Al-Kahf[2] (Arabic: الكهف, al-kahf; meaning: The Cave) is the 18th chapter (sūrah) of the Quran with 110 verses (āyāt). Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), it is an earlier "Meccan surah", which means it was revealed in Mecca, instead of Medina.
Heading for Surah Al-Kahf. From the Qur'an copied by Ruzbihan Muhammad al-Shirazi. Shiraz, c. 1550. Chester Beatty Library.
Surah Al-Kahf copied by Ottoman calligrapher Kadı Mahmud Efendi (d. 1575). Muhaqqaq, thuluth and reqa script. Sakıp Sabancı MuseumCentral illumination of the Royal Terengganu Quran dated 1871. According to Malay tradition Al-Kahf verse 19 is accepted as the centre word of the Qur'an and Malay Qur'ans are often decorated in this place.[1]Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
Verses 9–26[7] of the chapter retell the Christian folktale of the "companions of the cave".[8] A few young believers lived in a time when they were tortured for their beliefs. Upon the guidance of God, they fled the city where believers were persecuted, together with their dog, and took refuge in a cave where they fell asleep. When they awoke they found that the people of the city had become believers.
27 No room for explicit textual changes of the QuranEdit
And recite (and teach) what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord: none can change His Words, and none wilt thou find as a refuge other than Him. Translation Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)[9]
The commentary by Ozma Nasir Makarim Shirazi says, "There is no room for diversity to enter into His Words and Knowledge. His Speech and His Knowledge is not like the speech and knowledge of human beings which, as a result of a new invention or information, has to be changed".[10]: 18:27 Ibn Kathir says this verse means of the words in the Quran, "no one can alter them, distort them or misinterpret them."[2]: 18:27
32-45 The parable of the two menEdit
In verses 32–44 the surah discusses a parable of two men, one of whom had been given blessings from God and the other poor. The rich one wronged his soul and started showing off with his wealth and noble lineage.
And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, "I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men."
Verse 36 explains that The rich man also told his companion that he doubted the existence of Judgment Day. At the end of the parable, God destroys what He had given the man.[13]
Q18:45 Imam Musa al-Kadhim narrates in Kitab al-Kafi that Ali would bequeath his companions to view this world with the vision of an ascetic because it dislodges its residents. Ali provides them with the parable of a lush, green garden with scented dew that accumulates under the blades of grass but then gets separated from it in the morning, as Allah has said,
"Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world: it is like the rain which We send down from the skies: the earth's vegetation absorbs it, But soon it becomes dry stubble, which the winds do scatter: it is (only) Allah Who prevails over all things. Q18:45." He advises his companions to "look at this world and the numerous things which cause you to wonder, and the scarcity of things that benefit you."[14]
The third main story within the chapter (verses 60–82[15]) is that of Musa (Moses) traveling to gain knowledge from another servant of God who is never mentioned by name, in tafsir of ibn Kathir he is called Al-Khidr.[16]
Finally, the surah mentions in verses 83–98[17] a man who traveled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth – namely, Dhul-Qarnayn. In one part of the story, Dhul-Qarnayn helps a tribe of people build a massive wall of iron between two mountains to protect them from the nations of Gog and Magog. It goes on to say that this wall will be only destroyed on Judgement Day.[18] The wall may have reflected a distant knowledge of the Great Wall of China (the 12th-century scholar al-Idrisi drew a map for Roger of Sicily showing the "Land of Gog and Magog" in Mongolia), or of various Sassanid Persian walls built in the Caspian area against the northern barbarians, or a conflation of the two.[19]
Circumstances of revelationEdit
ArabMuslim historian and hagiographer, Ibn Ishaq, reported in his traditional book (oral traditions) of biography of Muhammad, Sirat Rasul Allah that the 18th surah of the Qur'an (which includes the story of Dhu l-Qarnayn) was revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad by God on account of some questions posed by rabbis residing in the city of Medina – the verse was revealed during the Meccan period of Muhammad's life. According to Ibn Ishaq, Muhammad's tribe, the powerful Quraysh, were greatly concerned about their tribesman who had started claiming prophethood and wished to consult rabbis about the matter. The Quraysh sent two men to the rabbis of Medina, reasoning that they had superior knowledge of the scriptures and about the prophets of God. The two Quraysh men described their tribesman, Muhammad, to the rabbis.
The rabbis told the men to ask Muhammad three questions:
They [the rabbis] said, "Ask him about three things which we will tell you to ask, and if he answers them then he is a Prophet who has been sent; if he does not, then he is saying things that are not true, in which case how you will deal with him will be up to you. Ask him about some young men in ancient times, what was their story for theirs is a strange and wondrous tale. Ask him about a man who traveled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth. What was his story and ask him about the Ruh (Holy spirit) – what is it? If he tells you about these things, then he is a Prophet, so follow him, but if he does not tell you, then he is a man who is making things up, so deal with him as you see fit."[20]
According to Ibn Ishaq, when Muhammad was informed of the three questions from the rabbis, he said that he would have the answers in the morning but did not say "if God wills it". For fifteen days, Muhammad waited eagerly for the revelation. Muhammad did not answer the question until then. Doubt in Muhammad began to grow amongst the people of Mecca. Then, after fifteen days, Muhammad received the revelation of al-Kahf as an answer to the questions.
Benefits of Reciting Surah Al KahfEdit
Surah Al-Kahf [21]offers numerous benefits to believers. It grants protection from the fitnah (trials) of the Dajjal (Antichrist), enhances understanding of faith, encourages seeking knowledge, and strengthens patience. Reciting on Fridays brings blessings, while reflecting on the story of the People of the Cave instills hope. The Surah's teachings about materialism guide towards contentment, and its lessons on power and humility inspire balanced leadership. It's a source of tranquility, and reciting it regularly earns Allah's blessings. The Surah's wisdom transcends time, offering guidance for navigating modern challenges and fostering a deeper connection with Allah.
^According to Islamic belief in weak chain of Hadith, Israfil were acknowledged as angel who were tasked to blower of Armageddon trumpet.[4] Israfil also mentioned by Suyuti as Muezzin among angels and a member of a group of biggest archangels who bear the Throne of God on their back.[5] However, Abu Bakar al-Hudhali opined the angel who blowing horn were different from Israfil, while Abu Said Al-Khudri nentioned the blower of horn were in fact consisted of two angels, while he supported the opinion that Israfil were also one of the blower.[5]
ReferencesEdit
^Afidah Rahim (21 February 2021). "Central Illuminations of Malay Qurans". Museum Volunteers, JMM.
^ abIbn Kathir. "Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Surah Al Kahf". Quran 4 U. Tafsir. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
^Hakim, Saifuddin (2015). "Apakah Malaikat Israfil Bertugas Meniup Sangkakala pada Hari Kiamat? (2)" [Does angel Raphael tasked to blow the trumpet of Armageddon in the day of judgment? (2)]. Muslim.or.id (in Indonesian). Muslim.or.id. Retrieved 14 December 2021. Tafsir Al-Qurthubi, 7/20 (Maktabah Syamilah); At-Tadzkirah bi Ahwaalil Mauta wa Umuuril Akhirah, 1/488 (Maktabah Syamilah).; Fathul Baari 11/368 (Maktabah Syamilah); see Al-Imaan bimaa Ba'dal Maut, p. 112. ; Syarh Al-Ibanah: Al-Imaan bin Nafkhi Ash-Shuur, 5/33.; Syarh Al-'Aqidah Al-Washithiyyah, 1/59-60 (Maktabah Asy-Syamilah). while in another book: وذلك أن الله سبحانه وتعالى يأمر اسرافيل وهو أحد الملائكة الموكلين بحمل العرش أن ينفخ في الصور (Syarh Al-'Aqidah As-Safariyaniyyah, 1/467).
