In Surah Al-Kahf we see the chain of events. However, even though there are stories of famous prophets like Musa (peace be upon him) and famous people like Khidr (peace be upon him) in this surah, the surah starts with the fact that some young men remained steadfast in their religion.
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In ancient times, when everyone in a region deviated from the path of Tawheed, when they began to call on various deities other than Allah, some young people were able to preserve their faith and deeds. When the whole town was entangled in a web of delusion, they were still able to hold on to the monopoly, without merging into the current.
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However, it was not at all easy for the youth. They knew that a great danger was waiting for them. Their belief is that if their conversion to the right religion becomes known, if it reaches the ears of the hartakars of the town, then their lives will be in doubt. They will be wiped out forever.
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Falling into such an incomprehensible dilemma of defending life and faith, the youth group gathered in a cave. There they prayed to God in pairs. With all the longings of the heart, with all the supplications, they said to Allah,
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'Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Your unfailing mercy, and complete our task properly '- Surah Al-Kahf, verse 10
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There is no one but Allah who can save them from the great danger they face. Because of their conviction, they were able to raise their hands at the right time and in the right place.
In the worst of times, when nothing is visible except darkness all around, when the breath of the enemy is absolutely on the neck, when adherence to the religion becomes a matter of life and death ও even in such a state of faith in one God, Being able to rely on Allah alone without 'compromising' undoubtedly carries the identity of a very high level of tawakkul. Allah (swt) accepted their prayers as they were able to reach such a level of tawakkul. He had mercy on them and protected their faith.
He put them to sleep for a long time. When they woke up, they were surprised to learn that the oppressive people who had once entered the cave and sought refuge with God to escape from it, had long ago passed away! There is no sign of them left in the world! Not having deviated from the faith, the way they once feared for their lives has vanished into a nightmare.
Why should the incident of this youth group come in Surah Al-Kahf, at the very beginning? Why did the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) insist on reciting Surah al-Kahf every Friday?
Because, youth group is still very relevant in our life.
We still face many problems while practicing religion. There is so much crookedness, so much hatred, so many mistakes and delusions around us that sometimes we really get breathless. I think - I have to give up this understanding! I could not understand this!
The boy played militant tags on campus to grow a beard. He was called a fundamentalist! Classmates do not want to mix with him out of fear and hatred.
The girl who covered herself with a veil and hijab, she was made very najehal on the vaiba board of the department! Various badges were affixed on his back and legs.
An honest officer who did not cooperate with a corrupt official in exchange for a bribe was lobbied upstairs and fired overnight, or transferred elsewhere.
The mother who has admitted her child to the memorial room instead of giving her English medium, the girl who is teaching the Qur'an instead of playing the harmonium and teaching music in the morning, is a very stupid woman to her mother-in-law, her sister-in-law or neighbors! He is a kind of unwanted social event!
So much went on outside satkahana. Do we face less constraints from within ourselves?
Is the constant struggle against our own nafs, our repeated intrusion into the world of sin, any less than an external barrier?
Of course not. The way we are repeatedly defeated by our own nafs, the way Satan plays our chess pieces every day, the inner barrier is more terrible, more insurmountable for us than the outer barrier. The outer barrier can be patiently ignored, but the restraint needed to stop the inner barrier — where have we achieved it?
Different obstacles, different challenges come in front of us. Sometimes we get very frustrated with all this. I give up or keep on beating.
But, if we can find a cave like the young men of the cave in the Companions, in which we will beg and seek help only from Allah, in which we will tell Allah with tears in our eyes,
'Lord! Today I have neglected them while practicing religion. They avoid me. You are our best friend. Better a poor horse than no horse at all.
'O my Lord! In order to satisfy you, I have covered myself with hijab. Who else but me will bring the grief of their slander to you? '
'Lord! I have kept myself away from haram like bribe in love with you. Today they put me in trouble. But, the best exchange is definitely for you. You are my best exchanger '.
Thinking, in order to remain steadfast in the religion, if you want to ask Allah in this way, you will go to a cave and take a place, right?
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I'm looking for In the corner of your room, in the secluded place, in the middle of the night, pray there, then stand before Allah. Openly tell me all the desires of your mind, all the sorrows that are eating away at you. Share all your unfulfilled, all upset stories with him. You see, like those young men of the Companions of Kahaf, he will find a way for you so that you can overcome your problem with patient.