Stories of Al Kahf #04 – A Tale of Two Gardens

Assalamu aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh to the respective viewers at home I wish you well in sha Allah Allah. Welcome back to another episode of stories from alkaff. Today we will be discussing the story of the two guardians in sha Allah with a chef Sajid, Amara Santa Monica she came

to live with regard to Baraka lofi can well how are you? Keeping? Well, on the luck? You've everything? Okay. 100 how's your stay in Britain? So I was kind of, like, Hello, Hayden, how are you after our lessons from the Seven Sleepers? hamdulillah. I mean, I feel that I've benefited a lot, there are a lot of key points that were discussed, that I think that could, you know, be implemented straightaway into, give me one key one that stood out for you. I mean, I think the most important lesson that I derived from the previous interactions that you shared was the, to be with, you know, to conduct yourself with wisdom to be wise in, in the way you conduct yourself in society. Because,

you know, I mean, there is, especially in London, there are a lot of different people from a lot of different backgrounds, and they have their own ways. And, you know, you need to almost mold yourself in order to fit, you know, at the jigsaw to, you know, fit with the community in order to, you know, Converse and discuss, you know, Islam or whatever it may be. So, I think, you know, wisdom hearing in a wise way, in a way I think you might have derived from Allah tala, the importance of handling yourself in a way conducive to the circumstance and situation, because a Muslim is one who is a worthy citizen of every environment that he or she is in. It's not easy to achieve, to act upon

wisdom, but at least you need to make an effort towards that. And that's the lesson that you know, you conduct yourself in a way that is conducive always. That brings about a better situation always definitely excellent. What are we talking about today? So today, we are discussing the two gardens? Why is it in Surah Al calf? What's his relevance in in, you know, this part of the Quran, if you can see, like Spanish sharks? And so yes, so we have the story of the two gardens and the two men that used to have discussions. And it is one of the famous stories of pseudo alkaff. And it has

settled place in Surah alkaff.

And these cohesion and relevance as to why it exists in Surah. Two.

In the first story that we discussed the story of the Seven Sleepers, we said that that story teaches us the trial of power, and authority, and leadership, that you could have it be a test and a trial and tribulation for you. If you'd not just if you didn't get your head. When you read these things, get your head. It's a great torment.

Because we had a oppressive ruler, right? The first story, in this particular story, it's a case of wealth, the case of wealth, and wealth, if you let it get to your head, then

you know what, it's going to be a travel for you, it's going to be a torment for you. It's only going to bring about your destruction.

But I want to ask you something and perhaps you can tell me what you think. Why do we have the story of the Seven Sleepers in Serato calf? What do we say about that? You remember Yes, I believe is due to the reason as to why it was revealed a reason why the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam as the Quraysh they went to the Jewish tribesmen of the time to ask them how to deal with Muhammad sallallahu alayhi salam, a prophet that has come with the true monotheistic religion that is, you know, has followers now is causing a problem in their society. So they wanted to obviously, find a reason or a cause and how to, you know, take that away from society. Okay, I mean, so that is

a reason as to why though so but, so this is one one question, but did the Jewish people tell the Quraysh the people of the of the Qureshi tribe? Did the Jews tell them to ask the Prophet sallallahu wasallam about the man of the two gardens? No, he did not he did not. So you know, this, this this sort of causes the light bulb to go on in our head that Okay, so why do we have the story here? And because we've always said that there's so much coherence in the Quran and everything is relative to something to to what exists before it and what exists after it. So why do we have the story of the of these two men and the reality of it is, because

it is, it is, it is a story that causes one of

Causes Cory, specifically, specifically, and everyone generally, in their circumstance to ponder over certain realities. Because one of the men in the story of the two gardens, and the men of the of the gardens,

handled himself in a way that brought about his destruction. He let wealth get to his head, and the Quraysh were doing the same thing.

They were letting wealth get to the head, the status get to the head, the financial standing and material well being so it's really relevant right. Now, before we go into the nitty gritties. Just so that the synergy, especially in the discussion, especially for the viewers, we must give a summary right about what what the story

is. So basically, God Almighty says, All Mohammed, tell your people, right about the two men.