^ abAl-Suyuti (2021). Muhammad as Said Basyuni, Abu Hajir; Yasir, Muhammad (eds.). Misteri Alam Malaikat (Religion / Islam / General) (in Indonesian). Translated by Mishabul Munir. Pustaka al-Kautsar. pp. 29–33, 172. ISBN9789795929512. Retrieved 6 February 2022. Quoting Ibnul Mubarak from a book of az-Zuhd; ad Durr al-Manshur, chain narration from Ibnul Mubarak to Ibn SHihab (1/92)
^Wherry, Elwood Morris (1896). A Complete Index to Sale's Text, Preliminary Discourse, and Notes. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, and Co. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^Surat Al-Kahf (18:9–26) – The Holy Qur'an – القرآن الكريم
kahf, arabic, الكهف, kahf, meaning, cave, 18th, chapter, sūrah, quran, with, verses, āyāt, regarding, timing, contextual, background, revelation, asbāb, nuzūl, earlier, meccan, surah, which, means, revealed, mecca, instead, medina, sura, quranسورة, الكهف, cave. Al Kahf 2 Arabic الكهف al kahf meaning The Cave is the 18th chapter surah of the Quran with 110 verses ayat Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation asbab al nuzul it is an earlier Meccan surah which means it was revealed in Mecca instead of Medina Sura 18 of the Quranسورة الكهف Al KahfThe CaveArabic textAudio file English translationClassificationMeccanPositionJuzʼ 15 to 16No of Rukus12No of verses110No of words1583No of letters6425 Quran 17Quran 19 Heading for Surah Al Kahf From the Qur an copied by Ruzbihan Muhammad al Shirazi Shiraz c 1550 Chester Beatty Library Surah Al Kahf copied by Ottoman calligrapher Kadi Mahmud Efendi d 1575 Muhaqqaq thuluth and reqa script Sakip Sabanci MuseumCentral illumination of the Royal Terengganu Quran dated 1871 According to Malay tradition Al Kahf verse 19 is accepted as the centre word of the Qur an and Malay Qur ans are often decorated in this place 1 Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia Contents 1 Summary 2 Exegesis 2 1 9 26 Companions of the cave 2 2 27 No room for explicit textual changes of the Quran 2 3 32 45 The parable of the two men 2 4 60 82 Islamic view of Moses 2 5 83 98 Dhul Qarnayn 3 Circumstances of revelation 4 Benefits of Reciting Surah Al Kahf 5 Virtues 6 Common Muslim and Christian theme 7 See also 8 Appendix 8 1 Notes 9 References 9 1 Bibliography 10 External linksSummary Edit1 God praised for the gift of Quran 2 The Quran being a warning for the unbelievers and good tidings to the faithful 3 The reward for the believers who do good deeds will be an everlasting abode Jannah 4 5 The Quran is a warning to those who say God has begotten and the ignorance of their sayings 6 Muhammad s grief for the disbelief of his people 7 8 Earth s adornment to be reduced to dust 9 22 The story of the companions of the cave 23 24 Muhammad is warned by Allah not to intend to do anything without saying Insha Allah Allah willing in Arabic 25 The sleepers of the cave have slept 300 solar years and 309 lunar years 26 Times and seasons are in God s hands Time is a creation of God and can be modified by Him 27 None can change the Quran 28 The pious are the Prophet s guardians 29 Truth is from the Lord 30 31 Sufferings of the wicked contrasted with the rewards of the righteous 32 44 The parable of the two men 45 Life on earth likened to water from heaven 46 God s preference to humans good deeds than their wealth and children 47 Mankind s assemblage on the Judgement Day 48 49 The manner of the judgment the book of personal action delivered 50 Iblis s refusal to prostrate to Adam when Adam was created 51 The offspring of Satan not present at the creation 52 Idol worshippers deserted by their idols in the judgment 53 The wicked doomed to hellfire 54 Every similitude mentioned in the Quran 55 Men s rejection of the Quran through their disbelief 56 Prophets have been sent with threats and good news 57 The sin of apostasy 58 Allah s mercy and that He appointed a time for people s accountability and torment 59 Disbelief s destruction of former cities 60 65 Moses and Joshua visit Khidr 66 Moses desires to be taught by Khidr 66 69 Khidr knowing Moses s inability to receive his wisdom yields to his importunity 71 77 He scuttles a boat kills a boy and rebuilds a collapsing wall 78 82 Khidr refuses to communicate further with Moses on account of his protests against his conduct but condescends to explain his conduct 83 86 Dhu al Qarnain Alexander the great journeys to the setting sun which appears to him to be setting in a muddy pool 87 88 He finds a people whom he is permitted to treat as he will 89 94 He travels east and north where he finds an ignorant race who plead his protection against Gog and Magog 95 97 He builds a rampart against them 98 Gog and Magog to be let loose before judgment day 99 All creatures being resurrected and gathered by the trumpet blow of Israfil 3 Notes 1 100 108 The rewards and punishments of judgment day 109 The ocean s insufficiency to write all the words of God with ink 110 Muhammad s morality and humanity 6 Exegesis Edit nbsp Dhu al Qarnayn Iskandar building a wall with the help of Demons to keep away Gog and Magog Miniature from a book of the Falnama made for the Safavid shah Tahmasp I r 1524 1576 Chester Beatty Library9 26 Companions of the cave Edit Verses 9 26 7 of the chapter retell the Christian folktale of the companions of the cave 8 A few young believers lived in a time when they were tortured for their beliefs Upon the guidance of God they fled the city where believers were persecuted together with their dog and took refuge in a cave where they fell asleep When they awoke they found that the people of the city had become believers 27 No room for explicit textual changes of the Quran Edit And recite and teach what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord none can change His Words and none wilt thou find as a refuge other than Him Translation Yusuf Ali Orig 1938 9 The commentary by Ozma Nasir Makarim Shirazi says There is no room for diversity to enter into His Words and Knowledge His Speech and His Knowledge is not like the speech and knowledge of human beings which as a result of a new invention or information has to be changed 10 18 27 Ibn Kathir says this verse means of the words in the Quran no one can alter them distort them or misinterpret them 2 18 27 32 45 The parable of the two men Edit In verses 32 44 the surah discusses a parable of two men one of whom had been given blessings from God and the other poor The rich one wronged his soul and started showing off with his wealth and noble lineage And he had fruit so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in numbers of men Quran Al Kahf The Cave Ayah 34 11 12 Verse 36 explains that The rich man also told his companion that he doubted the existence of Judgment Day At the end of the parable God destroys what He had given the man 13 Q18 45 Imam Musa al Kadhim narrates in Kitab al Kafi that Ali would bequeath his companions to view this world with the vision of an ascetic because it dislodges its residents Ali provides them with the parable of a lush green garden with scented dew that accumulates under the blades of grass but then gets separated from it in the morning as Allah has said Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world it is like the rain which We send down from the skies the earth s vegetation absorbs it But soon it becomes dry stubble which the winds do scatter it is only Allah Who prevails over all things Q18 45 He advises his companions to look at this world and the numerous things which cause you to wonder and the scarcity of things that benefit you 14 60 82 Islamic view of Moses Edit Main article Islamic view of Moses The third main story within the chapter verses 60 82 15 is that of Musa Moses traveling to gain knowledge from another servant of God who is never mentioned by name in tafsir of ibn Kathir he is