Surah Kahf is one hundred and ten ayahs long, and most of us read it every week, knowing it is recommended to do so. But how many of us really know the reasons behind reciting this beautiful surah?
This surah is amazing as it brings together many lessons contained in narrations of nations past. It traverses the story of youths in the cave, the story of the two men and the garden, the story of Musa and Al-Khidr and last but not least the story of Dhul-Qarnain. Patience, gratitude, knowledge and much more can all be learnt from this surah. The benefits of this Surah are many. Many morals can be extracted, and there various Ahadith which mention the benefits of this surah.
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri, who said: “Whoever reads Surah 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)
In another narration “Whoever reads Surah 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 this is a hasan hadeeth, he said, this is the strongest report that has been narrated concerning reading Surah Al-Kahf. See: Fayd al-Qadeer, 6/198. Classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6470)
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever reads Surah 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)
Surah Kahf may be read during the day or night of Friday, the night starting from Thursday sunset, and the day ending on Friday at sunset.
Al-Mannaawi said that Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar said in his Amaali: “In some reports it says ‘the day of Jumu’ah’ and in some reports it says ‘the night of Jumu’ah’. 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)
But Surah Al-Kahf is not merely for Fridays. In a lengthy hadith collected by Muslim, we find that Surah Al Kahf is a means of protection against the false Messiah, Ad-Dajjal. The Prophet peace be upon him said, “Whoever among you sees him (the Dajjaal), let him recite against him the opening verses of Surah Al-Kahf.” (Hadeeth 5228).
Every Prophet that came, warned their people against the Dajjal. Muhammad peace be upon him, did no less. Abu-Darda narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Whoever memorizes ten aayaat from the beginning of Surah Al-Kahf will be protected from the Dajjaal” Muslim said: “Shu’bah said, ‘from the end of al-Kahf.’ Hammaam said, ‘from the beginning of al-Kahf.’” (Muslim 1342) Meaning, one will be protected from his fitna (trials). About this, Imam Al-Nawawi said: “The reason for this is because at the beginning of (this surah), mention is made of wonders and signs, and whoever ponders them will not be deceived by the fitnah of the Dajjaal. And at the end of this surah, Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Do then those who disbelieve think that they can take My slaves as awliyaa’ (lords etc.) besides Me?’ [Al-Kahf 18:102].” (Sharh Saheeh Muslim, 6/93).
One who reflects upon Surah Al-Kahf will take many great lesson from it. The stories mentioned in it are not merely fairy-tales, they are cited to capture our attention and compel us to ponder upon them.