Recite Surah Al-Kahf every Friday

Millions of Muslims Recite Surah Al-Kahf every Friday,* memorize its verses and are aware of its lights and blessings. *But there is a point to ponder for a moment: Why Surah Al-Kahf?

In a single Surah there are four stories which apparently seem to have a distant connection with each other: a few young men who took refuge in a cave, the owner of two gardens, the journey of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) with the righteous servant (Prophet Khidr), and the journey of a great king (Dhul-Qarnayn) around the world... Together they all encompass the trials and tribulations of man.

It is the story of human trial in the form of stories, and the most dangerous thing is that trial does not always come in the form that man fears, but sometimes comes in the form of something he loves.

*1. The Trial of Faith (Story of the People of the Cave)*

The Surah begins with praise of Allah who revealed the Book to His servant and placed no crookedness in it, so that man may get a straight criterion. After that, the mention of those young men who believed in a polytheistic society:

Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.

And they said:

Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth; never will we invoke besides Him any deity.

Trial: Despite knowing the truth, following the wrong path out of fear of what people will say or fear of being isolated from society. The price of steadfastness is sometimes not giving one's life, but leaving behind some benefits or the liking of people.

*2. The Trial of Wealth and Riches (Story of the Owner of the Two Gardens)*

After that, the mention of the owner of two gardens who, boasting of his wealth, says:

I do not think that this will ever perish.

Trial: Instead of considering things as a blessing from Allah and being grateful, man starts thinking that it is his own right and will never end.

Reality: Then the Surah describes the transience of the world as:

And present to them the example of the life of this world, its like is as water which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and then it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds.

*3. The Trial of Knowledge and Wisdom (Story of Musa and Khidr, peace be upon them)*

Then comes the incident of the journey of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) and Prophet Khidr (peace be upon him), where events that apparently seemed evil (making a hole in the boat, killing the boy, straightening the wall), in the end their wisdom comes to light.

He said: This is the parting between me and you. I will inform you of the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience.

Trial: Man thinking that he knows everything. Upon a little loss or a door closing, man considers the entire future to be dark, while he is seeing only a small part of the story.

*4. The Trial of Power and Authority (Story of Dhul-Qarnayn)*

In the end comes the incident of Dhul-Qarnayn, whom Allah gave power and means, but instead of becoming arrogant with power, he said:

He said: This is a mercy from my Lord.

Trial: Man changing upon getting power, trying to gain control over others and forgetting that authority and influence is a responsibility.

Conclusion

These four trials - faith, wealth, knowledge, and power - are the most important aspects of human life which can lead man astray. That is why the Surah ends on this fundamental reality:

So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.

We do not recite Surah Al-Kahf every Friday because we need a new story every week, but so that it remains a reminder that trial enters a person's life through the path that he likes the most. The most dangerous thing is not losing something, but losing oneself because of gaining something.

In this writing, the word 'Fitna' means test and trial; therefore it should not be taken in its famous or terminological sense.