تدبر سورة الكهف 4

There were two scenarios in the boys minds:

-> Either they would refuse to obey the disbelievers and be stoned to death 

-> Or they would succumb to the فتنة and leave their religion

When a فتنة appears you have two choices: Either you fall into it, let it affect you, and react to it or you jump over it. Our belief is like a protective armour, a shield from the فتنة. 

Our religion should be our number one priority. Don't give it up for the paltry trials you face. They would have had to deal with actual torture, we just go through mockery nowadays.

If you let the trial change your belief and religion, you'll lose both this world and the next. 

"و كذالك أعثرنا عليهم" 

The boys were discovered in the end, after the فتنة had passed, but not in a way they could have ever imagined. 309 years had gone, and the people of their area were now believers. Instead of being tortured, they were honoured. 

This shows us the عزة of Allah. He could have let them remain hidden, but He chose to give them something better. 

If you are afraid of anything affecting your religion, Allah will make you a sign, and honour you. He will reward you and make others benefit from you.

Anyone who reads the Qur'an admires these youth, although they have passed away ages ago. When you do something for Allah, and don't compromise your Deen, Allah will give you far more than you can imagine. 

But the story doesn't end here. There are lessons to be learnt from this incident: 

"ليعلموا" 

1) "أن وعد الله حق"

The promise of Allah is the truth; He always fulfills His promises. Allah never disappoints or lets down those who seek His help. 

2) "و أن الساعة لا ريب فيها"

This story proves that there is no doubt about the power and ability of Allah. Just as He made them sleep for hundreds of years and woke them up, He is able to resurrect us.

"إذ يتنازعون بينهم أمرهم"

نزع: To pull; as if tugging a rope.

Everyone wanted to have a say in the matter, as if they were snatching the conflict to their side.

The people began arguing about ways to commemorate and honour them. One group had the idea of building a structure over their graves, so it would be visible. The group that had the upper hand, however, were people with power and authority, and they wanted to build a place of worship over the cave.

If you please Allah, everyone will be pleased with you. If you anger Allah, everyone will be angry with you. 

This story divides the people:

1) المؤمنين -> زيادة الإيمان و اليقين

2) الكافرين -> حجة عليهم

The persons reaction to the story depends on his heart. If he is a believer, it'll increase his faith in the actions of Allah. If he's a disbeliever, it will be a proof against him on the Day of Judgement.

The dwellers of the cave will be rewarded until the end of time; every time someone reads their story and increases in faith. 

"سيقولون"

The People of the Book disputed regarding their number. And people who insist on there being three boys, and the fourth being the dog, will continue to dispute about it. 

"و يقولون"

This is in the present tense. This group insists that there were five, the sixth being the dog.

"رجما بالغيب"

But it's merely a guess, as if they're just throwing random numbers. And it's all falsehood.

"و يقولون سبعة و ثامنهم كلبهم"

The 'و' came after 'رجما بالغيب' to show us that this is the truth. And notice there's another 'و' between the number of boys and the dog, and this shows us their accuracy.

"قل ربي أعلم بعدتهم ما يعلمهم إلا قليل" 

"فلا تمار فيهم إلا مراء ظاهرا" 

The Qur'an teaches us not to argue about unimportant matters. There's no benefit in disputing over it. Don't guess anything, and don't speak about things when you aren't sure of it; just state the truth.

When you leave disputing, it'll break your ego, thus allowing you to control it. 

 "و لا تستفت فيهم منهم أحد"

Don't seek a Fatwa about their number. It's their story that contains benefit. 

There's no need to focus on the small details of some matters, it'll just waste your time and energy. Arguments tend to happen between people regarding small unnecessary matters in the religion, and they may seek an answer in other books and religions. The Qur'an should be sufficient for you. It gives you the details you need. 

وعن أبى أمامه الباهلى رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “أنا زعيم ببيت في ربض الجنة لمن ترك المراء، وإن كان محقاً، وببيت في وسط الجنة لمن ترك الكذب، وإن كان مازحاً، وببيت في أعلى الجنة لمن حسن خلقه” ((حديث صحيح رواه أبو داود بإسناد صحيح)).

Abu Umamah Al-Bahili reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "I guarantee a house in Jannah for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a home in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even for the sake of fun; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannah for one who has good manners." [Abu Dawud]