And

you know, the men that Allah subhanho wa Taala blessed one of them with with these two amazing luscious gardens, two gardens of grapes, surrounded by trees, and in the middle, was an amazing series of cultivation and agriculture and greenery. Right. And he didn't stop there. God Almighty gave automatic irrigation to these two gardens when he had to do nothing. But these two gardens would continue to produce and expand experience, you know, amazing abundance. So this was the situation with one of them. And

some of the commentators say that, you know, we have too many in the story. One of them was a video, but one of them was disbelievers, some say that one of them was grateful, and the other was ungrateful, and no one was grateful. And one was ungrateful because the man of the the other man who didn't have a luscious garden, or gardens, like like, like this man,

he was a grateful person, whatever he had. But Allah tells us that the man with the two gardens, he let his money get to his head. And as a result of it, he started denying the hereafter. He says, I don't think any of this thing will go, all this amazing thing, look at my gardens, they produce by itself, I do nothing to it, I don't think Allah will cause this to stop. And if he did cause it to stop, then he was guaranteeing himself salvation in the hereafter. You see, you end up becoming deceived.

So his friend, or the, you know, the other person, in retrospect, had a discussion with him. And what's amazing about the surah is how many times Allah subhana wa damasus, also hibou how it's about here. Right? When we spoke about the story of the seven steeples, it was about Allah knows best, Allah knows best. How long did we stay for? Was it the day was it performed today? Allah knows best. Right? And then if you go through the story, there's so many it comes again, you know, how long did they you know,

you know, in terms of whenever there's a discussion about whether had a difference of opinion, Allah says, say, Allah is most knowledgeable of this, you know, and the fact that there's, it's repetitive there, gives us a lesson, but we discussed that, over here. It's called the who saw Whoa, whoa, you have a role. So it's an amazing lesson that the friend or the other man, when he heard this, he said,

let's say friends, because we don't know Allah, who are two men, in acquaintance with each other. He said to his, he discussed with his friend in a discussion in a discussion, right, that are you just believing in Allah,

the One who created you from sand from dust, and then from fluid and then shaped you into you know, your shape now human for human form? Right? This is what the man said to him. This is that all right. So this is a summary of what happened and then this man said that you know what, it was better for you. It's better for you to say Masha, Allah,

Allah, that when you went into these gardens everyday and you saw your financial standing and your material well being that you didn't forget the one who gave you this, this is not because of you, but all this you have is because of your Creator.

Right? So it is better for you to go into these gardens and say, Masha, Allah, Allah, Allah has word La quwata illa Billah there's no power, no matter except from Allah. This is from Allah. Because this is from showing gratitude, but you are being ungrateful.

Right. And then he said, you know, that perhaps, you know, a circumstance will fall upon you. punishment will fall down upon you from the skies, whereby rainfall might come in a heavy way and destroy your garden everything. Yes. Right. And that's what happened. What happened? This man walked into his garden one day and he found everything destroyed. What a loss or a loss. Right? Because he became arrogant, so I'm not to get away. He was ungrateful, so a lot to get away. And he fell into regret. And then you know, hindsight,

It is something that that that comes in. But hindsight will always be hindsight. If only I've only iPhone, the iPhone guys too late now. Right? So this is a summary of the story. Now again remember we said that the Quraysh weren't told to ask the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam about this Why is Allah subhanho wa Taala telling us this year that oh mama tell the police about this man? Because it directly links with the links with their mentality that Allah has given you guys you know, blessings. Allah says in Surah elf. What does he say? If Allah Yeah, Buddha basil Beit. Allah says de la hora is the caravans of Quraysh. They had a caravan. In the summer they had a caravan in the

winter, and these caravans would traverse through the deserts, the deserts had desert bandits, the desert bandits would attack people's caravans. But when these were the caravans of the Quraysh, no one dare try and attack those caravans, Allah placed a fear in the hearts to touch the coracoid the caravans have the courage, so they would go safely and come back safely, the money would go safely, and their merchandise would come back saved and they were living in abundance, even though they were in the middle of nowhere. Right? This is a blessing from Allah. So Allah says, For the Abu Dhabi, worship the Lord of this house, a lady,

the one who kept you from hunger, well, I'm going to withhold and kept you free from fear

as a blessing from Allah, don't deny Allah don't say this is us. And this is me, me, myself and I i selfishness.

