The Importance of Surah al Kahf - the Cave

Surah Al-Kahf presents four captivating stories, each mirroring the tribulations the Dajjal will bring:

A. Faith’s Tribulation: The story of the youngsters underscores the importance of unwavering faith and righteous deeds, following the Sunnah of the Last Messenger (peace be upon Him). Allah reminds us to be sincere in our worship and to call upon Him alone.

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا

“Say, “I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So, whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord – let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.” (18:110)

Allah orders to invoke and call only Him:

وَاتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِن كِتَابِ رَبِّكَ ۖ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَلَن تَجِدَ مِن دُونِهِ مُلْتَحَدًا

“And recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no changer of His words, and never will you find in other than Him a refuge. “ (18:27)

B. Wealth’s Tribulation: Surah Al-Kahf warns against the world’s deceptive allure. It cautions that material wealth, like rain that dries into scattered remnants, is transient. We must remain grateful and not let riches lead us astray.

وَاضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا كَمَاءٍ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهِ نَبَاتُ الْأَرْضِ فَأَصْبَحَ هَشِيمًا تَذْرُوهُ الرِّيَاحُ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُّقْتَدِرًا 

“And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability.” (18:45)

C. Knowledge’s Tribulation: The tale of Musa and Al-Khidr teaches humility in seeking knowledge. Despite Musa’s stature as a prophet, he learned that divine wisdom can be hidden in the seemingly detestable. His humbleness before Al-Khidr serves as a profound lesson.

قَالَ لَهُ مُوسَىٰ هَلْ أَتَّبِعُكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُعَلِّمَنِ مِمَّا عُلِّمْتَ رُشْدًا ﴿٦٦﴾ قَالَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبْرًا ﴿٦٧﴾ وَكَيْفَ تَصْبِرُ عَلَىٰ مَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ خُبْرًا ﴿٦٨﴾ قَالَ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّـهُ صَابِرًا وَلَا أَعْصِي لَكَ أَمْرًا

Moses: “May I follow you on [the condition] that you teach me from what you have been taught of sound judgment?” (66) He said, “Indeed, with me, you will never be able to have patience. (67) And how can you have the patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?” (68)[Moses] said, “You will find me, if Allah wills, patient, and I will not disobey you in [any] order.” (69)

D. Authority’s Tribulation: Dhul Qarnayn, a just leader, embodies sincere worship and resists worldly temptations. He declines offerings, knowing that true reward comes solely from Allah. His story reinforces the importance of humility in authority.

 قَالَ أَمَّا مَن ظَلَمَ فَسَوْفَ نُعَذِّبُهُ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِ فَيُعَذِّبُهُ عَذَابًا نُّكْرًا ﴿٨٧﴾ وَأَمَّا مَنْ آمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلَهُ جَزَاءً الْحُسْنَىٰ ۖ وَسَنَقُولُ لَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِنَا يُسْرًا

He said, “As for one who wrongs, we will punish him. Then he will be returned to his Lord, and He will punish him with a terrible punishment. (87) But as for one who believes and does righteousness, he will have a reward of Paradise, and we will speak to him from our command with ease.” (88)

 He was sincere in His worship of Allah. When the people who were afraid of Yajuj and Majuj offered money, he refused to take, because he knows that Allah gives better.

قَالُوا يَا ذَا الْقَرْنَيْنِ إِنَّ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَهَلْ نَجْعَلُ لَكَ خَرْجًا عَلَىٰ أَن تَجْعَلَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمْ سَدًّا ﴿٩٤﴾ قَالَ مَا مَكَّنِّي فِيهِ رَبِّي خَيْرٌ فَأَعِينُونِي بِقُوَّةٍ أَجْعَلْ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ رَدْمًا

They said, “O Dhul-Qarnayn, indeed Gog and Magog are [great] corrupters in the land. So may we assign for you an expenditure that you might make between them and us a barrier?” (94) He said, “That in which my Lord has established me is better [than what you offer], but assist me with strength; I will make between you and them a dam. (95) 

Surah Al-Kahf equips us with spiritual tools to navigate the Dajjal’s trials. It imparts wisdom and guidance, culminating in the pursuit of Allah’s pleasure and ultimate success on the Day of Judgment.