What do you think?
Rate this book
Key to al-Kahf: Challenging Materialism and Godlessness
Based on valuable material from authentic tafasir in Arabic and Urdu, the book provides a thematic study of Surah al-Kahf. A commendable work, meeting the mindset and intellectual needs of the English-speaking young generation of Muslims in the West.
- GenresIslam
78 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
148 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
Khurram Murad
69 books77 followersKhurram Murad (1932–1996) was a Pakistani Islamic scholar and writer.
While his da'wah activities began in Pakistan, he has been involved in the promotion of the Islamic movement in Asia, Europe and Africa. As a teacher and a da'iyah his speeches and orations have inspired thousands of young men and women all over the world. As chief of the training departments of the Jamiat, the Jamaat and as an active resource-person in training programmes in the UK, he played a key role in the character-building of the youth in the Islamic Movement.
Khurram Murad served as Naib Amir (Vice-President) Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and Amir (President) in Bangladesh, a Trustee and a former Director General of the Islamic Foundation in Leicester, UK, and editor of Tarjumanal Qur'an, Lahore, Pakistan (a journal founded by the Islamic scholar, Abul Ala Maududi in 1932), and the quarterly Muslim World Book Review, UK. He was also a prisoner of war for many years in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war. He was born in Bhopal, India, and after graduating cum laude, he took his master's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota. From 1975–1976, he was involved in the extension project of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca as he was a civil engineer by profession. He received his engineering degree from NED University, Karachi. During his time in NED he gained stature as a student leader and later served as Nazim-e-Ala of Islami Jamiat Talaba for session 1951–52.
He was the author of over fifty works in Urdu and English.
While his da'wah activities began in Pakistan, he has been involved in the promotion of the Islamic movement in Asia, Europe and Africa. As a teacher and a da'iyah his speeches and orations have inspired thousands of young men and women all over the world. As chief of the training departments of the Jamiat, the Jamaat and as an active resource-person in training programmes in the UK, he played a key role in the character-building of the youth in the Islamic Movement.
Khurram Murad served as Naib Amir (Vice-President) Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and Amir (President) in Bangladesh, a Trustee and a former Director General of the Islamic Foundation in Leicester, UK, and editor of Tarjumanal Qur'an, Lahore, Pakistan (a journal founded by the Islamic scholar, Abul Ala Maududi in 1932), and the quarterly Muslim World Book Review, UK. He was also a prisoner of war for many years in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war. He was born in Bhopal, India, and after graduating cum laude, he took his master's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota. From 1975–1976, he was involved in the extension project of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca as he was a civil engineer by profession. He received his engineering degree from NED University, Karachi. During his time in NED he gained stature as a student leader and later served as Nazim-e-Ala of Islami Jamiat Talaba for session 1951–52.
He was the author of over fifty works in Urdu and English.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 8, 2020
One of the things that we ignore about the Quran is that it has a unique structure. Ayahs that appear to be disorganized are interlinked. One can make similar observations about the Surah Al Kahf. The chapter addresses four stories that are relatable with current times. Khurram Murad seems to be ahead of his time. He relates the Quranic message with the present atheistic and materialistic worldviews. Materialism and atheism are taking its hold - and is appealing to the masses.
Meanwhile, belief in religion and religious practices are scoffed at; the idea of God is almost being eliminated from the current educational system. Instead, the scientific method has become the ultimate reference point - demand for empirical evidence for the existence of God, popularization of the theory of evolution. All of these ideas can be detrimental if everyone relies on them entirely. Therefore, at this juncture, it becomes very critical to do some self-analysis and question ourselves as to how much we are affected with all of this as believers. We need to form circles and discuss that with our comrades and family- the concept of the oneness of God. It might be viewed as dissenting, but that becomes secondary, as the ultimate purpose is to stick to the truth and hold on to what God advises to humanity. Then, the explanation of the story of the gardener and the pauper is a very profound one. It's humbling when one realizes that God is in charge of all the marvelous grandeur that exists in the current world of Artificial Intelligence and industrial sophistication. Believing that it's all because of our intellect, talents, and efforts is equivalent to saying that we are self-sufficient. All these blessings can get snatched away from us overnight. This egotistical temperament can blind us, and this story is a reminder to humbles us.
