Al-Kahf’s revelation was in Makkah (except for verses 28, 83, and 101 revealed in Madinah). Thus, it is one of the five Meccan sura’s beginning with “Alhamdu Lilah” (Praise be to Allah). It has 110 verses, and its name came from its 9th verse:
Do you think that the people of the Cave and ar-Raquim were an extraordinary thing of Our wonders?
According to Ibn Kathir’s tafsir, our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) found himself confronted by the polytheists and the Book’s people (i.e., Jews and Christians) when he began to reveal the divine message.
Two polytheists, named An Nadr ibn Al Harith and Uqba Ibn Abu Muhit, were sent by the Quraish to Jewish scholars to describe Muhammad (peace be upon Him) because they had a vast knowledge about the prophets. The latter advised the two Quraish to ask Muhammad (peace be upon Him) three questions. Thus, according to them, if he could answer, it would mean that He is a true prophet. But if He failed, He would be a liar. The questions were:
- Who were the people of the Cave?
- Who is the man who has traveled the land from east to west? And what do you know about Dul-Qarnayn?
- What is the soul? What is the authentic story of Al-Khadir?
The Prophet (peace be upon Him) made them wait for several days until Jibril brought him the answers at the request of Allah. Thus, came down the revelation of Surah al Kahf, relating these events. Thus, the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir reports that the situation made sad our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), despite giving the right answers to the Jews’ and Quraish questions and the indisputable evidence a prophet, they continued in their disbelief.
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.” Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave) – Verse 110
Many hadiths are talking about the rewards of reading Surah Al-Kahf. In this case, it is reported that the one who recites the first ten verses (or the last ten according to the hadith) of this Surah will be illuminated by a light (Noor) between this Friday and the following.
The Prophet (peace be upon Him) said: “Whoever recites the Surah Al-Kahf, will be given to him on the Day of Resurrection a light that extends from his place to Makkah, and whoever recites the last ten verses this Surah will be spared, when the antichrist comes out, of his trial … “Hadith reported by At-Tabarani and authenticated by Al-Albani.
The Prophet (peace be upon Him) said: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave) on Friday, Allah illuminates it between the two Fridays.” Hadith narrated by An-Nassai, Al-Hakem, and Al-Bayhaqi according to Abu Said al-Khudari, may Allah be pleased with them, authenticated by Al-Albani
The Prophet (peace be upon Him) said: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, a light will shine under his feet to heaven, illuminating it until the Day of Judgment, and it will be forgiven him what he did between the two Fridays.” Narrated Ibn Mardaweh, according to Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them.
Also, Muslims use to recite this Surah to protect themselves from the dajjal. He is the antichrist that will appear at the end of time.
Who is the Dajjal, and what are his tribulations?
We know from the ahadith of our beloved Prophet, peace be upon Him, that Dajjal will appear on earth a short period of time before the Day of Judgment. Indeed, he will bring people four tribulations :
- Faith’s tribulation: He will claim that he is a prophet or the lord of the universe.
- Wealth’s tribulation: He will have the ability of Allah’s permission to control the rain and attract people by his wealth.
- Knowledge’s tribulation: our Prophet, peace be upon Him, has warned us and described to us who is Dajjal. Unfortunately, people will doubt that knowledge and will believe in what he says.
Authority tribulation: He will rule a large part of the world in a short period of time after 40 days except for two places: Mecca and Medina.
The major themes of Surah al kahf
The following themes are presents in four stories: the people of the cave, the owner of the two gardens, Prophet Musa and al Khidr peace upon them, and Dhul Qarnayn.
A. The people of the cave
A group of believing youngsters lived in a town where people were disbelievers. They decided to migrate for the love of Allah. Allah the Greatest rewarded them and covered them by His mercy in a cave. They slept and when they awoke, found a village where its people were believers. Youngsters demonstrated the sincerity of their faith.
B. The owner of the two gardens
A man to whom Allah gave two beautiful gardens forgot to thank Allah and doubted in Allah and the hereafter. His gardens were destroyed. He regrets it, but it was too late. Also, his wealth was a great temptation for him.
C. Musa and al Khidr
Mussa had the thought that he was the most knowledgeable man of his time. Nevertheless, he was wrong. Thus, Allah ordered Musa to meet a person more knowledgeable than him. He traveled to find that person – called al Khidr – and when he met him. Thus, he learned that sometimes God’s wisdom could escape us and be in the thing that appears to be detestable for us. Musa had to make modesty in front of al Khidr.
D. Dhul Qarnayn
Dhul Qarnayn was a great leader, owned knowledge, and authority. He ruled the East and the West. He could solve Yajuj and Majuj and built a huge dam to help the people who required his help. These people tried to corrupt him by offering presents, but Dhul Qarnayn was sincere in his act of worship and in the appliance of his authority that was granted by Allah. Thus, he refused to take their presents because he knew that the reward would be only from Allah.
Wisdom of these four stories and their relation with Dajjal
These four stories related in surah al Kahf evoke the four tribulations that Dajjal will bring with him:
- Faith: the story of the youngsters
- Wealth: the story of the owner of the two gardens
- Knowledge: the story of al Khidr and Musa
- Authority: the story of Dhul Qarnayn
Hadeeths on the importance of reading Surah Al Kahf on Friday:
There are saheeh ahadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) concerning the virtues of reciting Soorat al-Kahf during the day or night of Jumu’ah (Friday). These include:
1. From Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri, who said: “Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on the night of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (the Ka’bah).”(Narrated by al-Daarimi, 3407. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami, 6471)
2. “Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.”(Narrated by al-Haakim, 2/399; al-Bayhaqi, 3/249. Ibn Hajar said in Takhreej al-Adhkaar that this is a hasan hadeeth, and he said, this is the strongest report that has been narrated concerning reading Soorat al-Kahf. See: Fayd al-Qadeer, 6/198. It was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6470)
3.It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds of the sky, which will shine for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiven (his sins) between the two Fridays.’”Al-Mundhiri said, this was narrated by Abu Bakr ibn Mardawayh in his Tafseer, with an isnaad with which there was nothing wrong.(al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, 1/298)
Abu al-Darda’ reported the prophet (ﷺ) as saying :If anyone memorizes ten verses from the beginning of surat al-Kahf, he will be protected from the trial of Dajjal (Antichrist).Abu Dawud said: In this way Hashim al-dastawa’I transmitted it from Qatadah, but he said : “If anyone memorizes the closing verses of surat al-Kahf.” Shu’bah narrated from Qatadah the words “from the end of al-Kahf.(Sunan Abi Dawud 4323)
Benefits of Reading Surah Kahf on Friday
Reading Surah Kahf on Friday has some significant benefits. Some of these benifts are mentioned below.
1) Secure Against Dajal Fitna
2) Shine Light
3) Forgive Sins
4) Protect from Poverty
Secure Against Dajal Fitna
A person who recites the last ten verses of Surah every Friday will be protected from the fitna of Dajjal when Dajal came out.
Shine Light
He who reads Surah Kahf on Friday, ALLAH will shower a light (NOOR) on a face that will last till the next two Fridays.
Forgive Sins
Those who recite this Surah on every Friday ALLAH will forgive all of his/her sins.
Protect from Poverty
Whoever reads Surah Kahf on Friday ALLAH will bless his house and protect him/her from poverty
Take time to read Surah al Kahf every Friday.
The reading of this Surah takes around half an hour. It has 110 verses. How to arrange your time every Friday to read this important Surah. Thus, you will enjoy the protection of the Almighty until next Friday? And you, how do you organize your day to read Surah Al-Kahf?
