الكهف
Al Kahf
Verses
110
Revelation
Makki
Period
Late Makkan
Surah No.
18 / 114
Surah Al-Kahf contains four famous parables: the People of the Cave (young men who slept for over 300 years to preserve their faith), the man with two gardens (a lesson on arrogance and gratitude), the story of Musa and Al-Khidr (the limits of human knowledge), and the story of Dhul-Qarnayn (a righteous ruler who contained Yajuj and Majuj). These four narratives collectively address the four great trials: of faith, of wealth, of knowledge, and of power.
أسباب النزول
The Quraysh sent a delegation to Jewish rabbis in Madinah to ask for questions to test the Prophet. The rabbis suggested asking about the People of the Cave, a man who travelled the earth, and the soul. The Prophet said he would bring the answer and the revelation was slightly delayed, causing the Quraysh to mock him. Al-Kahf was then revealed in response to these questions about the youth in the cave and Dhul-Qarnayn.
“When the youths retreated to the cave and said: Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.”
The prayer of the young men fleeing religious persecution. This verse is considered a model supplication for those seeking divine protection when facing pressure to abandon their faith.
“Say: If the sea were ink for the words of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord were exhausted.”
This verse provides a powerful image of the inexhaustible divine knowledge and was revealed in response to Jewish rabbis who questioned whether the Quran truly encompassed all divine wisdom.
The Prophet said: "Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, it will illuminate him with a light between the two Fridays." (Hakim, Bayhaqi) He also said that the first ten verses protect from the Dajjal (Antichrist).