Background to Surah Kahf

Surah Al-Kahf is the 18^th chapter of the Holy Quran which comprises four amazing and exciting  stories. Surah Kahf has multiple rewards and benefits for recitation which we will cover.

It’s a very beautiful Surah revealed on the Holy Prophet in Makkah. It comprises four main stories that show the power of belief. It also discusses multiple important elements of worship and faith in one God in every condition.

It also comprises four stories based on different themes and lessons.

There are 4 major themes in this Surah

1.Faith–Ashab Al-Kahf (Verses 9–26)
2. Wealth–The story of the rich and the poor (Verses 32–44)
3. Knowledge and wisdom–Moses and Al-Khidr (Verses 60–82)
4. Power–Dhul-Qar-nayn with Yajuj Majuj (Gog and Magog) (Verses 83–98)

Context Of Surah Al-Kahf

From the Tafseer of this Surah we understand that some polytheists came to the Holy Prophet Peace Be Upon Him (P.B.U. H) to ask a number of questions to prove that Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U. H)  was not the Prophet of Allah. These were the questions they asked:

1) Who were the people of the Cave?

2) Who is the man who has travelled the land from east to west?

3) What is the soul? What is the authentic story of Al-Khadir?

4) What do you know about Dul-Qarnayn?

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) has all the knowledge given to Him by Allah Azza Wa Jallah (AWJ). Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) waited for a number of days and then finally Allah (AWJ) through his beloved Angel Gabriel revealed all the answers in Surah Al-Kahf, Subhan Allah! 

First Story: As-Haab-Ul-Kahf (The Companions of the Cave)

A trial of Faith for the Companions of the Cave: This is the first story mentioned in Surah Al Kahf. This is the story of young men who were believers and lived in the town of those who were not worshipping Allah (SWT). When the people and the king was against their belief and worship to Allah they decided to left their country or town where they used to live they escaped from there and found a cave and hid in there. They felt worried because everyone was against them but Allah (SWT) blessed them with peace and strengthened their belief (Imaan) at that time they made dua from Allah “Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare us from our affair right guidance.”

Then after making dua, Allah (SWT) bestowed sleep over them, they slept for years and years and when they woke up the entire city had become believers. From this story, we conclude that no matter what happens and where we are in what situation we have to worship Allah and should have a strong belief in Him. He always comes to the rescue and helps those in easing their difficulties.

Lessons from the story:

• Faith in the message Of Allah
• Allah is the true companion
• Its makes over belief strong on living after death
• Allah is the only protector

Second Story: Owners Of Two Gardens

A trial of the wealth - The story of rich and the poor: The second story is about two men one of them was rich having gardens of grapes who looked down on the other who he considered to be poor. The man who was rich was a very proud man because of his gardens. He used to say to the other man “I am greater than you in wealth and have more servants, attendants and children”. One day he went to his garden and looked at it and said: “This will not going to vanish ever”. He forgot to say  if Allah wills! As a result, Allah Almighty deprived him of all the worldly goods. This made the man realise the short-term nature of the things of this world.

 We can learn two important lessons from this story. The first lesson is that all the wealth is also a test from Allah Almighty. Therefore, to those whom He grants, He is actually testing them whether they will be grateful to Him or not. Secondly, people must also learn the lesson that the things of this world are all temporary and short; therefore, when they are available one must thank Allah and spend on the ones who don’t have these worldly pleasures available to them.

Lessons From the Story

• Always thankful to Allah
• Never feel superior and proud
• Nothing stays last forever
• Allah seek Allah forgiveness for more blessings
• Consider wealth as a blessing and reward from Allah
• Don’t love your wealth as it’s a trial for us in this world

Third Story: Knowledge and wisdom–Moses and Al-Khidr 

The trial of Knowledge - The story of Moses and Al-Khidr:  Once someone asked Prophet Musa A.S. who has the most knowledge in this world?  Prophet Musa A.S. thought of himself as he was the Prophet of Allah that’s why he thought he had most of the knowledge in this “World (dunya)”. So he replied “I”. As we all know there is one who has created this world who has all knowledge more than anyone and that is Allah (SWT). Allah alerted Musa that don’t think you have more knowledge only just because you are a prophet, there is one man in the world who has more knowledge than you. Allah sent Musa to meet Khidr who has proved that he has more knowledge than him.  

Lessons From The Story

• Allah has the ultimate knowledge and wisdom
• He can deliver knowledge to anyone he likes
• It’s important to effort and seek more knowledge
• Be obedient as a student and follow your teacher with patience
• Respect your teachers and follow them
• Don’t act too much impatiently upon everything without understanding it completely
• Always seek more wisdom and knowledge from Allah with the ability to get benefit from knowledge

Fourth Story: Power–Dhul-Qar-Nayn & Yajuj Majuj (Gog and Magog)

The trial of Power – The story of Dhul-Qar-nayn with Yajuj Majuj: The fourth story is about Dhul-Qar-nayn who traveled all across the world to help the people who were in need and spread goodness wherever he went. He was the one who provided relief to people from the threat of Yajuj Majuj. He told the people that there is a wall that he constructed is the mercy of Allah that will fall down on the Day of Judgment and then Yajuj Majuj will come out. He was very humble and he knew that whatever he had given him by Allah. From this story, we learned a lesson that we should never think we are great whatever good we have, has been given to us by Allah. So Alhamdulillah for that! And we should use it for making life better for the people around us.

 Lessons From The Story

• All power comes from Allah SWT and should be used to serve Him
• Be righteous and don’t cause destruction and mischiefs
• Seek Allah Forgiveness From persecution Of Yajuj and Majuj 
• Follow Teaching the commands of Allah SWT

Important Wazif Of Surah Al-Kahf

• “One who memorized the first ten verses or ayyats of Surah Al Kahf will be secure against the Dajjal.”

(Sahih Muslim)

• Hazrat Ibn Mardwiyah Al Daiyaa (R.A) Said: “Whoever reads Surah al Kahf on Jummah, he is immune for 8 days from all fitnah that will happen. When the Dajjal comes out, he will be immune to him”

(Al Mukhtaar)

• “Whoever reads Surah al Kahf upon the arrival of Jummah will have a light that will sparkle from him starting with one Friday then onto the next.”

(Al-Jaami)

• It is related from Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (RA) who said: “Whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf on the night of Jummah (Friday), will have a light that will stretch between him and the Holy Kabaah.

(Daarimi)

Conclusion

There are undoubtedly numerous rewards and Importance of Surah Al-Kahf. The four stories of Wealth, power, knowledge, and faith have meaningful lessons to understand the unique aspects of these four important elements of our life.

Surah Kahf has special rewards for recitation. It is one of the most important Surahs against the persecution of Dajjal. May Allah protect us against Dajjal and from the persecution of Yajuj and Majuj, and help us to contemplate over the lessons covered in this Surah ameen.