I was blessed just before Ramadan started to have a three day retreat focussed on Surah al-Kahf (The Chapter of the Cave). Over three days we spent time pondering on the meanings of the surah, the rhetoric found therein and how stories can be used to derive laws. It was a fascinating insight into this important surah.
Rewind about one month and as a trustee group we had already made a decision to ask Shaykh Hassan Shire to deliver a series of short talks on Surah al-Kahf. Coincidence? Or is there something very important about this surah?
Many of the scholars are reminding us to turn back to this surah as it is extremely important when it comes to the End of Times.
Abu Darda reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
مَنْ حَفِظَ عَشْرَ آيَاتٍ مِنْ أَوَّلِ سُورَةِ الْكَهْف عُصِمَ مِنْ الدَّجَّالِ
Whoever hafidha ten verses from the beginning of Surat al-Kahf will be immune to the (Dajjal) False Messiah.
In another narration, the Prophet (ṣ) said:
مِنْ آخِرِ الْكَهْفِ
From the last ten verses of Surat al-Kahf.
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 809, Grade: Sahih
Shaykh Akram Nadwi when we studied this made it very clear that hafidha (memorise/protect) means understands. To put simply, if you study these verses and understand them, place them in your heart, then your heart will be protected and fortified from the Dajjal.
‘Imran ibn Husayn reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Nothing between the creation of Adam until the establishment of the Hour is a greater tribulation than the affair of the False Messiah.”
عن عمران بن حصين قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَا بَيْنَ خَلْقِ آدَمَ إِلَى قِيَامِ السَّاعَةِ خَلْقٌ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ الدَّجَّالِ
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2946
With that in mind I think you should seriously consider attending the series of monthly talks by Shaykh Hassan.
It isn’t just about the Dajjal. Our teachers are reminding us again and again of the importance of understanding Surah al-Kahf as a protection from fitnah (trials/tribulations) at the end times in general.
I think that given the talk around this Surah and given the times we live in there will be great demand for this short series of talks.
Classes start on Saturday 8th April from 6pm-7pm and will take place every month so put this in your diary from now.
FYI Shaykh Hassan comes from London so he is giving up a good few hours to drive to MK, teach and go back! Making an effort to attend is very important.
We have 40 places and there is no cost, but we urge you to sign up here:
Lote Tree 