Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrated that: 

The Prophet (SAW)said: "The best day that the sun has risen upon is Friday. On it Adam was created, on it he entered Paradise, and on it, he was expelled from it. And the Hour will not be established except on Friday." [1]

According to several hadith, reading Surah Kahaf on Friday is highly recommended. One hadith says that if a person reads Surah Kahah on Friday, a Noor (Light) would shine for him during two Fridays(i.e. all week long).

Why has Surah Kahaf been so commended to be recited on Friday? Because Surah Kahaf has several lessons, in form of stories, that we need to go through often and to take heed from. It is a reminder that we need to give ourselves every now and then, to become good Muslims and good Human beings.

The tests that have been mentioned in Surah Kahaf are:

1.        Test of Faith:

The story of the People of the Cave shows the test of faith. According to this story, a group of young men accepted the true message of Allah SWT, when everyone around them denied the truth. They felt that if they stayed in their city any longer, either they would be made to denounce their faith, or religion; or would be made to suffer and would be killed ultimately. They were strong in their faith and feared for their life. This made them decide to leave the city and take refuge in a cave. The young men had a dog, too. Allah made them go into a deep slumber that lasted 309 years. When they woke up, they sent one of them in the city to get food for them, not knowing that they had slept for so long. When people came to know of their existence(That they had been sleeping for several hundred years) they took them as a sign of Allah's greatness, and started thinking of making a structure, or a mosque over the cave where they had slept for so long. The story shows the test of faith of the young men, where they passed with flying colours.

2. Test of Wealth:

This story is about two men who own a garden each. One man is quite rich and has a beautiful garden having everything that one can imagine. The other is quite poor and has a garden that does not give much produce. The rich owner is proud and thinks that he deserves everything, is proud,  and doesn't take it as blessing from Allah. The poor owner tries to tell him to be humble, and grateful, but the other doesn't pay any attention. In the morning, when the rich man returns to his garden, Allah's wrath has ruined his garden , and he is left with nothing. This shows the test of wealth for the rich owner where he fails miserably.

3. Test of Knowledge:

This story is about Prophet Must (AS) and Khidr. Once when  Musa (AS) took himself as the most knowledgeable person. But Allah SWT sent him to Khidr. They  travelled together for sometime;  Several occurrences showed Musa (AS) that Khidr had much more knowledge than him. This was just to show that there is no limit to knowledge. For every person, there's someone better than him, and that the source of all knowledge is Allah SWT Himself.

4. Test of Power:

This is the story of Dhulqarnain and Yajooj Majooj. Yajooj Majooj thought themselves to be invincible and created chaos everywhere they went. DhulQarnain built a wall of iron between Yajooj Majooj and the rest of the world, to protect others from their evil. This was a test of power, and DhulQarnain chose to be just, and helped others utilising his power.

Ayah 50 of Surah Kahaf shows that all these trials initiate  when Shaytaan wants us to deviate from the straight path that leads to Allah SWT. How can we come out with flying colours, should we encounter any of these trials? There are many tools that have been mentioned in Surah Kahaf.

1.        Be righteous and strong in your faith:

Say, "I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone." (18:110)

2. Be patient and make loads of Dua:

"And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. …" (18:28)

3. Remember the Day of Judgement, and prepare for it.

"And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one."(18:49) 

How can we gain more reward of reciting Surah Kahaf?

By ensuring that we are reading Surah Kahaf correctly. Taking Quran lessons online can be really helpful in this regard. By taking Quran lessons online, we can get help of a Quran tutor, who is qualified, experienced and trained. Quran lessons online would result in reading Surah Kahaf with correct Tajweed. That would help us to gain rewards instead of reaping sins in case of incorrect tajweed. Quran lessons online, the easy way to improve Tajweed!

2.             By ensuring that we totally understand what we are reading. For this, we can take Quran lessons online that would help us learn Arabic, so that we can learn what Quran actually is saying.

3.             By ensuring that we are acting upon all the lessons learnt from Surah Kahaf. May Allah SWT Help us to understand His Message, and act upon it. Ameen.

