˺ or a ُ ‫ِعل ٍم ُِإنُكنتمُص ِاد ِق‬
shred of knowledge, if what you say is true.”

It is significant to remember that we should not follow our desires without any ُ
rules as it is not the proper definition of freedom.

ً َ َ َ ََْ َ ‫ا‬ َ َ
˹We instructed him: ˺ “O David! We have ُ‫ُف‬
‫ي‬ ِ ‫ة‬ ‫ي َاُداوودَ ُِإناُجعلناكُخ ِليف‬
surely made you an authority in the land, so ِ َ ْ ‫ْ ُ َْ َ ا‬ ْ ‫ْاْل‬
ُ‫اس ُِبالحق‬ ‫الن‬ُ‫ي‬‫مُب‬ ‫ك‬ ‫اح‬ ‫ُف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ر‬
judge between people with truth. And do َ ِ َ َّ َ ٰ َ َ ْ ِ ‫َ َ َ ا‬
ُ‫وَّلُتت ِب ِعُالهوىُفي ِضلكُعن‬
not follow ˹your˺ desires or they will lead َّ َ
ُِ ‫يل‬
‫ُاَّلل‬ ِ ‫س ِب‬
you astray from Allah’s Way.

َ َ ُّ َ ْ ُ ُّ َّ ُ َ َ
That is Allah—your True Lord. So what is beyond ُ‫ف ٰذ ِلكمُاَّلل َُربكمُالحقُُۖف َماذا‬
َ ‫َ َ ْ َ ِ ا ا‬
the truth except falsehood? ُ‫ب ْعدُالحق ُِإَّلُالضلل‬

َ ََْ ََْ ْ َ ْ َ ْ َ
And do not obey those whose hearts We have ُ‫َوَّلُت ِطعُمنُأغفلناُقلب َهُعن‬
َ َ َ ‫ْ َ َ ا‬
made heedless of Our remembrance, who ُ‫اُوات َب َعُه َواه َُوكانُأ ْمره‬ ‫ِذك ِرن‬
follow ˹only˺ their desires and whose state is ً
‫فرطا‬
˹total˺ loss.

21
The same point is emphasized at the end as Allah (Glory be to Him) said:
those who turned a blind eye to My ُ‫ُف‬ ‫م‬ْ ‫ت َُأ ْعينه‬ ْ َ َ َ َّ
‫ال ِذينُكان‬
Reminder1 and could not stand listening ˹to it˺. َ ‫َ َ ِي‬ ْ َ َ
ُ‫نُذك ِريُوكانواَُّل‬ َِ ‫ِغط َ ٍاءُع‬
َ ‫َي ْستطيعون‬
‫ُس ْم ًعا‬ ِ

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Shall we inform you of َ َ َْْ ُ َِ ْ َ ْ

ُ‫َسين‬
ِ ‫مُباْلخ‬
ِ ‫ُهلُننبئك‬ ‫قل‬
ً َ َْ
who will lose the most deeds? ُ ‫أعم‬
‫اَّل‬

They are˺ those whose efforts are in vain in this ْ ‫ُس ْعيه‬ َ َ َّ
َ ‫ُض ال‬
ُ‫ُف‬
‫ْال ِ َذ َين ُّ ْ َ َ ْ ِ ي‬
‫م‬
worldly life, while they think they are doing ُ‫الحي ِاةُالد َنياُوهم‬
َ ْ ‫َ ا‬ ْ َ
good!” ُ‫يح َسبونُأنه ْمُيح ِسنون‬
ْ
‫صن ًعا‬
Hence, the first verse highlights the principles that help us avoid Ad-Dajjal fitnah;
they are praising Allah (Glory be to Him), the slavery of prophet Mohamed and
The straightforward road map or method referring to the Holy Quran.
The following main point is rewarding and warning.
ْ َ ْ َ ‫َا‬ َ ‫َ َّ َ َ ْ َ ُ َ ا‬ ْ ْ َ ِ َ َ ْ َّ ِ ً َ ً ْ َ َ ِّ ً ِ َ
ُ‫مُأج ًرا‬ُ ُ‫اتُأنُله‬ ‫ح‬
ِ ِ ‫ال‬ ‫ُالص‬‫ون‬ ‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ع‬‫ُي‬‫ين‬ ‫ذ‬
ِ ‫ُال‬‫ي‬‫ن‬ِ ِ ‫نذرُبأساُش ِديداُمنُلدنهُويبَسُالم‬
‫م‬ ‫ؤ‬ ِ ‫قيم ًاُلي‬
َ
‫ح َسنا‬
making it˺ perfectly upright, to warn ˹the disbelievers˺ of a severe torment from
Him; to give good news to the believers—who do good—that they will have a
fine reward,

