Faith versus Materialism: The Message of Surat al-Kahf

by Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, Mohiuddin Ahmad (Translator)

The methodology of reform evolved by God's apostle is inspired by an unflinching faith and sincere conviction to the After-Life. On the other hand, the idea of After-Life is often employed by the modern reformist movements solely as an expedient to social and modern reform. The result obtained by the two is well known. This exegesis of Surat al-Kahf explains in the light of the Qur'an, the challenging issues of the modern times and what guidance we can get from this Surah to find a solution.

Genres: Religion, Islam

129 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Emmy Hermina Nathasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I am attracted to the title of the book; peeling the messages contained in Surah al-Kahf, the delivery itself is not an easy read. Perhaps I need to be more expose towards reading such a book, or perhaps in this modern time, there is a need for writers and translators to modify old books written using intricate vocabulary and sentence structure, into a simple, direct, fresh delivery that will enable readers of all ages and from different backgrounds to understand the message. This comment by all means does not negate the valuable content of the book, merely proposing to update the delivery in terms of language.

[Saz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too verbose for such a small book. Surah Al-Kahf has so many lessons in it and I was very much looking forward to reading this, but it has been a struggle to follow the writer’s account. I’m of the view that books like these (especially when they’re pocket-sized and hence, lending the view that it’s meant for easy consumption) should not be made too wordy, as this will cause ordinary Muslims (like me) to give up halfway and shun it. I shall try to give it another go some time down the road.

[Anis Noh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best tafseer book I've ever read for now. How Sayed Abul Hasan described the ayah by each chapters of the surah and how it relates to our worldly life now. The most important part is that, why this surah is chosen to be read for our protection in facing the end of the day.

Great book to explore surah al-Kahf despite its small size but full of hikma and wisdom.

[Shaharuddin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saya membaca versi terjemahan Bahasa Melayu oleh Syed Putra Syed Ahmad dengan tajuk Manusia & Kemaruk Kebendaan.

Bacaan kali kedua 18-3-18

• Kitab Old Testament tidak mengandungi gesaan atau galakan terhadap penghayatan nilai-nilai moral seperti kesyukuran, kesalihan dan keikhlasan.
• Tema surah al-Kahfi berlawanan dengan konsep pandangan hidup kebendaan.
• Surah ini nengingatkan manusia tidak cenderung hanya kepada persekitaran, alasan dan kesan-kesan yang boleh dilihat, yang akhirnya membawa kepada menafikan Tuhan.
• Kisah penghuni gua tidak terdapat dalam Old Testament kerana peristiwa ini terjadi ketika zaman awal perkembangan agama Kristian.
• Kisah penghuni gua menjadi pengajaran bahawa sesiapa berhak menegaskan hak masing-masing untuk beragama.
• Surah al-Kahfi diturunkan di Mekah ketika orang Islam masih sedikit dan tertindas.
• Seperti 7 penghuni gua, orang beriman akan sentiasa mengutamakan kepercayaan mereka berbanding material.
• Golongan materialis berusaha menghiasi objek-objek keinginan manusia dengan sifat abadi dan kudus.
• Sifat dominan orang beriman ialah kesederhanaan.
• Kisah pemilik dua kebun melambangkan manusia yang memandang tinggi kebolehan dan kesenangan hidup, mereka tidak peduli tentang agama atau tanggungjawab moral yang datang bersama kelebihan itu.
• Teman pemilik kebun mengingatkan rakannya bahawa nasib baik dan buruk bukanlah realiti yang mutlak kerana Tuhan berkuasa penuh ke atas nasib dan takdir seseorang manusia.
• Kisah pemilik dua kebun pada zaman ini adalah seperti manusia yang menyandarkan harapan semata-mata kepada penemuan-penemuan teknologi terkini dari pakar-pakar yang diagungkan.
• Kisah Nabi Musa dan Khidir adalah gambaran bahawa manusia tidak boleh mengambil sikap dan pendirian berdasarkan pengetahuan lahiriah semata-mata.
• Dhu al-Qarnayn adalah contoh pemimpin yang benar-benar beriman kepada Allah, dia menekankan bahawa semua kejayaannya dari pertolongan Allah.
• Kesimpulan surah al-kahfi memberitahu bahawa manusia tidak akan dapat menguasai semua ilmu pengetahuan kerana sifat manusia adalah terbatas.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't a tafseer of Surah al-Kahf like I originally thought, but it is a book about learning the lessons of the stories in the Surah. Overall, I thought the author did a good job in explaining how we can take these lessons and apply them to our own lives. However, I thought that some parts were a little wordy and were hard to understand.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so eloquently written. It brings light on the teaching and meaning or the Qur'an which a layman like myself would not be able to derive from simply reading without context.

[Nisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last book read in 2019 and a good one indeed!

[Muawiyah Yousuf · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It is, again, this view of human knowledge, having roots in an aberrant human nature that has always induced man to claim the dominion of his fellow beings, and to oppress those who do not agree to this concept. All of its salient features have been brought out by the parables told in Surah al-Kahf. For instance: its spiteful enmity with those who are blessed with a true faith and the gnosis of God, like the Companions of the Cave; its love of earthly possessions and disrespect for the poor and lowly as exhibited by the owner of two gardens; its denial of every thing not adequately comprehended by the limited human intellect, as illustrated by the story of al-Khidr and Moses. It is not infrequent that the erring knowledge of man produces an entirely false impression, such as Dhū al- Qarnayn thinking the sun had set in the spring of murky water."

I've read Surah Al kahf dozens of times, yet, I've never been able to see the hidden meaning and lessons that these parables provided. A very thought provoking book for a time when man believes all there is to life is power and materialism and that religion is "....nothing but a fabrication which he made up with the help of others....These revelations are only ancient fables.... (25:4-5)"

The book is very small and concise and can be completed in an hour or two. Readers might find that the language is rather complex and for a generation who's attention span is not more than a 60 second YT short, it could be quite challenging, but definitely worth it.

[Mohamed Asraf · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exploration of Surah al-Kahf, an enduring conflict between spiritual faith and materialistic pursuits. The emphasizes that Islam does not advocate for celibacy or asceticism. He underscores that true Islamic piety involves balancing spiritual devotion with active engagement in the world, rather than withdrawing from it entirely.

Through the Surah's four narratives - the Companions of the Cave, the Owner of Two Gardens, Moses and Khidr, and Dhul-Qarnayn, author illustrates how unwavering belief in the unseen and submission to divine will provide true guidance in a world increasingly dominated by material values.

Indeed "The life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment." The Quran 3:185

[M. Azhaari Shah Sulaiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pelajaran dan penghuraian tematik dari pengkisahan yang difirmankan didalam surah Al Kahfi.