~ A Friday Reflection While reading the Quran, it feels every time as if we are experiencing drops within them a new ocean, which are coming from an endless ocean of knowledge. Even if we have read the Quran many times from cover to cover, we will always discover or learn something new, just like an ocean where we will never be able to fully touch its deepest part. When reading Surah Al Kahf my thoughts kept lingering on the part where Allah ﷻ spoke about the youngsters who fled to the cave and who Allah ﷻ had put to sleep for more than 300 years. 'So We caused them to fall into a dead sleep in the cave for many years '~ 18:11 'And you would have thought they were awake,though they were asleep. We turned them over, to the right and left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. Had you looked at them, you would have certainly fled away from them, filled with horror' ~ 18:18 The ayah where Allah ﷻ mentions; 'We turned them over, to the right and left' ~ made me think. I had to think of the example of people who are bedridden due to illness or old age. It’s very important that these people receive support in changing their positions ~ frequently in a day ~ ideally every 2 hours. The reason for this is to make sure that the tissues will not be pressured due to the weight and to keep the blood flowing through the tissues. If there is an inconsistency in properly applying the method of changing their positions frequently, the risk of them developing pressure ulcers or decubitus increases rapidly. I even remember my teacher mentioning the importance of comfortably stabilizing the patient on an operation table, since such ulcers can develop quickly within 2 to 6 hours. It made me think of the youngsters in the cave and how Allah ﷻ kept turning them to their right and left. When I read the tafsir of this ayah in particular, it was mentioned that Ibn `Abbas (Ra) said: 'If they did not turn over, the earth would have consumed them.' Since that is exactly what happens when we lose our ability to move. Our bodies were not designed to remain motionless for a long period of time ~ even not when we are asleep. In fact, when we are asleep, we turn and toss quite often. Depending on the individual this can occur less or more than 15 times per night. Dr Peter Roessler, a fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists mentions; 'I think movement while we are asleep is a protective mechanism to prevent problems developing from prolonged pressure — such as reduced blood flow to certain parts of the skin'. When reading the ayahs of the people in the cave, everything became so much clear in why Allah ﷻ was turning these young believers to their right and then to their left. He ﷻ was protecting them not only from the disbelieving people, but also from the earth that otherwise would have consumed them. What also was interesting is the beautiful fact that Allah ﷻ mentioned that He ﷻ turned them to ‘the right’ and then ‘ to the left ‘. Mentioning the right side first reminded me of how the prophet ﷺ taught us to always try to sleep on our right sides as it was the best sleeping position for the body, causing no pressure on our stomachs or hearts. It’s truly fascinating that in this seemingly small detail, where mentioning the young believers to be turned to their rights and left, was actually hiding an incredible mercy and protection from Allah ﷻ. The young believers made this dua when they were in the cave; 'Remember when those youths took refuge in the cave, and said, 'Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Yourself and guide us rightly through our ordeal.' ~ 18:10 And there was only Mercy and Protection from Allah ﷻ from every side, from beginning to end for more than 300 years. Allah ﷻ takes care of us, even when we don’t realize it. Even when we are deep asleep and unaware, isn’t He ﷻ The One who turns us to our right and left, to make sure that we stay healthy so we can awaken with ease? He ﷻ safeguards us from so much pain and discomfort, whether we are awake or asleep; always protecting us in the seen and the unseen. If only we knew. ~ Leila

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JazakAllahu Khairan for wording such a brilliant knowledge, very beautiful and transformative to our deen.!

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