Makkan surah named after the companions of the cave. The surah is composed predominantly of four stories that highlight different trials one faces during life. It’s recitation is a shelter from these trials.

It is recommended to read this surah every Friday. There are many hadith which cite the virtues of reading and memorising this surah:

• The reader will have a light shining from them to the Ka’bah between one Friday and the next.
• Their sins will be forgiven from one Friday to the next.
• They will have a light shining from them into the skies which will provide light for them on the Day of Resurrection.
• One who memorises the first ten verses will be secure against the Dajjal, who will bring with him similar trials. Some narrations also state the last ten verses.

Themes

• The trial of religion – the companions of the cave [9-26].
• The trial of wealth – the story of the wealthy man with two gardens [32-44].
• The trial of knowledge – the story of Musa AS and Kidr [60-82].
• The trial of power – the story of the king Zul Qarnain [83-99].

These trials also correlate to the questions we will be asked about on the Day of Judgement: What did we do with our youth, our wealth, our knowledge and our lives.

Selected Verses

1-5: All praise is for Allah SWT Who revealed the Quran with no crookedness in it, warning the disbelievers of a severe torment and giving good news of a fine reward to the believers who do good. Warning to those who claim Allah SWT has offspring – they have no knowledge of this, what a terrible claim!

The Trial of Religion

9-26: The companions of the cave were 7 Christian youths, and their dog, fleeing religious persecution from the pagans in the time of the Romans. They believed firmly in Allah SWT and sought refuge in a cave. Allah SWT caused them to sleep for 309 years, protecting them from the sun, from bedsores (by causing them to turn from side to side) and from being discovered.

When they awoke, they debated as to how long they had slept, thinking only a day or less. One of them was sent to look for provisions, wary of being found out, however the tyrants had died and their religion was re-established. They were given away by their antique silver coins and thus the people rushed to their cave to see the miracle of Allah SWT.

The companions died shortly after in the cave and a place of worship was placed on the site as a memorial.

22: Later generations debated about the number of companions, some claiming 3, some 5 and some 7, plus their dog. Allah SWT knows best so do not argue about them except with sure knowledge.

23: Never say you will do something in the future without adding insha Allah (if Allah wills).

Lessons

• This was a trial of iman, to stay firm in ones beliefs and keep good company.
• Generally speaking, religiosity comes with a degree of mockery or persecution.
• Migrating for the sake of Allah SWT is praiseworthy. It is compulsory if one cannot complete their religious obligations in their country and has the means to migrate.
• Do not debate without knowledge, there is no need to debate frivolous matters.
• Say insha Allah if you want to do something in the future.
• Each person responsible for their own religious beliefs.

27-29: We all have freedom of belief. Keep good company of those who call upon their Lord morning and evening seeking His pleasure. Do not let your eyes desire the luxuries of this world and do not obey the heedless who only follow their desires.

29-31: The reward for the wrongdoers is the Fire. They will be given molten metal to drink. The reward for the believers is the Gardens of Eternity, with rivers flowing beneath. They will be given beautiful adornments and garments to wear.

The Trial of Wealth

32-44: The wealthy man with two gardens which always produced good crops and fruit. There was a river running between them and he had other resources available including manpower. He was an arrogant man boasting to his poor companion of his wealth and resources. He claimed his fortune would never perish and that if the Hour were to come, he would receive better.

His believing companion questioned him about his lack of acknowledgement that all his blessings were from Allah SWT. There is no power except with Allah SWT. His arrogance led to his gardens being completely destroyed.

Lessons

• Wealth is a major test for our ummah.
• Dangers of pride and self conceit, vanity and narcissism. His wealth blinded him.
• He felt his provision was because he was blessed and assumed Allah SWT was happy with him and that he would be rewarded in hereafter regardless.
• Do not forget to thank Allah SWT as all blessings are from Him.
• Be humble and remember all worldly blessings are temporary.
• Remember the reality of death, nothing lasts forever and we cannot take anything except our good deeds with us.
• Remember the Akhira.

