Numerous merits for the recitation of Surah 18, Al-Kahf, are reported in the Prophetic Tradition. The believer who recites Al-Kahf is granted several rewards according to our Beloved Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and this only increases the believer's attachment to this practice drawn from the Sunnah.
The importance of Surah Al-Kahf
This Surah 18, revealed mostly in Mecca, draws its importance from the 4 great stories it contains, but above all it is a weekly reminder for our hearts of the belief in One Single God:
Say: "I am only a human being like you. It has been revealed to me that your God is One God! So whoever hopes to meet his Lord, let him do good deeds and associate none in the worship of his Lord."
Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave) – Verse 110
When should Surah Al-Kahf be recited?
The scholars agree on reciting it on Friday. And to understand at which specific moment it should be recited, let us remember that a day in Islam is counted from sunset to the following sunset.
The day of Friday is therefore determined between Thursday evening at the time of Maghrib and Friday Maghrib (at sunset). The recitation of Surah Al-Kahf can thus be done at the moment of our choosing within this interval.
What are the benefits of Surah Al-Kahf?
Surah Al-Kahf, like the Word of Allah as a whole, brings a multitude of teachings to the believer. Apart from the rewards for its recitation, as recommended by the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, virtues were reported such as in this hadith:
The Companion al-Barra' Ibn 'Azib reported that a believer was reciting this chapter (at night), and he was sitting very close to his horse when a kind of cloud appeared above him (the reciter) and began to draw closer and closer. Then the horse became agitated and tried to flee, straining at its tether (which prevented the believer from continuing his recitation). In the morning he went to see the Prophet and told him what had happened. The Prophet then said to him: "Those were angels who had descended during the recitation of the Quran." [Bukhari (4625), Tirmidhi (2810)].
Concretely, what are the merits of its recitation?
Here is a list of ahadith, sayings drawn from the Prophetic Tradition, which gives us an overview of the merits of reciting Surah Al-Kahf:
- Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave) on a Friday, a light will illuminate him until the following Friday" (an authentic hadith reported by Al-Hakim and Al-Bayhaqi).
- Abu Ad-Darda', may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever memorizes the first ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave) will be protected from the Antichrist." According to another version: "the last ten verses of the same Surah" (a hadith reported by Muslim).
- The Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: "Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave) on the day of Friday, Allah will illuminate him between the two Fridays." A hadith reported by An-Nasa'i, Al-Hakim and Al-Bayhaqi on the authority of Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with them, authenticated by Al-Albani
- The Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: "Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf will be given on the Day of Resurrection a light that extends from his place to Mecca, and whoever recites the last ten verses of this Surah will be spared, at the coming of the Antichrist, from his trial…" A hadith reported by At-Tabarani and authenticated by Al-Albani
May Allah grant us to hasten to follow the recommendations of our Prophet and Messenger Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and may He cover us with His Blessings. Amin