Introduction to Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave) – Part 1
Muslims are commended by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to recite Surah Al-Kahf every Friday.
This must be for a reason!
The reason behind that lies in the objective of the Surah itself. The objective of the Surah means the main theme or topic that the whole Surah with all its stories revolve around. What the Surah is all about. The main objective of Surat Al-Kahf is protection against afflictions, ordeals, trials, tribulations, and temptations, etc.
An escape route; a lifeboat
This surah comes to provide you with an escape route, a way of salvation, a safety net, a life vest, a lifeboat.
It gives us a way out; how to rescue ourselves from all these trials and ordeals?
As we all, all of us, without any exceptions, are all subject to these trials in one way or another. No one is ever exempted!
Thus, we need to figure out or learn the way out and how to save ourselves and those around us and protect them from these ordeals, tests, temptations, tribulations, and so on and so forth.
What are these afflictions?
These are five afflictions:
First: The affliction of Faith
Secondly: The affliction of Wealth
Thirdly: The affliction of Knowledge
Fourthly: The affliction of Power or Authority
Fifthly: The affliction of Satan
As the Surah relates to us five stories, each story introduces or presents to us one of these afflictions. It gives us some important details which make it easy for us to understand as well as appreciate the story and the morale behind it; gives us cues or clues so as how to avoid such afflictions and get rid of any evil thoughts that may damage our Faith (iman) or stain our loyalty or sincerity to Allah.
Watch the following video that introduces an introduction to the Surah by Dr. Ali Alhalawani.