Story of the Companions of the Cave
Muslim individual should resort to Allaah The Almighty alone with Du‘aa' particularly when afflictions befall.
It was narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with them, that the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, said:
«
» (1).
Amongst the lessons drawn from the above-mentioned Hadeeth:
1- This Hadeeth indicates the recommendation of making Du‘aa' (i.e. supplication) at times of calamities, seeking nearness to Allaah The Almighty through mentioning the good deeds and fulfilling his promise by asking Him The Exalted.
2- Muslim individual should resort to Allaah The Almighty alone with Du‘aa' particularly when afflictions befall. Asking or seeking help from the absent dead people is a form of the major Shirk (i.e. polytheism), who cannot bring any benefit nor cause any harm. Allaah The Almighty says:
{وَلَا تَدْعُ مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُكَ وَلَا يَضُرُّكَ ۖ فَإِن فَعَلْتَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذًا مِّنَ الظَّالِمِينَ}
‘Translation’ {And invoke not besides Allaah, any that will neither profit you, nor hurt you, but if (in case) you did so, you shall certainly be one of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)} [Yunus:106].
3- The great virtue of observing sincerity in all deeds. That is because one of them: "O Allaah, if You know that I did that seeking Your Countenance and Pleasure, then grant us relief." (2).
4- Virtue of respecting and being dutiful to parents and preferring them to one's children and wife and bearing hardship for their sake.
5- Virtue of chastity and refraining from committing prohibited matters while one is able to. Also, avoid committing sins cancels out the sins occurred at seeking it. Moreover, repentance wipes away whatever (sins) came before it.
6- Virtue rendering back the trusts, preserving the wages of the workers if they are able to take them along with hastening to give back such wages to them without delay. It was narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, said: «
».
7- It is recommended to develop the property of the hired worker who left his wages. Actually, it is a great act and thus it was one of the reasons that saved them from the cave.
8- This Hadeeth proves the Karaamaat (i.e. supernatural abilities or event) for the righteous Muslim individuals.
9- This Hadeeth tells about what was occurred to the past nations so that listeners may draw lessons from their deeds and thus do their good deeds and avoid their bad and evil ones. And Allaah knows best. (3).
10- Good deeds that are done sincerely for the Sake of Allaah The Almighty during the times of ease benefit Muslim individual greatly at the times of difficult and hardship. It was narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, said: «
» (4).
11- This Hadeeth proves that Allaah The Almighty has a Countenance without likening it to any of His creation. Allaah The Almighty says:
{لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ ۖ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ}
‘Translation’ {There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.} [Ash-Shura:11].
___________________________________
(1) Reported in Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (3465) and Saheeh Muslim (2743).
(2) Reported by Ibn Maajah No. (2443) and Sheykh Al-Albaani deemed it Hasab (good). Refer to Hadeeth No. (1055) in Saheeh Al-Jaami.
(3) Refer to Fat-h Al-Baari by Ibn Hajr Al-Asqalaani (6/510).
(4) Reported by Imam Ahmad No. (2804), and Sheykh Al-Albaani deemed it Saheeh (authentic). Refer to Hadeeth No. (2961) in Saheeh Al-Jaami‘.