Page 12 - Signs of the End Times in Surat Al-Kahf

Introduction

he Qur'an contains all the commands and information neces-
sary for the believer's life. It is Allah's book of revelation, valid
T T until the Day of Judgment. One of its greatest miracles is it has
retained its relevance to all people, regardless of when they live, since
Allah first revealed it as a guide to wisdom and the righteous path.
Its narratives concerning past nations provide guidance to people in
so many ways. The lives of the Prophets, their calls to their nations, and
their actual practices are examples for the believers to follow.
Furthermore, the Qur'an contains signs for the future and some myster-
ies upon which the believers must reflect. Such is the case with Surat al-
Kahf, one of its suras.
Prophet Muhammad (saas) and many Muslim scholars have
pointed out Surat al-Kahf for this reason. The Qur'an's account of the
Companions of the Cave (Ashab al-Kahf) and Ar-Raqim, Prophet
Musa's (as) experiences with Khidhr (as) (the person of knowledge),
and the account of Dhu'l-Qarnayn (as) contain many secrets and ex-
pressions hinting at the End Times.
Many prophetic hadiths connect Surat al-Kahf with the End Times.
Some of them are as follows:
Related by an-Nawwas ibn Sam'an: He who among you will survive to
see him (the Dajjal) should recite over him the opening verses of Surah
al-Kahf. (Sahih Muslim)
Related by Abu Umamah al-Bahili: Whoever enters his (the Dajjal's)
Hell, let him seek refuge with Allah and recite the opening verse of Surat
al-Kahf, and it will become cool and peaceful for him, as the fire became
cool and peaceful for Abraham. (Ibn Kathir)

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