Name of Surah al-Kahf
This surah is named after the cave to which the youths, whose story is mentioned in this surah, went for protection. Naming the surah after those youths indicates their noble rank, perpetuates and honors their memory, and appreciates their steadfastness and sacrifice. Moreover, their story is a practical example for whoever seeks protection from trials.
The main theme of surah al-Kahf is how to seek protection from trials. The greatest of which is the trial of the false Messiah, which Messenger Muhammad warned of.
Virtues of Surah al-Kahf
There is a number of Prophetic narrations about the virtue of surah al-Kahf, among which are the following,
• Abu ad-Drdra’ reported that Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Whoever memorizes ten ayat from the beginning of surah al-Kahf will be immune to trial of the false Messiah.’
• Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported that Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Whoever recites surah al-Kahf on Friday, light will illuminate for him between the two Fridays.’
• An-Nawas bin Sam’an reported that Messenger Muhammad mentioned the false Messiah. He said, ‘…if he comes out when I am alive, I will suffice to protect you therefrom and triumph over him, using evidence. But if he comes out when I am not alive, then every Muslim should do his best to triumph over him, using evidence, and Allah will protect every Muslim. Indeed, he is a young man with curly hair, and a protuberant eye. I liken him to Abdul-Uzza bin Qatan. Whoever of you meets him let him recite the beginning of surah al-Kahf before him.’
Al-Kahf is a Meccy Surah
Surah al-Kahf was revealed in Mecca where Messenger Muhammad and his followers encountered great hardship, suffering, and pain from the disbelievers. The surah reassured Messenger Muhammad and his followers, informing them that believers before them had encountered similar sufferings, but ultimately triumphed over their enemies.
Number of its Ayat, Words & Letters
Surah al-Kahf has one thousand, five hundred, and seventy words. It also has six thousand, three hundred, and sixty letters.
According to the Madany and Meccy counting, there are one hundred and five ayat in surah al-Kahf. However, it contains one hundred and six ayat according to the Shamy counting, one hundred and ten ayat according to the Kufy counting, and one hundred and eleven ayat according to the Basry counting.
Main Theme of Surah al-Kahf
Surah al-Kahf mentions that one of the most important goals of revealing the Quran is to show how to attain protection from endless and sweeping trials facing man in this life. These trials include but not limited to authority, youthfulness, kinship, wealth, offspring, love of the worldly life, Satan, knowledge, Gog and Magog, and whims.
The surah sheds light on these trials and warns of their dangers. It also presents the method of protection and salvation. It is to obey Allah, seek His help, have correct conception, demonstrate values, and see the universe and life from a proper angle. It is also to discern the reality of the worldly life, seek the reward of the Hereafter, have righteous companionship, seek beneficial knowledge, worship Allah in the right manner, show patience and firmness, practice good ethics, and learn lessons from the stories of those came before us.
Relationships in the Surah
• Some scholars said that surah al-Kahf came in line after surah al-Isra in the Quran since surah al-Isra begins with glorification, and surah al-Kahf beings with praising Allah. Both of which typically come together in the Quran and in everyday speech . For example, Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Thus, glorify your Lord, praising Him and be of those who prostrate.) [Q 15:98]
• The Jews caused the disbelievers of Mecca to ask Messenger Muhammad about the true nature of the spirit, the story of the companions of the cave, and the story of Dhu-al-Qarnayn. Allah mentions the answer for the first question at the end of surah al-Isra. Therefore, it was appropriate to put the surah that has the answer for the remaining questions after surah al-Isra.
• The main theme of surah al-Kahf is mentioning how to seek protection from trials. It also mentions how the youths of the cave sought protection from the disbelievers by hiding in the cave to protect their faith from the oppressors.
• Surah al-Kahf begins by referring to the bounty of revealing of the Quran. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Praise is due to Allah, Who has revealed the Book to His slave and has not made any deviance therein.) [Surah al-Kahf: 1]
• Surah al-Kahf is concluded with a statement about the ayat of the Quran, whose miracles and meanings are endless. Thus, the conclusion of the surah confirms and reminds of what is mentioned at the beginning. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Say, ‘If the sea were ink for writing the words of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord were exhausted, even if We brought the like thereof as replenishment.’)[Surah al-Kahf: 109]
• The beginning of surah al-Kahf refers to the characteristics and goals of the Quran. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Praise is due to Allah, Who has revealed the Book to His slave and has not made any deviance therein. He has made it strictly consistent to warn of severe torment from Him and give good news to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward.) [Surah al-Kahf: 1-2]
• Surah al-Kahf is concluded with showing the nature and duty of Messenger Muhammad, who brought this revelation. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Say, ‘I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your God is One God. Whoever hopes to meet his Lord should do righteous deeds and must not worship no one besides His Lord.’) [Surah al-Kahf: 110]
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