Right? So alive is giving them the story Take heed, this is what happened to a man from the past learn from history. And we've said this time and time again, history, history, history, history is, is a great teacher. But many of us don't read history. And if you read history, we don't

you know, understand it. And if we understand if we don't want over, it's just it's just a sign of the times, right? We live in this age of, you know, everything must be short, everything will be fast food, even the way we seek knowledge must be fast food. Progress needs time. It's not fast. So our takeaway, right? So unfortunately, this is the circumstance and hopefully the series will inspire yourself and the listeners and even myself Firstly, first and foremost, to you know, read over history, understand it and ponder over it in light of modern day realities. Right. So

we Allah subhanho wa Taala granted the understanding, I mean, I mean, I mean, it's very interesting that you you linked it directly with the corporation their mentality, but you know, you know, some people in Western societies they put their arm on the work over the worship of the Lord or Mr. Juma or they will be busy at the time of Asada. And because of this day, they forget about Allah subhanaw taala Allah make it all easy, this no doubt is something that needs to be reassessed. relooked at because all successes from Allah and I say we say La hawla wala quwata illa Billah there's no power no might accept from Allah. That is a fundamental fundamental message in this particular story. But

let's go for the break and when we come back, inshallah, let's continue from this point, Charlotte, Allah

Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh the respected viewers at home, welcome back. Sorry, Chef will carry on inshallah, while by discussing the relevance of the story to the courage of the time of the Prophet.

Allah bless you. Yes. So, you know, it's always important. You see, the thing is, whenever we look at the stories, it's important that we understand the relevance of its placement because it just enhances our our ability to appreciate the lessons from it. So really, you know, the Croatia testing the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam to try and discredit him. And he amaizing tell them about the man who had the two gods, because Allah gave him everything money went to his head, and look what happened to him. And how does this fit with the Krishna in the same in the same thing, and in the before the break? We established our lab, Lester. And it's as if Allah subhanho wa Taala is

telling them that Oh, Quraysh This is your man. He grew up, you know, in front of you. And you know him to be the best of the best. You announced him to be the best of the best solid tongues board testimony to his honesty. Yes, he was solid, he was righteous. He was honest. You use them to solve your own disputes not so long ago. With the last word and affairs they just would love to see him love to have him and they know how beloved he was to Abdulmutallab. The grandfather would not allow his sons to sit with him at his spot by the shade of the Kaaba, but he would allow Muhammad Sallallahu wasallam the grandson, so you know who this man is? Why are you denying him? Right? This

is this is a wake up call. Why are you denying it? Is it the reality that money has gone to your head? Because if in this reality you understand the fitna and trial interpretation of wealth, right. I'll bring this back to today's society. But how many times today do we find people

denying what right just because they can. And when we say because they can't, it's because they don't need you they have money. Right? So they have, you know, you have money, then you go for status. So it's either you deny because you have money or status or because you have money, right?

Because if you have status, then you probably have money. So money is a fitna. You know, we see in society today, people stand up against even the scholars, because they can because they have money. And people need them because they have money, people respect them because they have money. Right? They have respect, because of the net worth. We've seen how different even, you know, organizations or massage it kick off. Because this man, you know, wanted things to go a certain way it was my way or the highway kind of attitude as people who you know, the wealth gets to the head. That's how they behave my way or the highway kind of attitude, but it didn't go his way. So he he says I'm leaving

this particular committee of this particular Institute, or this particular Masjid, and I'm gonna and then he goes and fires a rival Masjid or rival Institute. Why? Just because he can, just because he has money. This so he said, Allah subhanho wa Taala. Even though the story is short sighted, I think for us a reality, that you have money because Allah gave you this unity. That's why you have the money. And if it wasn't for Allah, you'd have nothing.

