THE SURAT AL-KAHF CONTAINS
IMPORTANT CLUES ABOUT THE SIGNS OF DOOMSDAY
Thus did We make their case
known to the people, that they might know that the promise
of Allah is true, and that there can be no doubt about the
Hour of Judgment. Behold, they argued amongst themselves as
to their affair, and some said, "Construct a building
over them": Their Lord knows best about them. Those who
prevailed in their affair said, "Let us surely build
a place of worship (masjid) over them." (Surat al-Kahf,
21)
That the dwellers in the Cave are found by outside
people might be a sign that good people will eventually meet
each other and that, even if widely scattered and separated
geographically, they will one day be rejoined.
ONLY GOD AND A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE KNEW THEIR
NUMBER
“(Some) say they were
three, the dog being the fourth among them; (others) say they
were five, the dog being the sixth, doubtfully guessing at
the unknown; (yet others) say they were seven, the dog being
the eighth. Say thou: "My Lord best knows their number;
none but a few knows them." Enter not, therefore, into
controversies concerning them, except on a matter that is
clear, and do not question concerning them any of them.”
(Surat al-Kahf, 22)
he statement in this verse, “None but a
few knows them” indicates that only a handful of people
can actually know this figure. For instance, one of these
few people could be the Prophet Al-Khidr. Disciples of Al-Khidr,
too, can obtain this information if God wishes it so and presents
it to them. Likewise, in the Qur’an we see that some
exemplars gained information about the unseen world by virtue
of God revealing this information to them.
The phrase at the end of this verse, “Enter
not, therefore, into controversies surrounding them,”
sets out what discussions are suitable for the Qur’an.
When discussing any matter, believers should try to present
evidence from the Qur’an. Those who deny religion do
just the opposite. Their only goal is to start an argument
and therefore display their enmity towards religion and believers
alike. In the Qur’an, God says that some people give
godless examples for the “sole
purpose of starting a discussion” (Surat Az-Zukhruf,
58)
“Do not question concerning them any of them”
means that believers should not respect any information other
than what is revealed to them by God, for God knows the unseen
world. Erroneous stories told by people based upon their comments
and guesses have no value in the eyes of a true believer.
Therefore this verse forbids people from giving any weight
to made-up stories which are told by one person to another
and whose source is unknown.
HOW LONG THE PEOPLE OF THE CAVE STAYED THERE
"And they remained in
their cave for three hundred years and (some) add (another)
nine. Say: "Allah knows best how long they stayed: with Him
is (the knowledge of) the secrets of the heavens and the earth:
how clearly He sees, how finely He hears (everything)! They
have no protector other than Him; nor does He share His Command
with any person whatsoever." (Surat al-Kahf, 25-26)
This verse tells us that the people of the Cave
spent 300 years there. Soon before they were awoken, this
period was extended by another additional nine years, thus
making a total of 309 years.
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