SURAH AL-KAHF

{ BY: SUHAIL JAMEEL

 Verses 9-26
 A few young believers lived in a time when

they were tortured for their beliefs. Upon the

guidance of God, they fled the city where
believers were persecuted, together with
their dog, and took refuge in a cave where they
fell asleep. When they awoke they found that
the people of the city had become believers.

Interpretation of the text

Verses 32-44
 In verses 32–44 the surah discusses a parable of two men, one of

whom had been given blessings from God and the other poor.
The rich one wronged his soul and started showing off with his
wealth and noble lineage.
 “And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was

conversing with him, "I am greater than you in wealth and

mightier in [numbers of] men.”
— Quran, Al-Kahf (The Cave), Ayah 34
Verses 60-82
 The third main story within the chapter is that of Musa(A.S)

traveling to gain knowledge from another servant of God who is

never mentioned by name, in Tafsir of Ibn Kathir he is called Al-
Khidr.
 Moses said to him, "May I follow you on [the condition] that you

teach me from what you have been taught of sound judgement?”

— Quran, Al-Kahf (The Cave), Ayah 34
Verses 83-98
 Finally, the surah mentions in verses 83–98, a man who traveled a

great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth –
namely , Zul-Karnain. The Qur'an repeats the Syrian legend of a
great king who helps a tribe of people build a massive wall of
iron between two mountains. It goes on to say that this wall will
be only destroyed on Judgment Day.
 "Whatever my Lord has granted me is good enough. But help me

with your labour and I will initiate a rampart between you and
them.”
-Quran , Al- Kahf
Reason of Revelation

 Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)'s tribe, the powerful Quraysh, were

greatly concerned about their tribesman who had started
claiming Prophet hood and wished to consult rabbis about the
matter. The Quraysh sent two men to the rabbis of Medina,
reasoning that they had superior knowledge of the scriptures and
about the prophets of God. The two Quraysh men described their
tribesman, Prophet Muhammad(PBUH), to the rabbis.
 The rabbis told the men to ask Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)
three questions.
 When Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) was informed of the three
questions from the rabbis, he said that he would have the
answers in the morning but did not say “If God wills it". For
fifteen days, Muhammad awaited eagerly for the revelation.
Muhammad did not answer the question until then. Doubt in
Muhammad began to grow amongst the people of Mecca. Then,
after fifteen days, Muhammad received the revelation of Al-Kahf
as an answer to the questions.
  "Whoever reads Surah Kahf on Friday, light
shall shine forth for him between the two
Fridays.“
–Sahih Muslim

Hadith from Surah Al-

Kahf