Summary of Sura Al-Kahf (The Cave)

By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia

Beloved Ikh’wan! The Cosmos represents the physical evidence for the existence of Almighty Allah Most Exalted Creator and Sustainer of the heavens and the earth, and revelation is the guide to that evidence. True and sincere belief in Almighty Allah Azza Wajjal (Imaan) grows out of studying and understanding the evidence and the Guiding Light leading to it. We read in the opening verse of Surah Al-An’am:

“Praise be toAllah Who has created the heavens and the earth 

and ordained Darkness and Light….”

And in the opening verse of Surah Al-Kahf:

“Praise be to Allah, Who hath sent to His Servant

The Book, and hath allowed therein no Crookedness.”

Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala urges mankind to be curious about life and the world around him, to study every phenomenon he comes across, and, at the same time, to study the Most Noble and Holy Qur’an and reflect on its concepts and meanings. Without this reflection and the will to learn and discover, man will be bereft of guidance and understanding. We are reminded in verse 185 of Surah Al-A’raf:

“Will they (the Unbelievers) look at the universe of heavens and earth,

and all that Allah has created, and (consider) that their

appointed hour might be archaic? What other

book than this one shall they believe?”

Ayyuhal Muslimoon! Reflection on the wonders of the cosmos enhances one’s Faith in Almighty Allah Most Exalted and leads one closer to Him. The Holy and Noble Qur’an has very clearly established the link between intelligent study and contemplation and the development of a strong and rational faith. The Most Holy Qur’an, as the quintessential reference source for Tawhid, is perfect, untampered with, and free of distortion. This assurance is in itself a Divine Favour which deserves Praise.

The exposition of the whole Surah, though important, would have been an onerous task. Hence I have a consise overview of the entire Surah, as well as its major themes. In addition, I pray Insha’Allah Bie Itt’Nillah it may kindle an eagerness in the hearts of the readers to reflect upon the Surah in greater detail, as well as equip them with keys to undertake the task. In short, it is intendede to be a key to understanding Surah Al-Kahf, and ultimately all of the Most Noble and Holy Qur’an. Ameen!

Surah Al-Kahf cites episodes from the chronicles of history to illustrate the veracity of the concept of Tawhid and its value to human society. It narattes the stories of the young men of the cave, the rich man of the orchard and the pauper, Nabee Moosa Alayhis Salaam and the pious man, and the well-known account of Dhu al-Qarnayn. Each account is followed by an enlightening commentary designed to instill in the mind a recognition of the existence of Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala and the need to prepare for our accountability to Him.

The Most Holy and Noble Qur’an – The Book of Revelation gives straight directions to make our lives straight. To warn us against Evil and guide us to the Good everlasting. Teach the Truth. But fret not about men rejecting it. The Parable of the Companions of the Cave shows how Almighty Allah Tabaraqa Wata’ala works wonders beyond our fathoming: how Faith is a sure Refuge in ways we know not; how Time itself works Almighty Allah’s Plan before we know how it passes.

How Almighty Allah can give us rest, and raise us back to life against all odds; and how futile it is to engage in controversies about matters we know not. The Cave Youths, or the Sleepers, were young men who lived a polytheist community but embraced Tawhid and rejected all other ideologies, thereby earning the anger of their own people. This is made clear in verses that says:

“Our people serve other gods besides Allah, though they have no 

convincing proof of their divinity. Who is more wicked 

than him who invents lies about Allah.”

Their belief in Almighty Allah had made them a target for mounting persecution by their people and their lives were in danger. They decided to seek safety elsewhere. This led them to a cave on the outskirks of the town, where they remained for a considerable period of time, unaware that they would go down in history as a paragon off faith and devotion.

The sun is 150 million kilometers away from the earth and its rays take eight minutes to reach us. Bearing these facts in mind, it is a miracle that, to protect the seven innocent youths and the dog, sunlight fell on the entrance of the cave at such an angle that it obscured its occupants from the unwelcome gaze of any passers-by. In Islamic tradition, Al Raqem was the name of the dog that guarded the legendary Seven Sleepers and that stood by them all through their long sleep. Other narrations identify that the dog was named Qitmer. Almighty Allah knows best!

Three hundred years later, unaware of how long they had been asleep, the youths awoke. The first thing they felt was hunger, and one of them went to the market to fetch some food. The others urged him to be careful and ensure that no one recognised him. “For if they find you out they will stone you to death, or force you back into their religion and then you shall never succeed.” They were so innocent and sincere that their only concern was for their Faith and how they could protect it. Their account, therefore, is rather appropriately concluded in verse 26 of Surah Al-Kahf:

Say: “Allah knows best how long they stayed: With Him is (the knowledge of) 

the secrets of the heavens and the earth: how clearly He sees, how finely 

He hears (Everything)! They have no protector other than Him; nor 

does He share His Command with any person whatsoever.”

