Al-Kahf (Surah 18)
Al-Kahf (The Cave)
Makki SurahIntroduction
This Meccan sûrah takes its name from the story of the people of the cave in verses 9-26. According to Ibn ’Abbâs, the Prophet (ﷺ) was asked about the youths who hid in a cave, a king who dominated large parts of the world, and about the spirit, so 18:9-26, 18:83-99, and 17:85 were revealed. The Prophet (ﷺ) says in an authentic narration collected by At-Tirmiⱬi, “No one’s feet will move on Judgment Day until they are asked about four things: 1) What they did in their youth. 2) How they earned and spent their wealth. 3) What they did with their knowledge. 4) And how they spent their lives.” Interestingly, these four questions correspond to the four stories mentioned in this sûrah: 1) The story of the youths and the cave. 2) The story of the wealthy man with two gardens. 3) The story of Moses and the man of knowledge. 4) And finally the story of Ⱬul-Qarnain and his life and travels in the service of Allah. The four stories are interjected by warnings to the disbelievers and good news to the believers. Like the story of the people of the cave, some miraculous stories appear in the next sûrah. In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
Message of the Quran
1. All praise is for Allah Who has revealed the Book to His servant, allowing no crookedness in it, 2. (making it) perfectly upright, to warn (the disbelievers) of a severe torment from Him; to give good news to the believers—who do good—that they will have a fine reward, 3. in which they will remain forever; 4. and to warn those who claim, “Allah has offspring.” 5. They have no knowledge of this, nor did their forefathers. What a terrible claim that comes out of their mouths! They say nothing but lies.
Surah 18 - Al-Kahf (The Cave) - Verses 1-5
Be Steadfast
6. Now, perhaps you (O Prophet) will grieve yourself to death over their denial, if they (continue to) disbelieve in this message. 7. We have indeed made whatever is on earth as an adornment for it, in order to test which of them is best in deeds. 8. And We will certainly reduce whatever is on it to barren ground.
Surah 18 - Al-Kahf (The Cave) - Verses 6-8
Story 1) The People of the Cave
9. Have you (O Prophet) thought that the people of the cave and the plaque were (the only) wonders of Our signs? 10. (Remember) when those youths took refuge in the cave, and said, “Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Yourself and guide us rightly through our ordeal.” 11. So We caused them to fall into a dead sleep in the cave for many years, 12. then We raised them so We may show which of the two groups would make a better estimation of the length of their stay.
Surah 18 - Al-Kahf (The Cave) - Verses 9-12
Standing up for the Truth
13. We relate to you (O Prophet) their story in truth. They were youths who truly believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance. 14. And We strengthened their hearts when they stood up and declared, “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We will never call upon any god besides Him, or we would truly be uttering an outrageous lie.” 15. (Then they said to one another,) “These people of ours have taken gods besides Him. Why do they not produce a clear proof of them? Who then does more wrong than those who fabricate lies against Allah? 16. Since you have distanced yourselves from them and what they worship besides Allah, take refuge in the cave. Your Lord will extend His mercy to you and accommodate you in your ordeal.”