The Secrets of Surah al-Kahf

Ever wondered why Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked us to recite Sūrah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18) every Friday?

Let’s find out today inshāAllāh…

Virtues of Sūrah al-Kahf:

Abdullāh Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

‘Whoever reads Sūrah al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah (Friday), 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-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, 1/298]

Imam ash-Shāfi’ī said in al-Umm 1.239:

“It has reached us that whoever recites Sūrah al-Kahf on Fridays will be protected from the Dajjāl (Anti-Christ).”

al-Hāfidh ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalānī said in Amāli:

“In some reports it says ‘the day of Jumu’ah (Friday)’ and in some reports it says ‘the night of Jumu’ah (Friday)’. They may be reconciled by saying that what is meant is the day which includes the night and vice versa.” (Fayd al-Qadeer, 6/199)

The stories in Sūrah al-Kahf:

1. The People of The Cave
   This is the story of young believing men who lived in a disbelieving town, so they decided to migrate for the sake of Allāh. Allāh rewards them with mercy in the cave and protection from the sun. They go to sleep and wake up hundreds of years later and found the entire village as believers.
   Moral: Trial of Faith

2. The Owner of Two Gardens
   This is a story of a man whom Allāh blessed with two beautiful gardens, but the man forgot to thank the One who blessed him with everything and he even dared to doubt Allāh regarding the afterlife. So his garden was destroyed – He regretted, but was too late and his regret did not benefit him.
   Moral: Trial of Wealth

3. Prophet Mūsā (Moses) and Khidr, the righteous servant of Allāh
   This is a story of Prophet Mūsā (Moses) and Khidr, the righteous servant of Allāh (May peace be upon them both); when Prophet Mūsā (Moses) was asked, “Who’s the most knowledgeable of the people of earth?” He replied, “Me”. Allāh then revealed to him that there’s someone who knows more than him. Mūsā (Moses) then traveled to Khidr and learnt how the Divine Wisdom can sometimes be hidden in matters which we perceive as bad.
   Moral: Trial of Knowledge

4. Dhul-Qarnayn
   The story of the Great King, Dhul Qarnayn, that was given knowledge and power; who explores the ends of the Earth, helping people and spreading all that’s good. He was able to overcome the problem of Ya’jūj-Ma’jūj (Gog and Magog) with the help of people (whom he could not understand) and builds a massive barrier by filling up the space between the two steep mountains-sides with iron and molten lead.
   Moral: Trial of Power

The relationship between Sūrah Al-Kahf and the Dajjāl (Anti-Christ):

The Dajjāl (Anti-Christ) will appear before the Day of Judgement with four trials:

1. Trial of Faith: He will ask people to worship him and not Allāh.
2. Trial of Wealth: He will be given powers to start/stop rain and tempt people with his wealth
3. Trial of Knowledge: He will trial people with the “knowledge” and news he gives them.
4. Trial of Power: He will explore and control the ends of the Earth.

How to survive these trials? The answer lies in Sūrah al-Kahf

1. Good companionship
   “And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life; no obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds.” (Sūrah Al-Kahf, verse 28)
2. Know the reality about the life of this world
   “Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world: It is like the rain which we send down from the skies: the earth’s vegetation absorbs it, but soon it becomes dry stubble, which the winds do scatter: it is (only) Allah who prevails over all things” (Sūrah Al-Kahf, verse 45)
   
3. Humility
   “Moses said: “Thou wilt find me, if Allah so will, (truly) patient: nor shall I disobey thee in aught.”” (Sūrah Al-Kahf, verse 69)
4. Sincerity
   “Say: “I am but a man like yourselves, (but) the inspiration has come to me, that your god is one God. Whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner.” (Sūrah Al- Kahf, verse 110)
5. Calling to Allāh
   “And recite (and teach) what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord: none can change His Words, and none wilt thou find as a refuge other than Him.” (Sūrah Al-Kahf, verse 27)
6. Remembering the Hereafter
   “One Day We shall remove the mountains, and thou wilt see the earth as a level stretch, and We shall gather them, all together, nor shall We leave out any one of them. And they will be marshalled before thy Lord in ranks, (with the announcement), “Now have ye come to Us (bare) as We created you first: aye, ye thought We shall not fulfil the appointment made to you to meet (Us)!”: And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say, “Ah! woe to us! what a Book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great,but takes account thereof !” They will find all that they did, placed before them: And not one will thy Lord treat with injustice.” (Sūrah Al-Kahf, verses 47-49)

Make it a habit to recite and reflect upon this Sūrah every Friday.

Source: http://letssharestories.tumblr.com

Next Post: The parallel between the four stories of Sūrah al-Kahf and the path of the Ummah