This particular Makkan Surah may be called a lesson in the brevity and mystery of Life. First there is the story of the Companions of the Cave who slept therein for a long period, and yet thought that they had been only a day or less. Then there is the story of the mysterious Teacher who shows Nabee Moosa Alayhis Salaam how life itself is a parable.

And further there is the story of Dhu al Qarnayn, the two-horned one, the powerful ruler of west and east, who made an iron wall to protect the weak against the strong. The parables refer to the brevity, uncertainty, and vanity of this life; to the many paradoxes in it, which can only be understood by patience and the fulness of knowledge; and to the need of guarding our spiritual gains against the incursions of evil.

Summary – Surah Al-Kahf verses 1 to 22. The Most Holy and Noble Qur’an is a direction and a warning. This life is brief and subject to vicissitudes. Our ideas of Time are defective, as shown in the story of the Companions of the Cave, who had faith,truth, patience, and other virtues. But their life was a mystery that can be fathomed but by a few.

Surah Al-Kahf verses 23 to 44: True Knowledge is with Almighty Allah Azza Wajjal Alone: We are not to dispute on matters of conjecture, but to rely on Truth that comes from Almighty Allah, as in the Parable, the man who piles up wealth and is puffed up with this world’s goods, despising those otherwise endowed, will come to an evil end, for his hopes were not built on Almighty Allah.

Surah Al-Kahf verses 45 to 59: The life of this world is ephemeral, and its gains will not last. Good Deeds are the best of possessions in Almighty Allah’s Sight: And will be levelled up on the Day of Judgement, and a new Order created on the basis of Truth, according to the Book of Deeds. Pride is the root of Evil, Rebellion, and wrong. Who will choose Evil onesb in preference to Almighty Allah? Let us accept Truth, for though Falsehood may flourish for a time, it must perish in the end.

Surah Al-Kahf verses 60 to 82: Nabee Moosa Alayhis Salaam was up against mysteries which he wanted to explore. He searched out a man endued with knowledge derived from the divine springs from which flow the paradoxes of life. He is shown three such paradoxes and how human impatience is inconsistent with their true understanding. The highest knowledge comes not except by Divine Gift, and a constant, patient striving, with Faith, to apprehend something of the purpose of the All-Wise Allah.

Surah Al-Kahf verses 83 to 110: Three episodes in the life of a great king. Dhu al Qarnayn illustrated how power and opportunities should be used in the service of Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala: he punished the guilty indeed, bur was kind to the Righteous; he left primitive people their freedom of life; and he protected industrious people from grasping neighbours. But he relied upon Almighty Allah, and made them remember the Day of Judgement, when all will see the Truth and receive the Punishments and Rewards earned in their present Life.

Towards the end of the Surah Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala reminds us in verses 103 to 105:

Say: “Shall we tell you of those who lose most in respect of their deeds?

“Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they

thought that they were acquiring good by their works?”

“They are those who deny The Signs of their Lord and the fact of their having 

to meet Him (in the Hereafter): vain will be their works, nor shall We, 

on the Day of Judgement, give them any Weight.”

Alhumdulillah! This is followed by a verse referring to the infinite nature of “The Words of Almighty Allah” which contain and express His Infinite Knowledge and Wisdom. Almighty Allah Tabaraqa Wata’ala is the Creator Who exercises absolute and incontrovertible authority and control over the whole cosmos, deciding every action and determining the outcome and behaviour of every single movement in this timeless and infinite world He created. We learn from verse 29 of Surah Al-Rahman:

“Every day He is engaged in a different task.”

How can anyone master “the Words of Almighty Allah?” And all Praise and Glory belongs to Almighty Allah at the beginning and the end, inwardly and outwardly. O Almighty Allah Most Exalted, Merciful & All-Knowing! Grant me the ability to reflect and ponder on, and to understand whatever my tongue reads from the Most Holy and Noble Qur’an; and to go into the depth of its meanings and to recognise its wonders; and to act according to it as I live. Indeed, You are Gafooroor Raheem and You have power over everything. Allahumma Ameen!

And Almighty Allah knows best.

All Praise belongs to Almighty Allah, for His Majesty and His Beauty.

The Truth is from Allah. The mistakes are mine and I stand to be corrected.

Baarak Allaahu Feekum wa-sal-Allaahu wa-Sallam ‘alaa 

Nabiyyina Muhammad sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam.

والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Abdul Hamid Lachporia

Please be advised that you are more than welcome to use and share 

my Khutbah’s for propagational purposes without my prior consent.

جَزَاكُمُ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا