Thread by @TheOblongata

Amidst the pain & heartache of 🇳🇬, dont forget to recite Surah #Kahf today. Infact it is a great one to contemplate on in these circumstances, considering its recurrent message of the symbiotic relationship btw effort & faith.

Infact here are my personal reflections..THREAD

1. Alhamdulillah, we r blessed with the Living, Immutable Book of Wisdom, replete with inexhaustible treasures & discreet enigmas quietly tucked away like pearls adorning the soft beds of an unpolluted ocean. For me, Surah #Kahf ranks close to Ikhlas, the sura dearest to my heart

2. There‘s much to learn in Kahf, a surah so esoteric, symbolic & mystical in multiple dimensions. Besides protection from Dajjal, other hadiths tells us that Kahf is like a LIGHT (guidance) that illuminates from Jum’ah to Jum’ah. Kahf calls for deep comprehension & reflection.

3. Revealed at the height of persecution in Makkah a short while before the hijra, there is a detailed Hadith from Ibn Abbas about the background of the Surah. Briefly, the Quraysh sought help from rabbis, seeking questions that would help ascertain the prophethood of SAW.

4. The Quraysh were told to enquire about the Youth (known as the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in the Christian tradition), Dhul Qarnain & the “soul”, with the reasoning that if SAW were a Prophet, he would know about the first two but defer knowledge of the soul/spirit to God.

5. The Prophet was asked these questions. He told the group to return the next day for an answer hoping for a revelation by then. SAW didn’t say Insha Allah, thus Allah delayed revelation for 15 days to the point where the Prophet got anxious & doubt crept into some minds (v5-9)

6. You will notice that after the Story of the Youths is narrated in v9-23, the next 2 verses remind the Prophet that he is but human, to say Insha Allah whenever he gives his word emphasizing the superseding Will of God at all times.

7. Indeed, the manner in which this reminder occurs i.e. revelation first (to put SAW’s mind at ease) followed by caution, and then followed by more revelation is an insightful strategy for providing constructive criticism which we could learn from.

8. Surah Kahf contains 4 stories that symbolize key trials of life (trial of faith in the Story of the Youths, of ephemeral wealth/poverty in the parable of the Two “Brothers”/Vineyard, of knowledge in the Story of Musa & Khidr, & trial of power in the story of Dhul Qarnain).

9. In its 3 lengthier narratives (the Youth, Musa & Dhul Qarnain), we find a common theme of a journey, of an effort to leave the familiar and comfortable even if transiently, as if conveying to us that this is perhaps necessary to achieve an exalted level of spiritual knowledge.

10. Recall that the liberating message of the Qur’an was itself first revealed in a cave (on Mount Hira), where the Prophet used to retreat to meditate, away from the comfort of home in nearby bustling Mecca.

Here is a picture of the cave..

11. EVERYTHNG in the Qur’an has significance, often multidimensional. Whereas the title of surah Kahf is commonly ascribed to the Story of the Youths/Companions of the Cave, it is easy to realize that there is more to it than that. The name of the Surah is itself symbolic.Think..

12. Just as a cave denotes a relatively small opening, a concealed space or a shelter as it was for SAW & AbuBakr(RA) during the Hijra, a cave also represents an edge btw the outward & the inward, a symbolic point of contact btw the suprahuman (eg Qur’an/Jibril) & human (eg SAW).

13. This concept of an edge, a meeting point between the outward & inward, where two realms meet & mingle yet somehow remain distinct is symbolized amply in the teachings of Kahf.

14. The story of the Youths represents a literal & figurative meeting pt of life & death, that of Musa, of two “seas” (vast exoteric vs. esoteric knowledge) & that of Dhul Qarnain, two edges, “the east & the west”, within which there r 2 “barriers” (human will vs. Providence)

15. I find it poignant that Surah Kahf begins with candid gratitude to the Lord for revealing his inerrant Book to His “servant”. Do you realize that of the 5 surahs in the Qur’an that begin with “Alhamdulillah”, Surah #Kahf’s Alhamdullillah is unique in being the only one..

16. ..that does not allude to the heavens or other natural phenomena? As an Alhamdulillah conveyed from servant to Master with nothing in between, the opening Alhamdulillah in #Kahf is symbolically very personal…just as its message is to you.. and I.. and all...

17. Now that the intro is “done”, I’ll first share my personal thoughts on the Musa/Khidr (AS) story before I share on the other #Kahf narratives. I guess my little disclaimer is that I do have quite a soft spot for Prophet Musa (AS).

