Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Why Learn and Memorize the First 10 Verses?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Why learn the first 10 verses of Surah Kahf?

1) Because Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam asked us to

He only asked us to do what he did himself. So consider it as a sunnah as well, not just the way of Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam but of so many Companions, Successors and so on.

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam specifically tells us to memorize these ayaat.

“If anyone learns by heart the first ten verses of the Surah al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal.” [Muslim]

Though memorization of some surahs is just plain obvious (like Surah al-Fatiha for the validation of your prayer), but Surah Kahf’s memorization has been specifically talked about.

Since Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam was so concerned about us (as mentioned in the sixth verse), following his advice this is the least we can do.

2) Because memorization is important

Most of us think of memorization as an extra deed, but the following hadith clarifies how hollow your soul is when you have nothing of the Qur'an in your heart.

He who does not memorize any part from the Qur’an he is like the ruined house. [At-Tirmidhi]

You might ask, why memorize in the 21st century when we have the Qur'an preserved by Allah and there are millions of copies and apps for it right at our fingertips, machine memory practically supplanting brain memory?

Because to take a verse to heart is to know it by heart. Memorization provides us with knowledge of a qualitatively and physiologically different variety— you take the verse inside you and you know it at a deeper level than if you had simply read it off a screen. What you have in your heart is more easy to access and apply to your life in spontaneous situations. You won’t have to open the copy of it or turn on your electronics for that.

Qur'an holds so much wisdom in it that keeping it in your heart will make you a wise person as well.

3) Because you will be raised in ranks if you memorize

The more you memorize, the higher the rank.

Recite and rise up, and be increased in reward with every Ayah. [Tirmidhi]

Memorization doesn’t only mean to save it in your heart but also to absorb it deep within. So much so that Qur'an could be seen on you. People could tell, just by looking at you, that you have memorized the Qur'an or a part of it.

The character of Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam was the Qur'an, as narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her).

In the Qur’an, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam is addressed directly, “Truly, you are of tremendous character.” [Qur’an, 68.4] This Qur’anic verse intrigued Muslim scholars, early and late, especially the Qur’anic exegetes and the masters of the spiritual path, especially as the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam emphasized that, “I was only sent to perfect noble character,” [Ahmad] and said, “The believers most perfect in faith are those best in character.” [Tirmidhi]

Good character, Imam Ghazali explains in his Ihya’, is an inward disposition that causes one to incline towards praiseworthy inward traits and praiseworthy outward actions.

Abu Ad-Darda reported: The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam, said, “Nothing is heavier upon the Scale of the believer on the Day of Resurrection than his good character. Verily, Allah hates the shameless, obscene person.” [At-Tirmdhi]

Your strong connection with the Qur'an helps you build your good character, which will help you not just in this fleeting world but in the eternal world.

4) Because memorizing is a source of peace and tranquility

In a world full of turmoil, we could all use a moment of serenity.

“A man was reciting Surat Al-Kahf and his horse was tied with two ropes beside him. A cloud came down and spread over that man, and it kept on coming closer and closer to him till his horse started jumping (as if afraid of something). When it was morning, the man came to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam, and told him of that experience. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said, “That was As-Sakinah (tranquility) which descended because of (the recitation of) the Qur’an.”” [Bukhari]

5) Because memorizing teaches you the fundamentals of Islam

Allah combines three fundamentals of Islam in first ten verses – Oneness of Allah (as mentioned in verses 4 and 5), revelation upon Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam (as mentioned in the first verse) and recompense [(as mentioned in verses two and three) – hence combining two emotions together; fear (to not let us procrastinate) and hope (to let us always strive for better).]

6) Because memorizing increases your iman (faith)

Surah Kahf has many stories in it that teach you so many practical lessons to implement in your daily life. But the first ten verses help you to develop a strong connection with Qur'an because there is no possibility of deviation in it (as mentioned in the first and second verse).

How do we know that Islam is the ultimate truth? It’s the Qur'an.

No matter how languages evolve, cultures change or standards twist, this one Book will never change. No matter how many winds swirl, the whole forest may fall to the ground but this tree shall stand still, embed in it’s ground. There’s a war being raged against it. War of values before the war of Dajjal is upon us.

We have something we can hold onto because it will stay the same till the end of time. So if you want strength, you come to His Book. You want to just fear Allah and not Dajjal or anyone? Qur'an has an answer. It will increase your iman (faith) in shaa Allah.

7) It gives you a goal to achieve in this world.

This worldly life is a test for all of us (as mentioned in the 7th verse) as to how many among us struggle towards the best of deeds. Not the most but rather the best. Allah is not looking for quantity but quality.

Contrary to our belief that hardships are a test from Allah, here Allah tells us that the adornment of this earth (wealth, beauty, spouses, children, fame etc) is also a test for you. Whoever uses these blessings in the best of ways, receives the glad tidings.

The best of rewards are for the best of deeds.

8) It’s a shield against Dajjal (Antichrist).

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam warned us ahead of time that— Between time of the creation of Adam and the Resurrection Day, there is nothing greater than the trial of Dajjal. [Muslim]

Whatever situation you are facing, it is going to get worse and the only One who can help you go through it is Allah. So build your connection with Allah.

That’s why Prophet sallalahu alayhi wassallam used to seek Allah’s refuge from Dajjal in his prayer.