Believers are strong as they know that even if they lose everything in this life,
Allah (Glory be to Him) will compensate them in the life after. As long as their hearts
are attached to the life after, they are not afraid of losing their money or even their
lives. Allah (Glory be to Him) described them as:
َ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ‫ا‬
We truly chose them for the honor of ُ‫مُبخ ِالص ٍة ُِذكرى‬ ِ ‫ِإن ااُأخلصناه‬
proclaiming the Hereafter. ُِ ‫الد‬
‫ار‬
ْ َ َ َ َ
َُ‫ُالم ْص َط َف ْي‬ ‫ا‬
And in Our sight they are truly among the ُ ‫َو ِإ َنهم ُِع‬
‫ندناُل ِمن‬ ْ
chosen and the finest. ْ ْ
ُِ ‫اْلخ َي‬
‫ار‬
22
 This was exactly what strengthened the man encountering Pharaoh saying
َ ْ ُّ ْ َ َ ‫ا‬ َ
My people! This worldly life is only ˹a fleeting˺ ُ‫ياُق ْو ِم ُِإن َماُه ٰ ِذ ِهُالح َياةُالدن َيا‬
َْ َ َ َ َ ْ ‫ََ ٌ َ ا‬
enjoyment, whereas the Hereafter is truly the home ُِ ‫ُُِدارُالق َر‬
‫ار‬ ‫ُاْلخرة‬ ُ ‫متاعُوإن‬
of settlement. ‫َ ْ َ ِ َ َ ِ َِ ً َ َِ ي ْ َ ٰ ا‬
ُ‫منُعملُسيئةُفلُيجزىُإَّل‬
Whoever does an evil deed will only be paid back َ َ ِ ِ ً َ َ َ ْ َ َِ ََْ
ُ‫ُص ُ ِالحاُمنُذك ٍر‬ ‫ِمثلهاُُۖومنُع ِمل‬
with its equivalent. And whoever does good, َ ٰ َ َ ٌ ْ َ َ ٰ ََ ُ ْ َ
whether male or female, and is a believer, they will ُ‫أوُأنتُوهوُمؤ ِمنُفأول ِئك‬
َ َ َْ َ‫َْ ُ َ ْ َ ا‬
enter Paradise, where they will be provided for ُ‫ا‬ ‫يه‬ ‫يدخلونُالجنةُيرزقون ُِف‬
ُ ٍ ‫ُح َس‬
ُ‫اب‬ ‫ي‬ ْ ‫ب َغ‬
without limit. ِ ِ ِ

The same applies to the magicians who opposed the pharaoh

َ َ َ َ َ ْ ُّ َ ُ َ
ٰ َ ‫ُع‬
They responded, “By the One Who created us! ُ‫َل َ َُماُج َاءنا‬ ‫قالواُلنُنؤ ِثرك‬
ََ َ َّ ََِْ َ
We will never prefer you over the clear proofs ُُۖ‫ات َُوال َ ِذيُفطرنا‬ ِ ‫ن‬ ‫ِ َم ْنُالبي‬
that have come to us. So do whatever you want! َ ‫ا‬ َ َ َ
ُ‫اضُ ُِۖإنما‬ ‫ضُماُأنتُق‬ ‫فاق‬
Your authority only covers the ˹fleeting˺ life of ُّ ٍ َ َ َ ْ
َ‫ُالد ْنيا‬ ٰ َ ِ َْ
this world.
‫ضُه ِذ ِهُالحياة‬ ‫تق ِ ي‬

Indeed, we have believed in our Lord so He َ ‫اُخ َط َاي َان‬

ُ‫اُو َما‬
َ ََ َ َْ ََِ ‫ا َا‬
‫اُليغ ِفرُلن‬
ِ ‫اُبرب َن‬ ‫إناُآمن‬
may forgive our sins and that magic you have َّ َ ْ ِ َ ْ َ ِ َ َ ْ َ ْ َِ
ُ‫أ كرهت َناُعلي ِه ُِمنُالسح ِرُُۗواَّلل‬
َْ َ
forced us to practice. And Allah is far ُ ٰ ّ ‫خ ْ ٌي َُوأب‬
‫ق‬
superior ˹in reward˺ and more lasting ˹in
punishment˺.”