So make sure you true to the do's and you stay away from the don'ts, meaning pee upon the commands of Allah, and be thankful to Allah, and be grateful to Allah, and be humble for what you have. It's as if the story is saying, the more Allah gives you, the more humble you should be, and you should become an A greatest supporter of the truth, you should be a greater soldier of the truth you should be.

Right. So this is the relevance that it's not just the story out of place, that here you are, our core is trying to test me with with these questions from the Jews, do you know who I am?

I am from you, I grew up in front of you, you never knew me to be a liar. So I understand that you behave in this way because of arrogance. And it's your status and your wealth has gone to your head and it's become a trial for you. So take heed before the destruction that fell upon the man who led money and status get to his head effect, you have a right, it's a choice that we make. Upon the line. It's like the same way that the story of the man had that passion to conversate and warn that person look, this is the situation, you know, gave him the advice the same way the Prophet sallallahu wasallam is giving that Nazi advice to them. And he's giving it to them in a discussion.

Yes, you're absolutely right. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was engaging them in discussion. And this man is engaging this other man in discussion. It's a great lesson for us in our eyes. And remember, it's too tough when they and you highlighted this at the beginning of the program, when you said that, you know, when when they sent the man to the city to buy food, they said, Well, you have to look puffy and conspicuous. Be gentle, don't bring attention to yourself, stop the time to bring attention to yourself, don't go out there guns blazing, you know that you guys are politics, etc, etc. We already dealing with the circumstance right to them. It was the same

day. Right? So he said, copy conspicuous because we just ran away from these people who want to buy the food come back and be hidden from them. Right? So you we learned from that, that at times of weakness, we need to handle ourselves in a specific way even as believers, even here, it's a war situation. We're not at the stage of karma, which we'll come to the codename was the just King. It wasn't, you know, we got to be conspicuous. We got to be like this. Because you've seen that happen. You know, we we should always say the hardwood. The issue is how should we say doc that changes from time to time, that changes from time to time, seven times saying the hack is by is by keeping silent

not saying it now.

Because if you do say that it will never ever be said. Does that make sense? It's cause more harm than benefit. So here you can see this man, he's not at the same meaning society perceives people at that level to be voices, you know?

So he's having a war with him. And it's beautiful. He's having a huge discussion. He's not jumping on him saying you misguided fool or you you move Teddy or you you this you innovator? Oh, you know, he's having a human. Let me engage the person first. Let me bring you know some reason to him. Right, he's perhaps he slipped. So you know, what we were Who are you? How are we? Oh, it's a theme in this particular story. So yeah, this is, this is it and its relevance in the installer to graph that the same Quraysh we're bringing about the stories are some of the stories are suited to kind of to test the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam they being addressed with a story that look to the

koresh and everyone who has the money in their head and in their heart and not in the hands in for you deny the truth, because of arrogance, then you will only face destruction both in this world and the next the money that you have is going to is going to become destroyed and when you go to the life of the

After you caught up, you know could have anything. And so the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said that no one will enter Jannah you know, a person will not enter January if he has a mustard seed size, meaning a tiny minute size worth of kibble pride of arrogance. That's not just pride, arrogance, because pride can be a good thing is that in context, you proud of your dress? You look smart, but arrogance, what is arrogance, where you look down upon people, if you do better than them, that's pride. That's arrogance. And when you deny the truth, we deny the truth. It's come to you with evidence but you denied Why just because you can Why just because you have this wealth but

Who gave you this? Well

I think my point directly related to Ira 28 as well, where it discusses that the you know, the operation Yeah, okay, fine, you know, will interact with you, but what you're gonna have to do is you're gonna have to remove those who miskeen Oh, yes, yes, yes. Yes. Do you mean before the story okay. Before the end, this is this is very This is good, you highlighted it because we actually saying here that this What are its relevance is actually in our understanding of the situation of the crush. The idea before the story meaning after the story of the people of the cave, Allah subhanho wa Taala mentions waneta through the lineage through a

redo Naja.