When any one of you utters tashahhud (in prayer) he must seek refuge with Allah from four (trials) and should thus say:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ

“O Allah! I seek refuge with Thee from the torment of the Hell, from the torment of the grave, from the trial of life and death and from the evil of the trial of Masih al-Dajjal (Antichrist).” [Muslim]

He will be a combination of every tribulation, man has ever known. Trial of wealth (what owner of the two gardens suffered), power (taught through Dhul-Qarnayn’s story), knowledge (as learned in Musa alayhissalaam and Khidr’s story (alayhissalaam) and faith (what people of the cave went through).

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassalaam said: . . . Those of you who live up to his time should recite over him the opening verses of Surat al-Kahf, for they are your protection from his trial . . . [Abu Dawood]

9) To be companions of Isa alayhissalaam

Imagine Isa alayhissalaam repeating what he said once to his hawaariyyoon (disciples)— Who are my supporters? my companions for the sake of Allah? and you answering— we are supporters for Allah.

But for that, you need to survive the fitna (trial) of Dajjal and to protect yourself, you need to first memorize Surah Kahf’s verses and then live them as well.

But you may say that you won’t be living until that time.

First of all, who knows? Time is in Allah’s hands. He may stretch it or shrink it and the Hour may be upon us while we are unaware of it.

Secondly, if it doesn’t happen in your time, your later generations will be faced with that trial nonetheless. So to teach them these verses, you need to know them first yourself. Don’t you wish that the believers whose faces will be wiped by Isa alayhissalaam (who will tell them their status in Paradise), are among your generations? Something that will raise your ranks in Jannah as well inshaa Allah. Think ahead as Ibrahim alayhissalaam did. Allah indeed accepts the dua's but for that we need to put some effort too.

Back in our ancestry, may be there were companions of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam or may be prophets themselves (after all we all are from Adam alayhissalaam/Nuh alayhissalaam who was aadam-e-thaani) and may Allah make our generations, down the line, as one of the hawaariyyoon.

10) There is a beautiful du'a at the end.

The tenth verse is a wonderful du'a which those young people of the cave (who Allah presented as role models for the youth) made.

So every time you recite these verses, you make this du'a also, asking for Allah’s special mercy (since the word min ladunka is used, which is superior to words min doonika or min indika— all meaning the same in English but in Arabic, each of them has a specific meaning).

Grant us mercy, very close and near to You, our Rabb, that comes especially from Your secret vaults, guidance, forgiveness and provision.

10 Practical Tips

1) Listen to these verses on repeat, till they roll on your tongue automatically. Listen to them while traveling, driving, cooking, cleaning etc.

2) Once you are done with the listening part for few days or hours (depending on every individual), keep the Qur'an in front of you (at eye level or slightly) to see the text while you listen to the verses. Listening also helps keep your tajweed right.

3) Don’t forget memorizing the translation with it for better understanding.

4) Train your brain with impression. Be impressed with the text. Stop and picture a scene in your mind to make the impression stronger.

5) Associate – Link the text to something you already know.

6) Repeat with your tongue (aloud) – The more you repeat, the more you remember.

7) Don’t say to yourself that you can not memorize because of your bad memory. Because to improve a bad memory, you need to memorize anyway. Believe in yourself that you can! Battle the bad with the good.

8) Once you have memorized them, recite them in your prayer. Break them down to five verses each rak’ah for ease. Practice makes a person perfect.

9) Have someone test what you have memorized

10) Last but not least, don’t worry because Allah will save it in your heart inshaa Allah.

وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْ‌نَا ٱلْقُرْ‌ءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ‌ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ‌ۢ ﴿١٧

“And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy to remember, so is there any who will remember?” [Qur'an, Al-Qamar 54:17,22,32,40]

Allah repeats this verse 4 times in the Surah for emphasis. The Qur'an is easy to remember for those who seek with a sincere heart and an open mind. So make a good intention, trust Allah and do it. You will see miraculous result inshaa Allah.

Remember when Allah asked Maryam, the mother of Isa (peace be upon them) to shake a date palm tree. 20 strong and healthy athletes will struggle to move a date tree. Imagine how difficult it must have been for a woman in labor! And yet Allah asked her to do it and she obeyed.

Then miraculously Allah brought for her dates and provided for her a stream. Our actions are not really of much use. It is Allah who brings the results. Our job is to do what He orders even if we do not understand His wisdom. And if we obey Him in times of darkness, He will shine His light from places we never imagined.

فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَٱنتَبَذَتْ بِهِۦ مَكَانًا قَصِيًّا ﴿٢٢﴾ فَأَجَآءَهَا ٱلْمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذْعِ ٱلنَّخْلَةِ قَالَتْ يَـٰلَيْتَنِى مِتُّ قَبْلَ هَـٰذَا وَكُنتُ نَسْيًا مَّنسِيًّا ﴿٢٣﴾ فَنَادَىٰهَا مِن تَحْتِهَآ أَلَّا تَحْزَنِى قَدْ جَعَلَ رَ‌بُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِ‌يًّا ﴿٢٤﴾ وَهُزِّىٓ إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ ٱلنَّخْلَةِ تُسَـٰقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُ‌طَبًا جَنِيًّا ﴿٢٥

So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place. (22) And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten." (23) But he called her from below her, "Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. (24) And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. (25) [Qur'an, Maryam 19:22-25]

May Allah help you with the memorization of it and grant us steadfastness and make us and our families His elect People of the Qur'an. Ameen.

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wassallam.

Wassalaam

Adapted from UnderstandQur'an.com