Sūrah al-Kahf

Overview

Sūrah al-Kahf is a Makkan sūrah with 110 āyāt. Its title comes from the Arabic for word for ‘cave’, as it describes the story of a group of young men who despised the false practices of their people and, following persecution, escaped to a cave away from the city. Miraculously, their recluse therein extended for centuries longer than they had anticipated, enjoying a slumber of monumental proportions. When they finally awakened, they thought they had only rested for a day or so, and decided that one of them should quietly go back to the city to purchase food for them with a few silver coins. Probably after realising the currency had long expired, the fellows of the cave appreciated just how long they were out for. The people they returned to—much milder than their ancestors—erected a place of worship in their honour (18:9-26). This is the first of four stories told in the sūrah.

The second is of two companions: one an arrogant ingrate and the other a humble believer. Allah had given the former two beautiful gardens with a river flowing between them and a good harvest of fruit. Instead of recognising the favour of Allah over him, he was deluded by their splendour and forgot there will come a day where he will stand before his Lord. Despite his friend’s best efforts, he was incorrigible. Only when Allah’s punishment came did he realise his wrong and wished he had not associated anything with his Lord (18:32-44).

The third story relates to Mūsā and a mysterious sage of divinely gifted knowledge. Though he is unnamed in the Qur’an, we learn from the Hadith that it is al-Khiḍr. Allah commanded Mūsā to seek him out. When he finally found him, al-Khiḍr told him that he would not have patience over what was to ensue, for his was a different type of knowledge to what Mūsā had been given. The latter promised to be obedient, though after three shocking and bewildering acts, he could not bear it any longer. After al-Khiḍr explained the divine reasoning behind them, their journey came to an end (18:60-82).

The fourth and final story is of a man referred to as Dhū al-Qarnayn—literally, ‘the Two-horned One’, perhaps referring to a special helmet he donned. He was someone whom Allah had given profound openings in the land, and who was fair despite his power. Allah describes some of his works in the east, the west, and a place ‘between the two barriers’, likely some large mountains. His interaction with a people ‘who could barely understand a thing’ there saw him lead the impressive construction of a fortified wall to protect them from Yaʾjūj and Maʾjūj. He concludes by saying that, when the Hour comes, this wall will be obliterated (18:83-98).

Context

The Quraysh idolaters sought counsel from their Jewish neighbours as to how they should discredit the Prophet ﷺ. They told them to ask him ﷺ about three things: the youth of the cave, a man of old who reached the east and the west in his travels, and the soul; and if he answers, he is a true prophet. And so they did, and the Prophet ﷺ told them he would respond the next day. No revelation came down upon him until the third day, though, where Allah revealed: “Do not say about a thing, ‘I shall do this tomorrow’, without, ‘Only if Allah wills’” (18:23-24). Then the answers were revealed (the response to the third is in the 85th āyah of Sūrah al-Isrāʾ).

Themes

The majority of Sūrah al-Kahf is covered by the four aforementioned stories. From each one we are able to derive a key spiritual virtue. Though any one virtue can be found to an extent in any one of the other stories, the following is one reasonable delineation:

• Tawakkul – The fellows of the cave called their people to truth, rebuked falsehood, and like everyone before or after them who had done the same, were met with hostility and aggression. Thus, they relied upon Allah, placed their trust in Him alone, and sought shelter in a cave. They became a parable in how Allah saves those who entrust themselves unto Him.
• Shukr – Gratitude is not only the foundation of faith, but it preserves one’s blessings and increases one in provision. The humble friend did not have the two gardens his companion had, yet did not complain and simply reminded him of Allah’s favours upon him. The arrogant man was haughty and deluded with his wealth until it was too late.
• Raḥmah – Allah is the Merciful, the Mercifier: the one perfectly characterised by mercy, and the one who perfectly externalises it onto His creation. We often witness Allah’s mercy made manifest, but the veil of ghayb makes us miss it on occasion. We learn from this story that business ruin, the loss of a child, and unmerited extensive physical labour are events pervaded by divine mercy, if only we could see.
• Quwwah – There is a false modern notion that power is inherently evil. This is simply untrue. While there will come many a Firʿawn, Namrūd, and Abū Jahl in this world, there will equally be a Sulaymān, ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, and Dhū al-Qarnayn: men who possess worldly sovereignty yet exercise meticulous caution when it comes to justice and equity. The latter principles are not practically possible without power.

Unique Features

• Other than that of shayṭān and Ādam (18:50), Sūrah al-Kahf is the only sūrah to mention the stories that appear in it: the fellows of the cave, the two gardens, Mūsā and al-Khiḍr, and Dhū al-Qarnayn.
• It is the middle of the Qur’an length wise, and it is said that the word that marks the half-way point is wal-yatalaṭṭaf: ‘Let him exercise subtlety and be gentle.’ (18:19)
• It is the third of five sūrahs in the Qur’an which begin with ḥamd (the others are al-Fātiḥah, al-Anʿām, Sabaʾ, and Fāṭir).

Lessons

• “Content yourself with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His countenance, and let not your eyes overlook them, seeking the splendour of the worldly life.” (18:28)
• We are taught to say in shāʾ Allāh as well as mā shāʾ Allāh in this sūrah:
  • “Do not say about a thing, ‘I shall do this tomorrow’, without, ‘Only if Allah wills.’” (18:23-24)
  • “If only when you had entered your garden you had said, ‘As Allah wills; there is no power except through Allah.’” (18:39)

Virtues and Valuable Information

• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever memorises the first 10 āyat of Sūrah al-Kahf will be protected from Dajjāl.”
• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever recites Sūrah al-Kahf on Fridays will have a light shining from one Friday to the next.”