294 Page Notes

18  Surah Al-Kahf (continued)

Page 294 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 294 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 294 of the Quran encompasses the beginning of Surah Al-Kahf, specifically tracking from verse 1 through the beginning of the story of the People of the Cave. Verses 5 to 15 focus heavily on two main themes: a direct refutation of the theological claim that God took a son (Verses 4–5), the Prophet's profound grief over his people's disbelief (Verse 6), and the introduction of the young men who fled to the cave to protect their monotheistic faith from a tyrannical polytheistic society (Verses 9–15).

Classical Islamic scholarship—drawing from Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Asbab al-Nuzul (reasons for revelation)—links these specific verses to several authentic Hadiths and Prophetic Sunnah reports.

1. The Context of Revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul) for Verses 5–15

The primary historical reason for the revelation of these verses is recorded in early prophetic biography (Seerah) narratives and classical exegesis.

The leaders of the pagan Quraysh in Makkah sent two emissaries, An-Nadr ibn al-Harith and Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'ayt, to the Jewish rabbis of Madinah to ask for a way to test if Muhammad was truly a Prophet. The rabbis instructed them to ask Muhammad three questions:

1. Ask him about the young men who disappeared in ancient times, for theirs is a strange story.

2. Ask him about a great traveler who reached the eastern and western horizons of the earth (Dhul-Qarnayn).

3. Ask him about the nature of the Soul (Ruh).

When the emissaries returned and questioned the Prophet, he confidently replied, "I will inform you tomorrow," but omitted saying "Inshallah" (If Allah wills). Because of this omission, divine revelation was withheld from him for fifteen days, causing the Prophet great grief and allowing the Quraysh to mock him (Philips, n.d.).

When Angel Jibreel finally descended with the answers, Surah Al-Kahf verses 5–15 were revealed both to answer the riddle of the young men and to console the Prophet's deep sorrow over the mockers, which is directly referenced in Verse 6: "Then perhaps you would kill yourself with grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message..."

2. Relevant Hadiths Tied to Themes in Verses 5–15

A. Rejection of Attributing a Son to God (Verses 4–5)

"Have they any knowledge of it, nor had their fathers? Grave is the word that comes out of their mouths; they speak not except a lie." — Surah Al-Kahf 18:5

This absolute theological correction aligns with a famous Hadith Qudsi (divine saying narrated by the Prophet) regarding the gravity of claiming God has a son:

• The Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah the Almighty said: 'The son of Adam denied Me and he had no right to do so. And he reviled Me and he had no right to do so. As for his denying Me, it is his saying: He will not remake me as He made me at first... And as for his reviling Me, it is his saying: Allah has taken a son. I am the One, the Self-Sufficient Master. I do not beget nor was I begotten, and there is none co-equal to Me.'"

• Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 65, Hadith 4974.

B. The Descent of Tranquility (Sakina) Upon Reciting These Verses

Because Surah Al-Kahf is the divine defense mechanism against tribulations and false doctrines (such as those critiqued in verses 5–15), reciting it brings down physical and spiritual peace.

• The Hadith: Al-Bara' ibn 'Azib reported: A man was reciting Surah Al-Kahf and there was a horse tied with two ropes beside him. A cloud came down and closed in on him, causing his horse to jump and bolt. In the morning, the man went to the Prophet ﷺ and mentioned that to him. The Prophet said: "Recite, O so-and-so, for verily that was Tranquility (Sakina) which descended by reason of the Quran."

• Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 66, Hadith 5011; Sahih Muslim, Book 6, Hadith 241 (Philips, n.d.).

C. Firmness in Faith and Seeking Refuge in Caves (Verses 10–15)

Verses 10–15 detail the young believers proclaiming their monotheistic faith ("Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth...") and fleeing to a cave to preserve their religion from state-enforced idolatry. The Prophet ﷺ related this trial to the trials Muslims will face near the end of times, establishing a Sunnah of retreating from corrupt societies if one's faith is endangered.

• The Hadith: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "A time will soon come when the best property of a Muslim will be sheep which he will take to the tops of mountains and the places of rainfall so as to flee with his religion from tribulations (Fitan)."

• Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 2, Hadith 19.

3. General Sunnah Rewards of Surah Al-Kahf

While the following Hadiths apply to the Surah as a whole, classical scholars emphasize that mastering the initial passages (verses 1–10, which cross over page 294) is the specific key to protection:

• Protection from the Dajjal (Antichrist): The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surah Al-Kahf will be protected from the Dajjal." (In another narration, "from the last ten verses").

  • Source: Sahih Muslim, Book 4, Hadith 1766.

• The Friday Sunnah: The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, a light will shine for him between this Friday and the next."

  • Source: Al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi, Hadith 5856; graded authentic (Sahih) by Al-Albani.

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari.

• Al-Muslim, I. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim.

• Philips, A. A. B. (n.d.). Tafseer Soorah al-Kahf. International Open University.