18. This story of Musa & Khidr (AS), which depicts a tantalizing meeting of two “seas” representing exoteric & esoteric knowledge is perhaps the best involving Musa in the Qur’an. We learn so much in 23 ayats! Recall that in Q3:7-8, we learn that the Qur’an (by extension..

19. ..the guidance it embodies, has multiple layers of meaning; some clear, & some not. In my view, there is no better demonstration of this concept than the multi-layered Musa/Khidr(AS) story which recounts a captivating encounter between two “servant-sages”, who meet..

20. ..at the junction of their mastered realms & converse in a “sign language” that is at once clear & unclear. We watch as an unnamed man guides a distinguished Prophet from the outer/Seen to the inner/Unseen realms..

21... providing a sneak peek into a plane of knowledge that transcends the scriptural or experiential.

🤔..

The nectar is often concealed.

22. Beyond rote, weekly recitation, this narrative demands that we fire up our tepid intelligence & discern its message. To limit the Musa/Khidr (AS) story to the literal Word is to severely dilute its message. To ignore its context, is to subdue its brilliance..2 contexts really

23. (1) that which provoked the meeting btw Musa & Khidr & (2) that which triggered the revelation of the story to SAW. Lest I get carried away, the point shouldn’t not be lost that the Musa/Khidr story was not among those the Quraysh asked, prompting the revelation of Surah Kahf

24. Considering that the order of the Quran (Surahs and verses) was divinely arranged, that too for a reason, here is food for thought: why was the Musa/Khidr (AS) story not only revealed but sandwiched BETWEEN the requested narratives of the Companions and Dhul Qarnain?

25. Alas, as with the rest of the Qur’an, this enigmatic surah keeps insisting, even demanding, that we focus not on detail but on the moral lessons conveyed. There seems to be a whisper: “This is the Qur’an. Whatever is in it matters “more”, whatever isn’t in it, doesn’t.”

26. In any case, we may never understand everything in #Kahf. Whereas several questions are answered, several aren’t. Who are we, anyway, to insist on more than we are given? Aren’t we the puny creatures who’d turn blind simply by gazing at the dazzling rays of a created sun?

27. The Musa/Khidr (AS) narrative is unique; without a correlate in the Bible. We learn the background of the encounter in a sound Hadith from Ubayy bin Ka’ab (RA). To summarize: after giving a sermon, Musa (AS) was asked whether there was anyone more knowledgeable than him.

28. He replied that he was most knowledgeable. So, Allah tells him to seek knowledge from an unnamed man (popularly known as Khidr: meaning “ever-green” a name that is itself symbolic of pure, fresh, ever nourishing knowledge). Musa humbly embarks on a journey to seek knowledge

29. The earnest seeker he is, Musa (AS) says he will not stop until he achieves his goal. Notice Musa’s learning etiquette. Is it not an important lesson for us, muslims who should be life-long learners? Musa is given a sign: he will meet this “servant of God” at the junction..

30. ..of 2 unnamed seas. It’s important to pay attention to what is said & what isn’t said in the Qur’an. Musa (AS) wasn’t told to go unto sea (even though that will be in the eventual journey) but to meet at the junction. He is also given another sign. A miracle involving fish.

31. Allah could have given Musa the name and exact location to find Khidr but didn’t. We realize here the message that the journey matters, that experience is itself a source of knowledge, and that true knowledge requires focused effort, humility, and dedication.

32. Notice that the sage remains unnamed as if suggesting that knowledge may gifted to us by serendipity or from unexpected sources. Notice too, the use of an animal as a sign. Animals ARE a sign; they are divine ayat, if only we think about it.

33. Musa (AS) sets off with faith in Allah’s guidance, for he neither knows the exact junction of the two seas nor the name of the man he seeks. He sets forth with a young guide who is tasked with carrying a fish.

34. At some point at a sea edge, the guide sees the fish literally maneuver into the sea! Somehow, the guide FORGETS to tell Musa of this incredible miracle. As in FORGET. Amazing! I wonder how many miracles – how many signs of God- you & I have witnessed today..but “forgotten”.

35. So, Musa continues. Notice that it is only after Musa (AS) ventures past the designated junction, that he begins to feel fatigued. This has symbolic consistency with the Qur’anic message that Allah does not burden a soul more than it can bear (Q2:286). When we feel fatigue..

36. or arduousness in matters of faith, could it be a sign that we have missed the “point”? It is only after Musa feels TIRED & HUNGRY (symbolism, yep) that the guide tells him about the fish. Realizing the significance of the revived fish, Musa immediately understands that...

37...they had indeed missed the point. They knew they were seeking a junction, but somehow, despite a miracle, they went past without recognizing their destination. They head back & they find Khidr right there at the promised junction.

38. Before delving into the curious encounter between Khidr & Musa, I think some of the lessons here are that we need to be humble in seeking knowledge, to have full faith in Allah, in the Qur’an & the wisdom it contains, but also be aware that the ways of the Lord are infinite..

39. ..& sometimes mysterious. Here is a Prophet seeking knowledge from an unknown. The story pts to the importance of seeking from the learned, also that knowledge may be discovered “randomly” or that the most learned may not be readily known: there‘s value in keepn an open mind.

40. Think of it. Khidr was at the junction but was so understated and appeared so “ordinary” to Prophet Musa (AS), that Musa didn’t “see” him despite having a guide and a sign. What more emphasis do we need to understand that, above all else, Allah is the Ultimate Guide?

41. It is good that we are creatures capable of “knowing”; after all, the primordial Adam was taught the “names of all things” (Q2:31) signifiying our learning potential. It is good too that our moments r irreplaceable, such that we may never know/comprehend everything at once.

42. In their riveting journey in which Khidr intentionally wreaks a boat belonging to the poor, murders a guy without provocation, but then fixes a tumbling wall despite being denied hospitality, we learn ALOT. Musa (AS) was clearly startled by Khidr’s actions which go against..

43. ..his understanding of a Law revealed to him that enjoins “Thou shall not murder”. He is jarred enough by Khidr’s actions that he could not endure being a quiet observer. Amazing isn’t it, that knowledge is so vast that even the prophets do not comprehend everything.

44. Metaphorically, Musa exemplifies us: you and I. He acts as humans do: he fatigues, he questions, he forgets his word, he has an innate sense of right and wrong, he is barely able to be a patient observer, and he quickly passes judgment based on his values. On the other hand..

45. ..Khidr appears human but doesn’t act like one. He is a figurative representation of Divine Wisdom, which is granted to those favored, which reaches us in fleeting moments, which operates according to Divine Will, which is not fathomable & quite frankly, isn’t meant to be.

46. The underlying Mercy of Allah in all things is one of the most sublime messages of the Musa/Khidr story; it emphasizes that those who have faith will always have God’s Mercy. God is Omniscient, Omnipotent & Merciful to all. Think about the “silent other” in the narrative..

47. ..i.e. the evil king, the parents of the child & the inhospitable townsfolk. Is it not a mercy on the evil king that Allah prevented him from cruelly seizing one more boat, that too of an indigent, helpless people? Imagine the pain of the parents who must have been crushed..

48. ..to learn that their child had been murdered. Would they have believed anyone who told them that their child would have led them astray? Is it not a mercy of God that the child was taken away before he could influence them off the right path?

49. Their ignorance on why he was killed is also Merciful bliss, especially as their pain of losing a child will be soothed by having another. As for the stingy townsfolk who mistreated their guests, is it not the Mercy of Allah, that they were saved from the evil of plundering..

50. ..the wealth of orphans had Khidr allowed the wall to fall? Back to the context of revelation, the early muslims must have derived much solace being assured the ever-present Mercy of God considering that this stirring story was revealed at the height of persecution in Makkah.

51. I also think that the Musa/Khidr narrative subtly addresses the enigma of evil, particularly evil that happens to good people, an issue that has always gnawed at human conscience. The different bits in the narrative teach us that human perception or what we call “reality”..

52. ..could be incongruent, potentially often, with the true nature of things; in other words, our perception/reality which we consider “real” could be just an illusion. The lesson we learn here is that not only does the Mercy of God prevail even when it doesn’t appear so..

53. ..but also that evil is largely a human construct, a marker of the limitations of human intelligence to understand and of human language to explain everything that happens to us. Enough for the day!

54. Note that in the Musa/Khidr story, we encounter the meeting of two seas.. from which we learn so much. But even that is just a drop of an inexhaustible sea of knowledge/wisdom. As if to make this point, later in this enigmatic Surah, we have this incredibly profound verse:..

55. “If all the seas were ink for my Sustainer’s words, the sea would indeed be exhausted before my Sustainer’s words are exhausted! And [thus it would be] if we were to add to it sea upon sea. (Q18:109).

#Kahf