References:

[1]Narrated by Jami at-Tirmidhi , Hadith 488

It is narrated on the authority of Abdullah son of Umar that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:

(The superstructure of) al-Islam is raised on five (pillars), testifying (the fact) that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is His bondsman and messenger, and the establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, Pilgrimage to the House (Ka'ba) and the fast of Ramadan.[1]

          Salah, or prayer is the second pillar of Islam. The gift of five prayers was given to the Muslim Ummah, when our beloved Prophet (SAW) went to meet Allah SWT on Mairaaj. Fortunately for us, by establishing five prayers daily, the reward of fifty prayers has been promised to the Muslim Ummah.We all know that it is really important for us to establish prayer as Muslims, but many of us don't realise that according to a hadith, failing to establish prayer might  lead to shirk, or kufr. [2]

          The importance of Salah becomes evident, as one of the first questions that would be asked on the day of Judgement, would be about our Salah.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (SAW) said:

“The first thing among their deeds for which the people will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be prayer. Our Lord will say to His angels, although He knows best, ‘Look at My slave’s prayer!Is it complete or lacking?’ If it is complete, it will be recorded as complete, but if it is lacking, He will say, ‘Look and see whether my slave did any voluntary (nawafil) prayers.’ If he had done voluntary prayers,

He will say, ‘Complete the obligatory prayers of My slave from his voluntary prayers.’ Then the rest of his deeds will be examined in a similar manner.” [3]

          This hadith also shows that after establishing five obligatory prayers, establishing nawafil is highly recommended. And the best voluntary prayer is Tahajjud; the prayer established at mid night.

          Apart from seeking Allah's Pleasure, establishing prayers has many benefits for us as Muslims, as well as human beings. Establishing Salah stops us from immodesty, and other sins. It helps us to manage our time more efficiently. By establishing Salah, our sins are forgiven, and righteousness is inculcated in us.

          But many times we feel that even after our attempt to establish prayers, we do not get the benefits we have been told, or at least not too the extent we had hoped for. Why is that so? What should we do to achieve the results that have been mentioned in various hadith?

          We need to perfect our Salah; Make it beautiful, to achieve maximum results. Are we offering Salah right on time, or are we delaying it till we just have enough time before Qada? Are we trying to make perfect wudu every time, or are just carelessly making wudu? Are we dressed properly for Salah? Meeting all conditions of Satr (fully covered)?Are we making sure that we meet all other conditions of Salah (clean place, clean clothes etc)? If we are not taking the preparation of Salah seriously, then how do we expect that our Salah would be of a standard that would please Allah SWT?

          When we actually start our prayer, we have to make sure to perform each step of prayer properly, giving it its time, and reciting the dua of each step slowly, such that it sinks in you. Qayaam, Ruku, Said, Jalsa, Tashhud, each step demands its proper time and dua.

          We can improve the standard of our Salah by improving the quality of our recitation (Qiraat) in Salah. How can we improve the quality of our recitation? We have many options available. We can look for a Quran teacher in our local mosque, or Islamic centre. We can also hire online Quran teacher. Online Quran teacher can really help us improve our pronunciation of Quran. The rules of pronunciation of Quran are called Tajweed, and it is essential to read Quran with correct Tajweed to gain maximum reward.

          Online Quran teachers are not only qualified, and well trained to teach Quran, they are also experienced to teach. Teaching involves different strategies for different students, based on their age, background, previous knowledge etc. Online Quran teachers can help us improve our Tajweed skills, which will help us improve our quality of Salah. Online Quran teachers can also help us to memorise different surahs, or chapters of Quran. This would help us greatly when we are not able to join congregation, or Jamaat, and have to offer Salah individually.

          We can beautify our Salah by learning perfect Tajweed and memorising a larger part of Quran. Online Quran teacher is a great help to achieve this. By taking Quran lessons online, we can be sure of improving our Quran recitation, Quran memorisation, as well as improving our Salah. It definitely is a win-win situation. May Allah Accept from us our good deeds and good intentions. Ameen.         

References:

[1]Narrated by Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 21

[2] Narrated by Sahih Muslim, Al-Emaan, Hadith 82

[3] Narrated by Abu Dawood, Hadith 864

"Arrogance" or "Pride" has been mentioned in Quran several times, having several different shades of meanings. "Arrogance" itself can be roughly defined as "an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or capabilities". Arrogance can be shown by your words, your body language, and even your attitude.

