“Those who prevailed in their affairs said: We will certainly raise a place of sajda- prostration- over them.” Sura al Kahf 18:21
Marhum Allamah Muhammadhusein Tabatabi, the contemporary grand mufassir of Quran, states in his voluminous compilation Tafseer al Mizan that the Sura al Kahf narrates 3 amazing stories which are not mentioned elsewhere in the Quran apart from this Sura.
One of these 3 stories is about Ashab al Kahf war Raqeem; the Companions of the Cave and the Inscription. What was the cause of the revelation of this Sura?
The Quraysh polytheists in Makka had sent a delegation to Najran to learn from the Jews what they should ask from Muhammad & his claims to prophethood. The Rabbi scholars told them that in order to know the validity of his claim they should ask him about 3 matters. If he answers according to what they know then he is telling the truth. Then to ask him a single question to which if he claims to know the answer, then he is lying.
One of the 3 questions:
Ask him about the group of young people in ancient times who went away, stayed away and fell asleep. How long did they remain asleep before waking up? How many of them were there? What was with them besides themselves? What was their story?
The Rabbis then informed the Makkan delegation the responses to the 3 questions.
Return to Makka:
The group posed the 3 questions to the Noble Prophet who responded: I will answer you tomorrow. Why?
He was waiting for a Divine response:
“Nor does he speak of his own whims. It is only a revelation sent down to him.” Sura an Najm 53:3-4.
What happened?
The next day there was no reply. The revelation was withheld for 40 days. The companions who had believed the Prophet had doubts. The Quraysh polytheists rejoiced, mocked and annoyed the early Muslims.
Test: Can the true submission to Islam have any space for doubts? This is a test not only for the early Muslims, but also for us in present times.
Response revealed:
Then after 40 days Sura al Kahf was revealed. In it was the detailed response to the 3 questions and the additional question.
The answer to the 1st question with regards to Ashabal Kahf war Raqeem is dwelt in verses 9 -26.
“Do you think that the Ashabal Kahf war Raqeem- the companions of the cave and the Inscription are a wonder among our signs?” Sura al Kahf 18:9.
In brief:
After lying asleep for 300 solar years the group woke up, one of them visited the city, returned to the cave with the King Tidhus (Theodocius) and his people of that time. Fearful that it was Daqyanus (Decius), the King 3 centuries earlier, who was the cause for them to leave the city to save their lives and remain steadfast on Tawheed they wept and asked Allah to put them back to sleep.
Finding them in this state at the Cave, the King said: We shall build a place of prostration here for us to visit them, to immemoralise the site.
“Those who prevailed in their affairs said: We will certainly raise a place of sajda- prostration- over them.” Sura al Kahf 18:21
For more information recommend:
-Book: The Idols will fall: The story of the Seven Sleepers of the Cave by Sheikh MuhammadSaeed Bahmanpour.
-Film: Men of Angelos directed by Sheikh MuhammadSaeed Bahmanpour.
Men of Angelos | English Version - YouTube
اصحاب کہف | تمام اقساط (Men of Angelos - All Episodes) - YouTube (Urdu Dubbed)
The above Aya Sura al Kahf 18:21 demonstrates that setting a place of worship over the bodies of esteemed personalities is not only not forbidden but is mentioned in the Noble Quran as a form of respect, immemoralisation and remembrance.
Yawme Gham / Day of Sorrow: What occurred?
100 years ago, on 8th Shawwaal 1345 A.H./21st April, 1925, first king of Saudi Arabia Abdul Aziz bin Saud, under the guidance of the Wahhabi clerics, led by Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, ordered for the demolition of the sacred shrines in Jannatul Baqi, Madina. Even Masjidun Nabi was a victim of the bombardment.
In the same year he ordered the destruction of shrines in Jannatul Mu’alla, Makka. After the demolition the Saudi authorities have stepped up to restrict the performance of ziyarat (visitation) to these holy sites.
Since then, this day 8th Shawwaal has been observed as Yawme Gham /Yawmul Huzn : Day of Sorrow.
Need for observing the day:
It is disheartening to witness the loss of such significant religious, cultural and historical heritage.
To keep alive for posterity the identity of these outstanding people enjoying special relations to Allah SWT and location of their sacred resting places, it is essential to observe this date.
Let us pray for the restoration of these sacred sites and increase in prayers for dhuhur of Imam al Mahdi A.F
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat