Al-Maghrib Journey: Tafseer Surat Al-Kahf (Part 2)

The previous al-maghrib seminar that I went to at Memphis was indeed a memorable one. Shaykh AbdulBary Yahya was the instructor. He was a very good teacher, he knows how to engage the audience in the lecture. The Memphis muslim community was mashaAllah, one of the best communities I have met. As travelers, we were welcomed so warmly. They provided everything for us, including food and accommodation. The seminar was filled with in-class and outdoor activities that spiced up the class and of course, strengthen our relationship. Although we have only met for a few days, our goodbyes on Sunday night was a moment I will always remember. It was hard for me, knowing that I may not be able to meet with any of them anymore after graduating. This may be the last al-maghrib seminar that I attended.

Shaykh Abdul Bary Yahya began the class with warnings and reminders about the signs of yaumul qiyamah. The first night, we touched based on Ad-dajjal (the great Impostor or the false Messiah). Shaykh said that the Companions of Rasulullah (peace and blessings be with him), when they heard the story about ad-Dajjal, they were so scared, they felt as though the Dajjal will come out from behind the trees. They were so fearful of that, and it shows in their faces.

And now, we see thousands and thousands of signs of the day of judgement. Yet, we do not reflect upon the signs.

Even I did not really feel scared and alarmed of the Dajjal upon learning about him in school, until I heard the real story about him. I actually heard the detailed version of the story about ad-Dajjal from Sheikh Waleed Basyouni during one of the al-maghrib seminars that I went to. A'uzubillah, the story is really really scary. The dajjal is far scarier than anything I can ever imagine of. Of course, my greatest fear is towards Allah. This is a different type of fear. I fear the Dajjal so much because he is so powerful and definitely will deviate people and lead them to the hell fire.

Imagine, even the Prophet (peace and blessings be with him) said to his companions that when they see the Dajjal, run as far away as they can. Run to the mountains, hide from him, and do not encounter him because even the people of a great Iman, when they face the Dajjal, the dajjal will flip their faith so quickly and so easily.

The Prophet Peace and blessings be upon him said,
"Those who hear about the Dajjal should stay far from him. By Allah! A person will approach him thinking him to be a believer, but on seeing his amazing feats he will become his follower."
(Imran-b-Hussain / Abu Daud)

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be with him) teach us a du'a that is recommended for us to read in the salah, before making salaam. The dua is as follows

"Oh Allah, I seek refuge in you from the punishment of the grave and I seek refuge in you from the trials of Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal (The False Messiah), and I seek refuge in you from trials of life and death"

The three great trials that we need to ask Allah's protection to save us from them. The emphasis towards this dua is so great, that Ibn Hazm says that if you don't recite this dua before ending your prayer, that prayer is not valid.
Disclaimer: this is an opinion of several scholars; it does not reflect the vast majority of scholars.

Indeed, the trials of ad-Dajjal is really great.

The Messenger of Allah Peace and blessings be upon him said,
"Between the creation of Prophet Adam Peace be upon him and the coming of the last hour, there will arise no matter more serious than the Dajjal."
(Imran-b-Hussain/ Muslim)

The prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said
" No prophet was sent but that he warned his followers against the one-eyed liar (ad-dajjal). Beware! He is blind in one eye, and your Lord is not so, and there will be written between his eyes the word Ka, Fa, Ra (kafir - disbeliever)
(This Hadith is also quoted by Abu Huraira and Ibn 'Abbas)

It may seem like the appearance of ad-dajjal is so obvious. So why then can't people recognize him upon his arrival? Among the signs of the day of judgment, the news about dajjal is not spread amongst the men. They will not know or heard of the ahadith that talks about the coming of dajjal. Ignorance is so widespread, and that's when dajjal will appear. Question for you, fellow reader: when was the last time someone warns you about ad dajjal?

When the dajjal come, he will tell the clouds to stop raining, and ground to stop flourishing. You will starve, and your food is subhanallah, alhamdulillah, laailaahaillallah, allahuakbar. The prophet (peace and blessings be with him) says that when dajjal come, everyone will be affected, and there will be two groups:
1. those whose hearts are clean and pure, No fitn will affect them
2. those whose hears are blacken just like the bottom of a cattle

Allah sends this tribulation to distinguish hypocrites than the true Muslims.

There is fear, but there is also hope. The main theme of surat al-kahf is protection from trials and tribulation. Throughout the surah, the common denominator is tauhid. Tauhid is what will save you from tribulations.

Abu al-Darda related that prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be with him) said:
"whoever commits (memorizes) ten verses (and in other narration: the first 3 verses) from the beginning of surat al-kahf will be protected from the dajjal"
[Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i and others]

Imam Shafi'i (Allah have mercy on him) said in his Umm,
"It has reached us that whoever recites surat al-kahf on Fridays will be protected from the Dajjal"
[Shafi'i, al-Umm]

Abu Sa'id al Khudri reports that the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"whoever recites surat al-kahf on Friday will have illumination from the light from one Friday to the next"
[Sahih Muslim]

So, we know now that Surat al-kahf is very special, and we should start to follow the prophet's sunnah which is to read and/or memorize surat al-kahf. We need to increase our knowledge about these things so that we understand and be among the people of Taqwa. Today, I warn myself and others about the danger of the great impostor, the Dajjal. May Allah protect us from the trials of the last days.

"Oh Turner of the hearts, make our hearts firm in Your religion"

Alia Farhana