As the day of Jummah dawns at the time of Maghrib, it brings with it insurmountable reward and beneficence from Allah Almighty. Nabi (SAW) said, “Whoever recited Surah Kahf in the same manner in which it was revealed, it will serve for him as a light on the Day of Judgment, from his domicile to Makkah. And whoever recited the last ten verses, and it happens that the Dajjaal should appear after that, Dajjaal will not be empowered over him.” (Al-Haakim 1/564 & Adh Dhahabee)

In Surah Kahf, Allah tells us four stories:

•    The people of the Cave, which is the trial humility. The story of the believing young men who were living in a disbelieving country. They decided to leave their homes and run away with their religion after a confrontation between them and their people. Allah (SWT) rewarded them with the mercy of the cave and care of the sun. They woke up to find their village were all believers.

•    The owner of the two gardens, which is the trial of wealth and children. The story of the man who Allah (SWT) had blessed, but he forgot the One, who had blessed him, transgressed and had doubts in his faith. He didn’t give thanks for the blessings, even though his friend reminded him which resulted in Allah (SWT) causing destruction of the crops and harvest and he regretted after it was too late.

At this point in approximately in the middle of the Surah comes the story of Iblees-the one who pulls the strings of fitnah. “Will you then take him and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while they are enemies to you. What an evil is the exchange for the wrongdoers.” (Surah Kahf, Aayah 50)

•    Allah (SWT) then continues with the third story of Moosa (AS) and Khidr (AS), which is the trial of knowledge. When Moosa (AS) was asked, “ Who is the most knowledgeable person in the earth?” He said, “Me” Then Allah (SWT) revealed to him that there was someone more knowledgeable than him. Moosa (AS) travelled to meet him in order to learn from him how sometimes we do not understand Allah (SWT)’s Wisdom but He is invariably Wise. (i.e. – the ship, the boy, the wall).

•    The fourth story Allah (SWT) talks of Dhul Qarnyan, which is the trial of authority. The story of the great king that joined both knowledge and strength, and travelled to all parts of the earth, helping people and spreading goodness. He overcame the problem of Yajooj and Majooj by building a dam and was able to put to work the strength of the people who could hardly understand a word.

So what is the relationship of Surah Kahf to the Dajjaal? The Dajjaal will appear prior to the Day of Judgment with four trials:

•    He will ask people to worship him instead of Allah (SWT) – Trial of religion
•    He will order the sky to rain, and he will tempt people with his wealth. – Trial of wealth
•    He will try people with knowledge due to what he reveals to people of news – Trial of knowledge
•    He will control major parts of the earth – Trial of authority.

There are four Boats of success to overcoming the Dajjaal:

•    Good companionship:
“And keep yourself (O Muhammad) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, etc; and other righteous deeds, etc.) Morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair (deeds) has been lost.” – (Surah Kahf, Aayah 28)

•    Knowing the realities of life:
“And put forward the example of the life of this world, it is like the water (rain), which We sent down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes, fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah (SWT) is Able to do everything.” – (Surah Kahf, Aayah 45)

•    Humility:
He Moosa (AS) said: “If Allah (SWT) will, you will find me patient and I will not disobey You in aught.” – (Surah Kahf, Aayah 69)

•    Sincerity:
“Say (O Muhammad): I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that Allah (SWT) is One Allah (SWT). So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” – (Surah Kahf, Aayah 110)

Finally… did you understand the secret of reading Surah Kahf every Friday? Did you realize its place in helping us understand the trials of this life, and the way to be saved from them? Do you know its great importance for us in guarding us from the Dajjaal?

So… there is no room for negligence or complacency in reading it every Friday (Jummah) and of course, following its commands afterwards.