QURʾĀNIC REFLECTIONS

Qurʾānic Reflections

Enduring Value

August 31, 2012

Surah al Kahf highlights what we value in this world, but it makes a distinction between a value that remains and a value that is transient.

[Wealth and children are but adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better to hope for] Kahf:46

The true value isn’t in wealth, prestige and worldly pleasures, though Islam does not forbid those, for there is nothing wrong in enjoying the good of it.

But true value is remembrance of Allah and all those deeds that are good and pleasing to Allah. And this has a value that surpasses all else.

Scholars of Tafsīr have commented on what these ‘Enduring good deeds’ are;

They are: “Subḥān Allah, wa alḥamdulillah, wa lā ilaha illā Allah, wa Allāhu Akbar.”

(Translation: Exalted is Allah, and all praise is to Allah, and there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, and Allah is the greatest)

Some commentators added: “wa la ḥawla wa la quwata illā billah”

(Translation: There is no might nor power except with Allah)

And these to our Lord are better in reward than worldly pleasures, and thus better to hope and work for.

You Might Also Like

No Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.