Whoever comes to their Lord as an evildoer

َ ‫ْ ً َ ا‬ ‫ا َ َْ َا‬
ُ‫ِإنهُمنُيأ ِتُربهُمجرماُف ِإنُله‬
ٰ َ ْ َ ََ ِ َ َ َ ‫َ َ ا‬
will certainly have Hell, where they can ُ‫ت‬
ٰ ُ ‫جهن َمَُّلُيموت ُِفيهاُوَّلُيح‬
neither live nor die.

َ َْ ً ْ
َ ْ
But whoever comes to Him as a believer, ُ‫َو َمنُيأ ِت ِهُم َؤ ِ ُمناُقدُع ِم َل‬
‫ا‬
having done good, they will have the highest ُ‫ُالد َر َجات‬ َ َ َ َ ‫ا‬
‫اتُفأول ٰ ِئكُلهم‬ ِ ‫الص ِالح‬
ranks: the Gardens s of Eternity, under ْ َ ْ َ ‫ْ َٰ َ ا‬
ُ‫يُمن‬ ِ ‫َل ج َناتُعد ٍنُتج ِر‬ ُ ‫الع‬
which rivers flow, where they will stay َ َٰ َ َ َ َ َْ ْ َ ْ َ
ُ‫تح ِتهاُاْلنهارُخ ِال ِدين ُِفيهاُُۚوذ ِلك‬
forever. That is the reward of those who َ َ َ َ
ٰ َّ ‫نُت َز‬
purify themselves. ُ
‫ّك‬ ‫جزاءُم‬
23
They were literally cut into pieces, yet they did not budge or negotiate for their
principles as they knew that no matter the punishment of Pharaoh would be , it
could never be more severe than that of the Allah ( Glory be to Him).
On that Day He will punish ˹them˺ severely, like
ٌ َ َ َ ََ ِ َ ‫ََْ َ ا‬
ُ‫بُعذابهُأحد‬ ‫ذ‬ ‫فيومئذَُّلُيع‬
no other, and bind ˹them˺ tightly, like no ٌ َ َ َ ََ ٍِ ََ
ُ ‫وثقُوثاقهُأح‬
‫د‬ ِ ‫وَّلُي‬
other.1

َ ‫نُيقول‬ َّ َ َ ‫ا‬ َ َ ‫ا‬

There are some who say, “We believe in Allah,” ُ‫اَّلل‬
ِ َ ‫اُب‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ُآم‬
ِ َ ْ َ َ َ َّ ‫ُم‬ ‫اس‬ِ َ ُ َ ‫َو ِم‬
‫ُالن‬ ‫ن‬
but when they suffer in the cause of Allah, they ُ‫ُاَّللُجعل ُِفتنة‬ ِ ‫ُف‬
َ َ َ َّ ‫ي‬ ِ َ ‫وذي‬َ ِ ‫ف ِإ اذاُأ‬
mistake ˹this˺ persecution at the hands of people ُ‫ُاَّللُول ِيُج َاء‬ َ
ِ ‫الناسُكعذاب‬
for the punishment of Allah. But when victory ‫َ ْ ٌ ِ ِ ا ِ َِ َ َ ُ ا ا ُ ا‬
ُ‫نْصُم َنُربكُليقول َن ُِإناُكنُا‬
comes from your Lord, they surely say ˹to the َّ َ ْ َ َ ْ ُ َ َ
َ ‫ُاَّللُبأ ْع َل َمُب‬
believers˺, “We have always been with you.” Does ُ ‫اُف‬
‫ِ ِي‬ ‫م‬ ِ َ ‫معكمُُۚأ ْو َلي َس‬
Allah not know best what is in the hearts of all ُ ‫ورُالعال ِم‬
‫ي‬ ِ ‫صد‬
beings?
People’s torture can never be as painful as that of Allah (Glory be to Him).
Khubayb ibn ʿAdiyy was executed for his beliefs. Before execution he said, “ I
do not care on what side I will be executed as long as I am dying as a Muslim.”
understanding the reality of this life and the life after enables people to get over
all kinds of fitnah whether of women , money , power or authority. This point is
mentioned at the beginning as well as the end of the surah.
‫ا‬ ْ َ َ ْ َ ُّ ُ
Every soul will taste death. And you will only ُ‫سُذ ِائقةُال َم ْو ِتُ َُۗو ِإن َما‬ ٍ ُ ‫ف‬ ‫لُن‬ُ‫ك ا‬
َ ْ َ َ ُ َ َ
receive your full reward on the Day of ُُۖ‫َت َوفونُأجوركمُيومُال ِ ُق َيام ِة‬
ْ ْ ْ
ْ ‫ا‬ َ َ ْ
Judgment. Whoever is spared from the Fire ُ‫نُز َح ِزح َُع ِنُالن ِار َُوأد ِخ َل‬ ‫م‬َ‫ف‬
and is admitted into Paradise will ˹indeed˺ َ ْ َ َ‫ْ َ ا‬
ُُۗ‫الجنةُفقدُفاز‬
triumph,

those who turned a blind eye to My ُ‫ُف‬ ْ ‫ت َُأ ْعينه‬

‫م‬
ْ َ َ َ َّ
‫ال ِذينُكان‬
ِ
َ ‫ََ ي‬ ْ َ َ
Reminder1 and could not stand listening ˹to it˺. ُ‫نُذك ِريُوكانواَُّل‬ َِ ‫ِغط َ ٍاءُع‬
َ ‫َي ْستطيعون‬
‫ُس ْم ًعا‬ ِ

24
 Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Shall we inform you of َ َ َْْ ُ َِ ْ َ ْ
ُ‫َسين‬
ِ ‫مُباْلخ‬
ِ ‫ُهلُننبئك‬ ‫قل‬
ً َ َْ
who will lose the most deeds? ُ ‫أعم‬
‫اَّل‬

They are˺ those whose efforts are in vain in this َ ‫ُض ال‬
ْ ‫ُس ْعيه‬ َ َ َّ
ُ‫ُف‬
‫ْال ِ َذ َين ُّ ْ َ َ ْ ِ ي‬
‫م‬
worldly life, while they think they are doing ُ‫الحي ِاةُالد َن اياُوهم‬
َ ْ َ ْ َ
good!” ُ‫يح َسبونُأنه ْمُيح ِسنون‬
ْ
‫صن ًعا‬

ً َ َ َ ْ َ َ ْ ْ َّ َ َ َ َ َ ْ ‫َ َ َّ َ َ ٌ ا‬
ْ ‫ُآثاره‬
‫يثُأسفا‬ِ ‫واُبه ٰ ذاُالح ِد‬
ِ ‫ن‬ ‫م‬ِ ‫ؤ‬ ‫ُي‬‫م‬ ‫نُل‬‫ُإ‬
ِ ِ ‫َل‬
‫م‬ ِ ٰ ‫اخعُنفسكُع‬
ِ ‫فلعلكُب‬
Now, perhaps you ˹O Prophet˺ will grieve yourself to death over their denial, if
they ˹continue to˺ disbelieve in this message.

Another way to protect you from fitnah is being a preacher yourself calling for
the cause of Allah ( Glory be to Him) as much as you can; this way can protect you
from regression as according to some the best way of attack is defense. If you do
not have a call to spread, you yourself will be affected by others’ beliefs. You are
either calling others or called by them. Either you change them, or they change you.
In this verse, Allah (Glory be to Him) is telling prophet Mohamed ( Peace be
upon him) that he is gentle and merciful in his call not to prove himself, but to
protect people from Hell to the degree that he grieved himself to death for their
denial.
In a nutshell, our cave is not dark, scary. It is full of light and safety. It doesn’t
induce laziness; it urges people to be active as Musa , Al-khdir and Zul Qarnain, so
Muslim are supposed to read it on Friday that has a surah named after it in which
Allah ( Glory be him ) said :

َْ َ َ َ ‫ا‬ َ َ َ
Once the prayer is over, disperse ُ‫ض‬ُ ِ ‫واُفُاْل ْر‬ ‫َس‬ ‫نت‬ ‫ا‬
‫َّ َ ْ ِ ُ ِ ي‬‫ُف‬‫ة‬ ‫ل‬‫ُالص‬ َ ‫ت‬
ِ ِ َ ‫ف ِإ‬
‫ي‬ ‫ض‬‫اُق‬‫ذ‬
َ َ َّ ْ ْ
throughout the land and seek the ُ‫ُاَّللُواذكرواُاَّللُك ِث ًيا‬ ِ ‫واُمنُفض ِل‬ ِ ‫َوابتغ‬
َ ْ ُ َّ َّ
bounty of Allah. And remember ُ ‫ل َعلك ْمُتف ِلح‬
‫ون‬
Allah often so you may be
successful.

25
 This surah is full of movements and actions to help people realize that laziness
is harmful the same as stagnant water. In our next lesson, we will speak about the
first story in detail.
Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bihamdika, 'ash-hadu 'an laa 'ilaaha 'illaa 'Anta,
'astaghfiruka wa 'atoobu 'ilayka
Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise is to You. I bear witness that there is none
worthy of worship but You. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You.

26