In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Yaumul Jumu'ah (Friday) is eid to Muslims. One of the main activities of Muslims on Friday is reciting Surah Kahf. There are many ahadeeth that enumerate the blessings of reciting Surah al-Kahf in its entirety and regarding the first or last 10 ayat, including the protection from the fitnah of dajjal.
It is a blessing and a mercy from Allah to have this Surah as a protection from those days of fitnah ahead. We just don't thank Allah enough for all His Blessings. One of the protection is against the fitnah of the dajjal. We may think that the chances are slim that we will be confronted with the fitnah of dajjal, however, we never know. We know that dajjal will emerge during the last days before Yaumul Qiyammah. These "days" are not the 24 hours that make up our daily lives, but these are really time periods that are set to happen by our Creator. We are told that he will be able to produce many miracles and many good and pious people will be fooled or deceived by him and follow him.
Surah al-Kahf is named such because of the miraculous Divine story in it, the wondrous, strange story of the Companions of the Cave. It is a Makkan surah and it is one of five surahs that begin with the phrase "AlHamdulillah" -- AlFatihah, Al-An'aam, Al-Kahf, Saba' and Faatir. Each of these surahs begin with praising Allah, recognizing His Greatness, Magnificence, Majesty and Perfection.
This surah brings us four inspiring and impressive Qur'anic stories, by way of or for the purpose of confirming its basic purpose of establishing the correct belief and faith in the greatness of the Lord, Full of Majesty and Honor.
The first story is the story of 'As-haabul Kahf -- the Companions of the Cave, a story which clarifies Islamic beliefs, a story about several believing youths who flea their country for the sake of their religion and take refuge in a mountain cave, then remain there asleep for 309 years. Then Allah reawakens them after this lengthy period.
The second story is the story of an owner of two gardens. This is man whom Allah blessed with two beautiful rich gardens, but the man forgot to thank the One who blessed him with everything and he even dared to doubt Allah regarding the afterlife. So His garden was destroyed - He regretted, but was too late.
The third story is the story of Prophet Musa with Al-Khidr (peace be upon them). It is a story of seeking knowledge and knowledge of the unseen ('ilmul ghaib) which Allah chooses to make known to "al 'abd as-saalih" Al-Khidr whilst Musa does not know until Al-Khidr informs him--like the story of the boat, the circumstances around the killing of the youth and the building of the wall.
The fourth story is of "Dhul-Qarnayn", a righteous king with great taqwa (Godfearingness) and a heightened sense of justice. He was given knowledge and power and was going around the world and over the inhabited world. He build a massive dam with the help of people whom he could not even understand.
Just as the surah uses, for the purpose of its intent, these four stories, it also uses impressive examples in order to explain that the truth is not connected or linked to great wealth or power or sovereignty; it is only tied to correct beliefs.
The first example give is the wealthy person who is extremely rich and the poor person "al m'utaza by his beliefs and his belief in the story of the companions of the gardens. The second example given is the "hayatu dunya" or the life of this world and what it consists of. The third example is of the arrogance, pride and deception of Iblis which resulted in his refusal to bow down before Adam (peace be upon him).
Each of these stories and examples are meant to be taken as a lesson or moral, as well as points for reflection. If we take heed, it should spur us to prioritize our lives here and more serious about preparing ourselves for our eternal life in the hereafter.
ٱلْمَالُ وَٱلْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَٱلْبَـٰقِيَـٰتُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا ﴿٤٦[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:46]
Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope. (46)
وَيَوْمَ نُسَيِّرُ ٱلْجِبَالَ وَتَرَى ٱلْأَرْضَ بَارِزَةً وَحَشَرْنَـٰهُمْ فَلَمْ نُغَادِرْ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدًا[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:47]
And [warn of] the Day when We will remove the mountains and you will see the earth prominent, and We will gather them and not leave behind from them anyone. (47)
وَعُرِضُوا۟ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ صَفًّا لَّقَدْ جِئْتُمُونَا كَمَا خَلَقْنَـٰكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۭ ۚ بَلْ زَعَمْتُمْ أَلَّن نَّجْعَلَ لَكُم مَّوْعِدًا ﴿٤٨[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:48]
And they will be presented before your Lord in rows, [and He will say], "You have certainly come to Us just as We created you the first time. But you claimed that We would never make for you an appointment." (48)
وَوُضِعَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ فَتَرَى ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا فِيهِ وَيَقُولُونَ يَـٰوَيْلَتَنَا مَالِ هَـٰذَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَا يُغَادِرُ صَغِيرَةً وَلَا كَبِيرَةً إِلَّآ أَحْصَىٰهَا ۚ وَوَجَدُوا۟ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ حَاضِرًا ۗ وَلَا يَظْلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدًا ﴿٤٩[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:49]
And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one. (49)
Prepare and protect yourself from the fitnah of dajjal. Recite this surah every Friday and encourage our family to do so. Take this opportunity to increase the bonds with your family by reading the surah together. Also, we should try to memorize this surah, starting with the first and the last 10 ayat. Teach your small children this surah and have them memorize as well.
May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next and protect us from the fitnah of dajjal. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
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