Right? Allah says, Do not remove from your gathering. Those people who remember the Lord at the beginning of the day, and at the end of the day, sincerely for the sake of

the only one of man's face, was it removed from your gathering? What is the reason of this? i? What is the reason? We have narrations about this that this idea came down with regards to what happened in the data of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam there was and this further proves that this Surah Surah toecap is is is a makansutra right. And we discussed this in previous episodes that it was revealed before migration, because this is happening in Mecca. So the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, he wants to give that to the Quraysh to the operation, okay, we listened to your message uncondition you remove all these poor people from from your gathering, we don't be allowed to be

there. We do not live in misery to be there. We don't want to have in order to be there. And other some nations actually named them that these were the people with the Prophet, they said remove them from the gathering, they will sit and listen to what you have to say. What is this sargans pure Eric, this is arrogance. Exactly. So why are you saying don't remove people, these people who remember largely at the beginning of the day and the end of the day for the sake of Allah, to appease these people who deny Allah subhanho wa Taala.

Right. So you see, and remember, I mentioned earlier in one of the earlier episodes, that sort of recap is the weekly audit, the weekly audience, you know, it's a weekly audit, because it's a sort of perspective. It sets perspective.

You know, what I'm saying you back to the basics before the grave, right? It's a weekly audit, because it's bad. It's telling you what you should bend the ideals that everyone should benchmark themselves against. setting those ideals. So in this particular I Allah is saying, a don't kick out these people who worship on love just to appease these rich people who are arrogant, right?

What is this if the truth should be sought, wherever it is, don't say it might be the truth, but I'm not going to listen to it until you get these poor people out. And I can make that demand because I can't because I'm rich. We have a spanwise Allah forgive us. And Allah subhanho wa Taala bless our wealth and make us more humble because of our right. It's not a bad thing to be rich. People think you know, being rich, we shouldn't be rich. No, Allah praises the unsub for being rich in Surah. Tasha, he prays, I think it's, it's number nine. in it. Number eight, he praises them will hide urine for being poor. And in number nine, he praises down sorry for being rich, but they were rich

with money in their hands. No, and this is what I say to the youth around me that you know, my dream, I would love to see 100 Muslim billionaires, but with money in the hands, not in the heart who look like Muslims speak like Muslims act like Muslims. Look after the laws of Allah. Brilliant as in this way. Hey, you can go gentlemen. And amazingly, being a billionaire. If you acted this way. number crunchers. They understand. I mean, I mean, I mean, it's very amazing how you, you know, linked the weekly audit to the humbling of oneself with this benefit that we can get from the solar panel it you know, you might have one good week, you might have one bad week regardless, you know,

it hits the heart and

the famous poet, when he saw of Spain disappearing from the, the, you know, the authority of the Muslims, you know, he, he spoke amazing words. And, you know, he said that, you know,

in effect he said that, you know, this the, you know, the nature of the life of this world, is that one day will be for you and they will be against you that you know they will people who are

Happy for moments but they were sad for longer moments. You know, what are the ruler

You know, this this this displaced this world doesn't stay in a static way. Most of what I do more alcohol in the Hashanah it doesn't have just one situation it has. It has multiple situations. This is a nambucca with TJ minemining. was we are the the kings who will crowns from Yemen. We're in a masasa of Infosys as well. We are the leaders of of, of Persia we are they one day they one day you hear one day they want you on the top of the Premier League on the unit right.

Allah desirable, aka chef, I think we'll end the discussion at this point I've handled I mean, that was very beneficial. I mean, towards the end as well. You know, it's really important to take the points from what we're discussing here and utilizing them in our life at home at work. May Allah reward you, would you as well I mean and the viewers at home May Allah reward you and allow you to take benefit from what is being discussed in discussions hamdulillah I would like to end the show there and hope to see you all next week. bidding Allah Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh