(a). According to a report from Dailami on the authority of Sayyidna Anas, appearing in Ruh al-Ma’ ani, the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “The entire Surah al-Kahf was revealed at one time, and seventy thousand angels came with it” – which shows its majesty.

(b). According to a narration of Sayyidna Abu al-Darda’, appearing in Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, al-Nasa’i and the Musnad of Ahmad, one who has memorized the first ten verses of Surah al-Kahf will remain protected from the ill eƯects of Dajjal (imposter). In another report in the same books and from the same authority, the same thing has been said about having memorized the last ten verses of Surah al-Kahf.

This is the third story in the inspirational and insightful Surah Al-Kahf. The story involves 3 people, namely Prophet Musa [ عليهالسﻼم ], his young boy-servant Yusha bin Nun, and Al-Khidr [ عليهالسﻼم ]. This story is inspirational in many ways, it is primarily so in the way it highlights the importance of striving to seek the special kind of knowledge that is sent down by Allah, as a mercy upon His special slaves.

One day as Musa alayhis salaam addressed the Banu Isra’il a person asked, “who is the most knowledgeable among the people “? Musa alayhis salaam replied, “I am”. He said this because he was a prophet of Allah, and the prophets are always the most learned of people. Musa alayhis salaam did not ask Allah before giving his answer, So, Allah admonished him since he did not refer the knowledge back to Him. Allah revealed to him about a servant who has more knowledge than him and told him he is stationed at a place where two seas meet Musa alayhis salaam was eager to meet this person and Allah informed him how to find him. Take a fish in a basket and travel with it. Wherever the fish will disappear, you will find the knowledgeable man there. Musa alayhis salaam and Yusha set oƯ to find this person. They reached the place where the two seas met and decided to take a break. While they rested the fish came alive and made its way into the sea. Yusha saw the fish escape but forgot to tell Musa alayhis salaam. They continued the journey and the next day, they stopped and decided to eat. Yusha remembered what happened with the fish and told Musa alayhis salaam that shaytaan made him forget to tell him. They went back to the same place where the fish escaped and when they reached there, they met Khidr. Musa alayhis salaam requested “May I travel with you to learn some knowledge that Allah has taught you”. Khidr replied that Musa would not be able to remain patient with actions that he would see from him. Musa alayhis salaam said “insha’allah, you will find me patient.” They went along the seashore until they passed a boat, the crew of the boat let Khidr and Musa alayhis salaam on for free. However, Khidr damaged the boat. Musa asked, “did you damage the boat to drown the people on board”? Khidr reminded Musa alayhis salaam of the condition he made.

When they got oƯ the boat, they came across a boy who was playing with other children. Khidr took ahold of the boy and ended his life. Musa alayhis salaam questioned this action of Khidr with utter shock. Once again Khidr reminded Musa alayhis salaam of the condition that was set. Musa alayhis salaam apologized to Khidr and said that if I question you again, then do not keep me in your company. They continued their journey until they reached a town. The people of the town refused to give food and shelter to Musa alayhis salaam and Khidr. Khidr noticed a wall that was close to collapsing and decided to repair the wall. Once again Musa alayhis salaam surprised at this, questioned Khidr as to why he did this action even though the people of the town refused to show them hospitality. Once again, Musa Alayhis salaam broke the agreement between him and Khidr. “This is where we part company,” said Khidr. “I will now explain the reasons for the things you saw,” he said to Musa alayhis salaam. As for what I did to the boat, it belonged to poor people who made their living from the sea. I damaged the boat to save it from an unjust king who was passing by. As for the young boy, I killed him to protect his parents who are pious believers. This child would have grown up to oppress, rebel and disbelieve. His parents would have followed him in his disbelief out of their love for him. Finally, I repaired the wall because buried beneath the wall was treasure, which the boys would not have been able to get if the wall was left to collapse. Khidr also explained to Musa alayhis salaam that he did not commit these actions through his own wishes; they were actions that Allah wanted him to do. Although they seemed strange and shocking, there were good reasons as to why Allah made Khidr do them.

Sometimes, we may face situations in life that seem diƯicult or unjust, but Allah’s wisdom is far beyond our comprehension. We should trust that Allah is looking out for our best interest. When dealing with loss, we must pray and ask Allah to reward us for our patience. We must do good even when the people around us are unfair. Seeking knowledge is an arduous process, but its rewards are immense.

Dhul Qarnayn was a righteous and just king, who traveled the lands from West to East. He was a pious believer who lived a rather simple life. It is known that he was a man who Allah (swt) had blessed immensely. He was blessed with a militarily focused mind, the ability to govern various kingdoms, and great wisdom about life. He was a believer in Allah (swt) and was on the straight path. Throughout his military travels and expeditions, he would often reflect and contemplate the signs of Allah (swt). He lived his life traveling from one land to the next to establish justice and alleviate the suƯering of people.

Dhul-Qarnayn traveled far and wide throughout his life. It is said that he ruled the Earth from east to west. On one of his expeditions, he came to a western land where he found the Sun setting as if in a spring of dark mud. It was in this place where he discovered a group of people who were living under extremely oppressed conditions and the land was filled with corruption. Dhul-Qarnayn went into the community and corrected their ways. He educated them on the diƯerence between right and wrong. He was also responsible for liberating this land from the oppressors who ruled over this land. He aided the weak and oppressed in their fight to try and establish justice in the land.

After liberating this community, he led his army ahead until one day against the rising sun, he encountered a group of people who were extremely backward and ignorant in their ways. They would be living in the open air without any shelter or protection against the Sun. He was able to educate these people and teach them about proper shelter. He shared much wisdom with these people. He taught them many practical skills as well such as carpentry along with basic agricultural methods. After educating these people, he continued his journey.

The next leg of his journey is the most interesting part of his journey. He ends up meeting a very exotic group of people so far from his homeland, they could hardly understand his language. The group of people complained to Dhul-Qarnayn of two corrupters in their land. These two corrupters and oppressors are Ya’juj (Gog) and Ma’juj (Magog). The fairness of these townspeople is further apparent in the fact that they readily oƯered to pay tax or payment to Dhul Qarnain in return for his building a barrier to permanently protect them from the Yajuj and Majuj. Dhul Qarnain refused their payment of tax but agreed to build an invincible barrier between them and the mischief-makers, anyway, requesting them to help him with their manpower. In the Qur’an and hadith there are prophecies that mention the appearance of Ya’juj and Ma’juj close to the Day of Judgment. They will then reappear on the Earth and cause great trouble and mischief. Many scholars have tried to point to certain races of today being Ya’juj and Ma’juj, however we are not sure of who they are. This remains as being part of the knowledge of the unseen.

Once the people complained to Dhul-Qarnayn about Ya’juj and Ma’juj, Allah (swt) gave Dhul- Qarnayn the knowledge needed to solve this community’s problem. With divine wisdom from Allah (swt), Dhul-Qarnayn instructed the community to construct a giant wall or dam made of iron between the two mountains. Finally, he ordered them to then pour molten copper on the wall to strengthen it and make it extremely impenetrable.

There are several lessons we can extrapolate from the life of Dhul-Qarnayn. We should realize that all abilities and power come from Allah (swt). Whenever a person feels an urge to do something good, he/she should use those abilities and whatever power he/she has for enjoining good and forbidding evil. In addition, sincerity will make us want to perform good deeds. An individual’s sincerity will allow Allah (swt) to make it easy for us to spread his message to the world. We also must always remember that as a collective ummah we all have a chance to change something. Whether it be standing up for justice, helping to alleviate the suƯering of people, or spreading the message of Tawheed and Islam to the people around us. We all have diƯerent opportunities in life that we must take advantage of. If we have sincerity, Allah (swt) will give us victory. Dhul-Qarnayn traveled was able to free people from oppression and was able establish justice throughout the land because of his sincere belief in Allah (swt) and his drive for helping humanity.

One of the overarching lessons of Surah Al-Kahf is the concept of trials, whether they are related to wealth, knowledge, power, or faith. Each story serves as a reminder that life is filled with tests, and it is through patience, gratitude, and reliance on Allah that we can succeed in both this life and the hereafter.