Ever wondered why we are been told or reminded on Fridays to read suratul Kahf? Do u ever feel like its just routine? Or you just read it blindly without reflecting on the virtues?
Well, you are not alone. Many of us perform spiritual activities with lack of enthusiasm because we probably cannot relate with the deep reason behind these activities, the great essence of performing them etc.
The Quran is the word of Allah and is the most sacred text to every Muslim. A Muslim is keen to consult with Quran in every matter of life. It is also a means of earning reward from Allah. Surah Al kahf is one the great Surahs in the Quran. The virtues of reciting Surah Al Kahf and pondering the meaning will be discussed below:
Surah al kahf:
Surah Al Kahf is a Meccan Surah meaning it was revealed when Prophet Muhammad was in Mecca. It was revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ before the Hijrah/Migration to Medina when the persecution of Muslims and Islam was at its peak. It was revealed somewhere between 8th and 10th year of Prophethood. It is the 18th Surah of Quran and it has 110 ayaat/verses.
The Meaning of Al Kahf is The Cave and this surah is named after the incident of people of the cave or the Ashabu al Kahf, it tells the story of the believers in ancient time who when received the message of Truth accepted it. However, they were to face retaliation from the society they lived in and hence the flee from the city and found protection in a cave where Allah Almighty gave them sleep that lasted for centuries and till then their whole city had converted into believers. This Surah gives the message that those who believe in Allah and ask for protection from Him, He gives them the best protection the likes of which the world has never seen. Besides this illuminating message, the Surah also comes with a variety of virtues as described in the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The lines below discuss those virtues.
Virtue# 1:
It is narrated by Abu Saeed al-Khurdi, who said:
“Whoever reads Surah al Kahf on the night of Jummah, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (Kabah).” (al-Jaami)
This hadith goes on to show the power of the Surah when recited on Friday night. The hadith shows that the Surah brings light to the reader and the stretch of the light covers the area between Kabah and the reader, no matter how far away the reader is from the House of Allah. This stretch of light can be loosely considered as the light of blessings and mercy of Allah. Thus, by reciting the Surah on Friday night one can get hold of such magnanimous mercy and blessings.
Regarding the recitation of Surah al Kahf on Friday night, another hadith narrates:
“Whoever reads Surah al Kahf on the day of Jummah will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.” (al-Jaami)
Therefore, on Friday night, a Muslim must find time to sit down and read Surah al Kahf and become one of the blessed ones.
Virtue# 2:
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“One who memorized the first ten verses of Surah al Kahf will be secure against the Dajjal (Anti-Christ).” (Muslim)
Dajjal is one of the prominent figures of end of times and he will bring destruction to mankind. He will bring destruction and havoc to the world and because of his might people with low and weak faith will turn towards him and gather with him. At that time those who believe will ask help from Allah Almighty to protect them against his destruction. Therefore, if one wishes to be safe during the time of such grave adversity and annihilation, then one should try to memorize the first ten verses of Surah al Kahf and try reciting them whenever the chance becomes available.
Hazrat Ibn Mardwiyah Al Daiyaa (RA) said that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in a hadith:
“Whoever reads Surah al Kahf on yaumul Jummah, he is immune for 8 days from all fitnah that will happen. When the Dajjal comes out, he will be immune to him.”
Virtue# 3:
On the Authority of Hazrat Aisha (RA); the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Shall I not inform you of a Surah which is so full of greatness it reaches between the heaven and earth and it has blessings written for it of similar proportions (from the sky to earth) whoever reads it on Yaumul Jummah is forgiven what occurred between that Jummah and the next, in addition to 3 days (i.e. 10days in all) and whoever reads the last five ayat of it when he goes to sleep, Allah will send him that night what he wants. They said, Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: Sura Ashabul Kahf.”
This hadith gives a variety of virtues of reading and reciting Surah al Kahf on the day of Jummah. The first virtue is that the person gets forgiven from one Friday to the next including the last three days as well. Meaning that by reading Surah al Kahf on Friday one gets to be free of sin for ten days. The second virtue described in the hadith is the granting of whatever a person wishes if he or she sleeps after reciting the last five verses of Surah al Kahf. Therefore, by reading Surah al Kahf on Friday nights and before going to sleep every night one gets the benefits of expatiating from sins as well as granting of wishes, therefore, every Muslim who is in need of these two virtues must make sure that they form the habit of reciting Surah al Kahf every night in general and on Friday nights in particular.
Virtue #4:
You can study these stories in the Surah and ponder on the lessons.
1. Trial of Faith – People of the Cave/ Ashabu Al-Kahf (Verses 9 – 26)
2. Trial of Wealth – The story of the rich and the poor (Verses 32 – 44)
3. Trial of Knowledge – Moses and Al-Khidr (Verses 60–82)
4. Trial of Power – Dhul-Qar-nayn with Yajuj Majuj (Verses 83–98)
Conclusion:
Conclusively, Surah al Kahf is one of the great Surahs of Quran with enormous lessons to learn from, a source of protection and excellent benefits are earned by just reciting it often. Therefore, every Muslim should try henceforth to get into the habit of reciting Surah Al Kahf and remind other Muslims to do so too.
