Page 108 - Signs of the End Times in Surat Al-Kahf
P. 108
SIGNS OF THE END TIMES IN SURAT AL-KAHF
Our Lord can do anything at anytime and has power over everything, as
stated in: "… Do those who believe not know that if Allah had wanted to
He could have guided all mankind?..." (Surat ar-Ra`d, 31). The Muslims’
effort to spread Allah’s religion is for their own good. Therefore, those who
do right actions benefit only themselves and earn their reward in the
Hereafter. According to the Qur’an: "Whoever strives only strives for him-
self. Allah is Rich Beyond Need of any being" (Surat al-`Ankabut, 6).
Another aspect of right actions is their continuity. Some people find it
easy enough to do a couple of good deeds a day, to give some charity, or to
be selfless in some respect. They could be doing such things habitually or
because they do not damage their interests. But what is really important is
to do right actions throughout their lives, make an effort to win Allah’s
good pleasure, act selflessly, and work incessantly to spread His religion.
They must continue to do so without ever giving up, even if no one else in
their environment is obeying His commands. Thus, they will have proven
their determination and the strength of their faith in Allah. As Allah pro-
claims:
Allah augments those who are guided by giving them greater guid-
ance. In your Lord’s sight, right actions that are lasting are better
both in reward and the end-result. (Surah Maryam, 76)
The salvation awaiting believers who believe and do right actions
throughout their lives is Allah’s good pleasure and Paradise. Allah reveals
this good news in the following verse:
As for those who believe and do right actions—We impose on no
self any more than it can bear—they are the Companions of the
Garden, remaining in it timelessly, forever. We will strip away any
rancor in their hearts. Rivers will flow under them, and they will
say: "Praise be to Allah, Who has guided us to this! We would not
have been guided had Allah not guided us. The Messengers of our
Lord came with the Truth." It will be proclaimed to them: "This is
your Garden, which you have inherited for what you did." (Surat
al-A`raf, 42-43)
106