Arrogance has been clearly disliked by Allah SWT, and arrogant people have been warned of severe punishment, in this world as well as hereafter. Some of the different forms of arrogance are as follows:

1.      Arrogance in Faith: 

Arrogance in faith means denying the divine truth. It means disrespecting the commandments of Allah, choosing not to follow them; Whether completely, or partially. Offering salah not on time or leaving it all together, not paying zakat, or missing fardh fasts without any sharai' excuse, in Ramadan are some examples of arrogance in faith.

Another form of arrogance in faith means that you consider yourself more pious than others; That you believe that only you would be given higher status on the Day of Judgement; that all others are wrong, but only you are right. Your knowledge of the Deen is perfect, but all others, they don't seem to notice the difference between a carrot and a stick.

And when it is said to him, "Fear Allah", he is led by arrogance to crime

So enough for him is Hell, and worst indeed is that place to rest! [1]

2. Arrogance in Attitude:

Arrogance in attitude means considering yourself superior to others; Richness, wisdom, beauty, knowledge, your family, your capabilities; Arrogance in attitude can be on the basis of anything from the list, and much more. It means considering yourself to be the best, wiser than the rest, and thinking of imposing your opinions on others all the time. It means degrading others through your attitude, or body language. It also means that you think you have never sinned, and consider all others as sinners. Another form of arrogance in attitude is that you think that your are better than all others because of your own capabilities, your own strengths; Not because of Allah SWT's Blessings or By Allah's Commands. This form of arrogance is highly dangerous. Qarun, as mentioned in Chapter 28, Al-Qasas in Quran, was guilty of arrogance; in all of its forms.  He was punished severely, and dealt with strictly. All of his family, all of his wealth, along him was swallowed in the ground by the order of Allah SWT.

3. Arrogance in Action:

Arrogance in action means walking or talking in a way that makes you feel above all the rest. It means dressing up in a way to show off. It means being boastful in speech, or actions.

"And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not each arrogant boaster." [2]

This article only highlights that we need to eradicate arrogance from our daily lives. But there is so much more to know. How can we know what Allah SWT Likes or Dislikes? What are His commandments? His requirements? What should we do to avoid arrogance? To avoid all that displeases Allah SWT; and to do all that pleases Allah SWT. We can find that out with the most important, authentic, source of divine knowledge; Quran! By reading Quran, we can become fully aware of our responsibilities as Muslims.

Reading Quran opens a huge world of knowledge for us. If because of any reason, you still haven't acquired the ability to learn Quran, or you are a young learner, you are lucky that you can have Quran lessons online. True, many think that the  only way to learn reading Quran is by going to a teacher from your local mosque, or Islamic centre. But the fast paced life of today, the pressures of job, or studies, along your family might not make it a simple task. You might actually be very happy with the option to learn Quran lessons online.

The option of Quran lessons online comes with various privileges. You can learn to read Quran from the comfort of your home. You don't need to spend too much time in travelling to and fro from your house to your local mosque. This time you save by cutting down commuting, can easily be invested in doing some useful chores, or your long forgotten hobbies.

By taking Quran lessons online, you can have a new experience in learning; by moving at a speed that you desire! If you feel shy, you can learn reading Quran privately, by taking one-on-one lessons with your private tutors. You can also opt for group classes for economical reasons, or for family class, if you wish to save your family from hellfire, too.

If you do not know Arabic, and would like to know what Allah SWT wishes all of us to know, you can either try to go through some of the authentic translations of Quran. However, it would be a much better choice to start learning Arabic to know what Allah SWT Says. Learning Arabic ensures that you can understand what Allah SWT Says directly; no middle men involved. It would definitely become a great combo if you start taking Quran lessons online, along with Arabic classes.

By taking Quran lessons online, you get a chance to learn from the pros. Qualified, well trained, and experienced teachers make your learning experience a great experience.

References:

[1] Chapter 2 Al-Baqarah, Verse 206

[2] Chapter 31, Luqman, Verse :18