called Al Khidr 16 83 98 Dhul Qarnayn Edit Main article Dhul Qarnayn Finally the surah mentions in verses 83 98 17 a man who traveled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth namely Dhul Qarnayn In one part of the story Dhul Qarnayn helps a tribe of people build a massive wall of iron between two mountains to protect them from the nations of Gog and Magog It goes on to say that this wall will be only destroyed on Judgement Day 18 The wall may have reflected a distant knowledge of the Great Wall of China the 12th century scholar al Idrisi drew a map for Roger of Sicily showing the Land of Gog and Magog in Mongolia or of various Sassanid Persian walls built in the Caspian area against the northern barbarians or a conflation of the two 19 Circumstances of revelation EditArab Muslim historian and hagiographer Ibn Ishaq reported in his traditional book oral traditions of biography of Muhammad Sirat Rasul Allah that the 18th surah of the Qur an which includes the story of Dhu l Qarnayn was revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad by God on account of some questions posed by rabbis residing in the city of Medina the verse was revealed during the Meccan period of Muhammad s life According to Ibn Ishaq Muhammad s tribe the powerful Quraysh were greatly concerned about their tribesman who had started claiming prophethood and wished to consult rabbis about the matter The Quraysh sent two men to the rabbis of Medina reasoning that they had superior knowledge of the scriptures and about the prophets of God The two Quraysh men described their tribesman Muhammad to the rabbis The rabbis told the men to ask Muhammad three questions They the rabbis said Ask him about three things which we will tell you to ask and if he answers them then he is a Prophet who has been sent if he does not then he is saying things that are not true in which case how you will deal with him will be up to you Ask him about some young men in ancient times what was their story for theirs is a strange and wondrous tale Ask him about a man who traveled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth What was his story and ask him about the Ruh Holy spirit what is it If he tells you about these things then he is a Prophet so follow him but if he does not tell you then he is a man who is making things up so deal with him as you see fit 20 According to Ibn Ishaq when Muhammad was informed of the three questions from the rabbis he said that he would have the answers in the morning but did not say if God wills it For fifteen days Muhammad waited eagerly for the revelation Muhammad did not answer the question until then Doubt in Muhammad began to grow amongst the people of Mecca Then after fifteen days Muhammad received the revelation of al Kahf as an answer to the questions Benefits of Reciting Surah Al Kahf EditSurah Al Kahf 21 offers numerous benefits to believers It grants protection from the fitnah trials of the Dajjal Antichrist enhances understanding of faith encourages seeking knowledge and strengthens patience Reciting on Fridays brings blessings while reflecting on the story of the People of the Cave instills hope The Surah s teachings about materialism guide towards contentment and its lessons on power and humility inspire balanced leadership It s a source of tranquility and reciting it regularly earns Allah s blessings The Surah s wisdom transcends time offering guidance for navigating modern challenges and fostering a deeper connection with Allah Virtues EditThere is a hadith in Sahih Muslim that states that Muhammad said Concerning The False Messiah Al Masih ad Dajjal He who amongst you would survive to see him should recite over him the opening verses of Sura Kahf Sahih Muslim Book 41 Number 7015 22 Whoever reads Sura Kahf on Friday light shall shine forth for him between the two Fridays 23 Common Muslim and Christian theme EditThe story of believers falling