فَأَتۡبَعَ سَبَبًا
So he followed a way”
(Al – Kahf : 85)
When you recite Surah Kahf you will notice these words repeated. This ayah comes in context of the fourth story in Surah Kahf ; the story of Dhul Qarnain.
The word Sababa means something through which something else is acquired. So it gives the meaning of ’cause’, ‘reason’, ‘access’, ‘means’, ‘ways’. This includes all tangible (g, a rope, ladder, transport) and intangible means (eg; friendships. knowledge, skill) It can also mean a ‘path’ which is a means to reach a destination.
Allah tells us in the previous ayah that He gave Dhul Qarnain all the means he needed to achieve his goals : “and We gave him to everything a way (Sababa)”
So this ayah (al Kahf : 85) can mean two things.
- Dhul Qarnain followed the ‘path’ to reach his destination (East and West).
- Dhul Qarnain TOOK USE of the means he was provided. He was given dominion, power, knowledge, strength, a great army, equipment, connections, and much more. These means didn’t consume him. He didn’t get lost in them. He put the means to use and he achieved his goals. This was his intelligence.
See, many are given Asbaab but don’t use it properly. Some asbaab have been give to all. We all have the same 24 hours but some people are more productive than others. you have to USE the asbaab if you want to achieve anything in life.
Why is it that we don’t benefit from the asbaab? One of the main reasons could be, failing to see the asbaab. The asbaab are blessings that we have been given. If we are constantly looking at what we don’t have, how will we be able to recognize and be grateful for what we have?
The Sahaba radiya Allahu anhum achieved so much in their lives. What was the reason for this? It was their simplicity. We have complicated our lives by gathering things. This leads to clutter not just around us, but also in our minds. We are confused as to how to use the asbaab.
This ayah also teaches us that the believer USES the resources. There is no piety in shunning the means. Benefit from what you have been blessed with and make your legacy.
Everything you have is a tool you can use. Allah wants you to achieve your goals. If you use the Asbaab to seek His Pleasure, remember that He is Ash-Shakoor, the Most Appreciative One. He will multiply and preserve your effort. This surah is proof of this! Look at how Allah preserved the sacrifice of the youth, the advice of the poor friend to his rich companion, the journey of Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, and the efforts of Dhul Qarnayn. Allah revealed it to us in His Book and kept it as a lesson for us until the end of time Subhaanallah!
So reflect on the means Allah has given you. Are you using them all? How can you better use them?
Just two words in the Quran but with a wealth of meaning, Subhaanallah :).
Musings of a Muslimah 