Islamic Pearls

Muhsin Khan: And you would have thought them awake, while they were asleep. And We turned them on their right and on their left sides, and their dog stretching forth his two forelegs at the entrance [of the Cave or in the space near to the entrance of the Cave (as a guard at the gate)]. Had you looked at them, you would certainly have turned back from them in flight, and would certainly have been filled with awe of them. [Surah Al Kahf : 18:18]

It was revealed when the early Muslims were in the throes of persecution by the Quraish. Why?

To convey the message that things may not make sense at the moment, but years later, things can turn around significantly. The young men went to the cave to escape the disbelievers during their time, and to seek safety. Allah in His infinite power made them sleep for more than normal, so they would wake up to a different time. Lo and behold, everybody was Muslim.

That was the message conveyed to the Muslims who were suffering from horrible persecution at the hands of friends and families in their own home town, in their own homes even.

Take home lesson for us:

In our life, there may be things that may happen to us, especially tests that Allah has bestowed on us, that seemed gripping and restricting in the sense that we see no way out of it. Hardships may afflict us such that we think,

“This is so hard! I can’t do this anymore.”

Living a life of a mother, I certainly have many moments like that.

“Will this kid grow up to be a slob?”

“Oh no! She doesn’t want to sit and do her surah. What am I going to do?!”

“This tot naps whenever he wants. It’s driving me crazy!”

“The stove has something on it, the baby’s crying, the bigger kids are fighting, hubby’s asking for something, I only have two hands!”

Children grow up. Action-packed moments reach their climax and then taper off. It may not make much sense now, but things may change favorably in years to come. Hopefully, in the case of parents with children, the change is for the better.

In a matter of 10 years from when Surah al Kahf was revealed, the inhabitants of Makkah embraced Islam. Such a contrast from the situation 10 years and more before, subhanallah. Ikrimah Ibn Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyan Ibn Harb, Hind Bint Utbah, Khalid Ibn Walid, and many more, flipped over and became one with the Muslims. Allahu Akbar!

Whatever hardships you’re facing today, may not make much sense now, but do rest assured that Allah has decreed everything with Infinite Wisdom, and years later, with His will, things may turn out rather differently in a positive way. Let us take solace in this.

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