asleep in a cave for a long time is present also in the Christian tradition see Seven Sleepers See also EditAshabi Kahf in Nakhchivan a sanctuary in a natural caveAppendix EditNotes Edit According to Islamic belief in weak chain of Hadith Israfil were acknowledged as angel who were tasked to blower of Armageddon trumpet 4 Israfil also mentioned by Suyuti as Muezzin among angels and a member of a group of biggest archangels who bear the Throne of God on their back 5 However Abu Bakar al Hudhali opined the angel who blowing horn were different from Israfil while Abu Said Al Khudri nentioned the blower of horn were in fact consisted of two angels while he supported the opinion that Israfil were also one of the blower 5 References Edit Afidah Rahim 21 February 2021 Central Illuminations of Malay Qurans Museum Volunteers JMM a b Ibn Kathir Tafsir Ibn Kathir English Surah Al Kahf Quran 4 U Tafsir Retrieved 22 December 2019 Abdul Rahman al Sa di 2016 Surat al Kahfi ayat 99 in Indonesian and Arabic Islamic University of Madinah Ministry of Religious Affairs Indonesia Ministry of Islamic Affairs Dawah and Guidance Retrieved 30 January 2022 Hakim Saifuddin 2015 Apakah Malaikat Israfil Bertugas Meniup Sangkakala pada Hari Kiamat 2 Does angel Raphael tasked to blow the trumpet of Armageddon in the day of judgment 2 Muslim or id in Indonesian Muslim or id Retrieved 14 December 2021 Tafsir Al Qurthubi 7 20 Maktabah Syamilah At Tadzkirah bi Ahwaalil Mauta wa Umuuril Akhirah 1 488 Maktabah Syamilah Fathul Baari 11 368 Maktabah Syamilah see Al Imaan bimaa Ba dal Maut p 112 Syarh Al Ibanah Al Imaan bin Nafkhi Ash Shuur 5 33 Syarh Al Aqidah Al Washithiyyah 1 59 60 Maktabah Asy Syamilah while in another book وذلك أن الله سبحانه وتعالى يأمر اسرافيل وهو أحد الملائكة الموكلين بحمل العرش أن ينفخ في الصور Syarh Al Aqidah As Safariyaniyyah 1 467 a b Al Suyuti 2021 Muhammad as Said Basyuni Abu Hajir Yasir Muhammad eds Misteri Alam Malaikat Religion Islam General in Indonesian Translated by Mishabul Munir Pustaka al Kautsar pp 29 33 172 ISBN 9789795929512 Retrieved 6 February 2022 Quoting Ibnul Mubarak from a book of az Zuhd ad Durr al Manshur chain narration from Ibnul Mubarak to Ibn SHihab 1 92 Wherry Elwood Morris 1896 A Complete Index to Sale s Text Preliminary Discourse and Notes London Kegan Paul Trench Trubner and Co nbsp This article incorporates text from this source which is in the public domain Surat Al Kahf 18 9 26 The Holy Qur an القرآن الكريم Aṣḥab al Kahf Arabic أ صـحـاب الـك ـهـف Ayah al Kahf The Cave 18 27 Nasir Makarim Shirazi Ozma An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur an vol 9 Imam Ali Foundation Retrieved 21 January 2020 Surat Al Kahf 18 34 The Holy Qur an القرآن الكريم Quran Surah Al Kahf Verse 34 Surah Al Kahf 18 32 44 The Holy Qur an القرآن الكريم Al Kulayni Abu Ja far Muhammad ibn Ya qub 2015 Kitab al Kafi South Huntington NY The Islamic Seminary Inc ISBN 9780991430864 Surat Al Kahf 18 60 82 The Holy Qur an القرآن الكريم The Story of Musa and Al Khidr Tafsir Ibn Kathir Surat Al Kahf 18 83 98 The Holy Qur an القرآن الكريم The Qur an Glasse amp Smith 2003 p 39 Tafsir ibn Kathir Archived from the original on 2007 09 28 Retrieved 2008 10 26 The Spiritual and Moral Lessons of Surah Kahf 2023 08 13 Retrieved 2023 08 17 Sahih Muslim Book 41 Hadith No 7015 Al Mustadrak alaa al Sahihain by Hakim al Nishaburi Bibliography Edit Glasse Cyril Smith Huston 2003 The New Encyclopedia of Islam Rowman Altamira ISBN 9780759101906 External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Al Kahf Q18 51 50 translations islamawakened com nbsp Works related to The Holy Qur an Maulana Muhammad Ali 18 The Cave at Wikisource Quran 18 Clear Quran translation Surah Kahf by Sudais Surah Al Kahf The Spiritual and Moral Lessons of Surah Kahf Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Al Kahf amp oldid 1178992523, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
