Surah al-Kahf: The Chapter of the Cave

Surah al Kahf (kahf meaning cave) is a Makkan surah, and consists of one hundred and ten verses arranged in twelve sections. The surah has been named kahf due to a major theme therein describing the ordeal of some youths who were forced to flee into a cave to escape the persecution of their pagan village and leader. The surah then narrates the story of the Ashab al-Kahf (companions of the Cave). These companions were a group of youths who had faith in Allah Ta’ala at a time when all around them did not believe in Him. Allah Ta’ala protected them by giving them sanctuary from the oppressive rule of the king in a cave. Allah Ta’ala then made their ordeal a lesson for eternity by putting them to sleep for a period of three hundred years, to escape the tyranny of their time to awake in a time where their example would serve to strengthen the faith of the living. The surah then describes a dialogue between two people. One was arrogant, and the other was God-fearing. Through the dialogue the surah establishes the absurdity of unfounded hopes in this world, simply because there is no guarantee in man getting his way - as he does not possess the power to make anything happen. The former boasts of his wealth and gardens, and he believes that his wealth and power is everlasting, and even the Day of Judgment “if it ever comes”, will not deprive him of his wealth and possessions. Allah Ta’ala makes it clear that the things of this world are perishable and only faith and good deeds will survive to be profitable. The surah then narrates the Story of the Prophet Musa A.S. (Moses) and the mysterious servant of Allah, Khidr. The incident highlights the limitations of man’s knowledge, especially in regard to what is beyond his sight, whether it be in distance or in the time that is yet to pass. The surah concludes with Allah’s Ta’ala command to the Messenger PBUH to declare that he is a human being and that when he proclaims Allah’s unity, he does so because this knowledge has been revealed to him by Allah Ta’ala. and he who seeks success in the hereafter should do good deeds and not ascribe any partner to Allah Ta’ala.