10 Reasons to Learn 10 Verses of Surah Kahaf

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Why learn Surah Kahafs first 10 verses?
1) Because Prophet (saws) 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 (saw) but of so many companions, successors and so on).
I have never come across memorization of any specific surah/ayaat except for this.
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 Fatiha for the validation of your
prayer), but Surah Kahafs memorization has been specifically talked about.
Since Prophet (saws) was so concerned about us (as mentioned in the sixth verse), following his
advice 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 Quran in your heart.
He who does not memorize any part from the Quran he is like the ruined house. [At-Tirmidhi]
You might ask, why memorize in the 21st century when we have the Quran 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 wont have to open the copy of it or turn on
your mobile for that.
Quranholds 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 doesnt only mean to save it in your heart but also to absorb it deep within. So much so
that Quran could be seen on you. People could tell, just by looking at you, that you have memorized the
Quran or a part of it.
The character of Prophet (saws) was the Quran, as narrated by Aishah (ra).
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, and told him of
that experience. The Prophet (saws) said, That was As-Sakina (tranquility) which descended because
of (the recitation of) the Quran. [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 four and five), revelation upon Prophet (saws) (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 eemaan (faith)
Surah Kahaf 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 Quran 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? Its the Quran.
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 its ground. Theres 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 this book. You want to just fear Allah and not Dajjal or anyone? This book has an
answer. It will increase your eemaan (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 seventh 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) Its a shield against Dajjal (Antichrist).
Prophet (saws) 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 (the Antichrist). [Muslim]
When I see the situation in Gaza nowadays, I usually think it cant get any worse. But it will.
Thats why Prophet (saws) used to seek Allahs 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: 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-Qarnayns story), knowledge (as learned in Musa
(as) and Khidr (as)s story) and faith (what people of the cave went through).
Prophet (saws) 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 Eesa (as)
Imagine Eesa (as) 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 Kahafs verses and then live them as well.
But you may say that you wont be living until that time.
First of all, who knows? Time is in Allahs hands. He may stretch it or shrink it and the hour may be
upon us while we are unaware of it.
Secondly, if it doesnt 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. Dont you wish that
the believers whose faces will be wiped by Eesa (as) (who will tell them their status in Paradise), are
among your generations? Something that will raise your ranks in Jannah as well in shaa Allah. Think
ahead as Ibrahim (as) did. Allah indeed accepts the duas but for that we need to put some effort too.
Back in our ancestry, may be there were companions of the Prophet (saws) or may be prophets
themselves (after all we all are from Adam (as)/ Nuh (as) who was aadam-e-thaani) and may Allah
make our generations, down the line, as one of the hawaariyyoon.
10) There is a beautiful dua at the end.
The tenth verse is a wonderful dua 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 dua also, asking for Allahs 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 Quran in front of you to see the text while you listen to the verses. Listening also helps keep
your tajweed right.
3) Dont 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) Dont 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 rakah for ease. Practice makes a person perfect.
9) Make someone take your oral test.
10) Last but not least, dont worry because Allah will save it in your heart inshaaAllah. Just trust Allah
and do it.
And We have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?
[Quran, 54:17]
May Allah help you all with the memorization of it. I would love to know which one of you memorized it,
in the comments below.
About the author: Samina Farooq is an engineer by qualification, a Quran student by occupation, a
photographer by eye, a writer by heart, a Muslim by soul.

Posted bywanda
August 15, 2014
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