Khurram Murad also attempts to relate other incidents in this Surah with contemporary times. For example, the explosion of information in present-day and age is comparable with the story of Musa and Khidr; one might be delusional, thinking that He/She knows it all while God might have blessed someone else with more knowledge. The quest for knowledge should never stop. The last story of Dhulqarnain is a perfect role model for current rulers to establish justice and empathy with their empires. They shouldn't exploit people if they have abundant resources but are technologically and materialistically lagging. Rulers should respect diversity, and make sure all the subjects within their empires receive humane and inclusive treatment, ensure safety to its people, and regularly supervise against the external threats.
In conclusion, the book is ahead of its time, and it's an attempt to contemporize with the present-day worldviews. One of the themes of this book is to look at Quranic verses as if they are revealed now, and then reflect on its meaning. It may be helpful for English speaking youth to understand the more profound implications of Quranic messages.
Meanwhile, belief in religion and religious practices are scoffed at; the idea of God is almost being eliminated from the current educational system. Instead, the scientific method has become the ultimate reference point - demand for empirical evidence for the existence of God, popularization of the theory of evolution. All of these ideas can be detrimental if everyone relies on them entirely. Therefore, at this juncture, it becomes very critical to do some self-analysis and question ourselves as to how much we are affected with all of this as believers. We need to form circles and discuss that with our comrades and family- the concept of the oneness of God. It might be viewed as dissenting, but that becomes secondary, as the ultimate purpose is to stick to the truth and hold on to what God advises to humanity. Then, the explanation of the story of the gardener and the pauper is a very profound one. It's humbling when one realizes that God is in charge of all the marvelous grandeur that exists in the current world of Artificial Intelligence and industrial sophistication. Believing that it's all because of our intellect, talents, and efforts is equivalent to saying that we are self-sufficient. All these blessings can get snatched away from us overnight. This egotistical temperament can blind us, and this story is a reminder to humbles us.
Khurram Murad also attempts to relate other incidents in this Surah with contemporary times. For example, the explosion of information in present-day and age is comparable with the story of Musa and Khidr; one might be delusional, thinking that He/She knows it all while God might have blessed someone else with more knowledge. The quest for knowledge should never stop. The last story of Dhulqarnain is a perfect role model for current rulers to establish justice and empathy with their empires. They shouldn't exploit people if they have abundant resources but are technologically and materialistically lagging. Rulers should respect diversity, and make sure all the subjects within their empires receive humane and inclusive treatment, ensure safety to its people, and regularly supervise against the external threats.
In conclusion, the book is ahead of its time, and it's an attempt to contemporize with the present-day worldviews. One of the themes of this book is to look at Quranic verses as if they are revealed now, and then reflect on its meaning. It may be helpful for English speaking youth to understand the more profound implications of Quranic messages.
August 16, 2017
Simple Quick Summary & Overview of Al Kahf
This is not an exhaustive source. However, the content is good enough for majority muslims, especially those who recites this surah every Friday. It helps us to appreciate the weekly surah that we are reading.
This is not an exhaustive source. However, the content is good enough for majority muslims, especially those who recites this surah every Friday. It helps us to appreciate the weekly surah that we are reading.
August 19, 2020
Give you new perspectives for this special surah that is recommended to be read every Friday. Bonus chapter about.. Dajjal (since there are hadiths that we should read Al-Kahf to be protected from Dajjal).
September 15, 2022
The book was beautifully articulated as it explains the verses and divides them into chunks to distinguish each story. The conclusion from the author where he explains the lessons of Surah Al Kahf is beautiful and inspiring.
May 28, 2019
Well written and analyzed
It’s very well analyzed and written. A good guidance for all Muslims to navigate all our affairs and stay istiqamah
It’s very well analyzed and written. A good guidance for all Muslims to navigate all our affairs and stay istiqamah
October 23, 2020
If you have been just reciting Quran without understanding, but wanting to, this can be a very good start. May Allah SWT give us knowledge and wisdom from Quran. Ameen
February 28, 2024
this book made me look into some surahs of the Quran I was less familiar with and I consider that worth it : )
February 8, 2015
When you look at research done by other scholars, you know that the author could've gone further with the topic of materialism and Al-Kahf's warning. This book is good as a very basic starting point but if you've done your research already, then you'd find it a bit of a disappointment.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews