Surah Al-Kahf is the 18th Surah of Quran and 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.

Abu al Darda reported the prophet (PBUH) as saying: ” If anyone memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surah Al-Kahf, he will be protected from the trial of Dajjal (Antichrist)”.

Abu Dawood said: In this way Hashim al-dastawa I transmitted it from Qatadah, but he said ” If anyone memorizes the closing verses of Surah Al-Kahf “. Shubah narrated from Qatadah the words from the end of Surah Al-Kahf.

Reference:Sunan Abi Dawood 4323, In book reference (Book 39, Hadith 33), (Book 38, Hadith 4309)

Abu Darda’ reported Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) as saying: ” If anyone learns by heart the first ten verses of the Surah Al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal”.

Reference:Sahih Muslim 809 a, In book reference (Book 6, Hadith 311), (Book 4, Hadith 1766)

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). “

Reference: Narrated by al-Daarimi, 3407. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami, 6471.

Surah Al-Kahf holds a distinct position among Muslims and it is a Surah, which gives numerous lessons to Muslims. The surah comprises of four stories, which disseminate four different lessons, which every Muslim must learn.

Four Stories And Four Benefits:

Story#1: The first story that is mentioned in the Surah is the story of the men of cave. They were the people whowere believers and lived in a country of non-believers. Thus, when they noticed that people will threat their lives because of the faith, they leave the city and go to a cave for the sake of Allah and their faith. Thus,there Allah Almighty bestowed sleep over them and when they woke up from their sleep, by that time all the people of their city had become believers. Thus, this story shows that when a person puts his or her belief in Allah Almighty, He always comes to their rescue and helps them in easing their difficulties.

The lesson to be learn from this story is that Allah Almighty puts the faith of a person to trial. When Allah Almighty puts the faith to trial and when a believer is steadfast in his or her faith, then Allah assists them in ways that are beyond comprehension. Moreover, the story also gives the lesson that a Muslim must always remain in the company of people who are good and righteous. The men of cave were all righteous, thus, their being together is one of the factors that attracted the mercy and assistance of Allah Almighty. Thus, a Muslim should be steadfast in his or her faith and remain in the company of good people.

Story#2: The second story in the Surah is a person who was the owner of two gardens and was wealthy and rich in every regard. However, his wealth lead him astray and he started doubting his faith, as a result of which Allah Almighty deprived him of all the worldly artifice and bounties, which made him realize the transients nature of the things of this world but by then it was too late for him.

From this story also a Muslim can learn two lessons. 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, a Muslim must also learn the lesson that the things of this world are all temporary and transient, therefore, when they are available one must thank Allah and spend on the ones who don’t have these worldly pleasures available to them.

Story#3: The third story mentioned in Surah Al-Kahf is of Hazrat Musa (AS) and Hazrat Khizar (AS). When Hazrat Musa (AS) thought that no one in this world had more knowledge of things than him, then Allah Almighty sent him to meet Hazrat Khizr, who throughout the story proved that he knew more than Musa (AS).

The lesson to be learnt from this story is that knowledge is not something, which one should be proud of, rather, having knowledge of things should teach humility to a person and one should know that there is always someone who is more knowledgeable and has a better understanding of things than one’s own self.

Story#4: The fourth story that Allah Almighty mentions in Quran in this particular Surah is the story of great king Dhul-Qarnayn who travelled all across the world to help the people who were in need and spread good wherever he went. He was the one who provided relief to people from the menace of Gag Magog.

The lesson to be learnt from this story is that power is also a gift from Allah and to those whom He gives power; He tests them by doing so. Therefore, those who have power over and compared to others should use this power to do good and make the lives of other easier and fight evil as well.