46: Wealth and children are the beauty of this world, but the good deeds last forever eg zikr such as Subhan Allah.

47-49: Beware of Judgement Day, when the mountains will be blown away and everyone is presented to Allah SWT in rows. Each persons deeds will be laid open in their own record, a book which does not leave out any sin, large or small.

The Trial of Knowledge

60-82: Musa AS was sent to meet Al Khidr (also a prophet) who had been gifted knowledge of the future by Allah SWT. Al Khidr said that Musa AS would not be able to be patient with him as his knowledge was beyond the realm of Musa AS. Musa AS was told not to question him until he clarified things himself.

They encountered three incidents, a ship, a boy and a wall. Each time Al Khidr did something that Musa AS did not understand and thus Musa AS protested to him. Each time, Al Khidr reminded Musa AS of his promise, who then apologised and asked for another chance. Eventually, after the final incident Al Khidr told Musa AS they had to part ways. He then explained his actions:

The Ship

They came across some poor fishermen in a ship and Al Khidr made a hole in it. At the time, Musa AS questioned whether he meant to drown them. Al Khidr explained that there was a tyrant king coming behind them, seizing everyone’s ships. Thus by making a hole, the ship was deemed unworthy and the fishermen did not lose their means of living.

The Boy

They came across a boy and Al Khidr killed him. At the time, Musa AS protested that he had committed a terrible crime killing an innocent boy. Al Khidr explained that the boy’s parents were true believers and he feared the boy would cause them to fall into disbelief. By killing him, he hoped Allah SWT would give them another more virtuous and caring child.

The Wall

They came to a town, asking for food but receiving no hospitality. There was a wall on the brink of collapse, so Al Kidr repaired it. At the time, Musa AS told Al Khidr he could have asked for money so that he could buy some provisions. Al Khidr explained that the wall belonged to two orphans and there was a treasure buried beneath it that belonged to them. Their father had been righteous and Allah SWT willed that the boys would come of age and retrieve their treasure as a mercy from Him.

Lessons

• When seeking knowledge and learning from others, we require humility and patience.
• Reality is not always what one perceives.
• Everyone can benefit or teach you something.
• A temporary calamity is always a blessing in disguise.
• When Allah SWT takes something away, He substitutes something better.
• Any delay in receiving something is for the best. Allah SWT gives when it is best to do so.

The Trial of Power

83-99: Zul Qarnain was a righteous king who travelled to the ends of the earth. He was fair to those he encountered, punishing those who did wrong and rewarding those who did good.

He came across some people who were being plagued by Gog and Magog, wreaking havoc in the land. They asked for his help and he set about walling Gog and Magog off between two mountains. He asked for iron blocks to be placed as a barrier and then covered with molten copper.

Zul Qarnain declared this a mercy from Allah SWT, but when His decree came, the wall would be raised to the ground and Gog and Magog would be released upon the earth. This is one of the major signs of the Day of Judgement.

Lessons

• Zul Qarnain was a powerful king acting justly and therefore was blessed by Allah SWT.
• Maintain righteousness and be humble.
• Do not abuse our power or oppress others.
• We are all accountable to Allah SWT for our actions.

100-102: Hell will be clearly displayed for the disbelievers on the Day of Judgement, for those who turned away from the Quran and who took Prophets and angels as lords over Allah SWT.

103-106: The losers will be those who think they are doing good in this world but who do not believe. Their deeds will be made worthless and Hell will be their reward.

107-108: Those who believe and do good will be rewarded with Jannat al Firdous, the highest level of Paradise, to reside there forever.

109: If the whole ocean were ink for writing the words of Allah SWT it would run dry even if another ocean were added. The knowledge and speech of Allah SWT is infinite.

110: (Prophet Muhammad ﷺ): I am a human like all of you but it has been revealed to me that your God is only One God. Whoever wants to meet Allah SWT let him do good deeds and not associate anyone with Him.

This ayah encapsulates the entire religion: tawheed, risalah (prophethood), Akhira and sincerity.