Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Surah Kahf
In the various Ahaadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has encouraged the ummah to recite certain surahs of the Quraan Majeed on a daily basis or weekly, as these surahs contain special benefits for those who recite them. Among these surahs are Surah Yaseen, Surah Mulk, Surah Sajdah, Surah Waaqi’ah and Surah Kahf.
In regard to Surah Kahf, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) encouraged the ummah in his Mubaarak Ahaadith to recite Surah Kahf on the Day of Jumu’ah. Hence, reciting Surah Kahf on the Day of Jumu’ah is among the Sunnah practices that should be carried out on the Day of Jumu’ah.
In one Hadith, it is reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once addressed the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and said, “Shall I not show you a surah which is such that it was accompanied by seventy thousand angels (when it was revealed), its greatness fills the space between the sky and the earth, and the one who recites it receives reward equivalent to that?”
The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) replied, “Certainly inform us of such a surah, O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “This surah is the surah of the people of the cave (Surah Kahf). The one who recites this surah on the Day of Jumu’ah, all his (minor) sins will be forgiven until the next Jumu’ah, and for a further three days as well. He will also receive a special noor that will shine to the sky, and he will be divinely protected from the fitnah of Dajjaal.” (Fadhaailul Quraan Libnidharees #203, Tafseer Qurtubi 10/346)
Below are some of the great virtues and benefits that are reported in the Mubaarak Ahaadith regarding the recitation of Surah Kahf:
Receiving Divine Protection from Dajjaal and All Fitnahs
Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who recites Surah Kahf on the Day of Jumu’ah will receive divine protection from Allah Ta‘ala for eight days from every type of fitnah. If Dajjaal has to emerge then he will be divinely protected from Dajjaal as well.” (Al-Ahaadithul Mukhtaarah li-Dhiyaa Maqdisi #430)
In another Hadith, Hazrat Abu Dardaa (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever recites the ten verses from the end of Surah Kahf, he will receive divine protection from Dajjaal.” (Musnad Ahmad #27516)
The Ulama explain that it is better for one to recite the entire surah. However, if one suffices on reciting the first ten verses or last ten verses of Surah Kahf, then one will also receive divine protection from Dajjaal.
Receiving Special Noor
Hazrat Mu’aaz bin Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who recites the beginning verses and concluding verses of Surah Kahf, it will become a noor for him from his feet until his head, and the one who recites the entire surah, it will become a noor for him from the earth until the sky.” (Musnad Ahmad #15626)
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports, “Whoever recites Surah Kahf on the Day of Jumu’ah, a special noor will shine for him from beneath his feet until the clouds in the sky, and this noor will shine for him on the Day of Qiyaamah, and his (minor) sins (committed) between the two Jumu’ahs will be forgiven.”(Tafseer Ibnu Marduyah – At-Targheeb #1097)
Repelling Shaitaan from the Home
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mughaffal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said that if Surah Kahf is recited in any home, then shaitaan will not be able to enter that home for that night. (Tafseer Ibnu Marduyah – Roohul Ma’aani 8/190)
Assisting One to Awaken for Tahajjud
Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said that the one who recites the last five verses of Surah Kahf when retiring to bed, Allah Ta‘ala will assist him to wake up at whatever time he wishes to wake up in the night.” (Tafseer Ibnu Marduyah – As-Siraajul Muneer 2/214)
After quoting this narration, Allaamah Aaloosi (rahimahullah) mentions, “I have tried this many times and found it to be most effective.”
Being Saved from the Punishment in the Grave
It is reported that Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentioned that the one who recites Surah Kahf receives a special noor that shines between the sky and the earth, and through reciting this surah, he is saved and protected from the punishment in the grave. (Tafseer Qurtubi 10/346)
Gaining Entry into Jannah
Hazrat Samurah bin Jundub (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who memorizes and recites ten verses of Surah Kahf, the fitnah of Dajjaal will not harm him, and the one who recites the entire surah will enter Jannah.” (Tafseer Qurtubi 10/346)
Incident of a Person Gaining Salvation through the Recitation of Surah Kahf
Allaamah Ibnul Hajar Asqalaani (rahimahullah) has mentioned the following incident which highlights the immense virtue of reciting Surah Kahf. He says that the Qaadhi of Safad, Muhammad bin Abdir Rahmaan Uthmaani, mentions that Saifuddeen Balbaan Husaami narrated the following to him. He said:
One day, I went out to the desert. On coming out, I saw that Ibnu Daqeeq Al-Eid V was present in the cemetery, standing at a certain grave. He was reciting the Quraan Majeed and engaging in dua while weeping.
When I asked him why he was weeping, he said, “The inmate of this grave was one of my students who learnt the Quraan Majeed from me, but then he passed away.
“Last night, I saw him in a dream and asked him regarding his condition. He replied, ‘After I was placed in the grave, on account of my sins, I saw the punishment come towards me in the form of a fierce dog that resembled a predatory animal. I was overcome by fear, and the dog began to frighten and threaten me.
“‘While I was in this state of fear, I suddenly saw a handsome man appear who began to chase the dog away and rescue me from its harm. The man thereafter came to me and gave me comfort and consolation from the harm of the dog.
“‘I asked him, ‘Who are you?’ He replied, ‘I am the Surah Kahf which you used to punctually recite in the world on the Day of Jumu’ah. I have been sent to come and rescue you’’” (Ad-Durar-ul-Kaaminah 5/352)
